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As pet owners, there's common wisdom we pass on to the newbies in our ranks. For dogs, it's the frozen Kong; for cats, the scratching tower. But with new, inventive pet brands hitting the market every day, those tips are just the tip of the iceberg. This holiday season, we're digging deep into the best the internet can provide for our little furballs: thirteen gifts so fun and inventive they're destined to become staples. Stay ahead of the curve with this shoppable gift guide – the pets in your life will thank you.
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THIS ONE'S FOR THE PUPS
Equally healthy as Sundays but in a totally different format, Nomnom is our pick for the fresh food lovers out there. While every dog owner has their preference, fresh food is highly digestible and thus gives your dogs the nutrition they need without any excess waste. Especially since Nomnom tailors the perfect meals for your pup based on their breed and diet history – it's the subscription service designed to have them looking and feeling their best.
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As essential as crate training was for me and my dog, our very first crate was… a bit of an eyesore. Say goodbye to the giant steel cage and give a grateful hello to Fable's gorgeous dog crate, a minimalist wooden wonder that couldn't look more inviting. It's so chic it even doubles as a side table, a fab new piece of furniture for both you and your furry friend. How's that for a win-win?
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I can hear it now: "My dog likes everything." But in a blind taste test against the "best tasting" commercial kibbles, Sundays received paws of approval 40-to-0. It's a delicious mix of fresh meat, veggies and health-boosting fruits, so good that my Finny goes wild when the box comes out. But it's got more than taste: these human-grade ingredients are packed with vitamins, and gently air-dried so all of those nutrients remain intact. All you've gotta do is choose chicken or beef.
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While Kong is undoubtedly the heavyweight in the freezable-treat-dispenser game, my dog completely lost interest in his a few months ago. Frazzled to have lost his reliable half-hour chew sessions, I was over the moon to hear about Woof's Pupsicle. It's so much easier to clean, and with the brand’s refillable ice molds, I'm able to freeze whatever food I want in a shape that fits perfectly inside. An extra shoutout for the Pupsicle Pops ($15.26), premade peanut butter and chicken treats for those days when you just don't have it in you to start from scratch.
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I've been a dog clothing skeptic for years now, and even I can't resist this Flower Power Sweater. It's the heavy ribbing, the cuffed sleeves, the color palette that has no right being that gorgeous on a chihuahua. Made in machine washable, super soft acrylic yarn, this is a genuine piece of well-made clothing right here. And the gateway into puppy fashion photography, which we can't even blame you for.
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KITTIES, MAKE SOME NOISE
When I was younger all I wanted was a canopy bed to daydream under… alas, my parents vetoed that one real quick. Be the change I wish to see in the world by gifting your favorite cat a Cat Person canopy bed, as comfy and ergonomic as it is aesthetically pleasing. With modern design touches and memory foam cushions, both you and your cat will be equally happy to bring this one home.
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If the word "robot" turns you off, the slogan "never scoop litter again" miiiiight just reel you back in. The Litter Robot 4 is futuristic in all the best ways, a self-cleaning, automatic litter box that provides you with real-time monitoring of waste and litter levels. Even its shape, with the included fence and step, is designed to stop litter from tracking all over your floors. It's stylish, comfortable, and massively cuts down on odors. What more could you want?
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PrettyLitter is a bonafide game changer. Made of silica gel crystals that change color when potential health issues arise, it can flag possible kidney disease, bladder inflammation, and even cancer before symptoms are even noticeable. So not only is it lighter and better-smelling than traditional litters, it just might be the thing that saves your cat's life one day. Not too shabby for $24 a month.
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Even when your cat makes their way home after every brave solo outing, it can be a little nerve-wracking having no idea where they're cruising around. Tractive's GPS Tracker collar nips those worries in the bud with location updates that refresh every few seconds and up to 7 days of battery life. Even better, you can set a Virtual Fence that gives you quick alerts whenever your cat strays beyond your preferred boundaries. Because yes, you've become that pet parent.
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As covered above in the canine section, raw food has become a very popular choice for dog owners hoping to give their pets a less processed diet. But cats are just as wild at heart (to put it lightly), and for centuries were evolved to eat raw proteins. Take yours back to its roots with Bella & Duke's vet-approved, filler-free cat foods, available in lamb + duck, turkey + chicken and chicken + salmon. Since raw food arrives frozen, any shipments you send as a gift can be stored indefinitely and defrosted before mealtime – no food waste here. Just a well-balanced, affordable jolt of nutrients.
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Even cult-favorite boutique brand Public Goods has gotten into the cat care game. Its catnip is every bit as gorgeous as you would expect, an organic mix of fresh leaves and flowers grown in Washington State. Your cat will come for the smells and stay for the natural essential oils designed to excite and then calm them. That five-star average rating doesn't lie.