AARP Hearing Center
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
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).
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