Toys & Snacks for Dogs at Christmas

When the holidays roll around, your local pet store most likely stocks up on Christmas-themed items for its canine customers. Include your dog in your family celebration by buying it gifts, wrapping them and placing them under your tree. Your furry friend might even enjoy opening them on its own on Christmas morning. There are several options when it comes to purchasing Christmas gifts for your dog.

  1. Homemade Cookies

    • Try giving your dog a homemade gesture of love by baking it a batch of special Christmas cookies. These can be fun for you to make and are a tasty snack for your dog. Homemade dog treats may also be healthier and less expensive. Search online for homemade dog treat recipes and try making them in Christmas shapes. If you don't have time to make your own, you can purchase Christmas cookies for your dog at pet stores such as PetSmart or Petco.

    Chews

    • Your dog can probably entertain itself for hours with a bone or piece of rawhide. Chewing is instinctive for dogs and you can give yours an outlet for this behavior by buying it bones, rawhide chews or Nylabone chews for Christmas. Buy a few different flavors and textures to keep your dog interested. You can get real beef bones, basted bones, beef or chicken flavored rawhides and even peanut butter stuffed chews. Wrap these, but don't place them under the tree until Christmas morning or your dog is likely to open them early!

    Fetch &Tug Toys

    • Playtime should be part of your dog's daily routine. Play helps dogs get the exercise they need, as well as the attention they desire from their owners. There are countless toy options available. Tennis balls are popular with dogs that like to play fetch. You can also buy Frisbees for some outdoor fun. If your dog prefers a game of tug-of-war, purchase a new rope or braided fleece toy. Your dog may enjoy finding a new toy under the Christmas tree, since it might become bored with old toys.

    Puzzle Toys

    • Especially good for intelligent breeds, puzzle toys give your dog a way to practice problem solving skills. They can also keep your dog entertained and content when you aren't able to play with them yourself. These toys allow you to hide a snack inside. Your dog needs to figure out how to get the snack. Kong is a popular brand of puzzle toy made of heavy rubber that should prove difficult for your dog to destroy. Fill the Kong with special Kong stuffer treats, peanut butter or cheese and watch your dog work to retrieve the reward. Buy a puzzle toy for your dog for Christmas and you'll find it starts to get excited each time you have it in your hand.