Best Christmas presents for cats, dogs

My black cat’s favorite holiday is definitely Halloween. After all, he’s a real-life spooky decoration.

But this Christmas feels special because it’s his first in his forever home. Last December, my young cat Snoopy was only a 2-month-old kitten living with his mama, litter mates and a family who would soon give him up for adoption. So this holiday season is the culmination of the year Snoopy and I found each other.

As a pet owner myself, I carefully consider which products to buy for Snoopy and my reporting has influenced some of my shopping choices. Though I don’t have a dog, I’ve also learned plenty about what our canine companions need to thrive.

A surefire way to someone’s heart is through their pets. So maybe, this holiday season, consider gifting someone something their pets need.

“I love tailoring selections to the pet’s specific needs and preferences,” said Jennifer Kovacs, vice president of design, collaborations and experience at Petco. “Gift-givers may choose presents based on the pet’s breed, age, size, allergies and favorite activities.”

Giving a pet the care they need isn’t cheap and helping someone with costs could mean there’s more money left over for spay and neuter procedures and dental care, said Max Branch, director of community programs for the rescue group Flatbush Cats in Brooklyn, New York.

“A majority of American households can no longer afford a basic vet visit,” Branch said. “Something as simple as a gift card is a great way to help people get what they need.”

This Christmas, I have some ideas for gifts for pets in your life, some of which I use myself. This is just my advice for what could make daily responsibilities easier for pet owners.

What not to do:Don’t surprise someone with a puppy of kitten this Christmas

Gifts for cool cats

1. Treats

All the cats I’ve ever known go feral (not literally) for tubes of tuna-flavored goo. These cat treats are special because you can squeeze it out of its package while letting your cat lick the tube.

These treats are popular in all the cat households I know, so the cat owner in your life will appreciate you refilling their cache − which likely dwindles faster than stockpiles of more traditional kibble treats, which come in more units per package.

2. Pay for a cat’s microchip

If and when cats escape, they can be hard to find because they naturally try to hide to feel safe. Once glued to their hiding spot, a scared cat may not come out when called by its owner.

Snoopy always wears an orange collar (I told you he’s a Halloween lover) with a tag displaying my cell phone number. Importantly, it’s a break-away collar, which are sold for both cats and dogs. Break-away collars are safer than regular collars, animal cruelty prevention groups say, because if a runaway cat’s collar gets caught or entangled on something outdoors, a hard tug from the cat will release the collar’s latch.

This is important because with regular collars, cats that get stuck can break their necks, and dogs can strangle themselves. But break-away collars won’t help identify your pet after they’re come undone and stay stuck on the tree branch, for example.

“Microchips are the only permanent method of identification for our pets,” said Will Zweigart, executive director of Flatbush Cats, a rescue organization in Brooklyn.

3. Calming spray

Unlike dogs, who often enjoy walks, indoor cats usually hate being taken out of their home environment. They cry and claw, and it’s especially frustrating when you have to take them to the vet.

This year, when I wrote a story about how to travel with cats, I learned about pheromone calming spray which Ashlie Saffire, president of the Feline Veterinary Medical Association, calls a “game changer.”

Cats mark their territory to feel more secure, veterinarians told me, that’s why they rub up on furniture and even on their owners. When they’re put in a crate and placed in a car or plane, none of their familiar smells − which come from pheromones in their cheeks − are there.

Sprays you can buy at pet stores or online mimic a cat’s comforting pheromone smell. After I sprayed Snoopy’s crate for the first time, he was more receptive to being placed inside and I saw him sniffing the sides of the box.

4. Self-cleaning litter box

Snoopy does not have one of these. But sometimes I really wish he did.

Like automatic feeders, self-cleaning litter boxes ensure you’ll never forget an important step of your cat’s daily routine.

Snoopy recognizes when I’ve recently cleaned his litter box − he acts like I would when coming home to a neat house or lying in a bed with fresh sheets. Self-cleaning litter boxes make this phenomenon automatic.

Unlike the tube treats or calming spray, getting a cat owner a self-cleaning litter box would definitely be a splurge gift.

More:Does your pet need a Santa hat? Shop festive pet outfits at Chewy

Goodies for good dogs

1. Winter coat

It’s been getting quite cold where I live in New York City, and I’m glad I don’t have to take a dog on walks.

But if I was a dog owner, I’d try to make sure they were getting plenty of outdoor time and weren’t cooped up at home during these cold dark months. Seasonal depression is real after all, and we humans shouldn’t let it affect our dogs, vets told me.

“It is important in winter to maintain their routine, and it’s good for you too,” said Dana Varble, chief veterinary officer of the North American Veterinary Community.

Dog owners who live in colder parts of the U.S. may need some extra help keeping their pups warm and comfortable in freezing temperatures. Doggy coats can make a difference, especially for short-haired dogs and smaller breeds, which lose body heat faster than large, fluffy dogs.

2. Dental chews, treat puzzles, snuffle pads

Chewing gives dogs a rush of endorphins, and chomping down on dental chew treats can be especially good for stimulating dogs indoors during particularly bad winter weather. Otherwise, they might start chewing on household items.

“They’re going to be more likely to start to have behavioral issues because they need some way of burning that energy,” said Danielle Bernal, a veterinarian with the Wellness Pet Company.

Similarly, dogs get a boost stimulated from figuring out how to get treats hidden in a puzzle toy. Dogs can preoccupy themselves with the toys and the tasty treats inside, leaving their owner free to do other things. Puzzle toys also make great gifts because even if a dog already has one, you’ve just given them a new and exciting puzzle to crack.

Anxious dogs that like to obsessively lick, dig or sniff might also like pad toys. They look like thick little carpets and come in other fun designs. Owners hide treats amid tufts of fabric and dogs have a blast hunting for them with their noses and snouts.

3. Doggy DNA test

Genetic variation among dogs is astounding. They’ve been so domesticated and many popular breeds hardly look like their wild canine ancestors.

But with shelter rescue dogs, especially if the owner knows nothing about their pre-adoption life, DNA tests can be a fun way for an owner to learn about their pet’s identity.

The price tag makes this another splurge gift − so consider whether a new dog adopter among your family and friends would geek out over their rescue pup’s genetic makeup.

4. Doggy furniture steps

Many dog owners don’t allow their pets to get up on furniture. But some wouldn’t have it any other way.

Jumping on and off the couch or bed could be painful for dogs that have arthritis − a disease we’re still learning a lot more about in dogs. Recent research from the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine found up to 40% of pet dogs may suffer from arthritis. More younger dogs than previously thought could have arthritis, and may not show signs of pain until it’s completely debilitating, veterinary researchers told me.

Miniature stairs or ramps that can be placed in front of or next to your dog’s favorite furniture could help them avoid joint pain, especially in their elbows, the most common site of the disease in dogs.

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