My Pet World: Holiday gifts perfect for your pet

Buoying a $60 million industry, it's not all that surprising that according to the American Pet Products Association just over half of all dog owners, over a third of cat owners, and even nearly a third of parrot owners purchase at least one gift for their pet for Christmas or Hanukkah (according American Pet Product Association 2015-2016 National Pet Owners Survey).

Here are a few keen choices for this festive season:

Star Wars might be a big thing at the movies, but it's big at pet stores, too. Petco locations have an array of Star Wars toys for pets, there are Yoda and Chewbacca plush dog toys, an R2D2 tug toy for dogs, even CP3O and R2-D2 mice toys for cats; $4.99 to $12.99.

If Star Wars isn't your thing, there's the evil Martha Stewart pet toy, a bone-shaped push toy named "Naughty," or for her kinder side, a similar toy called "Nice." Each is $2.79 at PetSmart stores.

So far, no prescription is required for Dr. Meowsky's Medical Grade Catnip. It's organic, gluten free, and likely approved by Cheech & Chong and grown in the USA. It's nearly guaranteed to make any cat yowl for more cat cannabis, from www.barkerandmeowsky.com; $9.95 per one jar -- not available as a 'catnip cigarette,' as smoking is bad for cats.

While no toy is indestructible, Fluff & Tuff toys are meant to hold up as long as possible for determined chewers. The toys are double-seamed and feature the durable and thick Tuffweb liner.

There's also the Teddy and Winny Bear toys, and the Charity Ball, about the size of a 12-linch softball, in a classic red and green print. Proceeds from sales of the Charity Ball go to the Fluff & Tuff Foundation. New to the Fluff & Tuff line up is Tank the Shark; the idea will make your dog rich with fun. These toys are $9.95 to $19.95.

For many cats the box your gifts were inside makes for a great toy. With that in mind, most cats would love to play in an interconnecting system of tunnels, called Neko Pawdz, $195 for the entire four-tunnel system, but components and other items -- like the Chic chateau cat house are sold separately. Available at specialty pet stores, and nekoflies.com.

A yarmulke wearing dog? ($11.50, or $23 with a tallis). Oye vay. A singing plush dreidel toy sings the Dreidel Song when your dog squeezes it, $12.95. An entire assortment of Hanukkah pet gifts are available at barkerandmewosky.com.

Of course, one problem with the holidays is all those big meals, and with just over half of all dogs overweight or obese, it's not only a holiday issue. Experts suggest that one key to losing weight, as well as improving health is movement. Hence the popularity of products, such as telephone apps and watches, that count steps for people. The Hachito Smart Dog sensor is a version for dogs. The devise attaches easily to a dog's collar, and comes in several colors. Also, if you're not so sure about your dog walker, the device tells you (by using an iPhone) how often the dog went out for a walk. The Hachiko Smart Dog Sensor also allows you to set daily goals for your dog, $39.99 from hachiko.me.

The Bouncy Bone from Pet Safe is a durable bone-shaped chew toy that dental chew treats fit into -- lots to chew on and to play with, $6.99. The Busy Buddy Ulta Sub is geared for ardent chewers. Two nylon "buns" are sandwiched over two ultra-thick rawhide treat rings. The rings spin on their posts, making it more challenging to dogs to grasp and chew, $9.99. All of the various Pet Safe Busy Buddy toys are meant to occupy dogs, sort of canine occupational therapy. Available at many pet stores, and petsafe.net.

The PetSafe Cheese is an exciting peek-a-boo toy for cats. Fun mice pop out of either side of the cheese-shaped toy to keep cats moving and engaged in play. The unit automatically turns off after 10 to 15 minutes, while the Play While You Are Away mode allows cats to play even when you're not there, $29.99 at many pet stores and www.petsafe.com.

Along those lines is the Buster dog activity mat. The idea, according to the creator is that "there are no stupid dogs, only impatient owners." Open that mat and your dog has self-rewarding activities to participate. An example, opening a Velco sealed 'envelope' to receive a reward inside, $69.99, at amazon.com/BUSTER-ActivityMat-starter-set-activities/dp/B014OAYVKG.

Celebrate the holidays with appropriate decor for small parrot's bird cage, a decorative (and of course edible) wreath, with a jingly bell, $5.99 to $8.99; where some pet products are sold, including Drs. Foster and Smith; drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=5059+12059+32199&pcatid=32199.

And if you do celebrate the holidays with a glass of the bubbly, you know wine and Champagne corks make great cat toys. Fancy "dolled up" wine cork toys are available, $8 to $12 fromshop.hauspanther.com/collections/wine-cork-cat-toys. And a multitude of additional cat toys and products at hausepanther.com.

For dogs obsessed with sports, there are licensed jerseys and even toys and food bowls with team logos at fanatics.com/Pets and www.doggienation.com. Your dog can proudly strut in a World Series winning Kansas City Royals jersey or T-shirt; eat from a Chicago Blackhawk log food bowl or wear a Hawks' jersey, or try out a Dale Earnhardt Jr. NASCAR jersey.

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