Jingle BARKS, Jingle MEOWS, Jingle all the way! December is around the corner, and you may already be thinking of some awesome prezzies to spoil your dog or cat these holidays. Let’s go beyond the usual toys and treats they probably already have in abundance – what about pet care products like pet cologne?

From pet cologne to massagers… you won’t believe these grooming products you can get for your fur kid. We love seeing the lengths pet parents are going to to spoil their fur kids. Get in on the action!

#1 The ultimate in pet care products – Pet cologne

You should never put human cologne or perfume on your pet – it can absorb into their skin and cause irritation. These types of fragrances are usually high in alcohol too, which can hurt your pet’s sensitive skin.

Plus, pets have a much stronger sense of smell than us, making human cologne overwhelming and irritating to their noses.

Buuuuuut that doesn’t mean they can’t smell great! Pet cologne is created with natural, gentle ingredients that are mild enough to use on their sensitive skin. It will keep them smelling and feeling fresh and clean between baths. Plus, that fur family Christmas visit to your mum will have her sighing with delight.

How to use it

Pet cologne is marketed as a cologne, but think of it more like a spray that conditions and detangles the coat. You can use it on either wet or dry coats simply by spritzing it over your pet from a 15cm distance, ensuring you avoid their eyes.

There are plenty of pet care products on the market when it comes to pet cologne, including Fidos Fresh Spray, Nootie Spritz, Melanie Newman, Smiley Dog and more. They come in amazing fragrances like Japanese Cherry Blossom, Cucumber Melon and Sweet Pea and Vanilla.

#2 Brushes to make them purrrr (or drool)

What’s a bigger treat for a pet than a long, luxurious brushing from their parent?

Brushing your dog and cat not only feels great, but it’s good for their circulation. And, depending on their breed, vital in order to avoid matting. Brushing is a great way to bond with your pet and it’ll also help you inspect their skin for lumps, bumps, parasites or abnormalities.

There are some fantastic brushes out there for all coat types. For cats and kittens, you can’t go wrong with a Wahl Palm brush, while dogs will love the natural bamboo Essential Dog range.

As for us, we love the wooden handle range by Dog by Dr Lisa that’s featured in the pic below. It includes slicker, rake and comb brushes for dogs and cats. Better yet, it’s proudly Australian! Dr Lisa Chimes, a renowned vet, has some other amazing pet care products on the website, including colognes, wipes and washes.

#3 A massager to put other pet care products to shame

Is a pet cologne or pet brush range not hitting the mark? How about something a little out of the box? A pet massager!

Massagers aren’t just relaxing for your pet and endearing yourself as their number one pet parent. A pet massager really can ease tension and anxiety, loosen and soothe tight muscles, help blood circulation, and even help prevent ligament injuries.

There are tons of pet massagers on the market, some simple and some very high tech. Check out the Karypet Massage Gun – “the ultimate all-in-one massage gun for DIY grooming and home pet care.”

We also love this electric handheld massager for its crazy cheap price while this one from Petnik is a massager and comb in one.

Perhaps you want to go a little extra? The IHOO head massager features four massage rotators with 76 small contacts that apparently “imitate human fingers to provide your pet a unforgettable massage experience.” Then there’s the Petssager by Ruff Luff, a “100% waterproof, rechargeable massager with 8 different speed/strength settings that make it a breeze to massage your pet at any time of the day, no matter what age you are.”

We wonder if these pet care products could work on humans too…

#4 Pet-pampering shampoo and conditioner

Most pets need a good bath every now and again (some more often than others). Another pet care product must-have is a dog or cat-specific shampoo and conditioner. It’ll leave their coats clean and soft while not causing any allergies or reactions.

We love Dr Ling’s shampoo and leave-in conditioner range for both cats and dogs. Essential Dog’s all natural shampoo comes in lavender, lemon peel and sage variants and is great for puppies and adult dogs, while John Paul Pet Oatmeal Cat Shampoo and Breezytail PetO’Cera Body Wash For Cats is purrfect for cats.

There’s even a “tearless” shampoo for kittens. Stop it.

Why not put a cherry on top?

And to put the absolute icing on the cake, why not wrap your pup or cat up in this Organic Bamboo Bathrobe after their wash. Made from sustainable bamboo and cotton, it’s microfibre free and machine washable.

Says the site: “Our limited edition organic bamboo dog bathrobe is super cute and an essential after a wash, wet walking or a trip to the beach.” How could you resist a snuggle in that get-up?

Are these pet care products not what you’re looking for this holiday? Check out our other awesome gifting guides for more inspiration:

• Cat Gifts for Your Winter Shopping List
• Ethical Christmas Gifts for Pets: Your Guide

#5 The best pet care product by far? Insurance

But by far the more caring of pet care products you can give your fur kid this Christmas is pet insurance. It’s a planned approach to making the most of your pet’s health potential.

PD Insurance is an award-winning brand that makes payments for pet care easier on the pocket — so you can focus on bonding rather than bucks. Why not get a free quote today?