Holiday Gift Guide

14 must-have gifts for your pets this holiday season

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Plan on getting your pet a present this holiday? You're not alone.

About half of all dog owners and about 39 percent of cat owners purchase gifts for their pets during the holiday season, according to the American Pet Products Association's National Pet Owners Survey.

The industry group predicts dog owners will spend an average of about $14 on canine gifts while cat owners spend around $12. The National Retail Federation, on the other hand, estimates that the average pet owner will spend about $30, up from $28 last year.

Of course, cat and dog owners aren't the only ones shopping for their pets this year. So, we've rounded up some toys and treats for all of the non-human members of your family.

Banish hairballs

DeFurminator de-shedding tool for pets.
Source: Furminator

It's time to ditch your old pet brush.

The Furminator is the ultimate de-shedding tool for dogs and cats. The stainless steel edge runs over your pet's top coat and removes loose hair from their undercoat.

The product, which is designed to reduce shedding and hairballs, comes in different sizes depending on the length of your pet's fur. It also has an ejector button that pushes the fur off of the brush, making it easy to clean.

Price: Varies

Buy now: FURminator brush

Fetch!

iFetch
Source: iFetch

Whether your pup is big or small, there's a chance they like to play fetch.

Check out iFetch. It's an automatic ball thrower that shoots out tennis balls 10 to 40 feet. The machine, which comes in different sizes depending on the size of your dog, emits a high-pitched tone just before it launches the ball to give your pooch a heads-up.

Dogs can be trained to place the ball in the machine themselves or you can do the honor. Regardless, the iFetch guarantees hours of fun, indoors or out, with less shoulder pain.

Price: $114.99 and up

Buy now: iFetch Ball Thrower

Drink up

CatIt Flower Fountain.
Source: CatIt

Cats can be picky about the water they drink, often opting for your drinking glass rather than their bowl.

Enter Catit's Flower Fountain. The compact water fountain circulates 100 fluid ounces of water and encourages cats to drink more, helping to prevent urinary-tract diseases.

The fountain has three settings that change how the water flows out of the machine. It comes with a filtration system to remove bacteria, stray hair and other debris.

Price: $29.99

Buy now: Catit's Flower Fountain

Moss balls

LUFFY Betta Balls: Live Marimo Plants.
Source: Luffy Pets Collection

Fish owners who want to keep a tank clean and improve the life of their fish may want to pick up a few Marimo moss balls for their aquariums. These small, round clumps of algae suck up nitrates, prevent excess algae from growing and release oxygen back into the tank. Not to mention, fish like to play with the moss balls and move them around the tank.

Price: $7.95 and up

Buy now: Marimo moss balls

Bird playground

You & Me 3-in-1 Playground for Birds.
Source: Petco

Ideal for small and medium birds, this playground includes a ladder, swing and dangling toys for your favorite fine-feathered friend. The playground pieces can be moved into several configurations and are made from wood. The lightweight toy can be placed inside or outside of the bird cage.

Price: $11.99

Buy now: Bird Playground

Tea time for kitty

Kit Tea Bags
Source: KitTea

You can now share a cup of tea with your cat.

KitTea Bags are a product from Pet Winery, which sells a line of cat and dog beverages made with catnip, herbs, salmon oil and other natural ingredients. The tea bags, which are stuffed with catnip and Valerian root, can be brewed, cooled and served in a bowl or given straight to your furry friend.

Fair warning, the blend is strong and can turn the fattest and laziest of cats into crazy balls of energy.

Price: $12.95

Buy now: KitTea Bags

Let's go for a long walk!

Dog Bowl Water Bottle
Source: UnCommon Goods

Keep your pup hydrated on walks or hikes with this water bottle. With a squeeze, water pools in a dish attached to the bottle. Excess water drains back into the bottle, so there is little waste.

The bottle fits in standard car cup holders and comes with a Velcro strap so it can be attached to backpacks, belts or even your wrist.

You'll never have to worry about the cleanliness of communal water bowls at the dog park again.

Price: $15

Buy now: Dog Bowl Water Bottle

Holiday treats 

Happy "Howlidays" Holiday Treat box.
Source: The Good Dog

Treat your dog to some festive goodies this holiday season. The Good Dog, a gourmet grain-free dog treat bakery, is selling an assortment of holiday-themed biscuits.

The cookies are made with garbanzo bean flour and all natural peanut butter and come in shapes like snowmen, gingerbread men and a red-nosed reindeer.

Price: $14.95

Buy now: Happy "Howlidays" Holiday Treat Box

On the hunt

Catit Senses 2.0 Circuit
Source: CatIt

Say goodbye to the traditional circular track toy for cats.

Catit's Circuit toy is a track toy that can be shaped into more than 100 layouts and can connect to other Catit tracks. Cats push and swat a swirl patterned ball up and around the track, stimulating their inner hunter.

Price: $14.99 and up

Buy now: Catit Senses 2.0 Circuit

Test time

Embark DNA test for dogs
Source: Embark

Two Cornell University graduates created Embark, a DNA-testing service for pups, which determines not only your dog's breed, but provides important information about your pooch's genetic makeup.

The kit, which costs $189, arrives at your door. All you have to do is swab the inside of your dog's mouth and ship the kit back. A few weeks later, Embark will send you the results to more than 160 tests, which could clue you in on gene mutations, drug allergies or any predispositions to heart conditions or blood disorders.

Price: $189

Buy now: Embark Doggy DNA Test

Small animal mazes

Alfie Pet by Petoga Couture - Ryan WPC Maze for Mouse, Chinchilla, Rat, Gerbil and Dwarf Hamster.
Source: Alfie

Folks with smaller animals — chinchillas, rats, gerbils, hamsters and even hedgehogs — may want to consider getting their furry friend a fun animal maze this holiday season.

These playgrounds can relieve boredom for your pet and increase their activity level. The maze comes with a plastic lid to keep critters inside or to pull off to take them out.

Price: $21.99

Buy now: Small Animal Maze

Whack-a-Mouse

Whack-A-Mouse
Source: Whack-A-Mouse

This interactive toy is fun for both cats and humans. Tease and test your cat's agility with this Whack-a-Mouse set. Poke a plush mouse wand through the fabric-lined holes to entice your cat to play and figure out where the mouse will pop up next.

Price: $12.99

Buy now: Whack-a-Mouse

Playtime

Happy Tails Barnyard Buddies Dog Toy 3-pack.
Source: Costco Wholesale

For dogs that chew through toys like they are tissue paper, you may want to scoop up these Barnyard Buddies toys. Reinforced with "chew armor" these bird-shaped toys are bound to stick around even after a few tussles. Plus, they are machine washable.

Price: $19.99 for set of 3

Buy now: Barnyard Buddies Dog Toy 3-pack

Pretty sneaky

Marshall Pet Products Super Thru-way.
Source: Marshall Pet Products

Adventurous ferrets will love to run, slide and squirm their way through this Super Thru-way tunnel. The extendable plastic tube can stretch 15 feet and contract. Its clear material allows you to keep an eye on your furry critter but still makes them feel hidden.

Price: $15.29

Buy now: Super Thru-way

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