It’s the holiday season and perhaps you are looking to spoil your pet a little bit?! We always say that our pets aren’t spoiled, they are adequately compensated for the experience they provide 😉
If you share that sentiment, here is a handy guide on some options for your pet this December!
Clickers: Looking to start or enhance your training with your dog (or cat!)? Clicker training is an excellent, easy to learn technique for anything from trick training to helping your pet with anxiety and/or aggression issues! While working with a trainer is a great idea there are great ideas on this website for the DIY enthusiast! You can order clickers through this link, at pet stores, or at Gateway Pet Hospital!
Enrichment Puzzles: While physical exercise is incredibly important, giving your pet lots of opportunities to use their brain is just as critical to their wellbeing. Enrichment toys are a great way to do this and you can find lots of options here:
Cat Carrier Backpack: Carrier backpacks can be a great “hands free” option for travelling with your cat or small dog and can be more comfortable for them as there is less swinging motion than when the carrier is hanging from your hands.
Light up Harness: We all miss the daylight already! Unfortunately, with the winter darkness, walking only in daylight isn’t an option for most people. This light-up vest is a great way to keep your pet visible on walks or runs at night or in the early hours of the day! They have vests for both humans and dogs!
Adaptil: Does your pet have some mild anxiety around separation, car rides, out on walks or other concerns? Adaptil is a pheromone that promotes a calming effect and can work well to help your pet feel more at ease in stressful situations. It comes in various forms including a spray, plug-in diffuser or a collar to best suit your dog’s needs.
Boots: Road salt and snow that packs in between the toes can be painful for your pet’s feet, not to mention the cold can hurt their toes just like it does ours! Protect their feet with a set of booties for those cold, icy days. Many pets struggle with the feeling of these so it’s best to help them slowly adapt to wearing them.
Hoodie: Many of our pets are not adapted to the Canadian climate and need winter warmth protection just as we do. Here or some great options for winter jackets and hoodies for your pet!
Slim Cat Ball: Just as enrichment toys and puzzles are important for dogs, they are also great for cats! These food dispenser toys are great for helping your cat slow down while they eat (which can also be helpful in preventing them from overeating) while making it a great activity for their brain!
Kongs: Kongs are a great opportunity for your pet to have an outlet for chewing. We recommend getting a few, stuffing them with a mix of kibble and paste as a binding agent (you can also use canned food) and then freezing them! That way you always have one handy in the freezer when your pet needs something to keep them occupied!