4 October is World Animal Day. The shops fill up with toys tied with bows, but the best gifts for pets don't have to be big or expensive. The gift that works is the one that fits in with what your animal does every day: eat, sniff, play and sleep. Here are ideas for your dog and your cat that they'll keep using long after the 4th, and a few things that are best left in the shop.
Why it's celebrated on 4 October
4 October is the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. It has been World Animal Day since 1931, with the aim of drawing attention to animal welfare. At home, it's a good excuse to do something special for your pet. Better something your pet enjoys than something that only looks nice in a photo.
Gifts for pets: ideas for your dog
- Turn mealtimes into a game. Many dogs empty their bowl in less than a minute. A slow feeder with ridges or sections makes them search and lick, so the meal lasts longer. The silicone slow feeder with 5 zones and a bowl works for both dogs and cats.
- A sniffing game. Hide some of their kibble in a rolled-up towel or an old egg box, or scatter it over the lawn. Sniffing is hard work for a dog's nose: ten minutes of searching leaves many dogs nicely tired out.
- A new route. Hills or a park your dog doesn't know are a feast of new smells. And with the cooler autumn weather, you can make the walk longer.
- Tough toys in the right size. Choose toys that are bigger than your dog's mouth and can stand up to chewing. Small or broken pieces can be swallowed.
Gifts for your cat
- A feather wand. Cats are hunters. Two short play sessions a day are worth more than a basket of toys that nobody touches. At the end, let your cat catch the ‘prey’ and give it a treat: that way the hunt ends on a high.
- A box or a paper bag. Free and almost always a favourite. Cut the handles off the bag so your cat doesn't get tangled up.
- A warm corner. In autumn, cats seek out warmth. A blanket on the windowsill or a cushion near the radiator usually gets claimed straight away.
- Eating more slowly. If your cat wolfs down its food in four mouthfuls, a slow feeder will help it slow down too.
Time and attention: the gift that costs nothing
For most animals, your attention is the best gift of all. Brush your dog or cat calmly; in the middle of shedding season, they'll thank you for it. Teach your dog a new trick using small treats, or set aside some playtime at the same time every day. Short, frequent sessions work better than a long afternoon every now and then.
What's best not to give
- Sweets meant for people. Chocolate, grapes, raisins and xylitol (found in sugar-free chewing gum and some peanut butters) are toxic to dogs.
- Cooked bones. They can splinter.
- Lilies in the house. If someone gives you flowers, be careful: lilies are highly toxic to cats, pollen included.
- Too many treats. Count them as part of their daily food allowance, especially if your pet puts on weight easily.
- A pet as a surprise. A pet is a commitment for many years. Never give an animal to someone who hasn't chosen it.
Something for the owner and for animals without a home
Autumn is also shedding season, so hair on the sofa and on your coat is bound to appear. A self-cleaning, reusable pet hair remover is a practical gift for anyone with a dog or cat at home.
If you'd like to do something that day for animals that don't have a home yet, many animal shelters welcome donations, pet food or old blankets. Ask first what they need, because not all of them can use everything.
More practical things for your pet and your home in our full selection.