Pet present guide for gifts that won’t break the bank

Posted on 5 December, 2022

Photo by Ina Molenaar on Unsplash

Treating pets at Christmas with a festive gift is getting more and more popular and up to 88% of people admit to spending up to £50 on gifts for their pets[i].

Every year pet stores and the internet are flooded with all sorts of presents for our furry friends from advent calendars, treats and toys to Christmas jumpers and stockings, ranging from the very cheap to the ridiculously expensive[ii].

Presents needn’t cost the earth and in the current climate with the cost of living crisis many people will be looking for cheaper gifts this year. Homesitters Ltd recommend some gifts below that won’t break the bank which pets will love just as much:

Healthy Christmas treats

Making healthy treats for a dog or cat not only saves the pennies but shows that someone has put in a bit of extra effort for their pet. The treats will taste much more delicious than pre-packed items and it also won’t matter if the end result isn’t perfect! There a plenty of easy to follow Christmas treat recipes online such as these for dogs, cats and rabbits.

An old sock or shoe

Dogs don’t care if something is old or new, so wrapping up an old pair of socks or shoe that they can chew and shake about will be just as appreciated. A ball could also be tied in a sock and a rope attached to create a DIY rope and ball. Dogs will also get lots of fun tearing open the present so it’s a double whammy!

Christmas dinner

Dogs will love a Christmas dinner so why not treat them to some leftovers? Leave out greasy items such as roast potatoes or cream based dishes such as cauliflower cheese, but lean meat, a few vegetables and some gravy will be a welcome change from their usual food.

Pets at Home also do a pre-packed Wainwrights Christmas dinner which is specially formulated for dogs. Cats don’t have to miss out either as Lily’s Kitchen has a turkey and ham feast.

Dog / cat stocking

Instead of buying a made up stocking which often contain products such as raw hides that are not good for dogs, why not create your own? Buy a stocking and fill it with some healthy treats from the local pet store or handmade treats, plus a small toy or ball. You can even improvise and instead of a stocking decorate a small cardboard box and personalise it with the pets name written on top.

Tennis balls for dogs & ping pong balls for cats

Most dogs and cats love a ball so wrapping up one or two of these, is a really inexpensive gift idea that will keep a dog or cat busy for hours. Cats will also play and chase any light “flickable” object so a wine cork or screwed up ball of paper will be just as welcome!

Festive gifts for under £10

Finally, if none of the above appeal, many web sites have cheap gift ideas such as this Christmas gift section for presents for our canine and feline friends for under £10. Just be careful to check the ingredients on any edible items to ensure they are suitable for the pet you are buying for. There are also lots of DIY pet gift ideas here with tutorials which show how easy they are to make!

We would love to hear any other suggestions people have so why not share this story on Facebook using the link below and add a comment with your own festive pet gift idea.

[1] https://groomarts.com/student-advice/marketing-insights

[1] https://iheartdogs.com/9-ridiculously-expensive-gifts-for-the-posh-dog/

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