Holiday Gift Ideas for Pet People

Gourmet Foods- People who love gourmet food and dogs will be thrilled when you present them with gifts of gourmet, dog-safe cookies, bagels, muffins, cakes, and other special treats. A variety of holiday-inspired pet goodies are always available at chain pet stores such as Petco and Petsmart. Even more thoughtful are gifts that come from dog bakery boutiques. When considering where to shop, think of it this way- would you rather give your human friends a box of holiday cookies from the Wal-Mart bakery or from the upscale neighborhood bakery? Of course, the latter will almost invariably have the heftier price tag.

Pet Beds- Many people who love their four-legged companions will have already purchased a pet bed. But pet beds tend to wear out quickly, and often, they are… well… to be frank about it, ugly. So skip the Mega Pet Supercenter and come up with alternatives to the usual hunting lodge themed or Victorian floral pillows and give the pet lovers on your list a bed that will match their home décor. For example, a Zen-like household would adore substituting a meditation pillow for a pet bed. Homes with a country cottage theme would definitely make use of a white wicker basket stuffed with a soft comfy gingham pillow. Eco-friendly enthusiasts will find a pillow or blanket made from organic cotton just to die for. With a little bit of creativity, you can come up with killer holiday presents that will last the furry little guys all year long.

Pampering- Question: What is the perfect holiday gift certificate that adults of all ages and interests like? Answer: A pampered day at the spa. It's true. There is nothing like a relaxing massage and a steam facial to make people feel like a million bucks. These days, spas are not just for people. There are actually massage and Reiki therapists for pets. Usually pet-oriented spas will offer grooming, massage, hot oil treatments, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and even doggie play dates. Even if the pet lovers on your list won't buy their pets a massage, dog spas often carry grooming supplies, sweater and clothes for pets, training classes, toys, and more, and all pet owners need some of those items from time to time.

Grooming Supplies- Speaking of necessity, a happy pet is a well groomed pet, so it is necessary for pet owners to own all the right grooming tools for their pet. Knots and tangles in fur, over-grown fur and bad skin conditions can be painful and bad for a pet's health. A gift basket loaded down with brushes, nail clippers, skin conditioners, flea shampoo, and pet toothbrushes make great presents for the proud parents of a brand new pet

Novelty Collars- On a recent vacation to San Antonio, I spied a woman standing outside the Alamo holding a tiny Chihuahua wearing a pearl necklace collar. Lo and behold, during a walk down the pet aisle in Target, I cam across all kinds of dog "necklace" collars. Of course, for a butch dog, there will always be the spiky collar. For animal activists who own pets, a hand-sewn collar made from durable, leather-free material would make a beautiful and thoughtful gift. Matching collar and leash sets are great gifts for people who love their dogs but take a "no-frills" kind of approach to rearing animals.

Food Dishes - All pets have to eat, and they all have to eat from something. But dog bowls don't have to be cheap plastic eyesores. Stainless steel bowls with name engraving plates make wonderful customized gifts.

Picture Frames- The typical "Woof" or "Meow" picture frames are popular for a reason. Pet people love them! They make great holiday gifts for co-workers who love pets. Or consider giving a digital picture frame, which automatically rotates through a series of pictures. Animal lovers never stop at taking just one pet photo; they have hundreds and would love to show them to anyone who'll look. A digital picture frame would allow them to show many pictures in just one frame.