Spoil Rex & Fluffy with Brilliant Christmas Gifts for Pets

Pets love Christmas. They may not know why they like it, but they know that around this time of year, there’s suddenly a lot of food, a lot of people, and a lot of fun activities – all of the things that pets (especially dogs) generally thrive on. Now pets can also look forward to their own gifts, as people treat them more like family.

Would it be crazy to include your pet in the gift-giving festivities? Far from it, according to a 2011 poll by PetFinder.com. In the USA, 63% of dog owners and 58% of cat owners purchase gifts for pets. Four in 10 dog owners and 37% of cat owners even go the whole hog and hang up stockings for their pets. Out of the $50 billion that Americans spend per year on pets in general, an average $5 billion is spent solely on holiday gifts for pets.

A more recent poll published by the Daily Mail revealed that 95% of American pet owners buy their dogs and cats Christmas presents. The survey found that the average amount spent by individual pet parents on pet gifts is $36, and one in 20 admits to spending more than $100. Some people have even been known to treat their pets to dinner at fancy restaurants, or bubble baths, though apparently that’s more of a Valentine’s Day thing. Hey, to each their own.

So now you know you’re not alone, feel free to splash out on your pawed pals this Christmas. Here are a few gift suggestions to put the wow into your pets’ Christmas.

Christmas-themed pet treats

Pets value food above all else, except your love. Maybe. The point is that when it comes to Christmas gifts for pets, you can’t go wrong with any of these fancy food items.

• Doughnut cookies

Dogs are well-acquainted with biscuits, but doughnuts? This Christmas, give your pup a taste of a world beyond his wildest imaginings with Pawsitively Gourmet Doughnut Cookies available from Amazon. He will never be the same again. Price: $26 for a pack of 20.

• Bacon-flavoured bubble machine

Bubbles by themselves would probably be enough to keep your pet entertained. Add in bacon flavour and the bubbles will make him positively euphoric. You can get a Bubbletastic Dog Bubble Machine with bacon-flavored bubbles from ActiveDogToys.com. Price: $19.95. Christmas gifts for dogs don’t get much better than this.

• Catnip fortune cookies

Christmas-themed pet toys

If pets can’t eat their presents, well then chewing on it is the next best thing. Here are some Christmas-themed toys that will make great gifts for pets.

• Christmas tree dog toy

Puny humans like to decorate Christmas trees, but dogs prefer to just eviscerate them. These tree-shaped chew toys are reinforced with double-stitching and an inner layer of nylon to provide added resilience. What’s more, they squeak for extra fun. You can get Outward Hound Kyjen Tuff Ones Christmas Tree Durable Dog Toy Squeak Toy from Amazon. Price: $8.10. Candy canes and squeaky snowmen, reindeer and Santas are also available.

• Santa Claus chew toy

The Hugglehounds Holiday St Nick Santa Claus dog toy comes with knotted limbs and a squeaker inside, allowing your dog to finally take revenge on Santa for all those years of neglect. After all, it’s well known Santa doesn’t bring presents for dogs. Wriggly Santas are available from Amazon. Price  $11.49.

• Gingerbread Man squeaky toy

“You’ll never catch me, I’m the gingerbread man!” Well, thanks to Xtra Tuff Holiday Dog Toys, it turns out that the gingerbread man was mistaken. You can buy a set of two Xtra Tuff toys (the gingerbread man and his snowman accomplice) from Amazon. Both are squeaky and durable, and come stuffing-free. Price: $14.87.

• DJ Scratching Post

Unleash your cat’s inner musician! Or at least give him a really fun alternative to the traditional scratching post. The top of the SUCK UK Cat Scratch DJ Deck spins as your kitty scratches at it, just as if he were a real DJ spinning a record. It’s sure to keep you and your cat entertained for many holidays to come. It’s available from Fab.com. Price $18 on sale (normal price $35).

• Rope Toys

EntirelyPets has some durable rope toys that come in Christmas-themed colours (red, green and white), making them the perfect Christmas gifts for dogs. They’re suitable for playing fetch or tug-of-war, and are sure to last, even with very chew-motivated dogs. You can get the 10” cotton rope or the slightly longer 12” version. Price: A pack of two available for $3 or $4, depending on size.