Park Hill Vet: Naughty And Nice
Chew On These Holiday Gift Ideas For The Pets In Your Life
By Margot K. Vahrenwald, DVM, CVJ
For the GPHN
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The holiday season has snuck up on us again. Since our pets are family, consider the following ideas for the pets in your life, whether your own or belonging to family or friends:
1. A favorite toy or chew toy: Replace an old toy with a new fresh one to keep the cat or dog busy while the rest of the family opens their gifts.
2. Healthy treats: Something yummy and low calorie to give that keeps pets from getting unhealthy table scraps.
3. Microchip: A microchip the size of a grain of rice offers permanent identification for the life of your pet. It’s a one-time investment that could help to reunite you with your pet in the event of an escape or disaster.
4. Grooming tools or a grooming gift certificate: Every pet needs a little grooming attention, especially those with more high maintenance coats. Brushing means less hair in the house or, for cats, less hair ingested to become future hairballs. And, a little grooming time is bonding time with your pet that also might let you catch any changes of concern early.
5. Remember, 80 percent of cats and dogs need a professional veterinary dental assessment and cleaning by their fifth birthday, if not sooner. Purchase a gift certificate to put towards a professional veterinary dental cleaning or buy home dental care products from your veterinarian to get started on your New Year’s goal to do something every day for your pet’s oral health.
6. New bed or crate: Many people do not have a place for their pet to sleep or to able to get away from family hustle and bustle. Cages and crates are a good gift for those with a new or growing dog. A collapsible crate is an excellent present for someone who travels with their pet.
7. Make a gift certificate for a new puppy or kitten: DO NOT present the real thing during the holiday hustle! It’s too much for a new puppy or kitten on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Besides, it’s much more fun for the whole family to be a part of the pet selection process at a shelter or breeder. Or help defray the costs of a new pet with a gift certificate to their veterinarian to cover the costs of vaccinations, neutering, training and other care in the first six months.
8. Make a donation to a nonprofit group or memorial fund: One of my favorites is Canine Companions for Independence’s new IPO, Initial Puppy Offering, program. It helps to fund the training and matching of puppies to help children and adults with a variety of special needs where a specialty trained dog can change someone’s life.
9. Carry your pet with you in the form of customized socks or other apparel with pictures of your pets.
10. Make memories permanent with a pet portrait or photo collage. There are so many options, from a simple portrait to a collection of pictures of the pet/s in your life.
The holidays are a wonderful time of year. May you enjoy all of it with family and friends. Enjoy it all safely with your special furry family members.
Dr. Margot Vahrenwald is the owner of Park Hill Veterinary Medical Center at 2255 Oneida St. For more information, visit parkhillvet.com