Does the Best Dry Food for Dogs and Vacuums Make Good Gifts for the Holidays?

, , 63 Comments

Most of us want to give that magical holiday present that will wow the gift recipient. Including our pets. A yummy chew will make our dogs’ eyes go wide and bark in glee but it will last a few minutes or a few hours if you’re lucky.

Instead consider giving them a gift that will keep giving all year. One of the best things we can do for our dogs is to provide them with healthy food that will keep their bodies strong and power their brains. Wag.com offers a vast selection of delicious dry dog food and delivery to your door so you’ll never run out of food. Dog food is not shiny and bright (shouldn’t be anyway) but it will be well used and liked for a long, long time. And if they don’t like it, Wag.com offers variety to choose from. 
Research tells us that gift givers focus on the gift giving moment and gift recipients are more concerned about the practicality of the gift.
“We are seeing a mismatch between the thought processes and motivations of gift givers and recipients,” Jeff Galek, co-author of the study said. “Put another way, there may be times when the vacuum cleaner, a gift that is unlikely to wow most recipients when they open it on Christmas day, really ought to be at the top of the shopping list as it will be well used and liked for a long time.”
Seeing as the vast majority of dogs would not be pleased with a vacuum as a holiday present, what other practical presents would benefit their lives? 
Clothes are a boon for the dogs that need them. Mr. N was not built for cold weather, he has little body fat and no insulation (hair instead of fur). But equipped with a good raincoat and cozy fleeces, he’s ready to brave the soggy Portland weather. Consider getting your dog a warm coat as a holiday gift. 
Insurance is possibly the least exciting gift of all. Is anyone excited to see it under the tree? But it comes in handy and you’ll be grateful your dog is insured when you’re at the emergency vet. Peace of mind is priceless. 
Everyone who lives in your house (including your dog) enjoys being flea-free. Keep it that way with appropriate flea protection. They’ll thank you later. 
And experience gifts are never to be spurned. The Wrapsit is a crate cover that goes on your camping chair and creates a soft crate for your small dog or cat. Your pet will adore tagging along on camping trips and to the beach and to outdoor movies and concerts.
Are you getting your dog any practical presents for the holidays? Wag.com is offering our readers a chance to win a $50 gift card for a shopping spree!


This post was sponsored by Nakturnal. They are not responsible for the contents of this article. All opinions expressed are our own. 
Tweet
Pin
Share
0 Shares

Comments

comments

 

63 Responses

  4. evie

    December 8, 2016 4:35 am

    unfortunately the girls will not be getting much this yr. my oldest has terminal cancer, is getting chemo, which cost abt 500 every 3 wks, and the surgery was abt 2k. my middle child had to have a cyst removed so that was several hundred as well, so mom is pretty well broke…mom needs everything, but the kids are more important. just buying the regular foods and occasional treats. got enough toys. i really need a vac cleaner. but all will have to wait for now.

    Reply
  5. Ruth Epstein

    December 8, 2016 4:48 am

    Oy vey please please all I am asking for is a vacuum cleaner LOL. We celebrate Hanukkah so each day she will get a small token of something as it is for 8 days LOL

    Reply
  7. AliR

    December 8, 2016 7:52 am

    Whoever said a vacuum isn't a good gift is crazy! Of course, I would prefer someone to actually come and do the vacuuming for me 😉 These are great gift suggestions. Because we celebrate Hanukah, the dogs will be getting seven smaller gifts (toys, treats) and one larger gift (looking at introducing some durable puzzle games)

    Reply
  8. Janet Keefe

    December 8, 2016 12:56 pm

    It's a great idea to be practical. Since the dogs really don't know it's Christmas, and we're really mostly doing the gift giving for ourselves, it seems like a perfect idea!
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

    Reply
  10. smoki2

    December 8, 2016 5:21 pm

    Mom got me a toy, a Kurgo reversible jacket, and some cookies. I wonder what other surprises Santa will bring…

    Love and licks,
    Cupcake

    Reply
  13. Beth

    December 8, 2016 10:41 pm

    Oh my gosh, I would love a new vacuum! That's one of those things you never want to buy for yourself. Rye and Soth definitely would appreciate all of those other things more than a vacuum, but Barley likes to herd the vacuum, so she might be ok with that 🙂

    Reply
  19. Kim O.

    December 9, 2016 4:04 pm

    I have a dog, so i'll be getting a lot of toys. he has health issues that he can't have regular dog treats just prescription kind so my mom and i spoil him with toys lots of them

    Reply
  22. ouzel

    December 9, 2016 8:32 pm

    I'll be getting my cat a new cat bed because he seems to have taken a liking to my pillow.
    Which is fine, but he's a big cat and that leaves me very little pillow. 🙂
    thanks!

    Reply
  26. Amy Orvin

    December 10, 2016 3:47 am

    I am getting Toby Tangles some really cute new toys. I especially like the blinking snowflake balls from Petsmart. I am also getting her some treats that she loves. I already have her stocking hung.

    Reply
  34. FiveSibesMom

    December 12, 2016 3:53 am

    Sometimes practical items do make really good gifts…maybe not fun for our pet, but appreciated by the humans! FiveSibes are getting (lots of) treats, they all just received early gifts of new beds (that's practical, and they love them,too), and toys!

    Reply
  35. Talent Hounds

    December 12, 2016 4:21 am

    Kilo has been enjoying testing treats and toys. FOOD is his number one fave gift. I like the look of an iRob ot Vacuum that has been buzzing across TV here picking up dog hair.
    Mr N is the cutest.

    Reply
  37. Bryn Nowell

    December 12, 2016 3:56 pm

    Great post with some awesome ideas that a lot of folks probably wouldn't think about giving! I love the insurance idea. It's something that we would most certainly use and would be so helpful from a piece of mind perspective.

    Reply
  39. FidoseofReality

    December 12, 2016 8:56 pm

    I ordered Dexter some paw cream as a practical present. Just today I saw rock salt on the sidewalks after the snow we had last night. So he is also getting new booties. Practical yes, but necessary.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.