Holiday gifts for furbaby granddogs and grandcats

I have been thinking about the holidays coming and I always get (or make) my granddogs and grandcats something for Christmas. I was wondering if others here also include their furry babies (not their own furbabies) on their gift list. I think this year I am gfoing to make my 2 new granddogs (both recently adopted from shelters) special personalized cookie containers full of treats! Still trying to think of what to give the felines in the family.

Hi Terry, I can’t believe that the holidays are almost here- where did this year go?! We always keep the girls on our gift list. This year, I plan to buy stockings (with their names on them) to put on the fire place. I am planning on scaling back big time though, so I’ll probably just fill them with a few small toys (the plush ones) and some treats.

The other thing I do is when we make any holiday dinner; the girls get some of that as well. So, for Thanksgiving, they get turkey with a few of the trimmings and they love that.

I think the personalized cookie jars are a great idea! Are you planning to make them really attractive and keep them out on your kitchen counter (or something like that)?

Terry, what a cute idea. I’m sure your children will appreciate that you put such thoughtfulness into those gifts, and I know the granddogs will appreciate the treats!

As for your cats, have you ever tried playing with them using a laser light? They will chase it just about anywhere you shine it. Most cats love those things, and one light works for all the cats. They’ll get physical exercise as well as mental stimulation every time you use it. Just be careful not to tire them out too much.

If you think the felines would prefer tasty treats, we do have some treat recipes in the Nutrition category at LoveToKnow Cats. If memory serves, there’s a Wendy Nan Rees recipe for a treat that is made with sardines. 

Kelly, I didn’t realize that the LTK cat has recipes- that’s awesome. I’m glad you mentioned it; do you have that on the dogs channel as well? If so, I’d love to check them out- the girls will love it and I’m always looking for new treats for them.

Hi Jackie,

Yes, actually we do have a lot of recipes at Dogs. Check out the Nutrition category there. You’ll find all kinds of recipes for treats and birthday cakes and dog food. Some of the recipes come from Wendy Nan Rees, our guest columnist. She’s the author of ‘‘The Natural Pet Food Cookbook’‘. 

Hi Kelly, thanks for letting me know- this is awesome! I just visited the category and it has so many great recipes; I literally can’t wait to get started. I didn’t even know that I could make their kibble for them (I always assumed that I had to buy it). I’m not sure if I’ll try that recipe, but I will definitely try the meatloaf recipe…I think it’s safe to say that the girls will be saying mmm, mmm, good in no time!

Hi Kelly and Jackie - I love the recipe sections of LTK dogs and cats! Since I make almost all their food I have tried quite a few and they almost always love them….  I also have Wendy Nan Rees’s book “The Natural Pet Food Cookbook” and have made other recipe’s from there.

Kelly most of my cats do love to play with the laser light but you gave me the idea of attaching one to the treat container I make for my grandcats.

Jackie I am going to make them the cats and dogs treat container’s decorative - I think with their names and little paw prints on the containers.

Terry, those containers are going to be so cute. And then you can restock them each Christmas. The laser will make a cool decorative ornament too. 

Hi Kelly - Knowing me I’ll be restocking them whenever I make homemade treats! They all have me wrapped around their little fur-covered paws!

Thanks again for the laser idea - Now you have me thinking of also adding a few other little things to the treat container. They’ll probably end up with a basket of goodies each with the container in the middle!

Sounds awesome Terry. Have fun with it and let us know what you wind up with. 

Hi Terry, that sounds like it’s going to be amazing- now you’ve got me thinking that I should do something like :-)

Hi Kelly, I don’t have a cat, but I love that idea you gave. Do you think it would work with dogs? Or is that a silly question, lol?

You mean the laser toy? Oh yes, our Jack Russells love it. They will chase that little red dot like it’s a rat or something. Honestly, you can exercise your dog from the comfort of your couch, although I suppose it never hurts to get outside and take a walk, lol. You just need to be careful where you shine the light because some dogs and cats will go nuts trying to get to it.

I love the idea of making a special treat for your dogs. We will likely celebrate with just the four of us this year, so it will be nice to have a day to stay home and bake dog treats. My girls would enjoy that too.

One thing we usually do is hit the local pet supply store and get pictures of the dogs with Santa. After that, we let them each pick a toy. We line up three toys and they get to pick the one they want. This is sort of a fun time for them and we love it too. It’s a good memory and something special that we do at Christmas.

Hi Lori, I think that’s an awesome tradition that you have there; how special! I never thought of having our dogs take a picture with Santa, although my little one is not very good around strangers, so I’m not so sure that would be such a good idea anyway, lol.

It must be so nice when you get the pictures; do you put them up at home? It must be so much fun watching your dogs “pick” out their toys too!