What to get your pets for Christmas

If they are more family than furry friend, there's no reason to not get them something this Christmas right?

You actually wouldn't be alone thinking this as 74% of cat owners and 85% of dog owners usually get their special animal a gift.

With that in mind, the next question that arises is what to get for them?

With a massive present list already, this isn't always a good thing, but surely Spike or Mittens can't be too hard to buy for.

The usual presents for pets include some kind of treat or toy that'll be eaten/destroyed before Christmas dinner is out of the oven.  

The challenge for a lot of people is keeping the presents in tact, under the tree, and still a surprise by the time Christmas morning rolls around.

With a sense of smell that 40 times greater than ours, it is no real surprise that doggy treats and food related presents never seem to last.

Another form of treating your pets on Christmas is giving them food directly from the table, however you should watch out what you are feeding them.

Bombay Pet Food's manager Dave Allan says that one day of eating human food won't be too bad, but he warns against making it a regular habit.

Sugary foods are a no-no, and he also warns against giving cats cream, saying that it will cause a sore stomach, a cat with diarrhoea is anything but a Christmas wish.

"You don't want to give your dog the ham bone nor any turkey bones and remember to hang those chocolate ornaments above dog-level on the Christmas tree," Allan says.

A safe bone, appropriately sized for the dog (and raw, not cooked) or a rawhide or pig's ear "Christmas cracker" are good food treats for canines. Cats will probably appreciate a bit of turkey or roast chicken. After all, they are part of the family...