10 Christmas Gifts Under $20 for Your Pets

Christmas Hot List: 10 Pet-Lover Approved Gifts for Under $20

Holiday shopping season is here already? Say it ain’t so.

But let’s not forget to pick up a little something special from “Santa” for our four-legged friends this holiday! They may have just as much fun opening the gifts as they do playing with them!

Who knows better than pet people on what are the best gifts and treats? Below are 10 reasonably priced, pet-lover endorsed presents for your cherished animals you can buy online!

1.) SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Electronic Concealed Motion Cat Toy

Fur Star Pet Care’s own Jeanette Hale recommends this awesome cat toy! The kitties just love this!

A toy attaches to a small motor below the fabric circle. The toy moves under the fabric but then peeks out as it moves along. This really keeps the cats interested. The blinking lights feature also adds to the entertainment.

Columbus Ohio area quality cat sitter SmartyKat cat toy

Penelope playing with a SmartyKat Hot Pursuit toy!

The toy shuts off after a while to save on power and limit stimulation. Jeanette says, “Our cats love it so much, they sleep on it! Sometimes even when it’s off!”

Currently $15.14 from Chewy.com

2.) Cat Dancer 101: Cat Dancer Interactive Cat Toy

Is your cat relentlessly attacking the Christmas tree? This Cat Dancer toy may be just the diversion you need to give that tree a break!

The Cat Dancer is a very simple toy that makes for hours of fun. It’s a piece of curved wire with cardboard at either end.

One user says, “This is the cheapest, most amazing cat toy ever. Never met a cat that wouldn’t play with it for hours.”

This fun toy is only $2.09 at PetCo.

3.) Colorful Springs Cat Toys

If you were a kid in the days before tablets and smartphones, you probably played with a Slinky or the spring stopper behind the door. Well turns out cats can pass the time playing with springy toys as well.

These colorful springs come in packs of 10. One cat mom in Alberta, Canada says that her kitty loves to play with these colorful coils.

Columbus Ohio area quality cat pet sitter cat toy colorful coil springs

Colorful coils for cats!

These thrills are cheap at just $4.57 from Amazon!

4.) KONG Naturals Cat Scratcher

Is it time for a new scratching post? Perhaps you’d want to try an inclined scratching product for your cat? The KONG Naturals Cat Scratcher is cheap and has received great reviews!

It has a no-mess design and is made with quality materials.

Chewy offers this great product for just $6.89! 

5.) Temptations Treats for Cats

Guess which product is the number one selling cat treat product on Amazon? It is the chicken flavored Temptations treats!

Amazon users warn that this product is highly addictive. Your cats probably won’t want anything else, including their supper! Buyer beware.

man near orange tabby cat

Photo by Vlad Bagacian on Pexels.com

A 30-ounce container of Temptations runs about $15 from Amazon.

6.) Keeping Busy with Pawzzles

Whoever decided to make getting treats a challenge has got to be a genius. When pulling yummies out of a Kong isn’t quite challenging enough for your pooch, there are pawzzles!

See how smart your dog is by watching them work at these puzzles to earn their tasty reward.

These cool contraptions start at about $11 on Amazon

7.) Kong Toy Jumbler Disc

Another toy that will keep a dog busy because of its puzzling nature is the Saturn-shaped KONG Jumbler Disc toy!

In the center of the disc is a spherical compartment that can house other toys, like their favorite ball. The pup can spend hours trying to get at the insides!

One California dog mom says, “they cannot destroy it and have so much fun chasing it. So durable.”

You can order one of these from Pets Warehouse for only $8.96!

8.) BarkShop Best Bets

Amongst all the rough and tumble dog toys are the softer and cuter dog toys. One website offers really cute plushies for your pooch to play with!

A Missouri-based dog mom doted over the Murphy’s Mochi toy from Bark Shop! Unfortunately, this was a seasonal offering, and that season has passed. But there are brand new products to pick from that are just as cute!

Heli-yum Balloons is a close match to the Mochi. You can order one now for $10.

Order soon, because some Bark Shop designs are seasonal and limited edition!

9.) Chuckit! Ultra Grip Dog Ball Launcher

Fetch! It’s what dogs live for. What better way to get some post-Christmas dinner exercise than to toss the ball around in the yard and try out your dog’s new toy!

One Ontario, Canada dog mom says that the ChuckIt! ball his her good boy’s, “Most prized possession.”

Columbus Ohio area quality dog sitter walker fetch ball

Bear loves his ChuckIt ball!

$11.95 will set you up with a launcher and a ball on Amazon! You can, of course, buy extra balls in various sizes. You can add some fun with balls that glow in the dark or whistle. All the balls are reasonably priced.

10.) Bully Sticks: Treats for Dogs

Another product recommended by this dog mom are Bully Sticks. Like herself, other buyers prefer the odorless version of these treats!

They look just like a cinnamon stick!

They last a while and dogs love them! Try out a new treat this holiday! Orders start at around $15 from the Bully Sticks website.

BONUS TOY: Good Boys Go Ballistic over the BazooK-9

This takes tennis ball fetch to the next level! We think it fits perfectly under the tree, too.

Dog toy tennis balls Columbus Ohio area pet sitter pet care

The BazooK-9, Loads of fun!

You can take this to the park for around $20 when your order through Chewy.

Your furry friends have been good all year for Santa. Don’t forget to put something under the tree for them this holiday!

Read More: Season of Giving, How to Help Our Columbus Area Animal Organizations.

Original Version Published Dec 18, 2018

Animals in the Workforce: These 9 Skilled Creatures Have Jobs

Labor Day is just around the corner. As we all know, this day was set aside to recognize the contribution of American workers.

While humans make up the bulk of the workforce, they aren’t the only ones who have jobs. Animals can be trained to work alongside humans.

Animals have sharper senses than humans, be it hearing, seeing or smelling. We recruit these creatures to amplify our abilities in the ways we fall short.

Horse Power

animals that have jobs.

Image: Wikipedia

Ages ago long-distance travel was made easier with the help of animals. Camels, donkeys, and, of course, horses carried humans on their backs or drove carts and carriages.

While horseback riding has become more of a tradition or recreational activity in modern times, horses are still used for police transportation.

From automobiles to motorcycles, and even helicopters a police force has access to all kinds of transportation. Horses don’t typically travel as fast as a car and they can’t fly as high as a helicopter, but they can provide officers a specific vantage point.

Mounted police can move through crowds with ease and be able to get a view where they can see the activities of a dense group of people.

It’s kind of funny that cars replaced horses, but riding horseback is a select alternative to the use of police cars and motorcycles.

Paws on Patrol

We better not leave the dogs out! They help the police too.

Police officers go through a rigorous screening and training process. They are prepared for a wide range of situations.

Sometimes their training just isn’t enough to do their jobs in the area of finding things and people. Human cops just don’t have the right nose for it.

On the criminal side of things, they will search for suspects or drugs. In emergencies, they can locate a missing person.

These select breeds are ideal for police work:

When the police need backup, their K9s are there.

Ratting Out Bombs

Dogs have some competition when it comes to the power of a nose.

Landmines are weapons of war that unfortunately are extremely dangerous to civilians. Long after a war is over, they are still dangerous to those who roam about the lands.

They are designed for destruction and can easily maim, kill, and otherwise injure innocent people.

Sniffer rats help find specific landmine locations. These giant rodent creatures save human lives. Giant pouch rats locate active mines with their noses but are too light to set them off.

Another way rats can provide life-saving advanced warning is their ability to detect deadly illnesses like cancer.

Dogs on Duty

Being disabled presents a variety of challenges. Dogs are ideal for helping those with these challenges get through daily life.

Choice breeds for this special role are Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers.

Here are the ways service dogs help those who need special assistance:

  • Guides for the visually impaired
  • Alert the deaf to sounds that warrant a response
  • Help those who use wheelchairs
  • Aid those with balance issues
  • Companions for those with autism
  • Serve as a messenger for those who are at-risk for emergency response (seizures, diabetes, psychiatric conditions.)

Reminder: while Labs and Goldens are extremely pleasant to touch, please refrain from petting them. They must be distraction-free while on duty.

Personal Assistant Primates

Like dogs, monkeys are extremely intelligent and can be trained to help those with disabilities.

While assistance animals such as dogs are amazingly dutiful, they lack the fine motor skills that are needed to do human-designed tasks.

Capuchin monkies are trained by the Monkey Helpers organization to complete tasks for those who have limited mobility. These monkies are paired with those in need free of charge.

These small primates have the ideal dexterity to do things around the house for those who are wheelchair-bound or otherwise disabled.

What’s the best job in the world? Taking care of your pets! Fur Star Pet Care is your Columbus area in home pet care service. We take care of more than just dogs and cats. We also care for rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and reptiles. Call or text us at (614) 439-1621.

Military Marine Life

Another of natures most intelligent creatures is the mammalian dolphin.

The military has found a way to employ marine life to work for them underwater.

Whales, dolphins, and seals can be utilized as maritime guards and may attack intruders. They can also assist divers.

Marine life can find targets, mines, and lost equipment.

Dolphins, in particular, have sonar hearing that can still detect motion amid noisy environments. This makes them the ideal scouts.

Even the best military divers cannot do what marine life does naturally.

Maybe these animals love their jobs or maybe they don’t. At Fur Star Pet Care we absolutely love our job of caring for animals. We’re proud to be your Columbus area in home pet care service! Call or text us at (614) 439-1621.

Dogs Make the Best Hunting Assistants

Dogs are hard-wired to be hunters.

Sighthounds will seek out hidden prey. Gun dogs will fetch the hunters’ foul. Terriers take the place of firearms and archery by killing the animals themselves.

While it’s not really necessary to hunt with dogs, some hunters insist on carrying on this tradition.

Pigeons That Deliver

Not long ago, the story got around that Amazon was planning to deliver packages with drones.

Carrier pigeons are the original drones. They were used to deliver messages during wars.

Watch this video about a shoe business that used pigeons to make deliveries:

Read More: All Creatures Great and Small, Pet Sitters Care for Them All

Professional Cuddlers

animals that have jobs.

Image: Nathan Boadle/Unsplash

You’ve probably heard of therapy dogs and horses. Even cats can be therapeutic to pet.

Have you heard of therapy rabbits though? Rabbits provide the same kind of emotional support as other animals in this class.

Read here about why rabbits make good therapy animals: https://esadoctors.com/8-reasons-getting-emotional-support-rabbit/

Did you know that Fur Star Pet Care offers in home rabbit care? We love animals so much we want to care for pets of all kinds. We’re your Columbus area pet care service. Call or text us at (614) 439-1621.

Columbus Ohio Area Professional Pet Sitter

Leave it to the Purrfessionals: All the Reasons Why You Should Hire a Pet Sitting Business

It’s the holiday season! For many of us, that means we will travel to go see loved ones, or take a vacation to get away from the ice and snow.

Among the list of travel prep, you will need to find someone to watch your pets. There are boarding houses, dog sitting services, neighbors, or other family members you may approach to keep your animals for your time away.

Some people love animals so much that they go into the business of taking care of them full time. Because caring for animals is their passion, they put a lot of thought and consideration into what you and your pets will need. So for some families, having a professional to watch your animals while you are away is the best option among the alternatives.

Motivation: Passion and Purpose

To find reasons why to use a professional pet sitter, we start at the roots. Someone who has made it their mission to care for pets and get referrals is going to be well-motivated to provide the best care they can.

Number one motivation is because they genuinely love animals. They have chosen a line of work that allows them the perk of spending their days with cuddly creatures. They find fulfillment in nurturing and providing loving care for animals.

Competition is another motivator. With services like Rover and boarding houses out there, they need to have a level of quality that is on par with or exceeds that of their competitors.

Asking just anyone to come to look in on your pets and feed them is leaving much to chance. While the friend or family member you would think to ask may be completely trustworthy and do an adequate job, an absence of incentive to do a good job may lead to an inconsistency in care.

Having the passion to care for animals and the motivation to make their human clients happy with excellent service means that your pet will be treated as though it was the service professional’s very own.

Keeping Up Appearances While You’re Away

Burglaries happen while people are away and thieves know that the holiday season means that people are making more purchases and that many will not be at home. The holidays are a prime time for a burglar to come in and take brand new valuables. A house that appears to be occupied is less likely to be broken into.

If you are thinking about boarding your animals rather than using a professional pet sitter, consider that opting for in-home pet care could be a theft deterrent.

Columbus Ohio Area Professional Pet Sitter

Professional pet sitters will collect mail or packages while you’re away.

 

Finding a pet sitter with great service means that they will create a presence that makes it appear that someone is home. If you keep your animals in a boarding facility, no one will be stopping by your house to take in the newspapers and mail, turn on different lights, etc. Your house will just look unattended. If you’re off to a warmer climate to escape the snow, it would be great to have someone back home shoveling that winter white. Having this extra help will maintain an appearance that your home is being looked after.

Home burglary prevention is another reason why you should hire a pet sitter over a putting your pet up in a boarding home.

Accountable & Dependable Service

Using an insured and bonded service offers protection when things don’t go as planned. Services like Rover will allow you to purchase additional insurance, but this will have a $250 deductible that you are responsible for. This won’t cover issues concerning inadequate service.

With an independently owned insured and bonded pet sitting service you have the added peace of mind with having recourse in the event of property damage, vet bills, incomplete work, etc.

A business that has taken the steps to be insured, bonded and registered sets itself apart from a petcare hobbyist in that they are more invested in their services. This usually means a more serious commitment to service and quality assurance.

Our Columbus, Ohio area pet sitting service is locally-owned and offers GPS tracking and reports that provide daily documentation on your pet’s care.

Hiring a full-time pet sitter also means better availability. What if you ask your neighbor to help out with the pets and they decide at the last minute to take a trip out of town simultaneously? With a service dedicated to pet sitting, you will have a solid commitment to care for the time you have scheduled for service.

Locally owned petsitting services anticipate the busy times and will be staffed in order to meet the demands. Choosing a bonded and insured pet care service offers peace of mind. All of this means flexible and dependable service for your family’s needs that you can rely on when you need it most.

Columbus Ohio area professional pet sitter

Keep in touch with your pet’s care while you’re away!

Training & Continuing Education

Having a fully competent person to care for your animals is so important for the cat or dog’s well being. Being a professional means that the pet sitter will know what to look for in terms of illness symptoms and keeping track of everyday poop and pee patterns.

Professionals are focused on the needs of the animal

so they will do more than just fill a bowl with food or water, they will pay close attention to the animal’s needs and give your animals loving attention.

Fur Star Pet Care uses FetchFind to develop pet sitters’ skills and knowledge on the proper and attentive care of pets. Sitters will also be educated about fear-free strategies to maintain a peaceful home environment for pets.

Owner Jeanette Hale attends pet sitting conferences and makes sure that the staff is up to date on CPR training and other issues pertinent to pet care.

Hiring a professional pet care service like Fur Star Pet Care means that you will have someone with current training looking after your cherished animals.

Why Not Ask Your Neighbor Instead?

Sometimes we will feel like we are asking too much of our friends and family or that it’s uncertain that they can provide the level of care that our pets are used to. Hiring a professional pet sitter means that someone who wants to care for your pet, and who will be following a procedure, will provide care in keeping with your lifestyle.

Is the person you asked to watch your pet trained on how to care for a pet that is choking or ill? Will they do the bare minimum and leave you to wonder if the dog has been let out to potty enough, walked, and played with? Will they honor your requests and follow a protocol to make sure every task is completed? Are they trained on how to deal with issues such as separation anxiety or administering medication? If you have someone in your life who can do all of this, then you are truly blessed. For the rest of us, hiring a professional pet sitter instead can mean a big difference in how our pets will be cared for.

Columbus Ohio area professional Pet Sitter

Your cat will be waiting for you to return. Meanwhile, kitty makes a new friend – his pet sitter!

If plans fall through with your friend or neighbor, who will be the one to step in? A pet sitting service will have a contingency plan, and may even end up being your contingency plan if plans fall through with the alternative. Usually, they will take care of other housesitting issues as well, so why not hire a Columbus, Ohio area professional pet sitter in the first place?

Professional Pet Sitters: The Purrfect Choice!

Circumstances such as being in the hospital or planning a trip out of town can be very stressful. You’ll like likely have a list of things you need to do before you leave your pets behind. Rather than make a list for someone to follow, you can hire someone who already has their own comprehensive checklist. Hire someone who has thought of everything so that you don’t have to! Hire a Columbus, Ohio area pet sitting service to give you peace of mind while you are away. Book with Fur Star Pet Care now and leave it to the purrfessionals!