Although everyone celebrates Christmas in their own special way, a recurring theme I see amongst many families is the giving of gifts to the pets on Christmas.  I think it is a fun and creative way to involve the pets in family celebrations.  At my Dad’s house this Christmas, we gave our dog several toys as Christmas presents, and my uncle gave his dog some presents too.  Sadly, at my mom’s house, neither the chickens nor Gonzo got Christmas presents.  So, I was thinking about whether or not it is actually worth getting your pet a present.

1. It really depends on the species of pet you have.  I’m pretty sure that every time the chickens get human food, they consider it a holiday.  Gonzo is in a similar situation.  Every time he is fed, he is probably happy, and adding a new fixture to his tank may freak him out just as much as it could make him happy.  On the other hand, smarter animals like cats and dogs are excited to get new things and may actually make a connection with the festivities and gifts.
2. It also depends on what they are getting.  If you decide you want to give your dog a sweater, he may not be overly pleased with the gift du jour.  At the same time, my dog was very excited to get new chew toys and a blanket (he piles the blankets in his bed and sleeps in them).
3. Be careful with the festivities.  I know many people who have dogs who can unwrap presents and get the gift out.  This is all fun and games, but be careful to make sure that Fido doesn’t ingest any of the wrapping paper or ribbon.  This could make him one very un-jolly pooch.

With this in mind, have some Happy Holidays!

Joe, the oldest cat, has kept somewhat busy by helping me wrap Christmas presents. He especially loves tissue paper, as well as the thin curling ribbon. To keep him occupied, I’d place a piece of tape on the end of his tail, and he’d spend a few glorious minutes chasing it around and around.

Bear, the younger cat, seems to be suffering from the blues. He sleeps a lot, and he meows a lot. Poor little guy keeps forgetting it is still cold outside, no matter if he uses the front door or back door.  (He gets so mad he buries himself under the top blanket of my bed for hours on end).

So what’s a pet owner to do to help his or her stir crazy cat? Give them something to think about, of course. Here are a few ideas for helping your indoor/outdoor cat survive the rest of the winter ahead.

1. Boxes

Since Joe had such a good time helping me to wrap presents, I realized that he would be happy with an assortment of boxes to play in. With presents arriving from around the country, we were blessed with an assortment of box sizes, some in which he fit quite well, and others where he struggled to sit down. But each box brings intrigue into his life.

2. String

To help keep both cats happy, I play with them using the curling ribbon I mentioned above. I walk quickly through the house, the string trailing behind, and the cats love the challenge of catching it.

3. Furniture

This might not work for all cats, but my cats love when I change the furniture around. They spend time exploring the new layout, as it gives them something to occupy their minds. In addition, I always make sure they have a lookout. By this I mean that although they do not like being outside in the cold, they still like to watch the squirrels and birds, so I always have a special perch for them to do this.

4. Toys
I do invest in a few cat toys in the winter as well. Those filled with catnip make Joe and Bear especially happy. My cats also like playing with pens and the plastic circles that surround milk cartons; however, I let them play with these items only when I am around to make sure they don’t try to chew (or swallow) them.

1- Field Guide For Bird Watchers

Most bird owners are big fans of all aviary creatures and whenever they get a chance to explore the great outdoors, they’re often found looking for wild birds. Give them a handy little book that lists most species of wild birds, complete with colorful illustrations and interesting facts.

2- A Bird Feeder

This is a gift idea that would please any bird owner because it lets them provide all the neighborhood birds with a little nourishment all year round. A birdhouse would also be a terrific idea!

3- Bird Care Supplies

Any bird owner would be grateful for extra bird food, care products, or toys. Affordable ideas include chewable toys, bird ladders/swings, grooming supplies, bird bath tub, or whatever else the bird owner might request.

4- Bird Travel Cage

The holidays mean travel for a lot of people, so why not give them a gift they could really use right now:  a bird travel cage. You don’t need a huge cage, just a small one that includes a perch for the bird and a handle for convenience of carrying.

5- Bird Collectibles or Framed Paintings

Bird owners will enjoy any gift that reminds them of their avian friends and so any bird collectible or bird painting makes a terrific gift! For the younger bird owners, you could give them a bird plushie for Christmas.

• Their people are happy. “Dogs key off of our emotions,” says IdeaOffer reader clang — confirming something people have always known about dogs — “and therefore like Christmas because they feel the happiness and calm.”
• Unwrapping presents — their own or someone else’s. “My dear dog LOVES wrapped presents,” says reader keshk. “If you have a wrapped present on your lap and are trying to find a bit to start taking the paper off, she joins in, and if you give her a corner she’ll tear the paper away for you, and trash any paper afterwords.” Several owners mentioned this, and it’s not just the unwrapping that their dogs enjoy . . .
• Getting their own presents. Lacey Thompson says, “When they get their bones they enjoy them so much that they bring them with everytime they go to a different room. My oldest buddy loves to get his new winter jacket every year. If we don’t put it on him right away he walks around with it in his mouth all day and stares at someone til they put it on him.”
• People — and maybe other dogs — they don’t see often. Michael from San José says “new and unusual people drew nothing less than a hyper-manic glee” from his family dog. New people often mean more attention, which dogs crave, up to a point. When that point is reached, the dog may suddenly slip away to rest awhile.
• Other new and unusual things. “They like all the good food smells, leftovers and tidbits that people sneak them under the holiday dinner table,” says Michael De Vries, who has a Jack Russell terrier and a Chihuahua “and they like all of the shiny lights and decorations.”

He closes with something that sums it all up: “Yes, Virginia, there really is a dog’s Santa Claus!”

Toys are probably the best gift. They’re not expensive, so you can give more than one. Any toy will hold at least some interest for a cat, whether it’s new and different or a replacement for a worn out favorite. And anything that holds back boredom is welcome to a cat owner.

Treats are usually risky, unless you know the cat’s favorite kind.  Collars, also, are probably best left for the owner to buy — they’ll know best whether the break-away, the glow-in-the-dark, or the basic kind is needed.

Catnip is a borderline choice. It may have no effect on a cat — or have such an effect that the owner doesn’t want the cat to have it too often. A catnip-filled toy may be a good compromise.

A promise to cat-sit while the owner is on vacation is usually welcome. It can be hard to take even a beloved pet on a long trip. Or think of giving a gift certificate to a pet-sitting service or a cat hotel.

Litter is a necessity, but it makes a pretty sad gift. It’s also heavy to carry or mail. If you suspect your friend could use help buying stuff like litter and food, give a gift card from a pet supply store.

Cat grass at any stage of growth is economical and welcome. You may also want to give a bag of cat grass seed along with potting soil and a sturdy low container that a cat can’t knock over.

Finally, if you have a good picture of your friend’s cat, just frame it and present it to them. It’ll probably outlast any other gift you could give.

This Christmas, though, I’m wondering if some of the gifts I’m thinking of getting them aren’t really gifts for myself.

As I’ve written before, a pet supply store has plenty of things that would make good gifts for humans. But that’s not really what I mean. What I mean is, if I get my cats a battery-powered toy, is it for them, or is it to spare me the time it would take to play with them? And is that really good, for them or for me?

Then there are those gadgets that automatically dispense food and water for days at a time. Actually, the cats would probably love having a water bowl that never runs low (food, they take for granted). But we humans would love the idea of being able to go away overnight without having to ask our neighbor to come in every day. Yet, that’s one of the ways we build community.

(Oh, wait – someone would still have to come in every day to clean the litter box. They haven’t invented an automatic version of that yet. Though when they do, we’ll be very interested.)

I do know one thing: I draw the line at buying the cats a video of birds, fish, and small animals. Yes, they do make these things, and they can run all day. But I think the cats would just get frustrated, and our TV would get severely scratched.

Not much of a present for them or us.

Watch your puppy carefully, and plan on spending some time with her. Let her stiff around and when she begins to go, say your potty word that will tell her when she needs to go outside. Praise and treat your puppy after she potties. Soon your puppy will be understand that she won’t get a treat if she potties in the house but will get a treat if she potties outside in her potty spot. She will want to get her reward! Since your puppy can’t tell you when she wants to go outside, you must learn to recognize her signal and then take her out.

It is a good idea to put the puppy in a crate or a fenced in area with newspapers on the floor at night or during the day when you are out. Some people like to keep their new puppy with them at night, so they can hear her and then take her outside.

Accidents do happen, so try to remain calm. If you are lucky, you will catch her before she finishes, and you can put her nose gently in the mess. Say, “Bad girl,” and take her outside immediately. If she potties outside, praise and reward her with a treat. If she doesn’t potty outside, try later.

If you understand when your puppy needs to go out, you will eliminate many accidents. These tips will help your puppy succeed in her potty training.
Watch your puppy carefully, and know the signs for when she wants to go outside. Always take her outside after feeding, drinking water, taking a nap, playing, or any kind of excitement, waking up in the morning and before going to bed at night. She will be trained in no time at all!