Our pets give us their unconditional love and companionship all year long, expecting nothing and hoping to be loved in return. They boost our moods, lengthen our lives, and can turn our entire day around. The holidays are a great time to show a little gratitude to the furballs in your life; you can also delight friends and fellow pet lovers by giving gifts to help them care for their own four-legged companions. Here are some of my favorite gifts for pets, and their owners, that are sure to bring hours of purrs and tons of tail wags.

Gifts for Pets

Many of us consider our pets to be our children, and that means pulling out all the stops when it comes to gift-giving. But what do you give the pet who already has a comfy bed and more toys than he can chase in a day?

Bully Sticks: Safe and Tasty Chews for Pups

It’s no secret that dogs of all ages and sizes love to sink their teeth into bones, chew toys and the occasional sneaker. But not all chews are created equal. Rawhide contains scary chemicals and can pose a choking risk or intestinal blockage. Likewise, most bones (even raw ones) can splinter, causing dental or internal damage as well as posing a choke hazard.

So, to give your pup something to occupy his jaws and mind, fill his stocking with bully sticks. These sticks are actually made from a bull’s pizzle (yes, that’s his penis). But they are 100% beef, which means they are easy for your pup to digest. If and when they swallow a chunk of these, there won’t be any need for a trip to the vet. Look for sticks made in the U.S. – they’re made with higher quality beef, using the safest cooking methods.

Fresh Catnip

Many folks know that the taste and aroma of fresh herbs beat out dried ones any day. Well, the same goes for your kitty and their dose of catnip. Sure, the dried stuff bought in a bag does the trick, but the fresh stuff is what kitty dreams are made of.

Small catnip plants are available at most pet stores and in many garden stores, and are easy to take care of. This is also a gift that keeps giving; taking good care of your plant means Fluffy can get his fresh fix all year long.

A Brand New Collar

Everyone feels their best in some spankin’ new duds. Why should it be any different for your pet? Treating them to a nice, new collar doubles up with both fashion and function. Your fur friend will look sharp, while also staying safe. A new collar keeps your friend safely on her leash, but can also help her return home if she does get lost. Add an I.D. tag, or your pet’s rabies tag to the collar; this is especially important for pets who are not microchipped.

Homemade Treats

Show me a dog who doesn’t like treats, and I’ll show you… well, it’s probably a cat. While cats can be a little pickier about their food, that doesn’t mean they won’t enjoy a good homemade treat now and then. Pet chef Rocky Kanaka is my new favorite pet baker, and he has recipes for all occasions. But for the sake of the holidays, here’s a video that will show you how to make some gingerbread cookies that are not only safe for your fluffer, but a treat they’ll flip for (or roll over, or shake). Just remember to always give treats in moderation.

For the Pet Lover on Your List

Struggling to find the purrfect gift for your favorite pet parent? Think outside the box with these suggestions (but, please, save the box for the cat).

A Park Pass

If your local or county park is one that requires admission fees, chances are they also offer annual passes. For the dog owner whose pup can’t get enough of the park, those daily romps can add up quickly. Gifting an annual pass will allow your friend to spend more playtime with Fido, while taking a load off of their wallet.

Car Seat Covers

What can ruin the backseat of your car faster than fire? How about an excited dog, who may need a nail trim, but also just played in the mud for an hour, but is now back in the car and OH MY GOSH THE WINDOWS ARE DOWN I HAVE TO SMELL ALLLLL OF THE AIR!!!
Towels and blankets only go so far, and standard seat covers aren’t always water or claw-resistant. These seat covers from 4Knines.com are specially designed to withstand even the wildest canines, and are pretty stylish to boot.

Their Pet’s Best Health

The best gifts for pets and pet parents any time of the year, are those that help pets lead healthier, happier lives. The food our pets eat can be the best medicine on earth; both healing and preventative! By choosing to cook for your pet at home with The Original CrockPET Diet, you are giving your furry friend the best gift of all – their very best health, and a meal they will absolutely LOVE (almost as much as they love you).

Giving another pet lover a membership to The Original CrockPET Diet shows you really care. Go the extra mile, and give a full CrockPET Starter Kit for Dogs or Cats, or stuff their stocking with Holistic Total Body Support to complete the diet.
Sharing the gift of health is ultimately priceless. It is a gift that will be enjoyed year round, for years to come.

Now, what to do with all those ugly sweaters…