Original Article: https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/hanukkah-gifts-for-dogs-and-dog-lovers-updated
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Hanukkah may not be a time to traditionally give gifts to your dog. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t pamper your pooch on this special day. That said, you will need to get a bit creative, as there aren’t that many dog-themed Hanukkah gifts out there!
Luckily, you aren’t confined to only purchasing Hanukkah-themed gifts. Anything that your dog would like, like a fresh bag of treats or a new toy, is a great option.
Dog lovers in your life may also love for you to purchase fun gifts for them and their dog. If you’re purchasing for someone else’s dog, we recommend picking something that they and their dog can do together (after all, they probably have enough dog-themed T-shirts).
We’ve provided a huge list of options below!
The 13 Hanukkah Gifts for Dogs
Treats
1. Chews & Bones
Chewing is an absolute need for dogs. While there are a range of chews and bones available, many dogs go through them quite fast. Therefore, Hanukkah can be a special time for you to replenish your dog’s bone collection.
We recommend the Bones & Chews Roasted Marrow Bone. There are several sizes available, so you can pick the best option for your pooch. These chews are all-natural and roasted until they’re completely cooked, so you don’t have to worry about potential diseases. Plus, they’re real bones, so they tend to last a very long time.
Once my dog is done eating all the marrow out of it, I stuff it with peanut butter (his favorite snack) when I need to keep him distracted.
2. Dental Chews
Give your dog the gift of clean teeth for Hanukkah. Many canines have gum disease, which is mostly caused by poor dental hygiene. There are many ways to help keep your canine’s teeth clean, but one of our favorite ways is through dental chews.
Greenies are one of the first dental chews, and they’re still very popular today. They have a unique, chewy texture that helps clean around the gumline, exactly where your dog needs it. They’re also tasty and easy to digest, despite how they might look.
3. Dehydrated Treats
If you want only the best for your pooch, we highly recommend a bag of freeze-dried dog treats. Often, these dog treats have only one or two ingredients. Because of how they’re made, these treats don’t require the same preservatives and added ingredients that other treats do.
We love the PureBites Chicken Breast Freeze-Dried Dog Treats, particularly. I used these to train my very stubborn Husky. They’re only chicken breast, and they must be tasty considering how well my dog listened when I held one!
Dog Toys
4. Chew Toys
You can’t go wrong with the Kong Classic Dog Toy. It is a quintessential chew toy for dogs. You can stuff it full of yummy treats to encourage chewing, or just let your dog have at it. Some dogs even like playing with it like a ball, especially due to the unusual bounce it produces.
Just like the bone we recommended above; I also stuff my dog’s Kong with peanut butter. There is no need to purchase the pastes and snacks designed specifically for the Kong. There are tons of fillings you probably have around your home, like Greek yogurt, peanut butter, and even cheese.
5. Plush Toys
For dogs that aren’t really into chewing, you may want to consider a soft, plush dog toy instead. These toys aren’t suitable for very strong chewers (or even moderate chewers, depending on the exact toy). They often aren’t very durable and tend to get torn apart easily. However, if your dog isn’t very rough on toys, they can be a great option.
The Kong Cozie Baily the Blue Dog Toy is a great option. We love that it is made with an extra layer of material for extra durability. But, even if your dog does manage to rip it apart, it is stuffed with minimal filling for less mess around the house. It even squeaks!
6. Fetch Toys
Fetch toys are a great option for active dogs. The vast majority of dogs love to chase after things, even if they aren’t technically retrievers. If you’re purchasing a present for a dog lover, an interactive toy like this can help them bond with their dog, and it’s a bit more practical than another piece of dog-themed jewelry.
The Chuckit! Balls are basically extreme tennis balls. They’re very bouncy and more durable, so you don’t have to worry about your dog getting pieces off of it. The ball floats and comes in a very high-visibility orange, so you don’t have to worry about losing it in the grass.
Accessories
7. Collar
All dogs need a collar, so you might as well get something nice! Having a quality collar not only looks nice on your dog, but it’s also less likely to irritate your dog’s neck. Countless dogs have felt the pain of an irritating collar that rubs their skin raw.
While collars may seem like something that’s only about aesthetics, a quality collar is really important.
We recommend these collars by Blueberry Pet. They’re made of quality polyester webbing, making them very comfortable for your canine. They also have reflective stripes, which is important at night when your dog needs some extra visibility. Of course, it also has hardware to hold your dog’s ID tag.
8. Harness
While every dog needs a collar, many canines find harnesses more comfortable. They put the pressure more so on their shoulders than their neck, which is much more comfortable (as you might imagine). However, harnesses can also be more expensive than collars. Therefore, they may be a good splurge to pick up on Hanukkah.
We particularly recommend the Best Pet Supplies Voyager Dog Harness. This dog harness is specifically designed to make your dog comfortable. It’s made with breathable mesh that works well in warmer climates, though your dog can absolutely wear it when it’s colder, too. For safety reasons, the harness is also reflective.
Beds
9. Orthopedic Dog Bed
Orthopedic dog beds can be especially comfortable for your canine. If your dog is older or just not very active, they may appreciate a bed more than a new toy. For dogs that use beds regularly, getting a new one can be a day to remember!
Beds are very expensive, though. You may want to use a special occasion like Hanukkah to purchase one.
There are many orthopedic dog beds available on the market. However, we particularly recommend the FurHaven Velvet Waves Dog Bed. It comes in many different sizes. It’s also made of high-quality foam that’s independently tested through the CertiPUR-US program. Just be sure to allow for 48 hours for the bed to expand after it is shipped.
10. Pillow Bed
Not all dogs like bolsters. If you have a dog that likes to stretch out while they sleep, bolsters are typically not the way to go! Luckily, there are many beds out there without bolsters. These are typically called “pillow beds,” since they’re shaped primarily as a pillow!
There are many options out there, but we particularly recommend the Canine Creations Pillow Topper Dog bed. This is an insert that you put on your dog’s existing bed. It sits high off the ground to avoid drafts, and the tufted tacks help keep the fiber in place so it doesn’t become squished over time.
Feeders
11. Puzzle Feeder
When we say buy your dog a feeder for Hanukkah, we don’t mean a boring bowl! Slow feeders are traditionally designed to help your dog eat slower. They’re a bit harder to eat out of, and your dog has to pay more attention to get the kibble out. However, they’re also great fun for many dogs, turning mealtime into a game instead of a time when they scarf down food.
The Outward Hound Fun Feeder is a simple maze that requires a bit of thinking to solve. The non-slip base holds the bowl in place, preventing spills. It’s also dishwasher safe, so you can clean it between each use.
12. Lick Mat
Lick mats are a fun way for your dog to eat stuff like peanut butter. Simply slather your dog’s favorite treat onto one of these textured mats, and they’ll spend the next half hour licking it clean! It’s a straightforward proposition, but it’s one that many dogs love.
We highly recommend the Frisco Silicone Treat Lick Mats. They’re inexpensive and you get two. Switch out each mat to help keep your dog interested. Otherwise, it can get a bit boring after a while. These mats are also dishwasher safe, which is absolutely necessary for these mats. They tend to get dirty very quickly, in our experience.
13. Snuffle Board
A snuffle feeder is another type of slow feeder that works great for scent-driven dogs, in our experience. My dad breeds Beagles, and he always has a few snuffle mats around. That just shows the exact type of dog these mats are good for!
They’re easy to use. You simply spread your dog’s kibble between the folds, and your dog has to sniff around and find them. Because the pieces will be somewhere different each time, your dog will stay interested for longer. You can often use the same snuffle mat for a long time, which isn’t necessarily true with other puzzle feeders.
We highly recommend the PAW5 Wooly Snuffle Dog Feeding Mat. It is a bit more expensive, but it is made from organic cotton and machine washable, making it far more practical than other snuffle boards out there.
Conclusion
Buying your dog a present for Hanukkah doesn’t have to be complicated. Think about what your dog likes to do, or something that you think they’d like to try. Active dogs may like a fetch toy, while more laid back dogs may like a bed instead. Practically all dogs love treats, so that’s an easy place to stop if you’re unsure of what to buy!
There are some things your dog might not necessarily like that are still important. For instance, your dog might not get excited about a quality collar, but it can make them more comfortable.
Many of these gifts on this list are very inexpensive, so the vast majority of people will buy more than one. If you’re in this boat, we recommend buying very different things. Buy a treat and a toy, for instance, not two kinds of treats. If you buy a chew toy, purchase some soft treats instead. This way, your dog has more ways to stay entertained!
Featured Image Credit: Karolina Grabowska, Pexels
Source: Dogster
