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Holiday Gifts for Pets and What Not to Buy, Plus a Giveaway!

December 10, 2013 12 Comments

Holiday Gifts for Pets and What Not to Buy at Hands Occupied

Yesterday, I shared how to DIY a knotted rope dog toy that my pooches are going to love finding under the tree this Christmas. My dogs, Woodrow and Storm, were both rescues and are the best mutts a person could ask for. But sometimes their toys can add up, particularly when they shred them. Looks like I’m not the only one with this issue – The ASPCA sent me some suggestions for more fun DIY gifts from their behavior experts, so you know they’re safe and good for your pets!

DIY Ideas – more than just toys!

  • To make a tasty chew toy, soak a rope toy in chicken broth and then freeze. Once frozen, give the toy to your dog for hours of savory chewing. – Woodrow would love this more than words can possibly say.
  • For cats, fill plastic Easter eggs with wet cat food as a fun food puzzle.
  • Rinse out an empty, cardboard milk carton, fill it with dry pet food and poke holes for a food-dispensing puzzle toy.
  • To give your pooch some holiday R&R, spray lavender oil on a bandana and tie around your dog’s neck. Evidence suggests lavender oil has a calming effect on dogs. – I’m SO doing this for Storm! She’s got a bit of an anxiety problem sometimes.

Holiday Gifts for Pets and What Not to Buy at Hands Occupied

Good things to buy when you can’t DIY

I admit sometimes, even us DIYers need to buy the occasional gift, especially as we approach holiday crunch time. According to studies, 37 percent of Americans will be buying a gift for their pets over the holidays. Consider getting gifts that give back from the ASPCA Online Store, such as:

  • DJ Cat Scratching Pad – This is frigging hilarious.
  • 5-Piece Dog Gift Set -Can you say doggie donut?
  • Dog Stocking Toy
  • Cat Fling-ama-String

If you’re looking for gifts for a pet lover like myself…

(…family, hint hint!) These options for humans help support pets in need.

  • Walkers Shortbread Cookies
  • Diamond Paw Pendants from Zales
  • Symbolic Transport of an Animal Rescued from Cruelty or Disaster
  • Symbolic Puppy Socialization Class
  • Gift to the ASPCA in honor of one of your Facebook friends

Please don’t shop at stores that sell puppies!

All of the ideas shared here today are a great way to ethically shop this holiday season. Shopping at stores that sell puppies, even for gifts, supports puppy mills. If you know someone who doesn’t understand why to avoid puppy stores, have them check out this Sarah McLachlan-free (I promise) video for an easy explanation…

On a lighter note…

Win an ASPCA Holiday Gift Pack

Since I don’t want to sign off with something sad during the holiday season, I’ll end with a giveaway just for you pet lovers out there. The ASPCA is offering a pet-tastic prize package, which includes: an ASPCA 5-Piece Gift Set, Walker’s Shortbread Cookies, an ASPCA Orange Tote, a Fight Cruelty Wristband, a Cat Ears Hat, a 2014 Animal Calendar, a Kitten play toy, and a Dog holiday hat.

Holiday Gifts for Pets and What Not to Buy at Hands Occupied

Note: If you’re reading this not on HandsOccupied.com, you’ll have to visit the post to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I wasn’t compensated for this post, it’s just an issue I care a lot about. Gift suggestions and multimedia content were provided by the ASPCA, a pretty fantastic organization. :)

About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, and Twitter.

Filed Under: Giveaways, Reviews & Sponsored Tagged With: aspca, cats, diy gifts, dogs, gifts, giveaway, pet gifts, pets, shopping

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a knitting, crochet and crafts designer. She first learned to knit at age 8 from a grandmother who saw in her a need for something to keep her busy. She's now a full time designer, video host, blogger & teacher. You can keep up with her designs and more by following handsoccupied on your favorite social network.

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Comments

  1. Michelle @ Delicate Construction!

    December 10, 2013 at 4:28 pm

    My dogs would love a prize package for no other reason than getting a treat! They are so easy to please!

    Reply
  2. Emily

    December 10, 2013 at 4:36 pm

    Great post! I couldn’t agree more, my cats are rescues and I would never shop for a pet! I’d like to win this prize so I could share the cat toy with my cats, the dogs toys with my brother’s dog, and sport that ASPCA tote around town to spread the good word about helping animals.

    Reply
  3. Amy Anderson

    December 10, 2013 at 8:57 pm

    Are those cookies for dogs or humans? Either way, someone is going to be very happy! :D

    Reply
  4. amanda

    December 10, 2013 at 9:07 pm

    Would love to win! When my husband and I decided to adopt a dog we went to our local shelter with the hopes of rescuing the ugliest, saddest, most overgrown dog. We found just that in a “senior terrier mix” who turned out to be a purebred standard schnauzer once we got him home and cleaned up.
    4 years later Chewy is still with us and everytime I look in his eyes I know he is saying Thank You.

    Reply
  5. Shannon

    December 10, 2013 at 9:07 pm

    My cats would like the toy and my dog would like gift set.http://www.aspcaonlinestore.com/product/43100

    Reply
  6. Nicolette Beach

    December 10, 2013 at 9:28 pm

    I would love this because my cat’s are always up to try new toys and I work with dogs, so the dog items would also go to great use!

    Reply
  7. Melissa Dellinger

    December 11, 2013 at 12:55 am

    My adopted pup Sadie would absolutely LOVE a gift like this!! She never ever has enough toys (she’s an 11 month old pit mix and goes through toys like its nothing!) but is the most loving, loyal and deserving puppy I know! Please pick us!! Thanks! :)

    Reply
  8. Gina Shillitani

    December 11, 2013 at 4:00 am

    Our pets love everything you give them… except lettuce :)

    Reply
  9. Beverly {Flamingo Toes}

    December 11, 2013 at 11:17 am

    My cats would love the toy and my sis is bringing her puppy for Christmas, so the dog treats would be a big hit! :)

    Reply
  10. Malia

    December 11, 2013 at 1:26 pm

    Wonderful post. I love spoiling my dog/baby! xo

    Reply
  11. carolyn ~ homework

    December 11, 2013 at 9:56 pm

    I’m a big supporter of animal rescue. All our pets have been from shelters or rescue groups. My Sammy would love any type of gift and would be thrilled with the prize!

    Reply
  12. Amy Orvin

    December 13, 2013 at 6:11 pm

    My dogs and cats would love the toys because the are Toy Maniacs and I would love the tote so I could witness to others about the importance of adoption and not to buy from pet stores.

    Reply

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Heidi Gustad modeling the Intarsia Mountain afghanHi! I’m Heidi Gustad, a Knit & Crochet Designer obsessed with colorful knitting, crochet & yarn crafts. In this picture, I’m wearing my favorite vintage Norwegian sweater.
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