Gifts for pets and pet owners in Canada

Winter is the problem to solve

In most of Canada, the owner's biggest pet headache from November to March is cold and salt. Road salt cracks paws, short-haired dogs shiver, and walks happen in the dark. So most of this edition is winter gear, and it is the most useful thing you can give a dog owner here.

Boots come first. Muttluks Hott Doggers are light with non-skid soles, and the dog will high-step for a few walks before it gives up protesting. A Chilly Dogs coat with a harness hole suits a small, senior or short-haired dog. A knit sweater or a fleece neck warmer is the gentler, cheaper version for milder days. A reflective leash helps on those five o'clock walks.

Get the size before you buy

Nearly every winter item here depends on fit. Boots need paw size. Coats need the length of the back. Sweaters pull over the head and need the chest. Guessing means a return, and winter sizes sell out as the cold arrives. Ask the owner, or measure the dog yourself on a visit, and buy in early autumn.

Small gifts and cats

For a stocking, a bully stick or a small Quebec-made toy costs little and gets used. Bully sticks are smelly and rich, so one is plenty. Cats are harder to buy for: a breakaway collar suits a cat that goes outside, and a cheap toy trio is a fair bet, but many indoor cats ignore both.

For a pet person whose house is already full of toys, the B.C. SPCA gifts send the money to shelter animals instead. They make a good office gift.

Ordering

Most of these are small Canadian brands, which is good for fit and quality but means stock is thin. Winter boots and coats sell out in popular sizes once the first snow lands. Order in September or October, check the return policy, and keep the packaging until the dog has tried everything on. A hiking bottle with a fold-out bowl is the summer gift if you have missed the window.

Questions people ask

What is a good gift for someone who has a dog?

Something that fixes a daily chore. A drying towel with hand pockets helps after muddy walks, a treat toy like the West Paw Qwizl keeps a bored dog busy, and paw balm or winter boots help in cold weather. Ask about the dog's size and chewing habits first, because those decide whether the gift works.

What can I give a cat owner for Christmas?

Low-risk picks are treats, a wand lure refill or a small wobble toy, since cats are fussy and cheap misses do not matter. For a bigger gift, a covered cave bed suits a cat that hides, and a window hammock suits an indoor cat that watches birds. Check the windows are smooth glass before buying a suction-cup perch.

Are pet gifts better for the pet or the owner?

For the owner, most of the time. A pet will play with a toy for a week, but the owner uses a good towel, a heavy bowl or a reflective leash every day. A simple rule is to pair one small toy with one practical item for the person who does the walking, drying and cleaning up.

How do I buy a dog coat or boots as a gift without knowing the size?

Ask the owner for the dog's back length and paw width, or say you need it for a gift and leave the surprise at that. Each brand uses its own size chart, so a medium from one shop is not a medium from another. Keep the receipt and buy early, before popular sizes sell out.