The 7 Best Gifts to Get for Your Pet
We asked veterinarians and animal experts for their recommendations on gifts that will keep your pet active, mentally engaged, and healthy—this season and beyond.
Catit Design Senses Massage Center
“Cats rub their faces on things—and you!—because they’re marking them with pheromones, but it feels good, too. Your cats will love this toy; I recommend topping it with some catnip.” —Justine A. Lee, DVM, board-certified veterinary specialist, St. Paul, Minnesota
To buy: $22; amazon.com
KeBuLe Interactive Cat Toy
“This laser toy gives your cat stimulation even when you’re busy or away. You can adjust both the speed and the range of the beam.” — Jeff Werber, DVM, chief vet officer for Airvet telemedicine and chief vet of Dr. Jeff Optimum and Daily Canine, Los Angeles
To buy: $25; amazon.com
Smart Dog Suction Cup Tug Toy
“Tug-of-war games are great until you actually need to take something away from your dog and they think you’re playing. This toy suction-cups to a wall or door so the dog can tug to her heart’s content. Having a toy to play with while you’re out can soothe separation anxiety, too.” — Dr. Werber
To buy: $12; amazon.com
Squishy Face Studio Flirt Pole V2
“I could not live without this for my own dog. It helps keep your pet exercised and engaged, especially on days where you might not have time for a long walk.” — Terri Bright, PhD, board-certified behavior analyst and director of behavior at MSPCA/Angell, Boston
To buy: $29; amazon.com
Sure PetCare Animo Activity Tracker and Behavior Monitor for Dogs
“This collar can track all kinds of information for pet parents, like how much their dog is sleeping, what type of calories are burned, any abnormal behaviors (barking, etc.), and even how much their dog is itching, which helps track allergy-management therapy.” — Natalie Marks, DVM, VCA Blum Animal Hospital, Chicago
To buy: $90; amazon.com
One Fast Cat Exercise Wheel
“Smart and athletic breeds such as Bengals, Savannahs, Siamese, spotted, and leopard cats seem to take to this most easily. It’s a great outlet for excess energy—it can curb destructive behavior and help your pet lose weight. Don’t give up if it takes some time for them to get into it!” — Dr. Werber
To buy: $199 for the black model; onefastcat.com
Wisdom Panel Premium Dog DNA Collection Kit
“I gave one of these to a friend who was very curious to know the breed of their mutt. They loved it!” — Sara Ochoa, DVM, veterinary consultant for doglab.com, Whitehouse, Texas
To buy: $160; chewy.com
This article originally appeared in the December 2020 issue of Health Magazine. Click here to subscribe today!
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