7th December 2009

Christmas Wrapped Up

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It's that time of year again when we let you know some of our favourite picks for Christmas for pets and pet lovers.

Let's start with presents for the pets themselves. Of course, your dog will be just as happy with a biscuit in a paper bag as a smart new collar and lead, but we like to find something to spoil them with at Christmas, so here are a few ideas.

Smart country dogs can now have their own Dog Waxed Jackets (from £9.95). Make it extra-special by having your dog's name smartly sewn onto the coat at no extra cost. Available from The original Gift Company at www.theoriginalgift.co.uk, or take a trip together to their charming shop in Stow-on-the-Wold in the Cotswolds.

The FleaZapper is a new chemical-free way to detect and kill fleas. There's no need to shampoo or wet the fur, which so many dogs and especially cats hate so much, so this is definitely a gift for them. You just turn on the electric comb, and whenever the comb's teeth come into contact with a flea they are killed and the buzzing sound stops. You reactivate the comb and continue.

FleaZapper is available from Tesco Direct; VioVet; Amazon, and independent pharmacies and pet shops. Or call the Oris Beauty Customer Service Line on 0208 8858016.

We've also looked at presents that benefit both pet and owner. Dog training based around 'how your dog embarrasses you' is the focus of a new book from Interpet Publishing called Doggy Problems Solved by Amanda O'Neill (RRP £9.99). Find it here.

Dog owners will easily relate to this entertaining and informative book packed with factual and helpful advice in a unique style. The book brings a smile to readers' faces as they learn about dog behaviour and training whilst also remembering just how embarrassing their dog is at times!

If your dog or a friend's dog is growing older, you might like to consider the beautifully titled, How To Make An Old Dog Happy by Oliver Lagalisse, from Souvenir Press (RRP £12.99). It's billed as a must for all owners of elderly dogs, who want to enhance their old companion's life, and covers behavioural changes, different nutritional requirements, routines adapted for the older dog and help on pet insurance for the older pet. It's available from Amazon.

On to another brilliant invention - one that every dog-walker will be glad of. No more having to feel the texture of your dog's poo through the plastic bag, or to enjoy the smell of it as you walk to the nearest bin, which is always at the other end of the park. The Poopsta (special offer price £14.95) simply, effectively and hygienically transforms a rubber band and a biodegradable plastic bag into the ultimate 4-in-1 poop scooping system. It picks, packs, contains and carries too! See the video of how it works and order online at http://www.poopsta.com/.

If you always have a problem with your cat walking on the kitchen worktops while you're preparing Christmas lunch, or you have to visit relatives who have a 'no dogs on the sofa' rule that your pet finds hard to adhere to, this spray deterrent might help you have a more relaxing Christmas.

PetSafe Pawz Away Deluxe Spray Deterrent (RRP £45) is effective for both dogs and cats of all sizes and is a safe, humane stimulus to deter pets from entering restricted areas by emitting an odourless spray that dogs and cats find unpleasant. It dissipates quickly and is non-staining and is safe for humans and pets. It has an adjustable range motion sensor which monitors for movement up to 3 feet away. When your dog or cat is detected, the unit sends a quick, safe spray that startles the pet and the animal will quickly learn to avoid areas that are off-limits. The small design allows for the unit to sit, hang or be placed just about anywhere in the home. More information from www.petsafe.net.

PetSafe haven't forgotten humans in their product range, with the ideal Christmas gift for people plagued by nuisance barking from other people's pets. Outdoor Bark Deterrent has been launched to prevent excessive barking from up to 15 metres away, making it ideal for silencing dogs in neighbouring gardens.

The device works by emitting an ultrasonic sound, which can be heard by dogs but is silent to humans. It detects barking from up to 15 metres away and has 4 range settings. Whenever their dog - or their neighbour's dog - barks, they will hear a safe, high-pitched sound (inaudible to humans) that will deter their barking. In an unobtrusive birdhouse design, the unit blends perfectly in any garden, hung in a tree, a pole or a fence post. More information from http://www.petsafe.net/Intl/UK/Products/Bark-Control/Ultrasonic/Outdoor-Bark-Control.aspx.

For more traditional Christmas gifts, the PDSA has a wonderful range this year. There are 40 favourite breeds featured in their doggy calendar range, which cost just £8.99. You'll also love their wrapping paper - our favourite is the very stylish gold paper with black silhouette dog or cat designs.

Children will love the dog crackers, (£14.99 for 6) with cute puppies as a design and even cuter dog toys with moving legs inside. There's a massive range of stocking fillers and gifts for pet owners, but also lots of practical presents for pets. We like the Ergonomic Dog Feeder (£24.99) which holds food and water bowls and can be adjusted in height to help older pets who might be a bit stiff, to eat in comfort. Find all of this online at www.pdsa-shop.co.uk or call 0844 557 5418 for a catalogue.

If you know a pet lover who'd just like to curl up with their dog or cat and a good book, and you enjoyed our recent extract, consider Belinda Harley's new book, Mad About The Dog,, published by Souvenir Press. In it, she describes how she met the dog that was to change her life and teach her a lesson in love. Mad About The Dog is the intensely moving true story of Goofy's extraordinary journey to be permanently united with Belinda.

PHC readers can order Mad About The Dog for the special price of £8.99 (£1 off RRP) by calling 01235 827702 and quoting GOOFY. Postage & packing is free on all UK orders.Alternatively, visit Amazon or look in good bookshops.

And finally, if you know someone who'd love a pet but just can't commit to the time or money to keep one, satisfy their pet-owner aspirations with The Original Gift Company's Sleeping Animals (£19.95 each). These heart-warming gifts are amazingly realistic as they breathe whilst they sleep - so much so you'll be compelled to reach out and give them a cuddle! Find them www.theoriginalgift.co.uk

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