Dec 04, 2024

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Pets | Cats, Dogs & Pocket Pets

Our furry family members are such a huge part of our lives and the holiday season is the perfect time to show just how much you love them by spoiling them! Stuck for ideas on what to get your best friend? We’re here to help!

For the Foodie

If your pet’s love language is food, Christmas themed treats can be the perfect gift. The nutrition that your pet gets from their food becomes even more important as they age, so you could fill your pal’s stocking with natural, low fat and low calorie treats that are gentler on gums - like these WAG chicken breast treats. Or if you’re looking to go for something a bit naughtier, you could stock up on baked treats. Check out the pet friendly and drool worthy creations from Woof Gateaux or Pawradise for some gift inspo.

Feeling like DIYing? Lots of ingredients that you’ll likely have in your kitchen already, such as banana, sweet potato, apple sauce and eggs, can create the perfect edible and pet-friendly gift. And as an added bonus - it can be a great way to get the whole family, particularly the little ones, involved in making a thoughtful gift that your pet will love. Social media is full of inspiration on how you can cook up a Christmas storm - like these candy cane treats for Potato the Bulldog! Some of our other fave simple recipes are these two-ingredients or these cheesy holiday cat treats.

Safety Tip! As much as you may want to share your human Christmas treats with your pal, a lot of festive foods can actually be poisonous for pets. So make sure you remain alert, do your research on pet-friendly ingredients and if you’re after more suggestions, check out our latest blog post here about Christmas hazards.

For the Fashionista

If your pet is known for rocking an outfit, Christmas could be the perfect excuse to expand their wardrobe even more. Their new ‘fits don’t need to break the bank either. You could shop for fun dress ups and props like this christmas tree cape or santa costume at Kmart! Or, if your pet is more of a subtle styler, you could opt for a sparkly gift bow. By giving your pal’s wardrobe a festive touch, they could also be photo shoot ready for you to take some pics that can be treasured forever.

However, your fashion gift can also be functionable! For example, washing and drying your pet after swimming will help remove any chlorine or sand from your pets’ coat and save them from skin irritation. To help dry your pet, you could kit them out with this Terry Towel Pet Robe.

For the Playful One

Our pets never truly lose their youthful spark! Keeping your pets surrounded by toys and activities can be the perfect way to make sure they remain mentally and physically stimulated, and to also bring out that spark as they age. Whether you make meal-time fun, or give them something to cuddle, toys are always a great gift. Here’s some of our top toy suggestions for the older pals in our life:

For Senior Cats

Scratching toys - scratching is a natural cat response and is even essential to the health of their claws! This is because scratching helps keep their claws filed and helps remove dead skin. Plus, you can save your lounge some stress and they can come in all different fun shapes, like this sunflower.
Catnip toys - let loose with some fun endorphin fuelled toys! Catnip-filled plushies like this rosé inspired toy from Swaggle can provide Christmas cheer for your pet.
Interactive puzzle and laser toys - help your cat stay alert and active with puzzle and laser toys. These can be used to make meal time more enriching, like this snack ball, and can even help them get in their daily exercise!
Feather and wand toys - get your cat a gift that has all the bells and whistles (literally). These can be a great way to get your cat active and re-ignite those kitty instincts!

For Senior Dogs

Mealtime toys - making your pet forage for their food can make mealtime fun and help reduce anxiety and boredom. Senior kongs are a popular choice to slow your pal’s eating to stimulate their minds while also being soft on their mouths. Snuffle mats are also the perfect gift for a senior dog to encourage them to test their canine sense of smell.

Cuddle toys - senior dogs can love their rest - and no rest is complete without something to cuddle! Soft toys can provide comfort for your pet when they snooze, making it perfect for a more anxious senior pooch.

Sensitive chew toys - have a senior dog who loves gnawing on a bone, but their teeth are becoming a bit too sensitive? Chew toys can be a great alternative and can come in various densities depending on how sensitive your pet’s teeth are.

For Senior Pocket Pets

Nibble and dental toys - dental health is even more essential for pocket pets as their teeth can grow too quickly if they aren’t being worn down. By encouraging dental health through everyday play with toys such as this edible log home, it can be a great way to keep your pocket pets both happy and healthy.

Non-slip ramps - pocket pets thrive off climbing and adventuring their cage, however, as they age, they may need some extra support to safely navigate their home. By gifting your pal a non-slip ramp, they can still safely explore their cage and stay physically and mentally stimulated.

Plush home decor - kit out your pet’s environment with extra cuddly items like blankets and pillows. Not only does this give them something to snuggle with during their naps, it also provides extra support if they have a fall and are comforting on ageing skin.

We know how hard it can be to think of gifts for all of the loved ones in your life, so hopefully these suggestions have sparked an idea or two for your furry family member heading into the holiday season. Remember that it’s not about how much money you spend on your pal, they will feel and cherish the love and thought that went into any gift!

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For the Foodie

For the Fashionista

For the Playful One

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