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The Best Holiday Gifts for Cats

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Getting the perfect gift for the fuzzy feline in your life can be a challenge! These gift ideas are sure to please and keep your kitty content this holiday season.

Toys 

  • For the playful cat, toys can make a great gift. There are many types of toys available, so you can find the perfect one for your cat!
  • Does your cat like to chase things? Check out the traditional feather wand or the automated “Teaser” cat toys. Feeling crafty? Try making your own stick toy by tying a string onto a clump of feathers and glueing this onto a small dowel.
  • Does your cat like catnip? Try making your own catnip toy by filling a sock with catnip then using a rubber band or string to tie it closed.

cats

Furniture

  • Cat trees are always a good gift. Cats love to get up high and check out their home. Cat trees come in many variations. I would recommend shorter cat trees for older cats and taller ones for younger or agiler cats. If your cat likes to scratch check out cat trees with scratching post bases.
  • Cat beds are a great gift for the sleepy cat in your life. Try and pick a soft bed, that is easy to wash and place it in your cat’s favorite spot. Many cats love sleeping in the sun, so place the bed by a window.
  • Scratching posts are great to minimize scratching and keep your cat healthy. Cats scratch to mark their scent and to file their nails down. Scratching posts range from very simple to very fancy. Simple cardboard scratching pads can be found at most pet stores. Some of the fancier scratching posts have twine that can be replaced when it is worn down.

Treats 

  • Cat treats can be a great present for your cat this holiday season. Check out our previous blog posts for cat treat recipes. A slight change in diet can also make a good gift. Try adding a can of wet food or a different type of pet food. Most cats love wet food, so this is a special gift for the holidays.

Cats can be difficult to understand, but choosing a gift for them can be easy. These gifts will help make this holiday season special for your cat! Let us know what presents your cat likes this holiday season on our Facebook page.

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Holiday Treats For Dogs

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The holidays are a great time of year for humans and their canine companions.  Great food is a huge part of the holidays, but much of it is off limits for Fido. Here are some holiday treats for dogs for that special pup in your life!

Doggy Eggnog 

Eggnog is a wonderful holiday treat, this year share some with your dog!

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 container of plain, greek yogurt
  • 1/2 jar of baby food (in a dog friendly flavor)
  • 1/4 cup of water or milk
  • 1 egg
  • Dog treats as toppings

Directions

  1. Place all ingredients in a blend and blend until frothy
  2. Add your toppings
  3. Give your dog a small serving

 

Mint Dog Bones

Not only are these festive treats tasty, but they will also improve your dog’s breath.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons of chopped mint leaves
  • 3/4 a cup of milk or water
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon of honey
  • 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons of wheat germ
  • 1 tablespoon of Brewer’s yeast
  • 1 1/2 cups of flour

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees and grease a baking sheet
  2. Whisk mint, milk or water, egg, honey and oil in a large bowl
  3. Mix in wheat germ and Brewer’s yeast
  4. Slowly mix in flour to form a thick dough
  5. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick
  6. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut the cookies
  7. Place cookies on the baking sheet and bake until golden brown
  8. Let the cookies cool and feed to your dog

 

Sweet Potato Hanukkah Cookies 

Potatoes are a traditional Hanukkah food, here is a healthy way to include your dog in the tradition.

Ingredients

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup of oats
  • 3 cups of flour
  • 1 tablespoon of xylitol free peanut butter

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a baking sheet
  2. Peel and dice the sweet potatoes and place in a pot of boiling water
  3. Boil sweet potatoes until soft then puree in a blender
  4. Whisk the egg and peanut butter into the sweet potato puree
  5. In a separate bowl mix the oats and flour
  6. Add the sweet potato mixture to the flour- oat mixture
  7. Stir the mixture until combined
  8. Roll out the dough of a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick
  9.  Use cookie cutter or a glass to cut the cookies into shapes
  10. Bake the cookies until golden brown
  11. Let the cookies cool and feed them to your dog

 

Chicken Jerky

These yummy treats make special and healthy gifts for your dog.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds of skinless, boneless chicken breasts

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees
  2. Wash the chicken breasts with water and slice into 1/4 inch strips
  3. Place the chicken strips in an single, even layer on a baking sheet, leave a small amount of space between each strip
  4. Bake until the chicken strips are dehydrated, about 2 hours

Check that the strips are done by cutting one open. There should be no uncooked parts and there should not be any moisture inside. Store the jerky in sealed containers for about a week or longer in the refrigerator.

 

Gingerbread Christmas Dog Treats

Gingerbread is yummy treat for your dog this holiday season. These treats are very easy to make and fairly healthy for your dog.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups of whole wheat flour
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons of ground ginger
  • 3/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves
  • 1/2 cup of molasses
  • 1/2 cup of water
  • 1/4 cup of canola oil

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a baking sheet
  2. In a small bowl mix the flour, ginger, cinnamon and cloves together
  3. In a separate bowl mix the molasses, water and oil
  4. Mix the molasses mix into the flour mix and combine until it forms a dough
  5. On a floured surface roll out the dough to a 1/4 inch thick
  6. Cut the cookies into holiday shapes and place on baking sheet
  7. Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown
  8. Let the cookies cool and feed to your dog

 

 

These holiday treats for dogs will no doubt help make your furbaby’s holiday a little sweeter. As always feed all treats in moderation.

Did your dog enjoy your homemade dog treats? Let us know on our Facebook page!