GIFT GUIDE: Those pampered pets
Whether for the pets you love or their human family, these gift ideas are sure to be met with slobbery kisses.
Pet people. We all know the type — you show up at their house for a holiday party and their dog will greet you at the door in an elf costume while the cat is under the couch sulking in a freshly knitted Santa hat. Or maybe you ARE that person and you’re looking for gift ideas for your own furry family. We’re not judging, some of us at HCM are those people, too. So here are a few made-in-Canada gift ideas from local pet stores. (And as a gift to our furry friends, we have NOT included any Santa hats, reindeer antlers, jingle bell collars or holiday costumes of any kind. You’re welcome.)
Everybody loves bubbles
Remember the bubble wands we played with as kids? Well, they make them for cats now. You’ll have fun blowing the bubbles and your cat will have a great time popping them, because these aren’t your ordinary soap bubbles, these are infused with catnip grown in Canada and made by a Canadian company called Catit. And after all that bubble-popping fun, your kitty can smack a snack out of the Catit Pixi Cat Treat Dispenser Mouse. Hey, did you know cats can be ambidextrous, but 40 per cent are either left- or right-pawed? Well, now you do. petmax.ca
Something for our feathered friends
In the last decade, bird-watching has exploded in popularity. Whether it’s a reprieve from technology, a calming activity to reduce stress, or a way to get some exercise in the warm summer sun, bird-watching offers a beautiful way to connect with nature. But why traipse around in the freezing cold and snow looking for birds when you can bring the birds to you? Designed and made in Canada, these funky birdhouses are environmentally safe, durable, and UV and fade resistant. Birds Unlimited was consulted on the design to ensure a cozy home for smaller Canadian birds while deterring larger predatory birds and squirrels. Choose from the many colourful designs available or you can even send in a photo of a real home and they will make a custom whimsical birdhouse. nesthamilton.com
Toy Story
Toys aren’t just for human kids. Dog and cat toys are comforting, mentally stimulating and used to minimize boredom. In short, they are super fun for our fur babies. BüD’z dog toys, available at Burlington’s FurrMart, are designed to be durable, safe, and affordable and they’re Canadian. Check out the line of adorable Monster dog toys or their floating rubber shoe toy that looks like those Crocs you deny you own. furrmart.ca
Hold my dog beer
Cats have catnip, so why not let our canine pals indulge, too? After a long day of ball chasing and butt sniffing, our puppers can kick back with their very own can of dog beer made in small batches in Guelph. Don’t worry though, BrüMaster’s Premium Dog Beer, available at Nest on Locke Street, is not actually beer. It’s a delicious can of beef broth, slow-simmered from high-quality beef bones. You can serve it straight up, pour it over kibble or freeze it into a pupsicle that’s sure to get tails wagging. nesthamilton.com
We’re feline good
Did you know cats are believed to be the only mammals that don’t taste sweetness? Or that cats rarely meow at other cats? Cats actually started meowing to communicate with humans. Dogs get a lot of the fanfare but those fab felines deserve treats, too. At PetMax on Nebo Road, you’ll find treats by Quebec’s Oven-Baked Tradition, including an oven-baked fillet of tuna with Omega 3 & 6, tuna with crab flavour, and grilled chicken flavour. They look so yummy you might be tempted to try one yourself. (Although if you do, you’ll immediately wish you hadn’t. Don’t ask how we know.) petmax.ca
Disgusting Doggy Delicacies
Brace yourself if you’re squeamish. JT Pets has its own brand of dehydrated treats made either in its Concession Street store or at the Hamilton Farmers’ Market. From frog legs and salmon heads to octopus and Cornish hen feet, all of these treats are expertly crafted and definitely not your average dog biscuit. The least yucky (to us anyway) are the dehydrated salmon skin strips where “each strip offers a burst of ocean-fresh taste.” Show up with a bag of these, sourced from a local fishmonger right here in Hamilton, and you’ll be a hit with the pups at any holiday party. Don’t worry, the store has veggie and even vegan options, too. jtpets.ca
Elevate your doggy’s style
Tired of your plain stainless-steel dog and cat bowls? You can make your pet’s mealtimes more sophisticated with dog and cat bowls that blend functionality with style. Dexypaws is a Canadian, women-owned company that makes feeding accessories like this durable ceramic bowl with a marble finish and gold accents. And the elevated ceramic cat bowl is like an art piece for those fashionable felines “who appreciate a refined dining experience.” furrmart.ca
Vegan-Friendly Treats
If you’d prefer to get a gift that’s more of a veggie stop on the canine culinary journey, you’re in luck. A lot of our dog friends also love plant-based treats like This & That Canine Co’s chews made with sweet potato, apples and oatmeal. These self-described “crazy pet parents” create treats and chews in Ontario for our beloved pets, using Canadian-sourced, human-grade ingredients. JTPets also carries a line of fruit-based cookies. jtpets.ca
