The holidays will be soon here, and Christmas shopping is in full swing, but when choosing gifts for your dog this season, a few items should be left off the list. Giving your pets holiday gifts is a way to include them in the festivities and treat them like valued family members. However, some gifts are unsuitable for your puppy and should be left off the list.
Below is a list of items you should not bother buying for your dog, as they are dangerous, not useful or aren’t worth the money.
Chew Toys Shaped as Common Household Items
It may seem cute to buy your dog a squeak toy that looks remarkably like your favourite slipper or a squeaky pork chop just like the ones you make the family for dinner, but realistically this is probably not the best idea. Giving your dog toys that resemble things you wouldn’t want them playing with or chewing on in the home will cause unnecessary confusion, not to mention a likelihood that some favourite items will see an untimely end.
Rawhide
We all know dogs love to chew, and many think rawhide is the perfect solution to this habit. However, rawhide is very dangerous, and you may wish to find a better alternative for your pet. There have been many instances of dogs choking on rawhide, as it doesn’t break down properly when chewed on and can cause blockages and system troubles if ingested. Many alternatives are available for dogs if looking for a good chew product, so it’s probably best to skip over the rawhide altogether, regardless of your dog’s size or breed.
Grooming Products
Nail clippers, haircutters, and other grooming products are a no-go when gift-giving to dogs. It is the pet equivalent of a wife receiving a vacuum cleaner, it is not a treat, and nobody wants it. Grooming is a part of regular dog owner maintenance, so trying to pass it off as a gift is no fun or fair to your sweet pup.
Alcohol
Although a bottle of good cheer may make the perfect gift for many people, it doesn’t for your pup. Alcohol is very harmful to dogs because it depresses the nervous system and can cause them to become quite ill, so no matter how stuck you are for that perfect gift idea for Fido, eggnog is not a suitable choice.
Below are some other Christmas-related posts we think you and your dog