Holiday Gifts for Pets and What Not to Buy, Plus a Giveaway!

Yesterday, I shared how to DIY a knotted rope dog toy that my pooches are going to love finding under the tree this Christmas. My dogs, Woodrow and Storm, were both rescues and are the best mutts a person could ask for. But sometimes their toys can add up, particularly when they shred them. Looks like I’m not the only one with this issue – The ASPCA sent me some suggestions for more fun DIY gifts from their behavior experts, so you know they’re safe and good for your pets!

DIY Ideas – more than just toys!

• To make a tasty chew toy, soak a rope toy in chicken broth and then freeze. Once frozen, give the toy to your dog for hours of savory chewing. – Woodrow would love this more than words can possibly say.
  
• For cats, fill plastic Easter eggs with wet cat food as a fun food puzzle.
• Rinse out an empty, cardboard milk carton, fill it with dry pet food and poke holes for a food-dispensing puzzle toy.
• To give your pooch some holiday R&R, spray lavender oil on a bandana and tie around your dog’s neck. Evidence suggests lavender oil has a calming effect on dogs. – I’m SO doing this for Storm! She’s got a bit of an anxiety problem sometimes.

Good things to buy when you can’t DIY

I admit sometimes, even us DIYers need to buy the occasional gift, especially as we approach holiday crunch time. According to studies, 37 percent of Americans will be buying a gift for their pets over the holidays. Consider getting gifts that give back from the ASPCA Online Store, such as:

• DJ Cat Scratching Pad – This is frigging hilarious.
• 5-Piece Dog Gift Set -Can you say doggie donut?
• Dog Stocking Toy
  
• Cat Fling-ama-String

If you’re looking for gifts for a pet lover like myself…

(…family, hint hint!) These options for humans help support pets in need.

• Walkers Shortbread Cookies
• Diamond Paw Pendants from Zales
• Symbolic Transport of an Animal Rescued from Cruelty or Disaster
• Symbolic Puppy Socialization Class
• Gift to the ASPCA in honor of one of your Facebook friends

Please don’t shop at stores that sell puppies!

All of the ideas shared here today are a great way to ethically shop this holiday season. Shopping at stores that sell puppies, even for gifts, supports puppy mills. If you know someone who doesn’t understand why to avoid puppy stores, have them check out this Sarah McLachlan-free (I promise) video for an easy explanation…

On a lighter note…

Win an ASPCA Holiday Gift Pack

Since I don’t want to sign off with something sad during the holiday season, I’ll end with a giveaway just for you pet lovers out there. The ASPCA is offering a pet-tastic prize package, which includes: an ASPCA 5-Piece Gift Set, Walker’s Shortbread Cookies, an ASPCA Orange Tote, a Fight Cruelty Wristband, a Cat Ears Hat, a 2014 Animal Calendar, a Kitten play toy, and a Dog holiday hat.

Note: If you’re reading this not on HandsOccupied.com, you’ll have to visit the post to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I wasn’t compensated for this post, it’s just an issue I care a lot about. Gift suggestions and multimedia content were provided by the ASPCA, a pretty fantastic organization. :)

About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, and Twitter.