What To Get Your Pet This Christmas

With Christmas just around the corner, many consumers are searching for gifts for their loved ones - from toddlers to teenager and grandmas to Great Danes - they are...wait a minute, did I say Danes? That's right, for many pet owners, the holidays are the perfect time to get that accessory for your pet that you've both been wanting.

What to Get This Year
If you've never seen a pug headed to the beach sporting shades and a life vest, let me assure you, it will draw more than a few double takes. Baseball may be America's favorite pastime, but dogs are man's best friend, and pet fashion is big business. Pet product retailers large and small are rolling out discounts for the holidays, so we thought we'd take a look at some of the best products available, as well as some tips on how to enjoy the holidays with your companions this year.

Clothing

This time of year one of the preferred gifts for pets are coats - not only because they help them stay warm, but because they are simply adorable. From denim jackets circa 1980 to upscale faux suede to rain jackets and comfy corduroy, canine coats come in a wide variety and are a sure winner this Christmas. My favorites are footwear and doggy bathrobes, followed closely by dresses (nothing like a poodle in a red velvet party dress), and some patent leather doggy shoes. If you're in a warm climate year round, go for the doggy life preserver and shades, and head to the beach for some holiday fun in the sun.

Grooming

Pets, as an extension of the family, will be making appearances in many family photos this holiday - their innocence gracing the refrigerators of friends and family on the annual Christmas card. Let's face it, while Christmas cards provide a visual update on our lives, everyone wants to put their best foot forward and no one wants a mud covered mutt stealing the show. Not that anyone will harbor ill-will towards a pouch with a scruffy coat; nonetheless, we want our furry friends to look their best and that means grooming.

A good combing, a haircut, a nice shampoo bath, a pedicure, and some doggy cologne should do the trick. In fact, taking time to groom your pet can be an enjoyable and entertaining bonding time for both of you, and getting all the necessary supplies may be cheaper than you expected.

We conducted an online search for trending pet accessories and were pleasantly surprised by how inexpensive many pet accessories were. A good dog brush can be obtained for $7.98, a de-shedding tool for cats just $29.98, a set of ergonomic nail trimmers for $9.98, a Professional Pet Nail Grinder Kit for $34.95, a True Red Nail Polish Pen for $4.75. A bottle of Tearless Shampoo will run you $9.98, and a scent enhancing bottle of Lavender Rose Coat Mist cologne is the same.

I'll admit, while I have a lab that I love, I had no idea that some of the products were even available, like Nail Appliques, which - just as they sound - are stickers for adding pizzazz to dog's nails. A little excessive maybe, but a lot of fun for humoring company on the holidays.

Bedding

Pets, like people, love to hunker down in a warm bed when it gets cold outside and there's no lack of options in this category. There's cozy kitty beds, plus Winston dog beds for upscale napping, along with deep nesting beds for those dogs who like to burrow down before catching their zzz's. The comfort quality of the beds is rather remarkable, to the point that if the sherpa lined donut beds came in large enough sizes, I would consider upgrading from my pillow top mattress.

Travel

For many the holidays mean traveling and if you plan on packing your furry friend on American Airlines, having a cute carrier makes the practice of pet portaging a rather endearing endeavor. Stylish carrier bags for smaller pets come in a number of different designs, from plaid to straw and everything. Pet slings and Pet A Roo carriers even provide hands free transport for those busy connecting flights.

Stocking Stuffers

Christmas wouldn't be the same without a tree and stockings over the fire, so don't forget one for your pet this year. Good Kitty Bad Kitty Stockings are a plush holiday treat for cats, with six rattling mice in each one. Toys can also be added that will keep your pet entertained while the family is having Christmas dinners: think rope knots or fun tunnels for cats and long lasting chew toys for dogs. The Air Kong Squeaker Spinner makes noises that will amuse any canine, or you can go with rubber dental chews that hold up well and can be filled with peanut butter to give your dog a challenging jaw workout.