Stocking Stuffers for Pets

By Suzanne Alicie

The holidays are fast approaching, and you may be wondering how to make sure your pet is involved in the gift giving that your family will enjoy. A pet stocking stuffed with some of the things your pet needs or enjoys through the year is a great way to include your furry friends.

A few years ago I found a pre-filled dog stocking that was made for larger breed dogs. It included some chew toys, a good thick collar with a secure buckle, some treats, a dog brush and other grooming supplies. When I realized that all of the items were available individually for a much lower price, I decided to do my own pet stockings, but I got some great ideas from that one.

Puppy Stockings

Puppies always need things. They grow rapidly and will need larger collars, increasingly larger toys, lots of CANIDAE Snap-Bit™ treats for training, and personalized tags for their collar. Clothing and other accessories such as puppy booties can be fun for everyone. I’ve found that many of the items for a puppy belong under the tree rather than in a stocking – a doggie bed or a new crate just aren’t stocking sized.


Doggie Stockings

Dogs are just grown up puppies; of course they will appreciate getting some CANIDAE treats and fun toys in their stocking too! A good smelling dog shampoo, flea and tick treatment, a sharp new pair of nail clippers and other grooming supplies will help you keep your dog clean and healthy throughout the year. Collars and leashes and maybe a warm coat will have your dog looking sharp on your winter walks through the neighborhood.

Kitty Cat Stockings

Cats love to play. You may find that your cat would rather bat and swing from his stocking than see what is inside. When you take the stocking down and show your cat a pile of fun toys that roll, jingle, swing and hang you will see just how excited the aloof sophisticate can become. While it may be tempting, avoid giving your cat string to play with – string is very dangerous for cats, and this includes gift ribbon and tinsel from the tree. Be sure to include some yummy cat treats and maybe a new flea collar, and of course a little catnip, and you’ll have a happy kitty cat.

Pets are a part of the family. They will enjoy playing with the paper and boxes that the holidays bring, and they always enjoy spending time with their people. Take a few minutes this holiday season to fill a stocking for your pet. Essentially, these items are things you will need for your pet anyway. However, it’s fun to include your pets in the excitement of opening gifts, so why not put a few small gifts in a stocking and let your pet check them all out!

Be sure to heed all warnings before presenting your pet with a new toy. It is important to choose size appropriate toys to avoid choking and other problems. The same advice pertains to products for your pet’s grooming needs. Don’t get so excited about the holiday season that you forget to pay attention to labeling and guidelines.

Read more articles by Suzanne Alicie

Homemade Christmas Gifts for Pets

By Tamara L. Waters

Ho ho ho, it's almost Christmas! When you are decking your halls and getting your presents ready for the family, don't forget your four-legged family members. If your budget is tight or you just prefer to create cool gifts with your very own hands, making gifts for your pets can be a fun project for you and the kids. Make a few of these easy gifts to put under the tree for your pet.

Pet Pillows and Blankets

Whether you have a cat or a dog, you can bet they like to lay around on occasion. Why not make them their own pillow or blanket for snoozing and relaxing on? Fleece is a great fabric to use for either a pillow or a blanket for your pet. To make a quick, no-sew pillow, use an appropriately-sized throw pillow and cut two pieces in the same shape as the pillow but much larger (allow a six-inch border all around). Tie the corners of the fleece pieces together and you've got a quick and easy pet pillow.

To make a simple fleece blanket, sew two square pieces together or cut two-inch fringe the whole way around each piece, then use the fringe to tie the two pieces together. These pillows or blankets can be made in any size that would be best suited for your pet.

Simple Pet Toys

Making toys for your dog or cat is a fun way to cut your expenses and keep your favorite four-legged friend happy and entertained. Easy pet toys can be made using regular items found around your home, or inexpensive items you can pick up anywhere. Responsible Pet Ownership blog editor Julia Williams has a great article about how to make your own homemade cat toys,  and Ruthie Bently shares about making your own homemade dog toys.

Decorate Pet Accessories

Buy plain pet collars, leashes and food bowls, then decorate them for a not-quite-homemade but still-personalized pet gift. Use fabric paint to decorate a collar and leash with your pet's name and other little designs.

Many craft stores sell pet charms in the bead section that can be added to any collar to jazz it up. While your pet won't exactly love the collar (truthfully, they won't really care), you will enjoy seeing it on them.

A flat rug can be painted with your pet's name and other decorations for use as a food bowl mat. Decorate food bowls with your pet's name and other creative effects (paw prints, fish and mouse shapes, dog bones etc.).

Christmas Ornaments

Okay, so a Christmas tree ornament isn't exactly a gift FOR your pet, but you will certainly enjoy it. Create a homemade ornament using a picture of your pet. Cut out a holiday-themed shape (Christmas tree, snowflake, stocking or something similar) from construction paper, felt or cardboard. Be sure to cut two identical shapes. Cut an opening in one of the shapes for the photo, then glue the pieces together with the photo in between the two shapes.

Add a hanger, maybe a little glitter glue or some other type of decoration and there you go! Be sure to write the year somewhere on the ornament, and you've got a cute little keepsake of your favorite pet's Christmas.

Read more articles by Tamara L. Waters

Unique and Cute Christmas Gifts for Dogs

By Linda Cole

Are you someone who buys Christmas gifts for your dog? This is the perfect time to buy something for your best friend you've been putting off buying. Our dogs do know when there's excitement in the air. They enjoy getting things just as much as we do and some dogs even look forward to opening their own gift. Christmas gifts for dogs can be anything from replacing a favorite toy to a warm coat to help keep them warm. This year's supply of Christmas gifts for dogs includes a wide variety of unique and cute toys, chew toys and balls. Here are some of my personal favorites that I think would make any dog happy.

Humunga Tongue - This ball comes with a huge tongue attached to it. When your dog retrieves the ball and brings it back to you, you will see a large tongue sticking out of his mouth instead of the ball. This is a fun Christmas gift for dogs who enjoy a good game of fetch or tug of war. Comes in 3 sizes: mini, medium and jumbo and retails at around $10.99 to $14.99.

World's Toughest Ball - My dogs can chew through most any ball in a matter of minutes. There's nothing sadder than a ball that has lost all of its ability to roll or bounce. If you need a tough, reliable ball that will be there when you and your dog are ready for a game of catch, this is it. The price is $14.40 for a small ball, $18.99 for a medium and $29.99 for the large size.

Treatstik - This is the perfect chew toy for entertaining your dog while he's home alone. It will dispense your dog's favorite treats giving him hours of good chewing fun. This toy holds up to the most aggressive chewer and is priced at $14.50 for both the small and large size.

Babble Ball - This unique Christmas gift for your dog will laugh, growl and talk to your dog. Retails at $9.99 for the medium, and $12 for large.

Double Chain Toy - This toy has two or three rings connected together. I have one with two rings and it's a great toy for a game of tug of war. It stands up to the abuse of a hearty tug from most any dog. My larger dogs like to tease the smallest one of my pack with this toy by pulling her up and letting her dangle in the air when she grabs the other ring. A two ringer costs about $10.50 and the three ring is $8.99.

Dog Backpack - For your adventure loving, “let's go for a hike” dog, this backpack will make you smile every time you take your dog on a walk. It is recommended by the Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan, to help dogs with a little too much energy learn how to walk instead of dancing all around you while you walk them on a leash. Runs $39.99 up to $47.99 depending on size.

Snackshotz Dog Treat Launcher - Want a way to help your dog run off some pent up energy without wearing yourself down? Then this treat launcher is just what you need. This nifty little gadget will run around $15.

Personalized License and ID Tag - This is one of my favorite Christmas gifts for dogs because it puts a photo ID where it's needed most – right on the collar. This tag looks like a mini driver's license that includes your dog's name, address, phone number, description and photo. You will also receive a wallet ID you can carry. This unique and cute gift has all the information someone finding your lost dog would need to return him to you. $29.95

CANIDAE Pet Tag - Your dog can proudly wear the logo of his favorite premium pet food company with this solid brass pet tag that comes in your choice of a large bone or small bone emblazoned with CANIDAE. If your dog has a feline friend, they can wear the round pet tag with the FELIDAE logo. The pet tags are $5.99 each, or two for $10.99.

Of course, the best Christmas gift for dogs is time set aside just for them every day. Our best friends don't ask for much from us and they give us everything. Share as much of your time as you can each day and play fetch, tug of war or go for an extra walk. They don't care if it's only 5 minutes or an hour. To them, it's the moment that matters the most.

Read more articles by Linda Cole