Dog Gifts: necessary or ridiculous?

I’ve noticed we’ve been getting a lot of questions about dog gifts lately (‘tis the season after all!). So, it seems that a lot of us are of the same opinion: we’re spoiling all of our other loved ones, so naturally, we want to spread some of the cheer to the incredible dogs we are blessed to share our lives with too!

What should I get my dog as a gift?

Two words: Treats + toys.

Dogs are simple in their desires – they love food, and they love fun. I’m a big fan of toys that I can enjoy WITH my dog because quality time really is everything!

So without further adieu, let me put on my Santa Paws suit (sorry, I had to go there!) and chat through our most pawsome picks from the Everything Dog Emporium for this Christmas.

Top Gifts for Your Dog – Our Staff Picks!

• Slow Feeder Dog Bowl or Mat – I can’t say enough about slow feeders and their benefits – they’ve become incredibly popular this year, and for good reason! With raised bumps, edges, nooks, and crannies, they look a bit like a maze or puzzle, but the whole idea is your dog will have to work for their food by licking and “snuffling” around all the different spaces. This can help to slow down pooches who struggle with the effects of eating too fast, as well as providing enrichment – after all, their ancestors would have worked a lot harder for their meals in the wild than our dogs do at home with us. A few notable mentions (all available in our Everything Dog Emporium, of course!):

Avocado Anti-Bite Webbing Snuffle Mat – great for hiding dry food and treats in the anti-bite webbing to keep your dog busy. Machine washable – we love easy-care!

 

SPIN Interactive Feeders – these slow feeding bowls make meal-time into a puzzle. As your dog eats, the spinner in the centre moves around, making your dog slow right down and work hard for each morsel. These bowls are extra pawsome because the spinner attachments are interchangeable to keep things interesting!

West Paw Feast Mat – these feature deep grooves so your dog can forage for their food. You can also flip the mat over as the other side is a textured “lick mat” that’s great for treats. Licking this side can also be really calming for dogs.

• Raw Food Dog Treats – If you’ve ever visited us in person, or have just been following along for a while, you’ll know we’re huge advocates of raw feeding for our dogs. The benefits are huge. But feeding a raw food diet doesn’t mean treats are off the table. In fact, raw food treats are absolutely “a thing” and we have plenty of them! From air-dried pick ‘n mix deer tendons, rabbit skin rolls and salmon tails through to bagged freeze-dried goodies, we have loads of options to choose from

• Westpaw Seaflex Snorkl – Durable, bendy and bouncy! The Snorkl is made with recyclable Seaflex™ and is tough for moderate chewing and tug games. Best of all, you can throw it in the dishwasher for easy cleaning!

 

• LIKER Ball Cord – Many of you have been liking (loving) Liker Balls since seeing how much your dogs have played with them at Daycare. The LIKER Ball Cord is seriously cool – you can throw it with the rope and its unique shape can make its flight path unpredictable and exciting. The rope means it’s extra fun for tug games too – so it’s a toy you and your dog can enjoy together.
  

• Pitch Dog Barbell – This one has been a firm favourite with parents shopping for Christmas. It has a really unique shape – sort of like a bone, except that it’s made of lightweight and durable materials that are safe for your dog’s gums and teeth. It’s a great pick for summer too as it floats on water so is ideal for family beach fun.

• Wrapping Paper and boxes
  OK last but not least – the packaging everyone else’s presents come in is likely to be a hit with your pooch! They’ll just love shredding and tossing it around the place. You may also like to save some of this stuff for engagement play later (we do loads of this at daycare – see these posts for inspiration here and here). You can hide treats, toys and other interesting smelling objects amongst the paper and boxes and let your dog investigate as they snuffle and dig around to find what they’re looking for. This is a really great way to engage your dog’s mind, encouraging them to use all of their senses to problem solve.

 

The Best Gift Idea for Your Dog

Is… quality time. Sure, there are plenty of fancy toys and gadgets, and all the delicious treats. But ultimately, your dog’s favourite thing in the world is you. If you’re lucky enough to get some time off over the summer, try to plan some adventures that include your pooch. If your dog is anything like ours are,  they probably love nothing more than a really good walk, and we’re so blessed to have so many dog friendly walks around Christchurch and Canterbury. If you’re not in our neighborhood, try out the AllTrails app to track down a dog friendly walk near you.