The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for Your Furry Friends

The holiday season is the perfect time to spoil your furry family members with gifts that bring joy, enrichment, and fun into their lives. To help you pick the perfect presents, we have enlisted Joybound’s Senior Director of Animal Admissions and Wellbeing, Dr. Wailani Sung. As a board-certified veterinary behaviorist and expert in animal behavior, Dr. Sung has carefully curated this list of her favorite items that are sure to keep tails wagging and whiskers twitching with excitement.

Let’s unwrap her favorites! 

Dr. Sung’s Top Picks for Cats

1. Plush Kicker Toy:

For the cats that love to wrestle, this is a must-have. This long, stuffed toy gives your cat the perfect outlet for grabbing and kicking with their hind legs, just like they would with a wrestling partner. 

2. Food Puzzle Toys:

Keep your cat’s mind sharp and their body healthy with food puzzle toys. These engaging tools encourage your cat to work for their meals, slowing down eating, preventing overeating, and providing hours of mental and physical enrichment. 

3. Springs:

Cats love the unpredictable bounce of these simple toys. Launch them across the room and watch your cat’s playful instincts come to life as they chase, pounce, and bat them around. 

4. Scratch Pad:

Help your cat stay active and happy while saving your furniture! A scratch pad provides the perfect surface for cats to stretch their legs, shed nail sheaths, and satisfy their natural scratching instincts. It’s a win-win for both you and your feline friend. 

5. Top and Front-Loading Carrier:

Travel with ease! This carrier makes trips to the vet stress-free for both you and your cat. The top entry allows easy access for examinations, while the front entry lets you entice your cat with treats when it’s time to head out. 

Dr. Sung’s Top Picks for Dogs

1. Burrow Dog Puzzler:

For dogs who love digging and pulling out stuffing, this toy is a dream come true. Hide smaller toys or treats inside the burrow to keep your pup entertained. It is like a puzzle with a surprise — and the fun can start all over again when you refill it! 

2. Holey Roller:

Stuff this versatile toy with smaller toys or treats to keep your dog entertained for hours. It’s a wonderful way to encourage problem-solving and play, while also providing mental stimulation. 

3. Lick Mat:

Spread peanut butter, baby food, or canned dog food onto a lick mat to give your dog a calming, enriching activity. The grooves make it challenging for your dog to clean, keeping them occupied while you enjoy a little break for yourself. 

4. Wobble Treat Dispenser:

Turn mealtime into playtime. This toy dispenses food as your dog knocks it around, keeping them engaged and teaching them to use their paws or nose to get to their reward. It’s both fun and functional. 

5. Slow Bowl:

Does your dog inhale their food? This creative dish slows down eating, making mealtime more enriching and reducing the risk of digestive issues. It’s a straightforward way to keep your pup happy and healthy.  

Start Your Pet’s Holiday Shopping

You’ll find all these paw-some gifts at Lou Russa’s Boutique in Walnut Creek! Every purchase supports shelter animals and our life-changing programs, making your holiday shopping meaningful and impactful.

(Lou Russa’s Boutique is open during Joybound’s adoption hours)

You can also purchase these gifts (and much more) through our special Pet Food Express affiliate link, where a percentage of your purchase total will be donated to Joybound to help more pets find loving homes.

Looking to make a direct impact? You can purchase these items to donate to cats in dogs in our care who are still waiting for the greatest gift of all — a home for the holidays. Drop them off or have them shipped directly to us when you shop online. Each gift helps bring joy to the animals in our care this holiday season.

Whether you’re shopping for your own pets or looking to make a difference, there are so many ways to spread joy this season.

Let’s make the holidays truly special for pets and people alike!

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