It’s only early December and you may have already had your fill of holiday shopping. Fighting crowds and figuring out what to buy for your loved ones can definitely be stressful. Fortunately, choosing a gift for your dog, cat, or other household pet is easy. Our pets love us so much that any present we give them is perfect. This is especially true when it comes to giving our non-human family members the gift of our time.

Pets Are Great Stress Relievers
While you’re busy running around trying to get everything done, your pet still needs to spend quality time with you. Just like children, pets can pick up on your emotional state and may respond to it with bad behavior just to get your attention. This season, make a conscious effort to not take on more tasks than necessary and to spend one-on-one time with your pet each day playing, snuggling, or just talking to her. Not only will she bask in your love, you will feel less stressed just being around her.

Buy Your Pet a Gift Without Leaving Home
If you choose to buy a toy or other gift for your pet this holiday season, skip the crowds and shop from the comfort of home. Minnesota Veterinary Hospital offers My Vet Store Online for busy pet owners. Here you can purchase everyday pet supplies as well as special gifts. After clicking on the gifts tab, you will see nine different sub-categories. Your dog would love some new tennis balls, a food cube, or a squeaky bone. Even though he may play it cool and act like it’s no big deal, your cat will enjoy the Egg-Cercizer Cat Toy Treat Dispenser or the Kong Kickeroo Cat Toy. We guarantee that all of our products are safe and meet your pet’s needs for exercise and stimulation.

Tips for Choosing Safe Pet Toys Elsewhere
Before giving your dog or cat a new toy, remove small parts that she could chew off and swallow. It’s also important to know what is inside of a stuffed toy. Polystyrene beads and nutshells are especially problematic since they present a choking hazard. This is also the case with rawhide bones for dogs. If you choose to give one to your dog as a gift, you should supervise her when she chews on it. Be sure to check the condition of all of your pet’s toys after she has had them for a while to make sure there are no broken pieces. 

Minnesota Veterinary Hospital wishes you a happy holiday season. Enjoy this special time with your family and pets.