DIY Holiday Gifts for Pets

Have you finished your holiday shopping? Don’t forget to pick out something for your pet! If you want to save money, or just like making things, why not go the DIY route? In this article from Arapahoe Animal Hospital, your Boulder, CO vet, serving Louisville and surrounding areas, a veterinarian lists some great homemade gifts for pets.

Fluffy will be purrfectly thrilled with a new cat tower! Get an old stepladder, a metal storage rack, or even a bookshelf. Add some smooth planks to the steps or shelves. Then, cover the whole thing in carpet or sisal rope. You can also make your feline friend a cute pet tent out of an old tee shirt and a wire hanger. Look online for step-by-step instructions.

Make your canine buddy a cute rope toy by cutting an old tee shirt into thin strips. Braid the strips together. To make it look nice, use a few different shirts and alternate colors. Then, braid the braids together and tie it off with big knots. Or, you can make Fido a treat-dispensing toy. Get some PVC pipe and caps to seal it. Drill holes in it, and then sand any sharp edges down. Fill it with kibble and put the caps on. Voila!

Shred some copy paper, and put it in a shoebox or paper bag. Or, crumple sheets of paper up around yummy treats. You can also cut the cardboard tube from a roll of toilet paper into rings, and then reassemble them into a ball. Another option is to make a little maze out of shoeboxes or even the boxes you buy soda in. Or, simply stuff fresh, safe herbs into a paper lunch bag.

Make Polly a hanging string toy by stringing popsicle sticks, playing cards, plastic bottlecaps, shower curtain rings, and/or rice cakes on a piece of twine. Or put some of these items in a wicker basket for your feathered buddy. Just check for sharp edges first.

Safety first! Never give your beloved pet anything small or sharp, or anything with dangling ropes or threads. Items coated in decorative coatings, such as paint, varnish, or glitter are also unsafe. Ask your vet for more information.

Seasons’ Greetings from all of us here at Arapahoe Animal Hospital, your Boulder, CO vet, serving Louisville and surrounding areas. Please contact us anytime!