The Luxist Gift Guide for Spoiled Pets

by Ann Brenoff (RSS feed)
Nov 22nd 2010 at 2:01PM

While every fashionable poodle worth her pastel hair bows knows that nothing beats the gift of a forever home and a reliable bowl of kibble, human companions have long sought ways to help Fido and Fluffy experience a little holiday cheer -- and that certainly doesn't include a taste of the bubbly. As such, we here at Luxist have some recommendations for pet products that set our whiskers twitching.

1) Smart Interactive Toy for Dogs -- a Nina Ottosson puzzle toy, recommended by Victoria Stilwell on Animal Planet's "It's Me or the Dog" show. $54.95. Dogs need to be intellectually challenged, just like our human children. Teaching them to problem solve will go a long way toward building self-confidence. And should you not be blessed with a canine Einstein, we guarantee you'll be amused for hours watching your goofy Golden figure out how to find the treat you stashed under one of the little wooden pegs. Just be careful that Dumbo doesn't start chewing the wood. Available from various retailers, including Poochie Heaven.

2) Dog Memory Puzzle Game. $44.99. A wooden interactive puzzle of little bone shapes designed to "enrich your pet's mind." The goal is to test your dog's memory. You hide a treat under a piece of the jig saw puzzle while Fido watches. Then let him try to choose the right puzzle piece by indicating with his paw or nose. If you can get your dog to do this, Ringling Bros. would like you to call them ASAP. Available from various retailers, including Poochie Heaven.

3) Fabu-leash leads made of genuine Swarovski crystals. $395 and the patent is pending. The leashes are dainty as Delilah but strong as Samson. They will withstand up to 30 pounds of pulling force. The boutique collection is a bit sturdier and withstands up to 160 pounds of pup pulling. You can't beat the look.

4) Pet lounger. A dog bed is a dog bed is a dog bed, right? While we've seen some nice practical features in a dog bed -- like washability and high-end design -- what we haven't seen before was something like this one: It sits up off the cold floor and is transportable. At $25, it's a solution to crushing the small dog when you roll over at night and completely adaptable for traveling.

pet bed

5) For dogs with sensitive skin and/or humans who practice green living, we'd stick to the eco-friendly dog beds. The organic cradle comes in pink or natural and sells for $140. For something more whimsical, we're partial to the Sniffany's Dog Bed, a blue box pillow that tells the world who's the spoiled puss in the place; retails at $120. Of course you could always splurge on a Furcedes bed for $260.

6) Every dog worth her bone needs the occasional grooming. For the teacuppers, this ladybug hair barrette just makes us keep smiling. $9.

7) And when it's time to go night-night, how about a pair of nice flannel doggie PJ's, especially if they come adorned in cupcakes? $30.

8) A perennial favorite is the Hammacher-Schlemmer pet high chair, which retails for about $150, and allows your pet to sit comfortably and safely at the table.

9) Three Dog Bakery has long been our favorite stop for freshly baked all-natural treats. Their sweet potato biscuits are always good for a drool, but if your pooch is the indecisive type, we suggest the Gargantuan Gift Boxer (Boxer, get it?) for $50 that provides an assortment of the bakery's favorite treats, including the cookie kitty as the centerpiece for those canines who have been known to give a cat a run for her money.

10) When kitty needs to take a moment for personal reasons, what better place to stash her litter box than inside a furniture quality cabinet by Hammacher Schlemmer? The Cat Box Concealing Cabinet retails at $300 and is constructed of solid wood with a mahogany finish. There's even draw space for supply storage.

11) Truly an item for the dog who has everything, this Canine Misting Oasis, which sells for $1,750, is a 100-square-foot kennel that spritzes a cooling mist on those hot days. There is a canopy and adjustable blinds. The misting system is in the ceiling and automatically sprays half the kennel at intervals you set on a timer. The canopy and shades block 98% of the sun's harmful rays. We're wondering if Fido will let us share.

12) But the ultimate gift for you furry friend may be the gift of life. Why not make a donation in your pet's name to your local animal shelter, or better yet, go adopt a new best buddy for him?

Tags: animals, dogs, holiday gift guide, holiday gifts, holiday shopping, pets