Gifts to chew on

What's the worst thing that could happen if Cleopetra doesn't like your gift? She'll ignore it. You're out $10. End of story. But if she loves it, everyone's happy and you may get a spare moment to wrap gifts in peace.

When buying pet gifts, safety is job one, said Dusty Rainbolt, product editor at Catnip magazine and author of "Cat Wrangling Made Easy." Anything that can strangle or choke a small child can be just as dangerous for a pet, she said. No toys with button eyes or push-on noses. Avoid poorly made toys that come apart easily when your pet forgets he's domesticated. When in doubt, food wins out. But skip any holiday treats with raisins, grapes, garlic, onion or chocolate for dogs or cats, said Rainbolt.

The Fling-ama-string ($25, Moody Pet, 1-888-671-5663, www.moodypet.com) has won numerous awards from cat mags. A battery-operated string rotates along a fast moving belt. It's supposed to hang on a doorknob, but my cat Floyd prefers it on the carpet where it doesn't make a loud noise after a good swat.

For the cat that likes to lie on its side trying to eviscerate "prey," the Kong Kickeroo Wrestling catnip toy ($5.39, Chuck & Don's Pet Food Outlet, Minneapolis, 612-926-8161, and 12 other locations at www.chuckanddons.com) is the perfect elongated shape for Killer to practice her death grip.

Let your rabbit, gerbil, ferret, hamster or mouse literally eat itself out of house and home with the Oxbow Timothy Bungalow ($21, Chuck & Don's). The all natural hut made from a hemp-like cord makes a cozy den and gnawing surface for any rodent.

Pedipaws ($20 at Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Target, CVS and Bed, Bath & Beyond and www.pedipaws.com). The gift of a pedicure doesn't have quite the cachet in the pet world, but some pet owners can't resist Pedipaw's marketing blitz. It's a battery-operated rotating wheel coated with sandpaper and a guard so the nail can't be trimmed to the quick. I've started to get Floyd acclimated to the sound it makes (noisy as a hand mixer), but I haven't been able to get it close enough to his nails yet. If your cat or dog is a bit high-strung, this gadget will take time and behavior modification to be useful, if ever.

Ah, the dreaded practical gift. Musher's Secret ($18, Lulu & Luigi, St. Louis Park, 952-929-1200, and Wayzata, 952-249-0330, www.luluandluigi.com) is the equivalent of the owner getting a tube of Vaseline Intensive Care. It's a wax applied to the dog's paws in the winter to prevent salt burn during walks. It can also be used in the summer for protection against hot asphalt.

It's doubtful that the Obamas' new dog will get to shake the stuffing from a well-padded toy all over the Lincoln bedroom. Instead, they and you can choose a rabbit, fox, skunk, squirrel, raccoon or chipmunk called Skinneeez ($11, at most pet stores) that are "entrails-free."

Treat release puzzle toys are a must for bored dogs and cats whose owners wonder what fresh hell awaits each time they leave the critter home alone. The Canine Genius line ($20 at most pet stores) is designed to have treats stored inside that are released after manipulation. Start with easy-to-release dry food and make it more difficult by adding peanut butter. Get a size appropriate for your pet and then test before leaving it home alone.

The catch phrase at Woody's Pet Food Deli (3008 W. 50th St., Minneapolis, 612-208-0335, www.woodyspetdeli.com) is "pets need WHOLE foods too." Yep, the typical customer here probably shops at co-ops or Whole Foods. Woody's believes that quality pet food can eliminate many health problems. Even if you're not ready to adopt a whole new diet for your pet, try the snacks such as Sweet Potato Chews with glucosamine for healthy hips for dogs ($5) or Snackfish made of dried fish for cats ($4).

Local artist Carolyn Blake turns a favorite photo of your pet into a 10- by 10-inch or 11- by 14-inch oil portrait ($200, 952-941-2383, www.cblakepaint.com). For a cheaper alternative, try your hand at websites that turn a photo into art (www.photopainting.com, www.yourartistic side.com, www.mydavinci.com or www. photoartomation.com). You create the image choosing from a variety of techniques. Prices range from $40 to $90 for prints on photo or fine art paper.

The Orbee-tuff Bone from Planet Dog Toys ($12.50, Urb Animal, Minneapolis, 612-879-0709; St. Paul, 651-696-1817, www.urbanimal.com and other pet stores) is made from a mint-infused material that is almost indestructible (really!). You can hide treats inside it. One of the rare pet toys made in the United States.

Granted, our cats don't care about graphics, but these locally-made toys with cute Hanukkah and Christmas cartoons on them are filled with 100 percent organic catnip filler ($7, UrbAnimal and other pet shops). FYI, about one-third of cats don't have the gene to appreciate catnip, just like some humans can't roll their tongues, said Rainbolt.

Reel in your cat's attention with the Catfisher fishing rod and reel ($15, For Pet's Sake, Minneapolis, 612-729-1121) with two detachable mouse "lures."

John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633 or jewoldt@startribune.com. If you spot a deal, share it at www.startribune.com/blogs/dealspotter.