What do you get for the pet who has everything?!

What do you get for the pet who has everything?!

Christmas time is upon us again and it is time for the dreaded Christmas shopping! It is very few peoples idea of fun, trying to find a suitable present for Great Aunt Flo and all those cousins you barely see, and sometimes it is hardly less stressful buying the right thing for out nearest and dearest. But what about the animals in our lives? Sure there are plenty of pre-packaged ´treat stockings´ out there, but these are not very original and are calorie packed. So, how about buying something they will actually enjoy and will be useful?

Dogs

Dogs are active, inquisitive, intelligent creatures and many are left alone for periods during the day, or are not given enough to keep them occupied. This can lead to them becoming bored which can cause behavioural issues. So, the best toys for dogs are ones which keep them busy and entertained. Many dogs love to chew but some are experts at reducing chew treats to nothing in record time! Products like the Nylabone chews are excellent as they are virtually indestructible, are scented which keeps the dog interested and come in various sizes so can withstand even the strongest jaws! Another good toy for dogs is the ´treat puzzle´ kind. These are usually hollow rubber chew toys which can be stuffed with kibble or treats. The dog has to play, roll, throw and chew the toy to get the biscuits out. They will only get one every so often, so these can keep them interested for hours. They are also a good way of making them ´work´ for their food, particularly important for those a little broad-about-the-beam! The best of these are the ´Kong´ range. It is also important to know what not to buy for your pet. For example, terrier breeds love nothing more than to ´kill´ their toys and will rip a nice, soft plush teddy to pieces in no time. Better for them are the ´tugger´ rope type toys which can withstand a huge amount of abuse and still survive!

Cats

Cats are naturally solitary, territorial animals and will only be interested in anything new in their environment. This is why they may play enthusiastically with a new toy for a couple of days but bore of it quickly. So, rather than buying a couple of costly toys, buy 10 to 15 fairly cheap ones and only have a few out at any one time, rotating them regularly to keep their interest. The stuffed puzzle toys are also available for cats and, again, are excellent for making them work for their food. Obesity is a big health issue in cats and anything which keeps them active is a good idea. One of my favorites are the ´fishing rod´ toys, particularly good to keep cats moving while their owners are being lazy, they are easily operated with one arm from the comfort of a sofa! One issue cats have is they don´t drink very much. This doesn´t generally cause problems but encouraging them to drink more is helpful. One great way to do this is using a ´Pet Fountain´. The constantly flowing water will usually cause the cat to be more interested, as most cat owners know, they are often keen to drink from dripping taps!

Rabbits

Pet rabbits will also benefit from a present to keep them happy! Rabbits are big chewers and very inquisitive (as anyone who has had their wires nibbled by a house rabbit will tell you!) There are now extensive ranges of chew toys for rabbits in the shops, which also have the added benefit of keeping their teeth ground down.

If you want to buy your pet a useful treat this Christmas; one which will keep them active, entertained and be good for them, the person to speak to is your vet nurse. They will have a lot of experience in this area and be able to point you in the direction of a present that will actually be appreciated (rather than being wrapped up for next year – you know who you are Aunt Flo!)

Also, don´t forget to look in our discount code section, there are lots of discounts for good on-line retailers who have large ranges of excellent pet products.

http://www.petstreet.co.uk/discount_codes/