Our love for our pets reached as much as spending a whopping $69.51 billion in 2017 and although the greater percentage is spent on food, we love to spoil our pets with treats, toys and other accessories. If you’re a dog owner or have a pooch in your life who loves to go on an adventurous hike, you’ll know how great they feel when you give them a gift of something they’ll appreciate. Whether you’re looking for ideas to find the perfect gift for dog lovers or for an intrepid-loving hound, then here’s some suggestions to help get you started for finding Fido that perfect gift.
Get the basics right
There’s nothing more a dog loves more than going out for a walk, regardless of the weather, and with owners reaping in health benefits of dog walking, it’s a no brainer to walk your dog regularly. Naturally, there are things to take into consideration when hiking with your pooch, particularly when you’re off on a long trek. Make sure you have the essentials packed: water container, collapsible bowl, quick drying dog towel, food and snacks. Depending on the size of your dog, you can either choose to get them their own backpack so they can carry their own supplies, or invest in a dog carry bag for smaller dogs when they feeling tired.
Dress your dog appropriately
Going out for a long hike can often mean trudging through terrain in cold weather so making sure that you and your four legged friend are dressed appropriately is vital to stay safe, and warm. Know how to choose a dog coat as there are many different varieties available to ensure your dog is nice and dry, some of which have reflective strips attached. If your doggie raincoat or puffer jacket doesn’t have any, consider buying a gift of a LED or UV dog collar as an alternative in order to prevent any potential accidents in dark or bad weather. If the walk you’re embarking on is rocky or thorny, choose quality dog booties to protect their paws but don’t forget to bring spares in case they lose any on the trek.
Keep your dog safe
Just like us, dogs have their own unique personalities so finding gifts which suit their temperament will ensure one very happy doggie. Even when your dog is a good swimmer, securing a life jacket is a must if they’re going to have fun in the water without the fear of them getting caught out in a rough current. Usually designed with maximum freedom of movement and minimum buckles or straps, it will keep your pooch safely afloat. Similarly, if you’re out in the snow or walking at high altitude, look into buying a pair of protective dog goggles to protect your dog’s eyes from the elements, particularly if your dog’s breed has light eyes.
The bond between a dog and their owner is a strong one and one way of reinforcing their love for each other can be to share the joy of a gift as an expression of this love.
The bond between a dog and their owner is a strong one and one way of reinforcing their love for each other can be to share the joy of a gift as an expression of this love.
By Lucy