GREAT DOG GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS, HOLIDAYS & EVERYDAY

My Top Five Gift Ideas for Pets:

Vibrating Massager. My beagles have been enjoying this sensual treat for about 5 years now. Most any inexpensive hand-held massager will work just as well for a dog as for a person. Acclimate your pet to the vibrator by first massaging her/him with the device turned off. After a few vibration-free massages, your pet will come to associate the massager with pleasure. Then you should be able to turn on the vibration without frightening him/her. In a very short time, both my dogs learned to lovethe vibrating massage. I don't have a cat, so I really can't advise about cats and massagers. It may depend on the temperament of your cat. I suspect that at least some cats would acclimate and enjoy a massager.

Bob-A-Lot and Kibble Nibble Feeder Ball.The next generation of treat-stuffed toys is here. These rolling and bobbing toys are treat-enhanced to entertain and motivate even sedentary dogs to get moving. The award-winning Bob-a-Lot is reminiscent of the classic toddler toy The Weeble people, with a weighted bottom that allows wobbling, but bounces back up when knocked over. Treats can be loaded in bottom and top chambers, and dispensing level of difficulty is adjustable. The Kibble Nibble ball is egg-shaped and see-through, with rubber bumpers to prevent scuff marks. Treats are dispensed through holes at each end as it is rolled around. My dogs will be getting one or the other of these toys for Christmas. (They 're getting older and need the extra motivation of a treat reward to get off the couch.) Both toys have good customer ratings, making it hard to decide!

Bubble Machine with Flavored Bubbles. What dog or cat wouldn't jump for flavored bubbles! This may inspire even more pet movement and exercise than the treat-stuffed balls and toys. They come in various come-hither flavors, like chicken, bacon, and peanut butter. (This toy is featured in the video above.) This one definitely belongs on your pet's short list for Christmas.

Silly-Noise-Making Toys. Among these are the Wiggly Giggly balls and toys that make funny noises and unpredictable movements when nudged, all without batteries. (See video below.) Another version of this is the Babble Ball, which makes animal sounds. Props to Georgina_writes for bringing these to my attention in her hub, Dog Christmas Gifts.

Other favorites are stuffed toys that make animal sounds, grunts, etc. when squeezed. My dog Spud enjoyed a croaking frog as a refreshing change from the usual squeaker. On the other hand, my dog Sassy runs from the room in fright whenever a realistic-sounding quacking duck is squeezed. Spud eventually chewed up his frog, leaving only the head and the croaking mechanism. Now the head makes a cushy fetch ball, and the croaker has a new home under the couch cushion, where it surprises unsuspecting guests in a new twist on a whoopie cushion. At my house, we believe in recycling.

Unwrapping for Pets. We have a tradition of wrapping our pets' gifts for them to unwrap themselves. Wrap their toys loosely in wrapping paper, computer or tissue paper, or any paper you have around the house. Stick a kibble or treat inside to motivate your pet to open his/her present. This is fun for pets and the entire family. Kids or grown-ups can even compete with pets to see who can open a present the fastest. Some pets are very fast. Others are slower at unwrapping. For slower pets, have kids/people unwrap a gift with their toes to even things up. And don't forget the camcorder. For obvious reasons.

Share your own ideas in the comments section. And check out the hub "Dog Christmas Gifts" by Georgina_writes for more great ideas. Happy holidays from Sassy, Spud, and me!