A classic dog chew toy called Kong (left) is displayed on a wall filled with assorted dog toys at the Delhi Pet Center in Cincinnati.
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As the countdown to Christmas gets closer, many parents will be busy shopping for treats, wrapping toys and putting holiday outfits together for photos.
The plan is the same for many parents of pets as they purchase dog bones, chew toys, warm sweaters and other treats.
According to a recent survey by Pet Supplies "Plus," the average pet will find 6.7 presents tucked under the tree this year.
Many find shopping for pets fun. A whopping 93 percent of survey participants said it's more fun to shop for their pets than their human relatives. Even more (95 percent) said it's easier to find the right gift for Fluffy or Fido than for the spouse and kids. The Pet Supplies "Plus" survey was conducted over the Internet in October and November and is based on 250 responses.
Marie Smith holds a chew treat called a "bully stick" for three 5-week-old golden doodle puppies at the Delhi Pet Center.
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Throughout the year, pets provide unconditional love, so many want to include some gifts for them under the tree on Christmas morning, as well, said Joe Fucini, spokesman for Pets Supplies "Plus."
There's no need to feel embarrassed if you find yourself tucking chew toys into stockings this Christmas. In fact, even toys aren't frivolous purchases. They provide exercise, as well as mental stimulation - important since many pet behavior problems are the result of boredom.
With that in mind, some of the popular gift selections for pets are items that will not only delight the animals and but also make them feel special and loved, but also keep them warm, active and healthy.
"There's lots of fun, new things out this year," said Marcie Theisen, owner of Bow Meow in Royal Oak.
For dogs
A great place to start is chew treats and toys - something a dog, and therefore a dog owner, can never have enough of. Like cat toys, dog chew toys have multiple purposes, satisfying the dog's need to chew, and keeping him from expressing that need on your furniture or shoes.
Many toys are available with holiday themes, added Theisen.
Dogs can be opinionated about chew treats, but there's one that everyone should try. Generally called "bully sticks," you can buy one version online at www.sitstay.com ($4.20 small, 6.00 large). Victoria Schade, a dog trainer in Northern Virginia, enthusiastically calls these her "most-beloved dog and puppy item." These treats are simple and natural - just a dried part of the bull that's not suitable for mention in a family newspaper. They're long-lasting, and many dogs are crazy about them.
A classic chew toy that Shojai says any dog owner should have is the Kong. Hard-rubber Kongs stand up to hard chewing and come in different sizes, all under $15. They now come in different shapes as well as a special version for senior dogs.
Although Shojai says to remember that you should never buy someone a pet as a gift - "people should choose their own furry loves" - if you know a new puppy owner, she recommends the booklets in the Ultimate Puppy Toolkit from Premier ($10) as "absolutely the best choice as a gift for new puppy owners."
Sweaters come in all sizes to keep dogs warm, said Kim Schmidt, owner of Bark Place Avenue in downtown Rochester. Many are handmade and come with beautiful details, perfect for dressing dogs up for all the festivities this time of the year.
Tuxes, party dresses and other seasonal clothing make pets feel special, said Kim O'Brien, co-owner of The Uppity Puppy in Royal Oak. She said their mood changes when they get dressed up because chances are they are receiving more attention from all the people who comment on their attire.
Another good choice for dogs are treats made just for them. Many local pet bakeries and boutiques offer a variety of festive fare. The Uppity Puppy even has a jumbo bone treat that can be customized with the dog's name or holiday greeting with a week's notice.
Grooming products will benefit pets and be appreciated by their owners. The Uppity Puppy creates custom gift baskets, such as a beauty basket which includes their popular luxury shampoo.
Pet gifts can be affordable, but the value often extends beyond the gift itself. People consider pets members of their family and when they receive a gift for their pet, the thoughtfulness is appreciated, said Theisen.
Many exchange gifts with pets in their friend and family circles.
Businesses are also buying pet gifts for their clients to show their appreciation, said O'Brien.
Here are some choices for pets to consider adding to your gift list:
American Kennel Club Classic Dog Toys. There's a soft, squeaky toy for every size canine in this plush collection. Dogs will have hours of fun playing with the many lifelike creatures. The AKC Gift Pack features squeaky toys from the Classic Line together with AKC training treats and an AKC Chew Bone.
Cardinal Laboratories is offering baskets filled with dog treats, toys, grooming products and lots of other goodies for Fido, including the Crazy Pet "Simply Samples" package with convenient sample sizes of treats and grooming products for the traveling dog going to Grandma's house or beyond. The 1-ounce packages of Crazy Pet chicken, beef and liver treats fit in a pocket, rather than taking up space in a suitcase. Sample bottles of Crazy Pet shampoo and grooming spray are great to help clean those little messes that might happen along the trip.
For cats
Automatic toys can entertain your cat when you can't. The new Ba-Da-Beam cat toy ($15) is a battery-powered laser light that cats chase. "With fat cats at an all-time high, this potentially helps slim tubby tabbies," said cat expert Amy Shojai, a Certified Animal Behavior Consultant and author of 22 books about pets (including a gift book, "Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul"). She says that many products "make the owner's cat care simpler, reduce behavior or health problems and often delight kitty in the process."
Simpler automatic toys can also do the same job, such as remote-control battery-powered mice. And Shojai says not to forget that crumpled-up wads of paper are a "cheap thrill" ?for cats - so that holiday gift wrap doesn't have to go to waste after it's ripped off the packages.
Other products can help solve behavior problems like scratching. Sticky Paws, a double-sided tape that comes in various sizes to stick to furniture ($14-$24), "offers an excellent training tool for teaching cats better claw manners." The product also comes in a version to keep the cat out of your houseplants.
Active Cats will flip for the Butterfly Ball from OurPet's. Featuring a unique design, the Butterfly Ball jumps, twists and flips unpredictably when batted by a paw, simulating the movement of an insect. The toy can also be filled with catnip to further entice a cat to play with it. The Butterfly Ball retails for $3.99.
For small animals
Watching fish is supposed to lower your blood pressure - unless, of course, your tank needs cleaning again. To make this job easier, Greg Lipps of Delhi Pet Center in Cincinnati, Ohio recommends the new Tetra Aquarium Cleaning System ($15.99). It's a scraper to which you attach a disposable wipe that retards algae growth.
"My daughter calls it the Swiffer for an aquarium," he says.
Two baby leopard geckos play on a set of Interlocking Stones.
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Another new Tetra product, this time for reptile cages, is sets of Interlocking Stones ($12 and up). You can feel like a kid again playing with blocks, while building exhibit furniture like a cozy cave for your reptile to hide in. There's also a matching interlocking feeding dish.
A gift that a reptile owner ought to have - but probably doesn't - is a temperature gun ($15 and up). This tool allows you to know instantly exactly what temperature it is in different parts of the cage, a crucial consideration for cold-blooded animals.
Lipps says that you probably won't find these in a pet store, but that they're used by automotive hobbyists, so car stores may carry them, or try http://tempgun.com/.
Of course, everyone likes edible gifts. Lipps recommends Kaytee Timothy Tots, timothy hay with a yogurt coating, for small mammals like hamsters.
Birds get Kaytee Yo-Dips, which come in mango-papaya, blueberry-sunflower and jalapeno-peanut flavors. The eight-in-one-brand Birdie Burrito has a chewy outside and seedy inside.
Feathered friends may feel forlorn when the house is full of guests and they're no longer the center of attention. Their loneliness may be eased by the Budgie Buddy, a life-size singing bird toy that sits securely on any perch. When his integral motion sensor detects a bird's approach, Budgie Buddy bursts into song to offer his parakeet pal some companionship and mental stimulation.
The hermit habitat can become a lot more festive with the addition of a tropical-themed Crabworx Hermit Hotel or CoCo Climbing Hut.
The family snake would probably rather escape the festivities altogether and take refuge in a quiet corner. The Exo Terra Snake Cave gives him the perfect hiding spot, away from all the hustle and bustle. Molded to look like a natural rock, the snake cave is available in three sizes, and there's also a version designed especially for reticent reptiles.
For a holiday dinner treat for the family lizard, the Exo Terra Worm Dish is specially designed to keep his mealworms from escaping into the cage, while the Vivicator vibrating food dish shakes up his dried or canned food to make him think he's being treated to live bugs.
Contact Jane Peterson at (248) 745-4573 or jane.peterson@oakpress.com.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
