Deck the Paws: A guide to pet gifts north of Boston – Wicked Local Beverly

Have you shopped for your furry companion yet? There's still time, and there are many options on the North Shore.

Its December. The holiday shopping season is a week shorter than usual. And youre either almost done shopping or you have a lot to do. Just dont forget your pets.

Holiday gifts for pets have evolved over the years, and now there is a mountain of options for your furry or scaled, or feathered little pal. So heres a list of gift ideas you can find at local pet supply shops north of Boston.

And to guide us through what's hot and what's not is Brady, a spaniel-beagle mix belonging to Wicked Local journalist Bryan McGonigle.

Treats

Pets love treats, andthis is where youll want to pay special attention to get quality products safe for your pet.

First of all, avoid rawhide. Rawhide, which is not digestible, has been shown to cause internal injury in dogs.

At Ciao! Bow Wow in North Andover, Bradywas almost overwhelmed by the chew treat options. So the stores pet health expert, Kathleen Cousins, showed us a few great brands:

Cat grass is a great gift, too. Its sold either in seed form or already grown, in a little pot. Its not typical grass, though. Its a mix of cat-safe grass grown from wheat, barley or oats that can grow indoors and is safe for your kitty.

Sweaters and coats

Some people love dressing up their pets. Some do it out of necessity because their little companions cant handle the cold.

Dog and cat coats and jackets come in a variety of colors, patterns and styles.

Brady ventured into Creature Comforts and Pawsitively last week in Marblehead to try on some clothes, and he kind of liked the sweater selection.

"This fleece is from Gold Paw," Store owner Erin MacCarthy said as she helped get Brady into a festive red plaid fleece. Gold Pawis an American company that makes stretchable, eco-friendly fleece sweaters for cats and dogs. "We do carry them all year round for those dogs that are chillier all the time."

Want to step it up a notch? There are also nice winter jackets you can get for your pet.

Boots

Speaking of cold weather attire, have you considered boots? Yes, pet boots are indeed a thing.

Salt thrown on the roads in winter can irritate an animals paws. And so can the chemicals used in icy roadway treatment these days.

Pet boots can protect your little buddys paws and allow them to enjoy the outdoors more. It will take a little time for them to get used to the shoes, but if your pet suffers from sore paws in winter, its worth it. Also, you may want to buy two sets because your pet may lose a boot or two in the snow.

Styles and materials vary.

Toys

A pets gotta play. So youll want to get him or her a sturdy toy that will last as long as possible.

In Marblehead, McCarthy brought out some plush toy options at Creature Comforts, too.

Beds

Your pet is going to want to rest after all that eating and playing. With all the choices of pet beds out there, youll want to pick one that is comfortable and practical.

You may want to look at beds with removable and washable covers, so you can keep it clean without the fuss of cleaning a traditional bed.

For small animals

Have a bunny or a lizard? No problem. Many area pet stores carry toys and treats for small animals. Here are a few places to try:

Whatever you choose to give your pet, always include lots of love. And may you and your furry friends have a happy holiday season.

View original post here:
Deck the Paws: A guide to pet gifts north of Boston - Wicked Local Beverly