A Few of Our Favorite Things – Holiday Gift Guide for Pets & Their Families 2018

One of the best things about being a pet blogger is getting the opportunity to try new products. Even though we mostly find products we like, certain ones end up being more outstanding than others, and those end up being our “keepers”.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate* links, we may receive commission if you order through those links. Some products were originally received to review, but others we purchased on our own. Links back to previous reviews usually mean we were compensated to share them originally, though we’ve received no compensation for this post (other than our DownDog Yoga Mat).

Favorite Dog Food – The Farmer’s Dog

The Farmer’s Dog, fresh dog food delivery to our door, is our favorite of all the foods we’ve tried so far. I could never go back to dry or even canned food. Luke loves this food, and the Dadz and I love the simplicity of it along with the quality ingredients. The only downside is that it’s a bit pricey, but we think it’s worth it! You can use our affiliate link to receive 50% off your first order to give it a try and see what you and your dogs think. For me, this is the closest thing to cooking Luke’s meals myself, and that makes us all happy.

Favorite Homemade Gifts – Barking Dog Organic Farm

I’d be silly if I didn’t take this opportunity to plug my own homemade 100% organic dog treats, all-natural skin care (lip balms, hand & body butter, & sugar scrubs), farm grown catnip, and other gifts for the home. Visit our Barking Dog Organic Farm store by clicking here to see what we have to offer, and enjoy a 10% discount on us by using the code: BARKINGDOG (good through 12/31/18). Shipping is always free to the contiguous US states on orders over $10.

Favorite Product for Help Around the House – Dyson Stick Vac

I complain about vacuuming all the time. It’s my least favorite household chore, and much cursing is heard as I try to drag a heavy vacuum around the house, banging into things and usually pulling the cord out of the wall in my impatience. My hubby tries to help by getting new and better vacuums, but in my opinion, there is nothing good about a full-size vacuum and he will never find one that makes me happy. I’ve gotten so tired of it, I rarely get the big vacuum out unless I need to do rugs (thankfully we have mostly wood floors). I’ve gone back to old fashioned sweeping for the most part. But my hubby did hit it right one time, when he got a Dyson stick vacuum. It’s rechargeable and cordless, similar to a hand vac but with a long handle. It gets under furniture for those piles of pet fur, and it’s so easy to pull out for small spills or quick clean-ups. I never swear at it. It comes in pretty colors too!

Favorite Book for Children – Prancie’s Prayer

I’d love to write a book someday, I think it’s a natural dream for many of us bloggers. I admire when one of my blogging friends makes that dream come true for themselves. I especially love that our friend Ellen Pilch’s book is based on a true story of how one of her cats came to live with her. Prancie’s Prayer is wonderfully illustrated, and the Christmas story is heartwarming with a happy ending. My young grandsons will be receiving this book for Christmas. It comes in Kindle, but for gifts I always prefer a real book (paperback version*). 

Favorite Aid for Fearful Dogs – Canine Coddler Weighted Blanket

We choose only natural products to help Luke with his fears. Along with the CBD oil we use, the one thing that seems to help him the most is our Canine Coddler anti-anxiety blanket. Two things that scare Luke the most are the power going out, and our neighbors shooting their guns for target practice. The minute either of those things happen I wrap Luke in this blanket and it helps him a lot. He calms down and stops shaking more quickly, especially if we sit with him as well. You can read our full review here. These blankets are currently available by pre-order only, but I wanted to still include it here because we love it so much.

Favorite Personalized Gifts – Cades & Birch

We recently did a review of Cades & Birch personalized/handmade products. I am so pleased with the crosses we received for our girls to put in my memorial garden. Our giveaway for a $50 gift card to their Etsy store is still open for a few days, and we also have a discount code to share: use WAGNWOOFPETS at checkout and receive 15% off your order (good through 2/28/19)!

Favorite Dog Toys – West Paw

We never tire of raving about West Paw products. They are Made in the USA, they use recycled materials, and Luke really enjoys a lot of their toys. His favorites are the Rando ball*, the Qwizl* interactive treat puzzle Zogoflex toy, and any of their stuffed toys. While he has been known to destroy some of those, his Rowdies* (“West Paw Rowdies – Can Luke Choose a Favorite?“) are still going strong, and the Zogoflex toys are even tougher! I also love their blankets and beds. I love to put the red Big Sky blanket* in his crate especially at Christmas time, and it washes so easily.

Favorite Cat Bed – Smiling Paws Pet Cube

If you read our blog regularly, you’ve seen our cat Samantha in her Smiling Paws Pets Cat Cube* many times. She pretty much spends the winter in there! We call it her “fort” and when it’s not cold we can flatten it into a regular bed, though she far prefers it as a fort.

Favorite New to Us Product – DownDog Customizable Yoga Mats

I’m always looking for new ways to be more relaxed and healthier. I’ve often considered yoga. I’m also one of those people that is way more apt to do something if I have the proper equipment for the activity. This customizable yoga mat from DownDog is exactly what I need to encourage myself to finally give yoga a try!

The mat comes in 5 bright and cheerful colors, is made without toxic materials, and you can choose three photos to be included on it. The mats are comfortable, durable, and water, sweat and fur resistant!  It even comes with a free downloadable guide to Doga – I think it would be fun to include Luke in this new practice. I think this mat could be used for any other exercise programs that use a mat, and could be used for dog training as well! DownDog is a proud ambassador for the ASPCA, showing their support for animal welfare.

What a great gift this would make! You can also receive 15% off with the promo code: GIFT.

Have you found any new products for your pets that you love this past year? Please share in the comments below!