WASHINGTON – Need a last-minute gift for a pet or a pet lover in your life?
Dr. Katy Nelson, local veterinarian and host of “The Pet Show with Dr. Katy,” has some ideas from local Virginia, Maryland and D.C. pet shops.
Linda Waitkus, owner of Great Dogs of Great Falls in Great Falls, Va., recommends “dirty dog rugs” — think of this gift as a door mat for the outdoor dog — and homemade treats, made in the store and commercially.
Anna Fitzgerald, owner of The Dog Park in Alexandria, Va., says pups are sure to love Dogsbutter ($10), a peanut butter product made especially for dogs, with no salt and no sugar. For every jar sold, one is donated to a local animal shelter.
Ursula Dodge tote bags ($40) are also a hot item for pet owners. The bags are breed-specific and come in bright colors, with fun quotes. The Dog Park also has shirts for pet lovers, starting at $23.
Samantha Ansley, manager of Mighty Healthy Pet in College Park, Md., says cats love the catnip-filled banana and pollock fish, which retail around $6, and dogs go nuts for West Paw Eco Hemp Toys, which are soft and have a squeaker.
Pups will eat up the Wet Noses “Big Bones,” available in peanut butter and pumpkin flavor, as well as Cloud Star Holiday Buddy Biscuits gingerbread men treats.
Ansley also recommends the following:
- The Fillmore Pouch as a poop bag holder
- Kreb’s recycle leashes
Becky Pugh of Bone Jour Pet Boutique in Bethesda, Md., offers some gift ideas for pet lovers, including:
- Breed-specific glass ornaments
- Pet topiaries
- The Loofah pet toy — a popular piece, year after year
Lisa Schreiber of Wagtime (locations in downtown D.C. and the Navy Yard) says one great gift is a gift certificate of “grooming and play,” which runs anywhere from $55-$75. To stay warm this winter, Schreiber also recommends a soft hoodie and matching blanket from Toru. It’s $50 for the set and comes in three colors and many sizes.
Also, Schreiber says Archipelago candles and diffusers are great for someone who wants to eliminate dog/cat smells in the home.
Dogma Bakery and Boutique has locations in Arlington, Va., and Shirlington, Va., and the locally-owned store recommends the following:
- The holiday Charity Ball from Fluff and Tuff: All proceeds from sales are donated by Fluff and Tuff to Peace and Paws Rescue
- Candle with a Cause
- A bully stick — for hours of chewing pleasure
- Dogma’s freshly baked treats
Dr. Katy Nelson is an emergency veterinarian in Alexandria, Va. Tune in to “The Pet Show” with Dr. Katy every Saturday at 11 a.m. on Washington D.C.’s News Channel 8, and listen on WTOP for her Dr. Pawz segments every two weeks. Have questions for Dr. Katy? You can follow her on Twitter @drkatynelson, on Facebook or email her at askdrkaty@wtop.com.
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