Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? Oh, wait, let me qualify that. Have you finished your Christmas shopping for your BFF yet? (And, by BFF, I mean “Best Furry Friend.) They’re deserving, aren’t they? They provide you with companionship and love you unconditionally, even when you don’t give them that delicious steak scrap off of your dinner plate.
So, even if your Christmas shopping list is relatively small, and even if you hate Christman shopping, don’t forget about man’s best friend (or man’s worst enemy — that’s cats, in case you didn’t know). This list is a collection of fun finds for Fido and Fifi, from giving your dog a voice and testing their DNA to cat caves and gourmet catnip. Puzzles, slow feeders and AirTag collars are just the beginning. And, if you want to immediately say, “Awww,” scroll right to No. 5 and get ready to want to boop all the snoots.
What Did The Dog Say?
If you’ve ever wondered what your furry friend would say if they could talk, wonder no more. With the PawTalk recordable buttons, you can record a word or phrase that plays back when the button is pressed. Now, if they need to go outside or they’re ready to eat, there will be no doubts. This starter set includes four buttons with non-skid bottoms.
They Just Took A DNA Test
Is your doggo secretly royalty? They just took a DNA test, turns out they’re 100 percent that pooch. This test searches more than 230,000 genetic markers and screens for 350-plus breeds to tell you why your dog is the way he is. If your pup is a relative of a famous dog (think Toto or Rin Tin Tin), it’ll look for that, too. No autographs, please.
Slo Your Bowl
Do you have a fast feeder on your hands? Are they staring at you during dinner less than 10 seconds after they get their own food? This slo bowl helps slow down your dog’s eating time by at much as 10 times. And, while it might not seem like a big deal, eating too quickly can result in bloating, regurgitation and canine obesity. These are available in three sizes.
Call Me On My Smart Bone
Everything else is “smart” these days so why not a dog toy? This smart bone keeps your pup entertained through a drive mode you operate in the corresponding smartphone app or auto-play mode that is programmed to grab your dog’s attention. The outside is food-grade safe and it’s easy to clean with detachable tires. Reviewers say their pups loved this innovative toy.
Pillow Pet
I enjoy this photo entirely too much. This custom pet pillow comes in five different sizes and is personalized right on Amazon using a picture of your pet. The pillow itself is made of premium baby velvet with cotton filling so it’s soft, smooth and easy to wash. Even if your pet doesn’t appreciate it, the pet lovers in your life will.
To The Cat Cave
Does this cat look like it’s silent judging you? That’s a trick question because all cats are silently judging you. Give them their own cat cave from where they can rule the roost. These are made from 100 percent merino wool and make a perfect retreat, napping spot or play place. Choose from four color options and two sizes, which your cat will almost certainly turn its nose up at — before falling in love with — when it’s delivered.
Toy Story
If your house is like most, once you have a dog, you have roughly 8,914 toys shortly thereafter. Corral the mess with this handy pet toy bin that measures a hearty 15.7 inches by 10.6 inches. Made from lightweight canvas with handles, these are great for everything from toys to treats to grooming supplies. The paw print on the front means no one will get confused about whose basket it is.
The Sniff Test
Dogs sniff literally anything and everything. From butts and other dogs to other dogs’ butts, it’s one of their favorite things (and actually serves a purpose but this isn’t high school so we’re not learning new stuff). This Christmas-themed snuffle mat is equal parts feeding mat and boredom buster because you can hide food or treats in so many places. An anti-slip bottom keeps it from sliding when doggo is playing.
Give Air Bud An AirTag
Whoever figured out they could design a dog collar that would hold an Apple AirTag is a genius in my book and it’s one of the smartest uses of this new technology I’ve seen. In the event your dog runs off, simply pull up their location with the Find My app. Fido will be right there alongside your keys, AirPods and all your other Apple goodies.
I Dream Of Litter Genie
I’ve been unfair to cats thus far and I need to apologize … because I 100 percent stand by what I’ve said. (Phew, I feel better.) One of my biggest cat “issues” has to do with smelly litter boxes. This cat litter disposal system keeps odors at bay without hassle. If you’ve ever owned a Diaper Genie, you already get the gist of how it works. Not a bad investment for less than $20.
On A Short Leash
Your pet is as much a part of the family as you are, even though they pay no bills and do no chores. They’re like the free-loading member of the family. Give them their own place with this personalized dog leash holder that mounts right by the door for easy leash access. There are several dog styles to choose from and you can customize it with your pet’s name.
Just Squeak By
Squeak. Squeak, squeak. Squeak, sque-ak, squeakkkk. Pet owners already know what it’s like to be sitting in a perfectly quiet living room and hear that repetitive squeaking noise but dogs love it. This set of squeaky toys has no stuffing to make a mess but plenty of squeaker action. You’ll get a fox, a raccoon and a squirrel to make their squeaker-loving hearts happy.
Puppy Bowl
When we’re out and get thirsty, we can stop just about anywhere for refreshments. Dogs don’t have that luxury. Keep Fido in mind and travel with this collapsible pet bowl that comes with a convenient carabiner clip. This set of two comes in small or medium options and a host of color choices. Most importantly, it pops up when they need a drink and collapses to next to nothing when you need to stow it away.
Keep Your Paws On This
We’ve all seen the warnings on social media: “Don’t let your dog’s paws get burned on hot pavement!” But, it’s not just warm weather that creates issues; cold weather can be just as brutal. This dog paw wax protects them from heat, sand, dirt, snow and more with 100 percent natural, food-grade waxes and oils. This product has nearly 27,000 glowing reviews on Amazon.
This Is A Test
I don’t know if you’ve ever had a small dog but they regurgitate as a pastime. Seriously, they eat chicken today and they’re fine. Tomorrow? It’s all over your carpet. This pet sensitivity and tolerance test screens for a variety of foods, just like the human versions do. Conduct the test at home, mail in the sample (hair, not that other stuff), and you’ll get the results in up to 10 days after receipt by the lab.
Calm Down
When I think about these calming bites, I can’t help but remember Steve Carell’s line in “Anchorman,” when he screams, “Loud noises!” Listen, dogs hate them; fireworks and thunderstorms being the two primary offenders. These treats help with calmness, composure and relaxation, thanks to ingredients like chamomile, hemp and melatonin. Maybe you can go “over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house” this season without a furry meltdown in the backseat.
Nailed It
If you’ve never seen videos on social media of pets majorly (and I mean majorly overreacting) to having their nails trimmed, pop over there and search for some … after you snag this nail grinder. A painless method with super low noise and vibration, this will handle the job without your puppy screaming like a small child. This is rechargeable and has three different ports for small, medium and large dogs.
Cat Around
Fine, fine, I’m going to throw some cat toys in here in honor of my BFF and her obsession with kitties. Your favorite feline will have a ball going through this 12-piece toy set that includes mice, jingle balls and, yes, catnip. I enjoy a good one-stop shopping experience and this is going in my cart to gift to a few cat lovers in my life.
Change The Game
I never get tired of watching dogs use their smarts to figure things out. And, if food is involved, I promise they’ll figure it out. This interactive treat puzzle is an Amazon bestseller that’s approaching 100,000 reviews. A variety of obstacles and combinations will keep your pup’s brain engaged while they try to get to the treats below. This is a stage 2 game so, depending on your dog, you may want to click on the stage 1 option first.
Want A Treat?
I don’t think I have to tell you there have been many (too many) stories of treats causing sickness and even death in some pets. The only way to really be sure what your furry pal is eating is to make it yourself. This dog treat maker has an adorable bone-shaped design, and the entire thing functions much like a waffle maker. Pour in the batter, cook and eat (the dog, not you).
Nip And Tuck
While I’m admittedly not the biggest cat lover, I do enjoy a good front-row seat to watching them with a little catnip. This set of three gourmet catnip tins includes “furmaceutical-grade” offerings with just a hint of organic spearmint leaf and peppermint leaf. The tins are cat-proof, too, so there won’t be any catnip catastrophes at home while you’re running errands.
A New Meaning To Coattails
I’m not one of those crazy pet people whose dog or cat has more clothing than me but how can you say no to this adorable (and reversible) dog jacket? This is perfect for cooler weather ahead and is waterproof, which works well in rainy and snowy climates. I love the color variations offered (the one pictured is great for Christmas) and there are seven sizes to choose from.