Safe and Fun Holiday Gifts for Your Pet

December 20, 2015

by Morgan Clark

One of the fun parts of having a furry member of the family is buying them gifts for the holidays. Get the most bang for your buck and fun for your pets with this pet holiday gift guide.

Toys Built To Last

That stuffed shark toy might be cute, but it will be gone before you can bat an eye – and you'll be left cleaning up the stuffing. Toys that can be chewed into small pieces can also provide a choking hazard for dogs. Never leave your dog alone with a stuffed toy, especially if it has small plastic pieces such as eyes. Choosing a durable a toy that will last a bit longer is not only safer, but you'll spend less money in the long run. Lasting toys also have the added bonus of being used for training if you pick the right one.

For example, the famous Classic KONG dog toy can be filled with peanut butter or a tasty treat that will keep your dog busy if your holidays involve car rides or long stretches where your pooch will be home alone. The best part is that they're nearly indestructible, so it's almost guaranteed that you will eventually lose them under the couch before before they break. KONG also makes a variety of chew toys such as the Extreme Goodie Bone that stands up to even the most aggressive chewers.

For our feline friends, a scratching post covered in heavy-duty cloth or carpet material will last infinitely longer than ones made from cardboard and make less mess. Cat scratching posts now come in all shapes and sizes – they don't have to be elaborate constructions that rise to the ceiling. Some scratching posts even act as decoration so as not to ruin the aesthetic of your living room.

Gifts With a Function

Your pet won't know that you were going to buy her that comfy bed whether or not the holidays were coming up – we promise. You can still experience the fun of wrapping up a gift for the furry family member and unwrapping it on the big day. Some functional gifts even come in cute designs, like a shark cat cave or a warm, Totoro-style winter sweater to add to the fun. Plus, it's a lot easier to justify that extra gift purchase if it has a practical function as well.

Of course, these gifts need to be chosen wisely. Cheaply-made clothing, harnesses, collars, or pet houses can present a choking or strangling risk if not assembled properly. Houses can collapse if not secured properly or catch fire if made with flammable materials – especially if you're a fan of holiday candles. Harnesses, clothing, and collars can be too tight or restrict your pet in a bad place and cause choking or damage the trachea. Traditional choke chains often present this hazard; choose a limited-slip collar instead to ensure your dog's safety.

Make a Donation Instead

If you and your pet-owning friends have everything they want and more, consider donating to a local animal shelter or the ASPCA in their honor. This will help save animals in need and likely make their pet safer from strays in the neighborhood. Many local shelters have special donation cards for this very purpose.

Whatever you choose to buy your pet this holiday season, make sure you do your research and provide appropriate supervision for your pet and have a safe, happy holiday.

Bonus note: Our pets are all part of the family, but that doesn't mean that we should feed them our leftovers from the holiday turkey dinner. Poultry bones can splinter and cause internal damage to your pets. Read more on food safety here.