ajc.com 2008 Holiday Guide

About half of dog owners and a third of cat owners add Fido and Fluffy to their Christmas gift lists, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. And why shouldn't they be included in the festivities?

With that in mind, we've been looking around for some fun, reasonable pet gifts for your four-footed friends. Here are a few we tried and liked. We hope your pets will, too.

• Planet Dog makes a great line of durable, chewable and planet-friendly dog toys. Their Christmas toys this year include a 6-inch bouncy, squeezable toy that looks like a vintage Christmas bulb. You can even put treats inside as an added attraction. The toys come in red, green and glow-in-the-dark white, with a suggested retail price of $9.95. Available online at www.planetdog.com or at several local stores including Highland Pet Supply in Atlanta (404-892-5900), the Pet Set in Atlanta (404-633-8755) and in Perimeter Mall (770-352-9848), and C'est Moi in Marietta (770-977-8468).

• Cat lovers should check out the Cats a Purrin' Web site, which has gifts for cats as well as cat lovers. Our kitty testers loved the Catviar gift pack, which includes a 3-ounce package of Catviar fish-flavored treats and a velvet fish stuffed with organic catnip. It's $12 at www.catsapurrin.com or call 540-574-2480.

• We love to give our pets treats, but many of them have preservatives, fillers and other things we really don't want to feed our furry friends. If you're looking for a healthier treat for your dog, check out the WellBites line by Wellness. They come in four flavors, like beef and turkey or chicken and venison, and our dog testers scarfed them up. And for dogs that can't do grains, the Pure Rewards line of jerky has great flavors like venison or venison and salmon. An 8-ounce bag of WellBites retails for $6.99, while the 6-ounce bag of Pure Rewards has a suggested price of $7.99. They're available at independent pet stores like Gentle Paws in Carrollton (770-214-0994), Pets Etc. in Duluth (770-476-4749) and Inman Park Pet Works in Atlanta (404-522-4544).

• For those who have all but given up finding a soft squeaky toy for their hard-chewing dog, check out the Tuffie's line of toys. We gave these to some of our toughest chewers, and they held up well. They're made of multiple layers of luggage-grade material covered with a soft fleece coating, then stitched with seven enforcing rows. And they're washable. The company ranks its toys' chewability and has sizes for everything from Chihuahuas to Great Danes. They range from $7.50 to $23. They're available at Top Dogs and Cool Critters in Kennesaw (770-218-0602), Wag-a-Lot in Decatur (404-292-3377), Highland Pet Supply in Atlanta (404-892-5900) or online at www.mydogtoy.com.

• OK, cat lovers, listen up. This is the absolutely best line of catnip toys we've found. We were put off at first by the large size of these toys, which look like life-size bananas, apples, lemons and cigars. But our kitty testers had no problems — in fact, they just felt it gave them more toy to love. So if you want a stoned cat for Christmas, get him a Yeowww catnip toy. But be warned — don't put it in his stocking the night before, because he'll try to pull it down as soon as he gets the scent of it. Cost is $4.99 to $8.99, depending on the toy, at the following stores: Pets Unlimited, Marietta (770-952-1539); the Pet Set, Atlanta (404-633-8755); the Pet Fancy in Lenox Square mall (404-237-8475); or online at www.adogknows.com.

• Our rawhide-loving dogs went nuts for Chewgars and Pawtato Chips, made from all-American beef hide with no pesticides or preservatives. The Chewgars are great for bigger dogs. They come in beef, chicken or liver flavor. The suggested retail price is $2.99 each, but they're cheaper if bought in bulk from the Web site, or they can be purchased in a wooden cigar box for gift giving. A box of six is $19.95. For your little dogs, try the thin chips of beef hide made to look like potato chips. Suggested price for the 2-ounce bag is $3.49. Both are available at Whole Foods Markets, Cost Plus World Market or online at www.adogknows.com.

• This might not be the gift your pet would ask for, and it's not even a "pet item," per se, but if you ever have to take your pets out in the rain, or let in a rain-soaked cat, then pop an Absorber towel in their stocking. These superabsorbent drying cloths seem to suck the water off wet paws, backs and heads. And if they get full, wring them out and keep drying. They come in a standard 27-by-17-inch size with a suggested retail price of $12.95 or a compact 17-by-13-inch size with a suggested retail price of $9.95. They're available at Target and Wal-Mart or online at www.theabsorber.com.

Photos with Santa

Santa will be at the Douglasville Petsmart today for photos with good little dogs and cats (and birds and snakes and whatever other pets show up). Two Polaroids are $9.95, of which the Douglas County Humane Society gets $5. Or just make a donation at the register to help the homeless animals of Douglas County and a card with your name will be placed on the Wish Tree. Photos available 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at 2940 Chapel Hill Road. Info: www.douglascountyhumanesociety.org.

Classy pillows and more

Looking for a beautiful needlepoint pillow with your favorite dog breed on it? Or how about an eyeglass case, coin purse, tote bag, checkbook cover, handbag or even socks? You'll find them at Gone to the Dogs in Chamblee. Stephan Elliot and partner Jim Spencer sold their products for years at the monthly Scott Antiques Market, but they've recently opened a store to sell their doggie-adorned accessories. And be sure to check out Miss Holly, their beloved Pekingese, to see if she's wearing her half-carat diamond charm or her Mikimoto pearls on the day you're in. 3522 Broad St. 404-545-5434.

News to share?

Know of pet news, events or stories? Tell Sandra Eckstein at seckstein@ajc.com or call 404-526-7260.