Holiday Gifts for Fido

While making your holiday gift list this year, don't leave out your precious pets! With the love your pets provide you all year long, they deserve a new treat this holiday season. To relieve some gift giving stress, we've put together some helpful gift ideas for your giving pleasure!

 1. PetHub Pet Tags

These unique and technologically advanced pet tags come equipped with a QR code on the back of each tag which links to a profile with information such as contacts, medical information and much more. Some services included with the PetHub Pet Tag are access to a 24/7 Found Pet Hotline number and Email Notification with GPS Mapping.

2. Thundershirt

Available in the Morris Animal Inn Lobby, the Thundershirt provides calming, gentle pressure to ease anxiety in pets. Between guests, parties and general holiday mayhem, the Thundershirt can provide your pet with the comfort they need.

3. Puzzle Toys

Puzzle toys are a great way for your pet to work for their treat while also exercising both mind and body.

4. Holiday-Themed Toys and Accessories

Why not treat your furry friends to a new chew toy, leash or collar for the winter season? Many companies tailor designs specifically for the holidays. These fancy accessories are available for purchase in the Morris Animal Inn Lobby.

5. Pet Electronics

Pet electronics are on the rise this year. Some examples of these items include electronic doggie doors and pet pedometers with up-to-the-minute updates on weight, temperature and more. Treat your four-legged family member like the king or queen they are with these luxury pet electronics.

 

6. Fashion for your Furry Friend

You want to look your best for the holidays, so why not deck out your pet as well. Keep your canine looking chic with unique styles for winter! A festive bow tie or a charming scarf can be an accessory to remember for holiday pictures. A cheerful hat, cute hair bows or cozy sweater are some other fun pet styles to try. For pet coats, look no further than the Morris Animal Inn Lobby.

7. Soggy Doggy Doormat

This super-absorbent mat is perfect those pets who track their wet and dirty paws inside. It is fast-drying, comes in a variety of colors and sizes and absorbs five times more water than an ordinary doormat.

8. Udder Tugs

Looking for a toy for your canine companion to play with that will actually be intact this holiday season? Look no farther than Udder Tugs! Whether your dog loves to fetch or tug, this durable toy is designed with a special handgrip for hours of fun and exercise.

Have a great idea for a pet gift? Share it with us!

Disclaimer: Suggestions are based upon the product description. Morris Animal Inn is not endorsing these products.

References:

               Blogpaws. "Holiday gift Guide 2012." Blogpaws.com. High paw Media. Web. 4 Dec 2012. <http://promotions.blogpaws.com/files/BlogPaws-HolidayGiftGuide2012-FINAL.pdf>.

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TIPS TO PREVENT CAT BITING

If you have a cat, you have probably sustained a couple bites from your feline friend. However, oftentimes a cat’s bite is misinterpreted as aggressive when it was simply their form of play. Read on for tips to help you read your cat’s body language and prevent their biting from getting out-of-hand.

It Starts as a Kitten…

According to Margaret Schill, if kittens are separated from their mothers before they reach 12 weeks, they miss a crucial training period. It is during this time that both their mother and littermates teach them what acceptable behavior is. If a kitten bites its mother too hard, she will correct her baby by hissing or holding the kitten down with her mouth.When playing, littermates let out a startling squeal if their brother or sister is too rough. As a result, kittens learn early on what is tolerable and what is not.

Is it Play or Aggression?

If you are not familiar with cats, it can be difficult to discern what is considered play-biting and what isn’t. When a cat reaches out to grab your hand or leg and bites it, that is play-biting and is not meant to harm you. Your darting hand and leg can be similar to a quickly moving mouse or a small critter. When your cat lays waiting and then pounces, he or she is mimicking instinctive hunting behavior, the same behavior you may praise when your cat catches that pesky mouse that’s been hiding in your attic all winter. If there are no real creatures to be caught, your feline will use his or her surroundings, be it the drapes or your moving leg.

The Need for Toys

To discourage your cat from gnawing on your hand like a piece of tuna, don’t use your hand as a play toy. If you do, you will teach your cat that this form of play is acceptable when you really don’t want it to be. Instead, encourage playtime with fun cat toys like lasers, feathers, and stuffed mice. Make sure you devote a certain amount of playtime with your cat everyday so he or she does not get bored.

Read the Signs

Some cats are not fans of affection. They may like to be held and petted occasionally, but there is a time limit. This varies from feline to feline but all cats give subtle signs that you can learn to look for. If your cat is squirming, twitching their tail from side to side rather fast, laying their ears flat against their head, or stiffening up, your cat has had enough. Now would be the time to put Fluffy down. Respect your cat’s need for space and your cat will respect you!

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Fluffy in Toyland

Years ago, cats were kept in the house or the barn for one reason and one reason only: to catch and destroy the mice that would inevitably find their way into the nooks and crannies of our humble and not so humble dwellings. Though these squeaky critters are still around (generally in the winter months) their prevalence in our homes have thankfully been reduced. Without a fulltime job catching mice, today’s feline has become an expert at the finer things in life, adopting the lofty role of supreme lounger and dainty self-groomer. Cats former mice-catching days become visible now and then when they pounce on random moving objects such as your fingers or toes. Meet your cat’s need for stimulation and play with an array of kitty toys. Since our frisky cats deserve the best, we’ve outlined a few toys that are proven feline crowd pleasers.

Feathers

A staple for teaser sessions at Morris Animal Inn, feathers, particularly peacock feathers, with their beautiful iridescent green and blue colors are a wonderful and inexpensive option to keep your cat playing for hours on end. Dangle the feather in front of your cat, slide it back and forth on the floor, or dart it around, whatever suits your little cat on the prowl.

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Lasers

All it takes is a bright red dot of light. Shine the light across the floor and up the walls. Sit back on the couch, catch your favorite sitcoms and move your hand around to provide your cat with tons of fun while you relax. For something even less hands-on, try the innovative and distinctly modern Dart Interactive Pet Toy from Frontgate. With settings that allow you to program the laser toy for 15 minute plays sessions, you can get your chores done while Fluffy remains entertained all by him or herself. Cats enjoy this toy at Morris Animal Inn in our Kitty Playroom. We turn it on and watch as they stealthily pounce and bounce around, attempting to one up the mysterious laser device.

Cataction

This toy features a colorful, fluffy mouse that dangles from a long bouncy string. The toy simply gets attached to the top of a door like an over-the-door full length mirror. This allows your cat to dance around and bat at the unfortunate mouse whenever the predatory yet playful mood strikes. This toy is available in our pet boutique. Ask our Guest Services Team for more information.

Crinkle Balls

Small, lightweight balls made of Mylar are a wonderful and effortless solution for hours of fun. Cats do not discriminate and can be just as entertained with a small rolled-up piece of paper or foil to bat to and fro. Just make sure to monitor your kitty and ensure Fluffy does not try to nibble or eat these small toys.

Butterfly in a Glass Jar

Pick from a selection of beautiful butterflies. From a Monarch to a yellow Swallowtail, these fake butterflies look realistic and fascinating. By tapping the walls of the glass jar, you can make the butterfly flutter around as though it were real. Cats are extremely amused by the frenetic motion of the fake flying insect and like to bat at the jar with their little paws. This is one of our favorite toys that we allow our feline guests to play with while lodging with us at Morris Animal Inn. Watch the video below to see our kitten guests enjoying the pleasures of the Butterfly in a Glass Jar which can be ordered from Amazon.com. 

Divulge and tell us your cat’s favorite toys; whether simple or convoluted, we want to hear about it!

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