The Best Presents for Your Dog

Picking the best presents for your dog is one of the nicer parts of having one. The pet shop aisles go on forever, though, and a lot of what is in them gets chewed to pieces in a day. These are the gifts that keep a dog busy, comfortable and healthy for longer.

Interactive toys

Dogs like to stay busy, and interactive toys keep them moving and thinking, which tires them out far better than another plain ball lying in the garden. Look at puzzle toys, balls for fetching and toys that release treats.

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Puzzle toys make your dog work out how to reach a treat, which tires out the brain as much as a walk tires out the legs. Fetch toys suit dogs that cannot sit still and need to run. Treat-dispensing toys turn snack time into a game that lasts more than ten seconds.

Comfortable beds

Dogs need a good place to sleep as much as people do, and a proper bed helps their joints and their health. There are orthopaedic beds for older dogs with stiff joints, soft beds with a raised edge to rest their head on, and flat mats for dogs that sleep in a crate.

If friends and family like to spoil your dog too, create a wishlist for your dog so they can pick something it will actually use.

Healthy treats

Dogs love treats, so it pays to pick ones that are good for them. There is plenty of choice, from chewy rawhide to crunchy bones and biscuits, so take a moment to read the label before you buy.

Look for treats made with real ingredients and not much else, and skip anything with artificial additives. Fruit, jerky and freeze-dried meat are healthier options. Treats also make an easy gift if the family runs a Secret Santa game that includes the pets.

Grooming supplies

Keeping your dog clean is part of keeping it healthy, and grooming supplies make a useful gift at almost any budget: brushes, shampoo and nail clippers.

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A brush or a comb keeps the coat smooth and free of tangles. A good shampoo keeps your dog smelling fresh, and nail clippers keep the claws short.

Dog clothing

Dog clothes are cute, and they are also practical. They keep your dog warm and protect it from the weather. You can find everything from smart coats to warm jumpers and protective boots.

A coat or a jumper keeps a short-haired dog comfortable on cold walks, and boots protect the paws from hot pavements in summer and icy paths in winter.

Start with what your dog loves most: chasing, chewing or sleeping. The best gift from this list is the one that matches, and it will get more use than anything else in the toy basket.