It’s that time of the year when dog parents are starting to fuss over what to buy for their beloved pooches. If research is to be believed, 89% of dog parents [in the US] plan to give their puppers a gift this holiday season. Well of course they do, even I do. But very often I end up buying stuff that my dog refuses to use or play with (yes, the boss-dog is very picky). So, on that note we ask have you started holiday shopping for your dogs yet? Here are some tips that we’ve put together to make the experience easier and more fun.  

Pick a gift that your dog will like

Let me start with a confession. I’ve this weird obsession of picking up personalised stuff for my dog. For example, a personalised treat jar when he doesn’t even like treats ☹ And of course, he doesn’t understand the ‘p’ of personalised. It doesn’t matter to him.

So, while choosing a gift for your dog, keep in mind their preferences. Some dogs love to play with toys, some like treats while others are more outdoorsy. Pick out something that matches their personality. Our dog, Mr. Popo loves his walks, so we like to buy hardy and safe sets of harness and leash for him.

If your dog is outdoorsy, you can think of buying balls, frisbees and ropes that are dog safe. Always lookout for the label to ensure that you are buying something that’s made of safe materials for dogs. The same applies while you are buying toys for dogs to play with. Importantly, always ensure that the toy isn’t too small that your dog can somehow swallow it causing a choking hazard. In case of treats, always select something that won’t make them sick, especially for dogs with a sensitive tummy.

Blanket, bowl, bandana…many things to choose from

From our experience we’ve seen items like blankets, bowls and even bandanas make great gifts for birthdays, gotcha days and the howlidays. While there are many options to choose from, it will be great if you support the local pawpreneurs who make beautiful stuff for dogs – here are our recommendations in the UAE. Here too, opt for products made of materials that are safe for your dogs.