Christmas Gifts for a Dog

It's not just a dog. It's a fuzzy, four-legged member of your family. If this is how you feel about the dog in your life, include it in your holiday celebration. Go to your local pet store during the holidays to find special Christmas products made just for pets. Dogs even enjoy opening gifts on Christmas (or perhaps they just love the satisfaction of shredding the paper). To find the perfect gift for your dog, think about the things it likes best.

  1. Bones and Chews

    • For the more destructive dog, get some extra bones or chews. These provide a tasty treat while satisfying your dog's need to chew on something. Bones and chews can keep a dog entertained for hours, but buy bones that are an appropriate size for your dog. Large rawhides and bones can break a small dog's teeth, and a large breed may choke on a bone meant for a 10-pound dog. If you give your dog a bone or rawhide chew for Christmas, you are also giving yourself a gift -- a smaller grooming and vet bill. Bones and chews scrape plaque off of dogs' teeth, causing fresher breath and better health.

    Dog Treats

    • No doubt your dog loves an occasional bite-sized snack. It will eagerly shred through wrapping paper to get to a delicious-smelling bag of dog treats. Having dog treats on hand is a good way to reward your dog for behaving and to help you reinforce training. Look for healthy, natural treats to give your dog for Christmas. They will reduce weight gain and help your dog avoid weight-related health problems in the future.

    Toys, Toys and More Toys

    • Not all dogs are motivated by food or treats. Some prefer a game of fetch to meal times. If your dog is constantly urging you to play, get it a new toy (or a stocking full of them) for Christmas. What is your dog's favorite game? Consider a package of brand new tennis balls, a tug-of-war rope or a squeaky stuffed animal. If you keep several different types of toys in your home, you can keep your dog from getting bored. Bored dogs often find ways to entertain themselves, usually by destroying some of your belongings, so new toys to entertain your dog are a useful Christmas gift.

    Food

    • If mealtimes are your dog's favorite times of day, wrap a package of dog food and give it as a Christmas gift right before breakfast. You can also give your dog a special treat for Christmas by purchasing a different food that you know your dog really enjoys. For example, if your dog gets dry kibble every day, splurge on a package of wet food to give your dog a special holiday meal.

    Puzzles

    • Good for the inquisitive or independent dog, puzzle toys can provide hours of entertainment. Puzzle toys are meant to help your dog stimulate its brain by allowing it to use instinct and intelligence to solve a problem. Usually the problem involves getting to a treat that is stuck inside the toy. Kongs are one of the most common puzzle toys available in pet stores. Made of thick rubber, they are nearly indestructible. Fill a Kong with treats, peanut butter or a special Kong stuffer and watch your dog enjoy the challenge. Other puzzle toys include balls that allow you to hide treats inside. Crumbled goodies fall out as your dog pushes the ball around the room.