Presents for Pets

Less than a week and it’s Christmas. Mad rush nearly over and all the food and gift shopping, along with crowds and all the other Christmas build up madness will be a distant of memory.

So having got the presents for family and friends, have you remembered to get something for your pets? OK not everyone will buy a gift for a pet, be it dog, cat or whatever your choice of animal companions are. But many of us do, they are a part of the family and it’s nice to have them join in with the festivities where possible. Even if they don’t understand it, they will normally appreciate or even benefit from their gifts.

So let’s look at what you could try for your pets.

Dogs
Probably the easiest as there are a mass amount of dog toys, dog treats and other dog gift ideas available. I normally by my dog something along the lines of a rope toy or a nylon bone, mainly as the weather normally isn’t geared to playing ball or fetch. So something I can play with him indoors or something he can chill out with and chew away at is fine. Add in some treats such as biscuits or chews and he’s a happy camper at Christmas.

Finding something good for your dog won’t be difficult, but there are other things besides toys you could try. How about a new dog bed for your pet pooch? Maybe a new dog lead or dog collar? Perhaps even some nice shiny new dog bowls? When it comes to dogs the choice is just huge.

Cats
Cats are just about as easy to buy for as dogs, though personally cats always seem a bit less enthusiastic about whatever you give them, then again cats just seem to have that chilled attitude most of the time, the term ‘cool cat’ didn’t pop up for no reason.

Regardless of enthusiasm, cats love toys and gifts as much as a dogs do, and there is a wealth of gifts out there for them. Toy mice, bells, and other small cat toys are great to get your cat playing, and spray a little catnip on them and they will soon be going nuts.

Along with toys there are beds, bowls and collars, as well as scratching posts and activity sets. These activity sets give the cats a place to play, scratch and climb, with some even adding a small ‘hidey hole’ for them to creep into.

Birds
Well birds don’t exactly bark with delight at a gift, but they enjoy them nonetheless. Adding a new swing or new toy to a cage will go down a treat, and dangling decor such as mirrors or bells are great for interactivity. Ladders and rings will give them places to explore and perch on and it adds a new discovery game to their routine. A few little treats for them to nibble on won’t go amiss either. If you really want to go to town, why not go for a whole new bird cage? Chances are they’ll love it.

Small Pets
what to buy your pet rabbit, or guinea pig, hamster, mouse or other cute little critter. Well they love toys just like any other animal. Something to keep them occupied and entertained will always go down well.

Something to chew is a good start, keeping their teeth in good condition and providing them something to do. There is a whole plethora of chew and play toys available for small pets, from ferrets and chinchillas to hamsters and mice.

The there is the cage they live in; you can always buy one of the host of accessories and activity sets that can be great for any small pet cage. Wheels, tubes, houses, see-saws, the list goes on and on. Or you could by them a modular cage that can be built and added to over time providing them with a whole interactive home.

Fish
Fish don’t really need presents, or care too much about them, but adding some nice new decor to their tank will provide benefits, be it places to hide, things to explore or even something else to try and eat. If you do want to splash out though, how about a new fish tank?

These are just a few of the pets we have and there are gifts and treats for other animals such as horses, reptiles, spiders and insects as well. So whatever you have as you choice of pet, there is something out there for them this Christmas, and it shouldn’t be too hard to find.

For a great range of gifts for pets, whether for Christmas or any time of the year, visit www.petshop247.co.uk, one of the UK’s leading online pet superstores.

Sick of Sharing your Bed or Sofa with Your Dog?

Dogs love our furniture, it’s a generalised truth. Whether it’s our comfy sofas or our cosy beds, they want to be just as comfortable as us given half the chance.

Now if like me you’re a soft touch, you’ll let them jump onto your bed or sofa without too much fuss (unless my dog is wet or has dirty paws in which case all the cute looks in the world won’t matter), but let’s face it letting your dog onto your best furniture just to make him or her more snug isn’t probably the best idea in the world. However for many of us it’s just not in our nature to say “down” or “no” when it comes to our pet pooches.

So what are the solutions? Well the correct and most sensible approach would be just that, be firm and let the dog know it where it’s place is, which isn’t on the furniture. Or you can do the more defeatist, but kinder (in our own eyes at least) route which means getting the dog its own furniture. Now that may seem extreme but many people treat their dog in a similar vein to a child, and look upon it as so; after all your dog is loyal and loving unconditionally, and that not something you can get anywhere.

So if you have gone down this path (like I would) then what is out there to tempt your dog away from that new leather sofa or king size bed? Well Wallace and Jones have the solution in their range of dog beds.

Now I say dog beds but these are a combination of dog bed and dog sofa and they look absolutely amazing. The range includes the Windsor and the Oxford, which are both leather look dog beds styled like sofas, with the Windsor sporting a more angular and modern look, and the Oxford having a curved and more traditional styling.

The Windsor Dog Bed comes in either a black and slate or brown and cream leather-effect finish on a strong wooden frame with wipe down contrasting inset and metallic feet. It is stain resistant and easy to clean, you simply wipe it down and it comes in 3 sizes depending on the needs of your dog. The angular style, metal feet and contemporary looks mean it would fit in better with a more modern designed room, but the brown and cream finish does have a feel and look in line with more traditional furniture.

The Oxford dog bed actually comes in 2 different styles simply know as the Oxford I and the Oxford II (1 and 2). The Oxford I resembles a tub sofa or chair (dependant on the size chosen), whereas the Oxford 2 is more reminiscent of a traditional dog bed, open fronted, low though mounted on small feet to raise it off the ground. Both are finished in either black and slate or brown (chestnut), with the Oxford I having a wipe down exterior and the Oxford II having a removable base cushion and scatter cushion.

Regardless of which range you choose both are stylish and comfortable, easy to clean and the epitome of luxury. Yes they are pricey, but then again they cost a lot less than your living room or bedroom furniture did and should either tempt your furry friend away from your lovely sofa and bed, or make you feel a lot less guilty about telling them “NO” when they try to jump up and get comfy in your space; after all they have their own little bit of comfy heaven of their own now.

So if you fancy giving your dog a very luxurious treat and place to rest his or her weary bones, why not try one of the dog beds from Wallace and Jones, and whether you go for the Windsor or either or the Oxford Dog beds, you know they will be happy and comfortable just like you will.

Pet Shop 247 have a section of Wallace and Jones dog beds including the Windsor and Oxford ranges at great prices.