The Best Pet Gifts

'Tis the season for gift-giving! Here are some safe presents to get your pets in the holiday spirit.

1. A new toy

• Cardboard boxes make great inexpensive toys for your cat, bird, or small mammal. Cut a few holes to climb through or peer out of to make it even more entertaining.
• Something squeaky - a little noise from a toy makes it more interesting to your dog and cat
• Something bright - stimulate your pet's vision with a laser light to chase or a sparkly toy. Try brightly colored feathers for cats
• A puzzle - there are many toys that hide treats or chews. Pick one appropriate to the size of the dog or cat and, if you can, adjust so the treats fall easily at first. Once your pet gets the hang of it, tighten down to make the play last longer
• Catnip please - refillable catnip toys are a plus

2. A comfy place

• A sturdy cat tree gives a great vantage point to feel safe for nervous felines, and an appropriate place to stretch and scratch
• A thick bed is a comfort for older pets with arthritis, and can make it easier to get moving in the morning
• Elevated food and water bowls can make mealtime easier
• Consider a ramp to help older pets up onto furniture or into the car

3. Edible treats

• Chews made from US-sourced digestible rawhide​​
• Home-made treats or small amounts of table food (a piece the size of your thumbnail)
  • ​avoid onion, chocolate, grapes/raisins, macadamia nuts, and xylitol sweetener
  • avoid high fat foods that may trigger pancreatitis
• Baby carrots, green beans, and cheerios make great low-calorie treats for overweight dogs
• Automatic feeders linked to collar tags are a great way to manage multiple cats with different calorie needs
• No Bowl feeding systems encourage play and foraging for indoor cats

4. The gift of good health

• Always supervise your pet with toys and bedding - take it away when it becomes damaged to avoid ingestion
• Make sure your pet is up to date on all preventative care - annual exam with labwork (every 6 months if over 10 years old), parasite protection, and appropriate vaccinations
• Maintain a healthy weight - call us for specific diet or exercise recommendations