10 Best Gifts for Pets

Do you include your dog or cat on your holiday shopping list? If so, find ideas and inspiration on what to get here.

All that pets really need and want is food, shelter, love and care. But if you want to offer yours something more in appreciation of what they give back to you, these gifts can make the holidays extra special.

For Dogs:

1. Pet car harness. If your dog loves to ride in the car, securing her in a non-choking vest harness that works as both a restraint and a chest protector will make the trip safer for both of you.
2. Boots. For normal walks, your dog’s own footpads are best. But if you like to hike with your pet on rocky terrain, give his feet the same kind of protection as you do your own. Today’s best dog boots are made of durable material and offer extra traction on uneven surfaces.
3. Dog bed. Even if yours sleeps with you during the night, he may appreciate a cozy bed of his own. On cold winter nights, a sheepskin-lined bed that’s washable is the ultimate in comfort. If you live in a warm climate, a water-cooled bed could make the perfect gift. And beds for older dogs that are padded with memory foam take weight off pressure points.
4. Double-dish serving tray. A tray with legs and holes to fit stainless steel bowls for food and water can make dining a more comfortable experience for your dog. If yours has floppy ears, shop for bowls that are narrow yet deep, so he can drink and eat without sloshing his ears through the food.
5. Electronic pet door. If you have a safely fenced-in yard, then an automatic dog door, activated by an ultrasonic collar worn by your pet, gives him the freedom to come and go as needed.

For Cats:

1. Christmas-tree-shaped scratching post. This sturdy, cat-scaled 3D replica is made of corrugated cardboard and is painted green on the sides. Sprinkle it with catnip, and it may be just the thing to keep her away from the real thing.
2. Laser cat toy. Mesmerize and exercise your cat with a safe laser toy that emits a red light pattern to pursue and pounce. You can set it on automatic and it will shut off 15 minutes later. Or hold it in your hand and make patterns to endlessly entertain her.
3. Outdoor kitty condo. Even indoor cats like fresh air once in a while. This 2' high x 2.5' wide x 6' long, screened-in, cat-sized backyard has a soft pad for her to sleep on and a shaded roof overhead. No assembly is required, and it stores flat.
4. Warm place to nap. Most cats love sleeping more than anything else, so give yours a cozy place for a catnap. From heated beds to special shelves, which widen a window ledge for a cat to stretch out and take in the view, you can make your house a delightful place for drowsy felines to doze.
5. New collar. Is hers looking a little… ratty? Replace it with a snazzy new one in colors that complement her fur. Perhaps choose a style that reflects your favorite team. Want her to sparkle? Buy a blinged-out model with rhinestones. Whatever you choose, attach a HomeAgain collar tag that has her unique microchip number on it.

To share the spirit of the holidays with dogs and cats less fortunate than your own, also consider making a donation to your local shelter this year.