Remembrance Day has just passed so we will now see the onslaught of Christmas decorations and holiday preparations will be in full swing. I know some of you plan ahead and may already have those special gifts ready BUT then there is everyone else who will experience growing panic and may hit the frenzy of shoppers the week before Christmas. As a former and recovering retail worker, I sympathize but want nothing to do with last-minute shopping!
Instead, I have compiled a list of holiday gift ideas for your dog including fun toys and treats. And, if you can please shop local to support our businesses here in Abbotsford and Mission. Most if not all of the items listed below can be found at:
Pet Lovers on Ware St.
Just About Pets on Abbotsford Way
Tail Blazers on Immel
Oly's on South Fraser Way in Abbotsford and Lougheed Hwy in Mission
Mr. Pets on South Fraser Way in Abbotsford and 1st Ave in Mission
Bosley's on Whatcom and South Fraser Way in Abbotsford and Stave Lake (gang member Lucy's favourite store) and Lougheed in Mission
Pawstreet Market on McCallum
To view more contact info and links visit the list of pet stores in Abbotsford and Mission on our resource page here!
Holiday Gift Ideas: Some Cool Toys Your Dog Might Like
Puzzle Feeders
You can buy these at the store or make your own. Some dogs learn quickly so it may not be the long-lasting game you hope for. But, it is still better than the boring bowl and depending on your dog's interest you can either use it instead of the bowl or treat it as a novelty and bring it out once in a while. For DIY ideas check out YouTube and Instagram. It can be anything from boxes, toilet rolls, rolled-up towels, and beyond.
Snuffle Mats
You can buy these at the store or make your own. I have seen some fun ones that look like tacos or pizza but if you are a bit crafty they are not too hard to make. Just look it up on YouTube. Most call for fleece due to its durability but if you have scraps of fabric you can certainly use that up and get creative. You can even make a plastic basket into a snuffle basket or make snuffle balls. There are also DYI packs you can buy if you want to have a fun craft project for yourself or the kids (check out Hound Hugger DYI).
Licki Mats and other brands
This is a great product to slow feeding down and use as a distraction, or extra mental stimulation instead of the boring bowl. It is best for wet food or treats like peanut butter, pumpkin, or yogurt. There are different brands now that have a variety of shapes and patterns. Several Furryornot gang members use this at mealtime or as a goodbye treat. I will say that the smaller poky bumps are best for dogs with extreme determination to eat ALL their food. Some may give up at a certain point because it is too tricky. I would try an easier pattern or one with 3 or 4 patterns to see what works best for your dog. But either way, give it a thorough rinse and scrub and it's good to go for next time.
Toppl by West Paw
This is one of Ziggy's older toy feeders and is clearly well-used. But they have a variety of options now and sizes and accessories and Dog Enrichment Expert Tori Mistick highly recommends it. You can stuff it with wet food, kibble and treats, peanut butter, yogurt or really any mixture your pet likes. If you get the stopper accessory it keeps it upright more easily and the stuffing inside. So check it out and all their other fun toys too.
Ruffwear Toadstool and Porcini mushroom toys
I like Ruffwear a lot and am smitten by them making a mushroom-themed toy but these are also pretty cool in function. The Toadstool is similar to a Kong toy and can be stuffed, but it also has a unique shape that allows you to use a Chuck-it launcher to throw it, adding extra fun to playtime. The Porcini is quite large and would make a great alternative to the boring bowl and for those fast eaters out there.
Kong
A classic but on top of their signature Kong they have a lot of different products and toys to spice things up with and all are well made. I know several of the Furryornot gang members regularly get a kong filled with kibble or treats, peanut butter, or are stuffed with different mixtures and frozen for a longer-lasting distraction. This is a great tool to use as a parting gift when you head to work, when you need to calm your dog down, or as an alternative to the boring bowl.
JW Hol-ee Roller
This is a fun ball alternative that people can stuff things inside of as an extra treat or game. Furryornot gang member Reya LOVES her purple Hol-ee Roller with a passion and it was also a favourite of Amstel's for his dental stick. They are also conveniently easy to throw with minimal slobber slime to deal with (as the thrower). I suspect these would not be suitable for a real chew monster but are great supervised and for those discerning dogs who will only chew on delicious treats or shoes.
Chuck-it
They have the classic thrower and ball set but they also make a variety of toys including a frisbee that is very durable (Furryornot gang member Tux loves his frisbee) and all their stuff is really well made. Dogs can also see blue well so the little Chuck-it swish is helpful to them for spotting their toy in tricky terrain.
Not a toy or treat but...
Jetsy Naturals
This is a fun local online shop and they have great natural shampoos for dogs, deodorizing sprays, and fun gifts for pet lovers. So I recommend checking them out and their products are good for your dog (kind of like kids need socks and underwear too).
Holiday Gift Ideas: Treats made locally
Made in Abbotsford & Mission and the surrounding area
Noah's Ark - they make single-ingredient high-quality treats like Salmon Skin and Sweet potato chips, plus a lot more. Their products can be found in most local pet stores and many of the Furryornot gang members enjoy them.
Gibson's Gourmet Goodies - locally made dog treats & cakes, sold locally at Lepps and other locations. Best known for their donut dog cookies, they are super cool.
Follow @gibsonsgourmetgoodies on Instagram
Pupper Nom Noms
Locally made dog treats, online sales, and local farmers markets. Lucy loves these.
Rosie's Brand Pet Treats - these are quality treats, nice and crunchy and a favourite with many of the Furryornot gang members.
Happy shopping! And, if you have any other suggestions on toys or treats that your dogs love please share in the comments so everyone can see your great ideas.
Comentarios