If your family is one of the estimated 3.2million that bought themselves a lockdown pet during the pandemic, then there will be an extra name on your Christmas shopping list this year.
Whether you own a cat, dog, rabbit, or chinchilla, there are endless ways to express your love for your furry friend on December 25, and make a style statement, too.
From interactive toys to luxurious toiletries, designer jewellery to high fashion, check out our picks for the smartest pet presents on the market, with something to suit all budgets.
INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOUR PET: According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), pet owners in the United States spent $60.28 billion on their furry friends in 2015. That number is expected to rise by more than $2 billion in 2016.
Hugo & Hudson reversible padded dog coat
Keep your best buddy toasty and stylish on long winter walks with the padded puffer style coat, which comes in black, blue, fuchsia pink, or red.
Buy for £34 from Next.Cat scratching DJ deck
Cats love to scratch your furniture, to exercise their muscles, mark their territory, and just for sheer devilment. Give them an alternative with this Instagram-friendly scratching station.
Buy for £22 from The Letteroom.
INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOUR PET: Pets are a major source of support and increase the ability to cope, which contributes to keeping cholesterol and blood pressure down.
Sofa topper in flame velvet
LangRay interactive cat toy
If you are back at work, you can give your cat hours of fun in your absence with this rotating play ball with flashing lights.
Once charged up it will roll about for up to four hours.
Buy for £15.22 from Mano Mano.Alessi Dog Food Bowl
Don’t cheap out on training time. Make training fun and frequent. Keep training light and fun. Don’t get demanding with your dog. Instead, go with the flow. See what develops. Trust that if you do this long enough, you’re going to figure out what works and what doesn’t.
And its tilted design will help stop spills from messy eaters.
Buy for £56 (£42 for a small version) from John Lewis.Christmas hanging garland
Don’t forget about tiny pets over the holidays. This cute garland made of vine and rattan will brighten up the hutches or cage, and they also come stuffed with
lovely marigold or raspberry leaf for snack time.
Organic Catnip Filled Mouse
Use Flour, Baking Soda or Cornstarch to Stop Your Dogs Nail From Bleeding. Did you cut your dogs nail too short? Use a homemade mixture of flour, baking soda or cornstarch with water until it’s a thick paste then apply it to the nail with moderate pressure for a few minutes.
Encourage your cat’s hunting instinct with this cute hand-made cotton mouse, which is stuffed full of the dried catnip flowers and leaves that felines find irresistible.
Danish Design Arctic snuggle dog bed
We all know the importance of a good night’s sleep and this faux suede and fur dog’s bed is super soft and comfy. And its muted greige colourway will go with most colour schemes.
Buy for £35.99 from John Lewis.
Fairtrade sterling silver dog tag
Make Your Dog Their Own Digging Box. If your dog loves to dig keep you can keep your garden safe by teaching them to use their very own digging box.
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a little bit of bling and this simple bone-shaped tag can be clipped to your dog’s collar.
You can get their name engraved if you want, and customise with a gemstone or two.
Buy for £105 from Harriet Kelsall Jewellery.Joules leather pet collar
A statement colour, and great quality for the price, this collar is a walkies essential. A matching lead is available too if you want to go the matchy-matchy route.
Buy for £16 from Joules.Tank cat playhouse
Add Brushing Your Dogs Teeth into Their Grooming Routine. Get in the habit of brushing your dogs teeth daily to avoid expensive dental visits later. You can use a human toothbrush if you like (though they make ones for dogs, too), but be sure to pick up tooth paste that’s formulated for dogs.
True, your average moggy would be happy messing around with your discarded boxes and wrapping paper, but for a bit of seasonal fun, upgrade to this army-green foldaway tank playhouse.
Buy for £15.99 from IWOOT.This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through one of these links but this never influences our experts’ opinions. Products are tested and reviewed independently of commercial initiatives.
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Make him part of the family. Pets, especially dogs, need companionship. They are traditionally pack creatures and need the warmth and love that comes with living indoors with their family.