The 5 Best Christmas Gifts for Your Dog

Christmas is just around the corner, can you believe it? The 80 degree weather kind of masks that fact here in Florida, but no matter the temperature, it’s Christmas time! And we all love to spoil our children this time of year. And our furry kids are NO exception!

If you’re a procrastinator like myself, you’re probably scrambling around all the retail stores trying to figure out what to get for everyone. Well, I’m here to make the list for the pooch just a little easier for you! Here are the 5 BEST Christmas Gifts for Your Dog!

1. A New Toy

All kids love toys! And dogs are no different! Which toys do I recommend? Well, if your dog is a heavy chewer, I suggest staying away from stuffed animals, and toys that are advertised as “un-chewable” but are made of cheap plastics. A rough chewer will destroy the stuffed animal in 2 seconds, not only wasting your money but also potentially swallowing the stuffing! Which obviously can be very dangerous. Those “un-chewable” plastic toys (like the Nylabones, or “teething” toys) are anything BUT un-chewable, especially for a dog that has the determination to destroy it. This plastic can again be ingested, potentially warranting a trip to the Vet, which is never a good thing, especially around the holidays!

The toys I do suggest for rough chewers are those “Skinniez”-type toys that have no stuffing. They’re usually cute little animals like skunks or foxes, and they are completely stuff-free! They do sometimes come with squeaking parts, so if you are worried about that as well make sure you (or your dog) test the toys in the store before buying to make sure they’re a fun AND safe option for your furry child!

The other toy I highly recommend is the classic Kong toy. This is the rounded, super tough rubber toy that you can stuff with very good things that will keep your dog occupied for a very long time! These Kongs are extremely tough, as long as you get the appropriate size for your dog. When in doubt, get the next biggest size. Some things I like to stuff our Kongs with are peanut butter (if you have time you can freeze it to make the fun last even longer!), frozen ground meat, or a combination of both of those things plus treats! I suggest staying away from the “Kong Stuffing” canisters that are usually close to the Kongs on the shelves. Those are full of unknown ingredients and are also super expensive! No need to get all fancy. Your dog will love peanut butter just as much as you do!

2. A Flirt Pole If your dog has a lot of energy, or even if he has a moderate amount of energy but you know you don’t give him the exercise his spirit needs, I definitely recommend getting a flirt pole! If you don’t know what that is, it is basically a big cat toy, but for dogs! You can spend money getting a “legit” flirt pole, or you can make your own! I’m always for the “make your own” option, so let me tell you what I’ve done: All you have to do is go to your local feed store, and pick up a ‘horse lunge whip’. There are different sizes and types so if you don’t know what you’re looking for just ask a store associate. I picked a super long one and it was a whopping $7.00! Now all you have to do is tie a very enticing toy to the end! I recommend either one of those stuffing-less animals, or the best thing I’ve used is an old wash cloth! Oncce you tie it to the end you and your dog can have an endless amount of fun!

Note: You’ll need a large area to play with this toy, enough for the lunge whip to extend fully in a complete circle while you spin around, and then some room for your dog. If you don’t have good-sized backyard, you can work on your dog’s obedience and then use this toy in a local park (not a dog park, but just a large grassy area).

3. A New Collar

Don’t you love the feeling you get when you buy a new outfit? Just think about the last time you bought your dog a new collar. Probably been a while, huh? The design may be rubbing off, it may have a permanent doggie smell. Or it may just be plain old looking now! Taking your dog to the pet store to try on new collars will make him feel like the star of your sky! And it will give him a completely different look as well! And hey, while you’re there, you may as well get a matching leash, too!

4. A New Bed

The same collar concept is applicable to a dog bed as well. Many of the dog beds on the market are virtually un-cleanable, locking in that dog smell for the entirety of its life! Getting your dog a new bed (that is able to be cleaned once a week) is a great investment! I look for ones that have zippers where you can take the outer covering off the bed itself, and put them both in the washing machine.

Note: If the bed is really poofy, the shape of it may warp when put in the washing machine. Use your best judgement on how to upkeep the new bed.

5. New Bowls

Again, when was the last time you bought your dog a new food and water bowl? Just think about eating off the same plate and drinking from the same cup every single day of your life! You can imagine, even after cleaning, that eventually you’d want to be “better safe than sorry” and get yourself some new plates and cups! The same is for your dog! I love the iron designs that come with stainless steel bowls. They almost look like a piece of nice furniture instead of two dog bowls just thrown against a wall.

Note: Always get stainless steel bowls for your pets. These have been proven to be the healthiest choice with no chance of contamination of the pet’s food/water.

As a caution: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE for the safety of your dog, AVOID RAWHIDES AT ALL COSTS. These rawhide bones are indigestible and have been proven to be the WORST product on the market for our dogs. If you are looking for an edible chewing bone, please look into antlers, pig ears, dehydrated chicken feet.

I hope you guys enjoyed this blog! Please Like, Comment and Share with those you think would find this information useful!

As always, if you have ANY dog related question or topic you’d like me to write about, just let me know! =)

K9SavvyGirl

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