Pampering Pets for the Holidays

Pampering Pets For The Holidays

BY PAMILLA S TOLEN

If you are a pet owner, or own a business that deals in pet products, it doesn’t take much research to realize that pet products and services are a goldmine. According to the APPA (American Pet Owners Association) about 68% or roughly 85 million households in the United States own one or more pets. If that makes you think “ca-ching”, you aren’t alone. There are endless types of businesses that cater to your favorite pet and they exist because we spend billions of dollars each year on everything from veterinary fees to toys.

More households own a dog, but cats top the list at the total number of pets owned. The third on the list is fish, followed in order of number owned, by birds, Guinea Pigs and Gerbils, hamsters, rabbits, turtles, Ferrets and finally snakes and lizards, and horses.

In addition to the growing number of pet owners, the necessity for an expanded number of pet services has surfaced. Some of the more popular services include behavioral training, dog walking, daycare and boarding, mobile grooming, pet photography, pet sitting and playtime services, and last but not least, pet insurance. After all, our pet companions have become part of our families and we have come to the point where we desire the same focus on health and wellness as we do for ourselves.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average household spends approximately $500 a year on their pets. This figure equates to over $42.5 billion spent each year on pet services and products. With that in mind, we thought this Holiday season it was only fair to dedicate an article to ideas for pampering your pet. After all, if we’re going to spend that much money, let’s look at some creative ways to do it locally and in style.

For those that love luxury and want to extend that to gift ideas for their pets we offer these suggestions:

Warm Beverages

After spending time outdoors, especially as the weather gets cooler, your pets might like their own healthy hot beverages. According to ilovepets.com, some suggestions for these beverages include bone broth. They suggest making a bone broth in a slow cooker, then freezing extra broth in an ice cube tray. When you want to warm up a cup, microwave a cube to just warmer than room temperature, stir and serve.

Other ideas for savory brews are using chicken or vegetable stock from your favorite grocery store. However, be sure to look for the low sodium varieties that don’t contain onion. Herbal green tea is a healthy treat for your pet, plus it is packed with vitamins and antioxidants.

Spa treatment

Spas for pets have become very popular. Extended grooming packages can include; deep shampoos and conditioners, nail grooming, tear stain removal, ear cleaning, specialized hair styles and teeth cleaning. These little eccentricities are not only refreshing, they add to the overall health and well-being of your pet. If you’re looking for all-out luxury for your pet, check out the Tuscarora Country Club for Dogs in Mount Pleasant, NC. Not only do they provide luxurious spa facilities, they also offer transportation in Concord, Kannapolis and the greater Charlotte area. In addition, they have motorized buggy rides along the Tuscarora Nature Trails, luxury suites that have heating, cooling and even ceiling fans for your pet’s comfort.

Holiday or Special Treats

They are a great idea you can make right in your own kitchen. At allrecipes.com/recipes, we found a tasty treat to share. It is their Good Dog Cookies recipe:

INGREDIENTS

• 2 ½ cups whole wheat flour

• 2/4 cup nonfat dry milk powder

• 1 egg, beaten

• ½ cup vegetable oil

• 2 cups beef bouillon cube

• 2/4 cup boiling water

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

DIRECTIONS

1.Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Lightly grease one cookie sheet.

2.Dissolve bouillon cubes in boiling water and allow to cool.

3.Combine the flour, dry milk, egg oil, beef broth and brown sugar. Mix well and knead dough for 1 minute.

4.On a floured surface roll out dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Cut out bones and place on cookie sheet.

5.Bake for 30 minutes and allow to cool.

If you are not a baker and want to buy treats, there are a variety of pet stores in the area that sell packaged products, as well as online retailers. If you want to give your pet an unbelievably special treat, then Canine Café, located on Remount Road in Charlotte, is the place to explore. It is an onsite canine bakery that runs the gamut on special treats for your pet. They have everything from Petit Fours; cannoli; tarts; frozen and chilled doggie daiquiris; brownies; iced cookies (nonrefrigerated); cupcakes and more. But the most featured product is their personalized custom cakes, plus a large selection of party supplies.

Daytrip or Vacation

There is a growing industry of petfriendly hotels, as pets love to be included in festivities. Dog Parks are a favorite and we have some very nice ones in Cabarrus County, such as Weddington Road Dog Park, that offer fenced, wooded areas and large gated fields for both small and large dogs to run. Not too far away is Fisher Farm in Davidson, NC. It offers multiple walking paths and paved trails. You can also take a picnic and have a game of Frisbee, mountain bike and it even has a 5K cross country course. If you want to travel further and also offer your dog a luxurious place to vacation, the James Island Country Park in Charleston, SC provides a special place. According to their website the park features a dog beach, four acres of open grassy space, a cleaning station, fenced play area for small dogs, and waste stations and a paved walking trail. Plus, you’re canine even gets a cookie when they go through the gate.

For more suggestions, go online and surf for day trips for pets in North Carolina. There are a variety of suggestions that are fun for both your pet and you.

Better Pet Health

Care for your pet’s health and its quality of life is of the utmost importance. This includes yearly pet check-ups with blood work, which can indicate early stages of kidney disease before it becomes serious. Make sure their teeth are cleaned regularly to prevent periodontal disease as they age.

The trend in the pet industry is going natural. Organic and natural food markets for pets forecast food sales to hit 6.8 billion dollars in 2019. Labels for pet food are cleaner and with fewer processed foods.

Enjoy your pet and don’t forget to pamper them just a little. Happy Holidays to all our canine friends.

Clothing

Clothing can also be very important for protection as well as comfort, especially when taking your pet outside in colder weather. It can be anything from boots when the ground is cold and snowy, to holiday fashions that go along with people’s desire to decorate everything during the holidays, including themselves. This category is essentially focused on dogs because according to Drs. Foster and Smith, “cats just don’t feel pampered or pleased when wearing anything other than a collar.”

If you want to go all out in this category, PoshPuppyBoutique.com features designer apparel for your pet. Additionally, it offers everything from strollers and carriers for travel, to all types of holiday and party costumes, jewelry, collars, and toys.

Upgrade your Pet’s Bed

You might even provide additional beds in their favorite places. Make sure that the bed has a removable outer covering that can be washed. A bed for a pet is not only a comfortable place to relax; to a pet a bed represents safety and security. So, make sure your pet’s bed is not only comfortable, but also a haven for them.

Grow Your Pet’s Toy Collection.

Although this is a way to make your pet’s life a little more enjoyable, they are also very necessary to your pet’s emotion well-being. According to Drs. Foster and Smith www.doctorsfostersmith. com, “both cats and dogs need a selection of toys to keep them occupied, active and to help prevent boredom-related behavioral issues.”

They suggest simple furry play mice or a small, crinkly ball. If you want a more advanced toy you might want to check out the Body Balance Ball Cat Toys available online at a variety of stores. For your dog, they recommend toys that they can chew, but they also warn you to only give them toys specifically made for dogs.