Happy pets: gifts & more

As published in MapleLine Magazine: Nov.4, 2009

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Story by Mary P. Brooke and Kim Restall

Bark or meow, the furry companions in your family will likely appreciate a gift or two this holiday season!

Large items would include a cozy new bed or sleeping pillow. Some beds come in donut shapes and a cubby-hole style; some are enviro-friendly (made of hemp). Cats might enjoy an official scratching pole (or so we would hope, to spare the furniture and carpets). Small gifts include the full range of toys and treats – perfect for stocking stuffers.

Holiday festivities can be a confusing time for pets. There are perhaps people around who are unfamiliar to your cat or dog. Your pets may also be left on their own (or with sitters) while you shop, party or travel. Either way, it’s a change in their routine and it could be upsetting. Additional assurances will ease the variation in attention – leave out some favourite treats or leave a radio on for background sound.

“When you’re not home put dogs in a kennel or keep them inside,” says Tia Arden, owner of the Wiskers & Waggs pet store in Sooke. “Keep your cats indoors at night; they get into the most trouble at twilight,” says Arden, as well as through the night, possibly in tiffs with other animals like raccoons or worse (as in larger and more ferocious).

The Posh Paws Pet Spa can car for about six dogs and two cats in their kennels at a time. “During Christmas season the average pet stay is 2 to 3 days,” says Posh Paws owner Liana Maloney.

Nowadays exposing a dog to synthetic pheromones (that mimic the body scent of a lactating female dog) is one way to calm dogs in what might be fearful situations such as thunderstorms, being cooped up for lengthy periods, or experiencing separation anxiety. The chemical comes in a bottle, says Arden, or can be released into a room through a diffuser that plugs into an electrical outlet.

Eco-friendly food treats are available at Growlies pet food store on Happy Valley Road. “Some are great for stocking stuffers," says store owner Jo-Anne Cropper, including K-9 Pine & Twig, Crinkle Canes, Eco Merry Bones Cane Deer, and Squeaky Gingerbread Buddies. Plus turkey and cranberry biscuits!

“Keeping pet treats fresh is easy with various Tupperware products that have snap-tight lids,” says Sheila Dobie, a local Sooke H.O.M.E. (Health, Organization, Money & Environment) specialist.

Here is the expanded gift list for pets:

Toys (stuffies, chewies, squeakers, etc.)
Beds (luxury, designer, earth-friendly)
Specialty collars or pet jewellery (unique colours, designs, faux gems and "bling")
Clothing (complete outfits, coats, sweaters, boots)
Specialty treats (healthy treats made to resemble pastries and other delicacies)
Personalized name tags
Mazes, play stands, luxury cages (for birds, hamsters, mice, etc.)
Cat scratch posts (holiday themed, specialty materials, fun designs/shapes)
Spa packages or at-home spa treatments
Personalized food dishes and/or placemats

Mary Brooke adores her family cats Igor and Zeus. Kim Restall's family enjoys her family cats (brother and sister Diesel and Didi) and their dog Buddy (aka Butterball).

See other information about pets at www.maplelinemagazine.com/readingrooms/pets

This article was published on page 22 in MapleLine Magazine (Holiday 2009 issue / No.09-Jan.10).

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