So you want to give your favorite family feline a “Meowy Christmas?” How about a Cat DJ Scratching Deck that looks like an old-time record turntable? You can have one cool cat for only $35.
What about a toy pack for your cuddly canine’s Christmas stocking? Personalized, of course, for his breed and size.
Both gift items are available for your pets at www.wag.com.
Too late to get delivery by Christmas? Au contraire, according to the website. You can have anything you want — for a price.
I’ve heard that 58 percent of owners insist on including their pets in their annual family photo holiday cards.
“It’s indisputable that pets are part of the family. In fact, according to a survey we conducted in July 2010, more than 98% of pet parents consider their pets to be part of their family. Our pets give us unconditional love, so it seems only right for us to give them something in return, especially at the holidays,” said Natasha Ashton, co-founder and co-CEO of Petplan Pet Insurance
While the National Retail Federation is reporting consumers will spend conservatively this holiday season, more than 90 percent of pet parents plan to spend the same or more on their pets than they did last year.
These findings were the result of a national online survey of more than 4,400 U.S. pet owners conducted by Petplan.
Almost 78 percent of owners plan to give their pets a holiday present ranging from essentials such as beds, chew toys and treats to extravagant items such as pedicures and designer clothing.
More than 83 percent plan to spend more than $15 on a gift for their pets, and 30 percent will spend more than $50. Seventy-five percent of the lucky animals will get presents from family and friends other than their pet parents.
Pet stores are stocked with the most amazing toys, treats and holiday pet apparel to help you celebrate the season. And, believe it or not, about 35 percent of owners will buy and dress pets in festive red and green outfits.
Almost everywhere children go to visit Santa and get a photo taken with him, there is also a sitting for portraits of him with the family pet on his lap.
“From holiday cards to gifts — both to and from our four-legged family — to the simple satisfaction of curling up with our favorite four-legged friends on Christmas morning, our four-legged family members are just as important as our children, parents, siblings and beyond,” said Ashton.
As soon as my two dogs hear the first jingle of the bells on their Christmas stockings, they begin to watch the fireplace mantle for goodies to magically appear.
My pets are among the 36.7 of U.S. pets that are adept at ripping off the wrappings on their gifts. And just as children are apt to do, they dive in for the next gift as soon as they have the last one unwrapped.
Because they require lots of exercise and walk an average of two hours a day, my short-haired dogs will get new fleece coats along with an assortment of stocking stuffers this year.
Call me and my husband crazy, but our dogs get so excited at Christmas (and it’s so much fun to watch), my husband and his friend make an annual event of Christmas shopping for their pets each year. We generally spend about $75 on each of them.
My newsroom friends whose spending habits for their pets are more in-line with the survey results, will spend between $30-$50 for things such as dog beds (however, one will be made of a special “memory foam”), a new kitty climbing tree tower, laser pointers, toys and treats.
Here’s hoping Santa fills your pets’ stockings with catnip and doggy treats.
Other pets in the news:
Polar Bear Days — Throughout January, whenever the day’s predicted high temperature is 32 degrees or below, admission to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland will be cut in half to $4.25, $2.75 for children ages 2-11. Heated winter transportation is available throughout the park for free.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind — The internationally accredited guide dog school that provides greater independence for people with limited sight is accepting area volunteers who want to help raise puppies used in the program. Orientation classes will begin Jan. 5 in Broadway Heights followed by classes on Jan. 12, 19 and 25. With specialized training from Guiding Eyes, volunteers will play an instrumental role in raising a puppy to work as a future guide. All training, support, and veterinary expenses are paid for by Guiding Eyes. Reserve a place in the class by completing the application at www.guidingeyes.org or calling Teresa Camloh at 440-382-9848.
Kathy Antoniotti writes about pets for the Akron Beacon Journal. She is unable to help locate, place or provide medical attention for an individual animal. If you have an idea or question about pets, write her at the Beacon Journal, P.O. Box 640, Akron, OH 44309-0640; call 330-996-3565; or send an email to kantoniotti@thebeaconjournal.com.