If you’re getting ready for the holidays, you might want to put together a list of gifts to get your family and friends this season. Of course, you can’t forget your fur-baby during the holidays. Don’t worry, you are not alone as most of us will spend a lot of money on our dogs at home. just how much We went to the experts to find out.
Every year, we spend more on our pets. Of course, there are more pets in our homes than ever before. According to the American Pet Products Association, pet ownership has grown exponentially in the US. The first year they did the survey, 56% of US households owned a pet. By 2023, 67.3% of US households will own at least one pet. The majority are dog owners, now in 69 million households. Estimated by the organization pet owners will collectively spend more than $109.6 billion on our pets this year. Yes, that number is correct: billion with a B! Think it’s too much? Well, in 2020 we spent $103.6 Billion on our pets in ACTUAL dollars. It stands to reason that this number will continue to grow.
The survey showed that 95% of pet owners will get their pet for Christmas. Most pet owners will spend at least $36 on their pet, while some will spend more than $100. To help make your pet shopping easier, here are 10 products and items to get your pet. These are some of the things our pet-loving staff discovered ourselves. These are in no particular order, just a convenient list to help you get started on your holiday pet shopping.
Our Top 10 Christmas Gifts for a dog list is here!
1. Glyde™ Mobility Chews
We started with Glyde because it is a meaningful gift that is important for your dog’s health. We have many more ideas for fun gifts, but if you consider the cost of your dog’s health, you can see how it only costs pennies a day to keep an active dog. Look This graphic shows how Glyde invests money wisely in your dog’s health! Sadly, 80% of dogs will develop arthritis by age 8, and some dogs will be even younger than that (20% are diagnosed by age 1!). Glyde is a natural joint supplement that fights the signs of arthritis. What sets Glyde apart is proven levels of ingredients like New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel (GLM), Glucosamine and Chondroitin. GLM has many health benefits but is most notably effective as an anti-inflammatory for the joints. If you have a dog, you know how much they love to be active and the cost of protecting their joints isn’t that great when you break it. If it’s just what’s best for your dog, you’ll want the best combined supplement with proven levels of ingredients in Glyde. Plus, you’ll probably give your dog some dog treats for Christmas. Glyde is NOT a dog treat! But it’s very tasty and delicious for them, they might think!
2. Special Holiday Clothes
Let’s face it: we love dressing up our dogs in silly clothes. It made us smile. Now, some are more extreme than others, but you can definitely find the outfit you want for your furbaby. Add in a tasty treat for your dog when they wear the outfit, and it’s a win/win. Make sure your camera is close by when you get them in the clothes. If your dog is like mine, you need to be quick! Check out those photos of dogs decked out for the holidays.
3. Maze Feeding Bowl
If your dog is like mine, they can’t eat their food quickly. Dogs, especially puppies, learn to fight for their food and eat as fast as possible while they are with their mother and their siblings during rearing. However, as they get older, eating fast can cause a variety of issues including vomiting and bloat. Plus, dogs that eat fast can have weight problems. The goal is to slow down their eating, satiate them in a better way. Enter the dog maze bowl. This pattern makes it difficult for them to get every bite out of their dog dish. Find your perfect dog maze bowl.
4. Paw Washers
Winter is the perfect time of year for muddy feet to enter our lives. How do you clean them? There is a relatively new way to do this: the paw washer. What we love about them is the fact that you don’t have to put your dog in the sink or tub, just put one paw in the special paw washer. Since there is a large variation, we suggest getting the ones that fit your dog’s size and then the cost. This item is relatively inexpensive and can be purchased online or at your favorite big-box retailer. Fluent Woof researched the best Dog Paw Washers, complete with reviews!
5. Pet Trackers and GPS Collars
Why rely on your neighbors to help you find your dog when you can rely on your phone in real-time? Plus, pet trackers have come a long way to be more affordable. Some use GPS and others use Bluetooth. Make sure you check the distance in its range. Some trackers have an alert you can turn on if your pet goes outside a safe area, like a yard. Others have smaller alert zones and more for if your pet is lost somewhere in the house. PC Magazine did a review of the best pet trackers and collars.
6. Subscription service
There are all kinds of subscription services out there. There is even a subscription service that will find a subscription service FOR YOU! So once you’ve got your favorite subscription service, you might as well think about getting one for your dog. You can shower them with toys, goodies and more. Did you know you can also give them a healthy subscription? When you subscribe to Glyde Mobility Chews, you are giving your dog protection all year round. Just add a Glyde subscription to your cart and renew as often as you like: every 30 days, 60 days or even 120 days apart. This is a great gift for dogs because Glyde helps keep your dog active and young!
7. Harness or collar
There are collars and harnesses in every style and color. For functionality, if you have a larger dog, get a harness with a handle on the back. This makes it easier to get them out, if they start to separate. Another tip for walking your dog is if your harness has an attachment for the leash in the back AND in the front. If you have a larger dog, they can easily pull you if you attach the leash to the back. A quick adjustment to put the strap in the front and you find they are not easy to pull. This has been a great addition to this dog walker’s harness portfolio! Purchase harnesses and collars at your favorite retail location or online.
8. New Dog Bed
If your dog is lying on a dog bed, they may also be lying on the ground, it’s time to replace your dog bed. It’s a good idea to get new dog beds at least every 2 years, so they support your dog. This is the perfect time of year to get a new dog bed. Lots to choose from! You can get high-end dog beds that cost $100-$300 or cheaper ones at your local big box store, which only cost $30-$50. Dog beds are made for more than just a place to lay down. Ideally, the dog bed chosen will look good AND provide support and comfort for your dog. You can get your dog a calming bed that is a big round pillow. Some dog beds are raised, to keep your dog off the floor. A good cushiony dog bed helps with painful joints for dogs of all ages. We loved this article from The Strategist that reviewed dog beds based on dog size, age and sleeping habits.
9. Puzzle Toys and Mats
Toys will only go so far. Dogs love the idea of hunting for their food. Enter these adorable puzzle toys where dogs have the chance to retrieve squirrels from the trunk or aliens from the spaceship. They all make delightful squeaks, much to your dog’s delight. There are several in each level, from easy to difficult to solve. There are also puzzle mats where you can put treats in different pockets so your dog can search for them. Spruce Pets reviews the best Dog Puzzle toys for your dog!
10. Pet Cameras
There are different ways to see what your pets are doing when you’re not around. Depending on your budget, you can have a simple camera to tune in and see what your dogs are up to. Or you can get a high-end camera that allows you to communicate 2-way with your dog and provide treats for them. Just set up the camera, install the system app on your smartphone, and enjoy interacting with your pet. This team undertook the task of testing several pet cameras in different price ranges.
What else?
Whatever you get your fur-baby for the holidays, take the time to enjoy the gift of their time and be thankful for the memories they provide. What are you getting your pets this holiday season? Let us know in the comments of our social media accounts. Enjoy the holiday season and your pets too!
