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Holiday Gifts for Dogs and Cats
Spoil the fur babies in your life with expert-recommended toys, bedding, treats and more
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Gift-giving season is in full swing. Your shopping list may be long, but — for the love of pets — don’t forget about your dogs and cats! To help you get inspired, we’ve curated a list of purr-fect presents.
Gifts for sweet and rascally pups
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Toys for play: The most important consideration is what types of toys your dog likes best and what will be safest for them.
“Some dogs love stuffed toys, some like balls and Frisbees,” says Emma Farkash, a veterinarian based in New York. But while preference is important, she says it is also important to make sure that the size is appropriate (too small could be a choking hazard) and that it isn’t a toy your pup is likely to rip up and ingest.
She also advises to steer clear of any toys made with rawhide, which can lead to a blocked intestinal tract.
Below are two highly rated toys.
- For pups wanting to fetch, try the Kong Flyer (smaller size $11.99, larger size $13.99 on amazon.com), a durable Frisbee-style toy.
- Goughnuts Tug (starting at $28.95 on dogtuff.com) is made of two connected rings of natural rubber and comes in two sizes and three strengths: tough, tougher and toughest.
Toys that stimulate the brain: If you want to give your pup something to keep them busy, certified dog trainer Miranda Hitchcock based in Austin, Texas, recommends investing in enrichment items like snuffle mats and food puzzles.
“Mental enrichment is a fabulous idea for nasty-weather days where you can’t go outside for long walks with your pup, and is a great way to help their brain get needed stimulation,” she says.
Pro tip: Try feeding your dog from an enrichment item instead of the normal food bowl, Hitchcock says. Here are three options, starting with two from Hitchcock.
- Kong Classic (starting at $7.99 on amazon.com for the extra-small size): You can fill the cone with peanut butter or other dog-friendly foods. Pop it in the freezer for a frozen treat that will last longer.
- LickiMat Slow Feeder for Dogs ($15.95 for a two-pack on amazon.com). Hitchcock says they’re also “great for helping soothe dogs!”
- Outward Hound’s Hide A Squirrel Squeaky Puzzle Plush Dog Toy ($32.99 on chewy.com) is a hide-and-seek toy to keep dogs busy.
Tasty treats: Farkash recommends buying treats that help teeth and gums stay healthy. Here are two teeth-friendly treats approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council:
- The festive Greenies Gingerbread Flavor Dog Treats. The regular-size treats ($19.99 for a 12-count bag on chewy.com) are for dogs between 25 and 50 pounds, but there are smaller sizes as well.
- Checkups Dental Dog Treats ($19.99 for a 24-count bag on naturallyunleashed.com).
Hitchcock says it’s a good idea to steer clear of chicken-based treats because “many dogs can’t have proteins like chicken.” Here are two recommendations, the first one from Hitchcock.
- Real Meat Treats ($8.99 for the 4-oz. beef option on amazon.com). The beef version of these treats is made of 95 percent real beef and contains no hormones or additives.
- Zuke’s Mini Naturals Holiday Trees Turkey & Cranberry Recipe Dog Treats ($8.99 for a 5-oz. bag on chewy.com). These treats can be a fun and festive treat option for dogs who love the taste of turkey.
Cozy dog beds: Comfort should be the number one priority, so try to find something that suits your dog’s sleeping style.
“Some dogs love to have a bed with a nice edge they can flop their head onto, and other dogs like to be able to lay halfway off (go figure!). Some dogs tend to run hot and prefer a raised bed to a fluffy one,” Hitchcock says.
Pro tip: Get a washable bed, says Hitchcock — “hugely helpful” when accidents happen. Here are three that come with stellar user reviews — that are also washable.
- Washable Dog Bed Deluxe Plush (starting at $17.99 for the smallest size on amazon.com).
- Bedsure Orthopedic Dog Bed (starting at $36.99 for the extra-small size on amazon.com).
- Best Friends by Sheri Cozy Cuddler Covered Cat & Dog Bed ($34.99 on petsmart.com).
Fashionable and functional leashes: A leash is a great way to spruce up a pup’s street style. Farkash recommends choosing “something that is durable and not too long,” adding that flexi-leashes may be convenient but are dangerous to you and your pup.
- Lupine’s Original Designs Dog Leash ($13.99 to $19.99 on lupinepet.com). “They have a variety of leash patterns and lengths, and the material is very durable,” Farkash says.
- Wilderdog Climbing Rope Big Carabiner Dog Leash ($34 on amazon.com) is another durable option.
- Baapet Dog Leash with Padded Handle (starting at $7.89 on amazon.com) is a nice option for owners who want a comfortable handle.
Warm winter coats: While some dogs love playing dress-up, others despise it. But if you have a fashionable Fluffy who tends to run cold, there are plenty of options. Hitchcock recommends vest-type clothing versus sweaters or PJs: “Especially if your dog has never worn clothing before, these options that attach like a harness may be less scary than an option where you have to push all four paws through the ‘armholes’ of a pair of PJs!” Hitchcock recommends the first one below, and we added two other options that get great reviews.
- Quinzee Dog Jacket from Ruffwear ($89.95 on ruffwear.com).
- Carhartt’s Firm Duck Insulated Dog Chore Coat in the company’s classic Brown/Brass color (starting at $37.99 on Amazon.com) is great for owners looking for a layer that is easy to put on and take off.
- Kuoser Warm Dog Coat (starting at $20.99 on amazon.com) has an easy entrance. Try the coat in the Christmas green pattern if you’re feeling festive.
Gifts for cuddly and curious cats
Toys for play: Toys are oh-so-important for cats because they can encourage your feline friend to get up and moving — even when they’d rather sleep all day (we hear you, cats). But cats like “simple stuff,” so there’s no need to get fancy, says certified feline behavior and training consultant Marci Koski, who is based in Vancouver, Washington.
“My cats, for example, love tissue wrapping paper and packing paper,” Koski says.
She recommends opting for store-bought toys made from natural fabric or fake fur, but “anything simple that they can bat around, roll around, tear up, shred, hide in, those are going to be the preferred things that your cat likes.”
- 100-Percent North American Catnip Filled Carrot Cat Toy 24 Karat from OurPets ($6.44 on amazon.com) is a nice choice for your catnip-fiending friends.
- For something festive and cool, try the Star Wars Santa Hat Teaser Wand Cat Toy ($4.79 on chewy.com).
Toys that stimulate the kitty brain: For your cat’s enrichment, Farkash has one big recommendation: Get a scratching post. “This promotes natural wear on their nails and protects your furniture from scratches!” she explains. The following get good user reviews.
- Amazon.com Basics Cat Tower with Hammock and Scratching Posts ($26.39 on amazon.com).
- Frisco 47.5-inch Modern Cat Tree & Condo (about $80 depending on the color, on chewy.com). It has a hideaway, scratching posts and mats, a hanging rope and even a “penthouse perch.”
Tasty treats: Just like she said for dogs, Farkash recommends dental chews as a good treat option — particularly for older cats. Here are two that are approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council:
- Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Crunchy Bites Cat Treats ($6.99 for a 1.8-oz. bag on chewy.com).
- Feline Greenies Oven Roasted Chicken Flavored Dental Treats ($5.21 for a 4.6-oz. bag on greenies.com)
Koski says “lickable treats” that come in squeezable tubes are a favorite with her clients. For some flavorful purees, try these ones with good user reviews:
- Tuna Recipe Cat Treats from Love, Nala ($3.99 for a pack of four on lovenala.com). These protein-packed purees have been brought to the masses thanks to Instagram’s most famous cat (@nala_cat).
- Inaba Churu Grain-Free Chicken Puree Lickable Cat Treat ($3.99 for a four-pack on chewy.com) — Koski’s cat’s personal favorite!
Leashes for walking … the cat? Yup!: You might think of harnesses and leashes only for dogs, but Farkash says they are excellent for cats who like to explore outside.
The following leash and harness sets are all highly rated on amazon.com:
- Rabbitgoo Cat Harness and Leash (starting at $14.98 for the XXS size on amazon.com) — this one gets bonus points for its high ratings and fun color options.
- Houdini Escape Resistant Cat Harness and Leash Set by OutdoorBengal (starting at $29.97 for the kitten and medium cat sizes on amazon.com).
And if your cat turns up their nose at a harness and leash, Koski suggests a cat stroller (she uses one herself). Here are ones with good reviews:
- BestPet 3 Wheels Pet Stroller ($35.99 on amazon.com).
- Frisco Dog & Cat Collapsible Stroller ($63.99 on chewy.com).
Snuggly kitty beds: Cats, just like dogs, can have all sorts of preferences when it comes to where they sleep. Try to pay attention to where they seem most comfortable when resting.
If your cat prefers a bed with tall, soft sides for a feeling of security, check out this highly rated option from Western Home that got good user reviews:
- Calming Dog & Cat Bed (starting at $15.99 on amazon.com), made of faux fur fabric and is machine washable.
Koski says one type of bed that’s exceedingly popular amongst the cats she’s worked with is a heated cat mat. And these beds can be great on their own or as added comfort under a blanket or bed your cat loves.
“What I’ve found that most cats really enjoy is a heated cat mat because cats are usually a little bit chilly when we’re comfortable,” she says.
Consider the following heated options:
- K&H Thermo-Kitty Mat ($58.99 on khpet.com) — this one is Koski’s favorite.
- Furhaven ThermaNAP Self-Warming Cat Bed ($12.99 on amazon.com) is a cheaper, but highly rated, option with over 5,000 5-star ratings on Amazon.
Kitty dress-up: This may not come as a surprise to most cat owners, but clothing is not always a welcome choice for many cats.
“It feels restrictive to them, and they can get tangled up or caught in clothing,” Koski says, “so we generally discourage people from dressing up their cats.”
There is an exception to this rule, she says: if you own a hairless cat breed like a sphynx. “Many cat guardians who have those types of breeds will put sweaters on their hairless cats to keep them warm, and that’s fairly standard,” she says. Here are a couple of options with good reviews.
- Poncho Sphynx Cat Sweater (starting at $27.95 on kittynook.com) may even make you jealous of your cat with its velvety soft look.
- Merry Makings Chevron Cableknit Sweater for Cats and Kittens ($8.99 on petco.com) is an adorable, festive option that can be worn all winter long.
Bonus gift: Farkash says water fountains can be a great way to “promote water intake” for cats.
“Many cats struggle to drink enough throughout the day,” she says. “Your cat may enjoy drinking more from a bubbling water fountain!”
These following water fountains were rated highly on their respective store sites:
- Catit Flower Cat Water Fountain ($16.54 on petco.com) — an excellent choice if you want to add a little girlie flair to your cat’s water bowl.
- Petdiary Wireless Auto-Sensing Dog & Cat Fountain ($79.99 on chewy.com).
- Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain ($27.99 on amazon.com).
Editor's note: Prices listed cannot be guaranteed, as some products are on limited-time sales.
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