YES, yes, we know - pets are for life, not just for Christmas, blah blah blah. But they are also for giving presents to, especially if said presents come in the shape of squeaky steaks or cat fighter planes. Here are some gift suggestions to get their tails wagging come the 25th
SQUEAKY T-BONE STEAK
This lifelike toy will help relieve your dog’s boredom while you’re out carol singing or sleeping off a huge lunch in front of the Queen’s Speech. The squeaker provides additional entertainment for doggy, while also handily ensuring that you don’t fall into a coma and miss Dr Who. Stuffed with polyfil made from recycled bottles, it is also environmentally friendly. £8.49, {http://www.k9active.co.uk|www.k9active.co.uk|www.k9active.co.uk}
ROSEWOOD FESTIVE SWEATER
Ah, dogs. They just love to join in with all manner of Christmas activities don’t they? From polishing off leftover turkey to howling along with Top of the Pops, they’re always in the yuletide mix. Thus far, though, the “fun” of loud and tasteless seasonal knitwear has been a solely human concern, but no longer! This year it’s finally time to let your best pal join in the larks in a cute, snazzy hooded sweater (100 per cent polyester! Machine washable!) which boasts a snowflake pattern reaching almost cliffrichardian levels of festiveness. £9.99, {http://www.petplanet.co.uk|www.petplanet.co.uk|www.petplanet.co.uk}
DOGBRICK
Pointlessly boost Bonzo’s cognitive puzzle-solving skills with this interactive feeder. You hide treats in the puzzle and your dog uses his nose or paw to slide the bricks to find the treat. Or asks the cat to work it out for him. What a hoot! If you come home to find Fido has picked the puzzle apart with a screwdriver and rebuilt it as a scale model of the Queen Mary, he has learned too much. £29.99, {http://www.orvis.co.uk|orvis.co.uk|orvis.co.uk}
DANISH DESIGN CRINKLE PLAY BAG
Cat climbs into bag. Cat catches a sniff of the pouch of catnip tucked therein... 24-hour party cat! This rustling den of fun is just big enough for kitty to hide the TV remote in, so he can crinkle himself silly while you can’t hear Cash in the Attic. £8.99, {http://www.petplanet.co.uk|petplanet.co.uk|petplanet.co.uk}
CAT PLAY HOUSE PLANE
The year is 1941, and Britain weeps as wave upon wave of enemy bombers rain havoc upon her cities. Casualties are high and morale is low. In a bid to reverse the Axis onslaught, RAF top brass embark on a hush-hush mission, teaching cats to become fighter pilots. Their predatory instinct and ruthless cunning should help Blighty regain control of the skies! Sadly, an official dossier from the time notes: “Mission abandoned. Trainees only interested in flying after sparrows and shooting down homing pigeons on their way back from the front. Bally fools.” £13.99, {http://www.iwantoneofthose.com|iwantoneofthose.com|iwantoneofthose.com}