Many people view their pets as family members rather than just as animals, so often our yearly holiday shopping includes gifts for our pets as well as family and friends. One of the most important gifts you can buy for your pet is a sturdy collar with an I.D. tag. Our clients will sometimes bring in strays they have found to see if we can help locate the owners, and I am amazed at the number of these lost pets that are wearing a collar but no identification. An even better idea would be to have your pets microchipped. A microchip is approximately this size: I. It is injected under the skin between the shoulder blades, and it is encoded with a combination of letters and numbers that is unique to your pet. A scanner allows a veterinarian or the animal shelter to read this number, and they can then contact the manufacturer to obtain the owner's name and address. The major advantage of a microchip is it is impossible for your pet to lose it, but it can also give more information than a tattoo or I.D. tag, and the information can be easily updated when you move.

Another gift idea would be basic training classes, either with a group or in one-on-one lessons with a trainer. Obedience training not only makes your dog more confident and relaxed because he knows what is expected, it will also allow him much more interaction with family members and other people because he will be a pleasure to be around instead of a nuisance. Dogs (and even cats) are very social animals, and they thrive on attention and love from their owners. It makes such a difference to play with a well-trained, obedient dog versus one who is hyper and out of control.

There are several good trainers in our area that offer both group classes and individual instruction. If you prefer, you can also invest in a training book to help you to train your dog yourself. One of my favorite authors in this field is John Ross, but there are a number of good books available. Make sure the book you chose gives simple, straight-forward instructions; if it is too complicated, both you and your dog will become frustrated.

A little more unusual gift idea for your pet would be to start an insurance policy for them. There are several companies which now offer various policies for pets, some which just cover illnesses and emergencies and some which also help cover routine preventative health care. Having pet insurance can be a tremendous help if your pet suffers an accident or major illness.

If you have any questions or want further information about any of these gift ideas, check with your family veterinarian. Just remember, the most important gift you can give your pet is lots of love and attention!