Holiday Gift Ideas For Your Dog
Show Your Dog Your Love Over the Holiday Season
People love their dogs and tend to treat them like family. This includes finding ways to recognize and show your dog your love over the holiday season. Whether your family celebrates Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa, Diwali or your own family traditions, the winter months are traditionally a time to celebrate, eat and share gifts with those around us. I’m here to help you with some holiday gift ideas for your dog.
Finding great holiday gift ideas for your dog can be a bit of a challenge, particularly if you already have a pampered pooch. However, and this is important to keep in mind, your dog will always be very happy with more of what he or she likes. In other words, a dog will never be upset if gifts include more than one ball, Kong or chew toy.
To get started on some great ideas for our four-legged friends, here are some options for holiday gifts that are sure to make your dog’s wag their tails and jump for joy.
- Dog beds – as dogs get older, having a supportive, comfortable dog bed in their favorite place to relax is a great gift. There are a lot of different options in beds from memory foam luxury beds to beds that are on frames that sit off the ground for cooling breezes and comfort all around. When buying dog beds remember that quality will matter, particularly for dogs that tend to chew or scratch their bedding.
- Toys, toys, toys – as mentioned above, dogs that love toys love lots of toys. There are many different options in Kongs, rubber balls, chew ropes and other toys that your dog will play with on their own as well as with other pets and the family. Be sure to choose toys that will stand up to the size and breed of the dog and avoid buying any toys that are not specifically designed for dogs.
- Plush toys – some dogs, like some kids, love to have a plush toy to snuggle with and carry around. As with the chew toys, always choose a brand that is specifically made for dogs, do not give dogs plush toys made for kids. The toys for kids are not designed to stand up to chewing and pulling, and small parts may come off that become a choking hazard.
- Dog puzzles and games – there is an increasing market for dog puzzles and games that are ideal for keeping dogs thinking and interacting. A simple puzzle that dogs love is the automated or doggy propelled treat balls that will randomly drop treats when the dog interacts with the toy. These are a popular option if your dog is left alone during the day.
- Dog outfits – dog hats, fancy collars and leashes, sunglasses, t-shirts, hoodies and even dog booties are all fun to have on hand. Some dogs love the idea of dressing up while others may need some time and encouragement to get into the swing of being in style.
For a low-cost Christmas gift, and one the whole family can be involved in making, try baking some dog treats for your pet. These are easy to make with lots of free recipes online that are full of healthy, nutritious ingredients your dog will love.