The 6 Hottest (Last-Minute) Gifts for Your Pets This Christmas
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With Christmas just around the corner, plenty of busy pet owners are pulling their hair out over concerns about finding the perfect gift for their animal companions. Even on a tight schedule with a tight budget, there are still some great gift options available that won’t ruin your pet’s holiday.
6. Food
Most animals really enjoy eating. In fact, before domestication, many species that we now own as pets would spend the majority of their free time seeking out food in the same way that we seek out the next series to binge on Netflix. And those ancestors’ instinct to eat food is still alive in their pet descendants today.
A recent survey estimates that over 70% of animals alive today rank “eating food” among their top three favorite pastimes. And after all, the holidays don’t have to be about breaking the bank or wracking your brain to outdo last year’s gift. Sometimes the simplest gestures are the most meaningful.
5. Clothing
That old T-shirt that you’re thinking of throwing out? That sock with the hole in it (and its lonely partner)? With just a slight modification or two, these worn-out articles of clothing can get a new life as your pet’s favorite toy! And the fact that it smells like their loving owner subtly manipulates their soft animal brains into an artificial state of calm.
It doesn’t take an experienced seamstress to twist fabric, tie knots, add a cute patch, or bring the waist in a little while dropping the neckline. And don’t forget to remove those buttons!
4. Books
Everyone loves a good story. Books have been proven to reduce stress and improve the ability to empathize with others. As a shared activity, reading can improve our relationships and offer new perspectives on understanding the world around us.
If your pet isn’t much of a reader? Start with picture books or short chapter books, or try reading to your pet to create a sense of familiarity. Consider using an interest inventory to find what genre best fits your pet’s personality so you’re getting a book that truly resonates.
