During the holidays plenty of people shower their dogs and
cats with treats, toys, costumes and even visits with Santa. Now, more families
are trying to include other types of pets in their Christmas festivities,
including guinea pigs, ferrets, hamsters and rabbits.
Some 28% of owners of these “small animals” are expected to
buy their pet a Christmas present this year, spending an average of $16 per
gift, according to the trade group American Pet Products Association. An
estimated 50% of dog owners will buy their dog a gift, spending an average of
$10, and 36% of cat owners, spending $7.80 per gift.
To accommodate families wanting to take their rabbits,
ferrets and guinea pigs out for holiday gatherings, San Diego-based Petco
Animal Supplies Inc. recently introduced a small red plaid carrier designed for
these animals. For the holidays, Petco
offered pets that came to the store on certain days a photo with Santa.
Shoppers brought in mice, birds, iguanas and hedgehogs.
Many dogs happily sport Christmas sweaters, hats and bow
ties, but persuading other species to wear clothing over their fur coats isn’t
always easy. Petco says its new holiday stoles, made for rabbits, guinea pigs
and ferrets, were designed in consultation with a veterinarian to be sure the
fit is safe and comfortable, especially given the animals’ propensity to chew,
burrow and squirm.
Demand for holiday-themed ferret hats is so strong that next
year Marshall, based in Wolcott, N.Y., plans to add a witch hat for Halloween,
a party hat and a top hat for black-tie events. The Uncle Sam hat, sold for
over 15 years, has become increasingly popular as more people involve ferrets
in Independence Day parties.
Frustrated by the dearth of holiday movies for ferret
lovers, Alison Parker, a Vancouver-based filmmaker, directed “Santa’s Little
Ferrets,” which she plans to start shopping to television networks early next
year. Ms. Parker made sure the main scene of the film, a living room decked out
for Christmas, would draw plenty of action from her starring animals.
Many small animals are instinctively shy and prefer hiding
rather than being the center of the party. Teresa Murphy, co-owner of Guinea
Pig Market based in San Mateo, Calif., sells a Santa hat for them to hide in.
Flexible boning helps keep the rim open for easy climbing in and out, but it is
still comfortable enough for humans to wear, too, she says.
Dara Foster, a pet stylist based in Port Washington, N.Y.,
advises pet owners to remain calm and loving when trying to dress any animal,
but especially hamsters and guinea pigs. Ms. Foster mostly dresses dogs on
behalf of private clients and pet-product companies and for media events. But
she anticipates her client list soon will include other types of animals as
more owners seek ways to humanize them.
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