By Andrea Arden
Pet Expert
TODAY
A recent survey by the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association found that 56 percent of dog owners and 42 percent of cat owners buy holiday presents for their pets. If you count yourself among this furry-friend-loving group, then pet expert and author of “Dog-Friendly Dog Training” Andrea Arden may have the perfect gift idea for you:
1. The Panasonic PetCam
The Panasonic PetCam is perfect for pet parents who want to feel connected to their favorite furry friend, are concerned about their safety, need to monitor their training or eating habits, or just want to peek in on them for fun! Each PetCam comes with a free, permanent Web address that enables the viewer to watch their pet on a computer or a mobile phone through the Web browser. The PetCam can be operated by a remote control and features a 10x digital zoom for clear, enlarged viewing. It also has a storage capacity of up to 250 images in its internal memory.
Panasonic launched www.SeeMyPetCam.com, an online community and resource for pet lovers to share and watch videos, communicate with other animal lovers and view pet articles, advice and animals available for adoption. With a built-in motion sensor, PetCam can be set to record and/or notify the owner by e-mail when the pet enters the room. The Panasonic PetCam BL-C1 can be purchased at www.panasonic.com or www.amazon.com at a MSRP of $99.95. More information available at www.seemypetcam.com.
2. Pet gift baskets
Pet gift baskets are an easy and charming way to give a very useful gift. There is a sporty gift box (for the active dog), a sleepover gift box (for the dog with lots of friends to visit) and a beach gift box (for the dog headed on a beach holiday). These include an assortment of toys, treats and other accessories. www.ArfDog.com
3. Make it personal
One of the greatest gifts you can get for any animal lover is a way for them to immortalize their furry friend. These customized charms and pendants are created using laser technology. You simply send a picture to them and they digitally lift your pet’s face from your favorite photograph and use it to create a 3-D bitmap image. Then they use a high-tech milling machine to carve the charm in wax. From here the three-dimensional wax model is used to create a casting of your charm in your choice of yellow gold, white gold, or sterling silver. www.Babyfaces.com
4. Kitty Cat Playhouse
Cats love to play and climb, and while a lot of climbing and play structures for cats are bland, this one is cute and filled with lots of creature comforts, including catnip toys, scratching surfaces, resting cushions and two levels of hiding fun! $60; www.petmate.com
5. Keep it clean
Since cleaning up after our pets can take up a lot of our time, a gift any dog lover will appreciate is the www.PatioPark.com ($199 plus $29 S&H), which helps you contain pet waste to one area. It can be placed in a yard or patio and has a canopy so your dog can even use it in the rain!
6. Custom dog cookies and cakes
A gift that is sure to please both people and their dogs are these amazing dog cookies from www.AdaNieves.com. All are custom-made to your exact specifications and come in loads of shapes, sizes and colors, including holiday-themed cookies such as three-dimension Christmas trees and ornament-shaped cookies, puzzle cookies for kids, I Love NY cookies and even cookies made for new puppy owners They are made out of healthy ingredients — yogurt, eggs, rice milk, carob. Cookies run from $2-$6; tin box, $25-$30 depending on number of cookies inside. Keep in mind, while your dog will love them, moderation is key! www.AdaNieves.com
7. Safety Walker Lighted Leash Handle
This leash handle has nifty built-in features for your safety and convenience on those evening strolls with your dog. The handle includes a bright LED flashlight on the front, flashing colored safety lights along the side, and an alarm button that sounds a loud siren when pushed. For dogs up to 50 lbs. Requires three AAA batteries, not included. $9.98, from Aspen Pet Products Inc.; (303) 375-1001; www.aspenpet.com
8. The Aquavista 100
The Aquavista 100 is a low-maintenance, self-contained, space-saving tabletop aquarium that looks like a flat screen LCD monitor. It’s only 4 inches thick, and each unit includes one background and magnetic frame, but you can customize it with more than 20 different interchangeable frames and backgrounds. This low-voltage unit is preassembled with LED lighting, filter/air pump. The only thing extra you need to purchase is the fish! The Aquavista 100 won the 2007 Editor’s Choice award from Pet Product News International and was in the top three for Best in Show at the 2007 Global Pet Expo. $149.99; www.AquavistaInc.com
9. Boutique indoor pet home
This elegant, faux-leather indoor pet home is an ideal resting place for cats or small to medium-sized dogs. It comes with an interior pad and is available in red or dark brown. Suggested retail: $129.99; www.petmate.com
10. Cat Window Perch
This attractive Cat Window Perch can to be attached to any window with just a few screws or Velcro. This offers your cat a comfortable and secure perch to sunbathe on and observe what is going on outside. The Cat Window Perch is made of sturdy wood and covered in oatmeal-colored faux leather, comes with a foam cushion made out of faux sheepskin and it is machine washable. The perch is 25″x15″x4″ and weighs 8 lbs. $45; www.Petmate.com
11. Pawsitive I.D.™
Pawsitive I.D.™ is an at-home DNA testing kit for DNA fingerprinting and disease screening. A DNA fingerprint is literally your pet’s genetic serial number. The chances of another animal having the same DNA fingerprint is almost impossible (billions to one). Having this information gives pet owners the ability to absolutely identify their pet. Think about it. How can you legally identify your pet? Yes, neighbors and possibly your vet could vouch for you in court, but that could still prove problematic. Having a record of your dog’s or cat’s DNA fingerprint would prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that your pet is “your pet.” It really is your pet’s Pawsitive I.D. In addition to creating a DNA fingerprint of your pet, Pawsitive I.D. can also screen for dozens of inherent, genetic diseases.
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