Did you know that around 95% of pet parents get their pets gifts during the holidays? The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) is all for treating your furry friends—we are often found shopping for or making gifts for our own pets!   

If you are looking for a few cute paw-liday gift ideas or just something fun to do on a quiet night in, we have several DIY presents that are sure to win four paws up in the gift department!

Boxes, Boxes, Boxes!     

With lots of online shopping happening this time of year, it’s likely you will have one or two (or five) cardboard boxes showing up at your door soon. Don’t be so quick to send those boxes back out for recycling though, because your pet may think you brought them the most awesome gift ever.  

With a little tape, glue or paint (look for an AP seal on it to make sure it’s safe and non-toxic) you can turn those boxes into a new pet bed, tunnel or fort (a.k.a. a new, fun hiding spot). Also, some pets love cardboard boxes just as they are. Some cats will happily make use of a plain box, and some dogs love to use those boxes as a new toy to tear up! Just be sure to clean up any small bits of cardboard to prevent your pet from swallowing them. 

T-shirt, Anyone?

Do you have some old t-shirts you don’t need anymore? You can cut those old t-shirts into strips and braid them together to make a new chew or tug toy for your dog!  

If you frequently find your cat snuggled up on your clothes, consider stuffing a larger shirt with some other old t-shirts and sewing the holes closed to make a new pet bed.  You could even cut some squares from the shirt, before stuffing and sewing, to fit into a cardboard box you saved as extra bedding.  

Old Tins, New Treasures!             

Do you have any of those old popcorn tins that are popular around the holidays? Do you often find yourself wondering what to do with the tin once your popcorn is gone? 

If you do, you can paint the outside and use it as a cute, decorative way to store pet food or treats. And if you want to up your game, you can even stencil a paw print or your pet’s name on the outside of it. Personalize it just for your furry friends!

A Little Exercise, Please?

The long, cold months can be hard for some pets because they may not like the cold and they aren’t getting enough exercise. If you have an old fishing pole or even a dowel rod, attach some yarn and a bell, feather or other interesting toy and get your furry friend up and playing.  

First Aid Kit for the Win!

We all know accidents can happen, but the question is do you have a first aid kit for your pet just in case? If not, this would be a wonderful gift to put together to ensure that you will have what you need in case of a minor emergency.  

Helpful things to include would be an ice pack, absorbent gauze, adhesive tape, cotton balls, 3% hydrogen peroxide, disposable gloves, tweezers, antibiotic ointment, oral syringe, towels and liquid dishwashing detergent.   

Brr, It’s Cold Outside!

This last DIY gift may need a bit more measuring, and the right sized pet, but you could turn an old sweater into new clothing for your pet! Start by cutting a sleeve off an old sweater, making sure that the diameter of the arm will fit around your pet’s chest and that their head can fit through the end of the sleeve. Then, cut some holes for their front legs and voila, your four-legged-friend now has a new sweater for the winter! Just make sure that there are no loose strings that your pet could get tangled up in or chew on.   

While new presents can be an awesome treat for our pets, it’s always best to supervise your pet when giving them something new so they don’t accidently hurt themselves or ingest something potentially dangerous. Warmest holiday wishes to you and your pets! 

If you believe your pet has been exposed to or ingested a potentially dangerous substance, contact your veterinarian or APCC at (888) 426-4435 immediately.