Innovative Pet Gifts Sure to Please

by Steve Dale

The economy may be in the doghouse, but the joy of giving to our pets hasn't diminished. Here are some new products to consider this holiday season:

Poor Harvie the Rabbit, Knute the Moose and Sheldon the Squirrel look reminiscent of road kill; these super-tough, flat-as-a-pancake, over-sized plush squeaky toys are particularly appealing to canines; $19 to $30; www.barkerandmeowsky.com; 773-868-0200

If you think your indoor cat is so desperate for activity that she's about to climb the walls, encourage her with the City Kitty Climber. Cats can dig their claws into the wooden 6-foot-high scratcher, wound with sisal, and climb as if they're climbing a tree. The City Kitty Climber is easily mounted on a door; $79, also from www.barkerandmeowsky.com.

The regular plastic bags people typically use to pick up dog waste can sit in a landfill for decades before breaking down. That's not the case with biodegradable Poop bags, which might even begin to return to the earth before the contents inside do the same; $19.99 for 200 bags from www.poopbags.com, 773-929-7667.

Organic Loopie dog toys, called Flat Katz, are made of 100 percent organic cotton and soybean fabric and pet-friendly natural dyes. Choose from Kari the Bunny, Spax the Cat, Zigfried the Squirrel and Alfonzo the Monster; $8.50 to $18.50, from www.barkerandmeowsky.com; 773-868-0200.

When you leave the house for holiday festivities, your dog misses you. Leave your best friend a message by recording our voice into the Rubber Talk to Me Treatball. As your pup rolls the toy for treats or kibble to tumble out, your message is played back (over and over); $19 to $25 at pet stores.

Aquatica Gallery's Magic Globe Aquariums offer new "Water-Vacuum" technology (which helps to keep water aerated). Each 5- to 6-gallon glass bowl has its own waterfall pouring out the side into a ceramic frog, elephant, dragon, etc. The aquariums light up with a colorful LED system which shines during the day and glows at night; $120 at www.aqauticagallery.com; 604-270-8044.

Kong Company's Wubba Friends are surprisingly fun. Each little bunny, bear or fox has what appear to be tentacles instead of arms and legs. Their appeal? Mark Hines of Kong calls it the 'wap factor' as dogs love to 'wap' themselves in the face with the toys; $8 to $14, available at pet stores.

Dogs who enjoy wapping themselves in the face don't seem so smart. No doubt, they would benefit from brain games from the Company of Animals. The Dog Spinny is like a Wheel of Fortune for Dogs. Dogs or cats can play. They spin a plastic wheel with a paw or their snout. When the wheel stops in the right place, the "fortune" (a cookie) is revealed. Similarly, the Dog Brick is a puzzle for Mensa pets. The pet moves the bones (puzzle pieces) for their own chess game, Moving the pieces just the right way yields treats for the winner. The games, named for their inventor, Nina Ottonsson, are $32.99 to $42.95 from www.happydogsplay.com

Brain exercises are fine, but so is a good old-fashioned game of fetch. The Winga is a disc that sails 200-feet in the air, farther than most people can throw a Frisbee disc or ball, because instead of using a human arm to throw, you swing a launcher; $19.99, available at pet stores (from Kurgo Products)

Spoil your dog, spare the floor. The Neater Feeder isn't so much a gift to a dog or cat as it is a present for their people. The feeder might look like an ordinary food/water bowl at first glance, but protective walls and a reservoir prevent splattered food and water. The feeder is elevated off the floor; $34.99 to $57.99 at www.neaterfeeder.com; 877-917-PETS

The Wander Collar might look like any other dog collar, but don't be fooled. It has one important extra feature; a bottle opener is attached. When you're watching the big game, you won't have to get up for an opener but just borrow your best friend's. That's what friends are for, right? At www.amazon.com and pet stores; $9.99 to $12.99.

PET STORIES and PET ARTICLES ...

Pets | Innovative Pet Gifts Sure to Please