Hanukkah Picks for Pets to Keep the "Oy Vey!" at Bay

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Hanukkah is a special time of year when family and friends come together to celebrate this age-old Jewish tradition – but what about our furry family members?  No need to fret about how to include Fido or Fluffy during the Festival of Lights because Petco is here to help! Whether lighting the menorah or spinning the dreidel, Petco offers advice for eight successful days and nights of holiday fun to ensure a pet's physical, mental, social and emotional needs are met throughout the holiday. Read on for their top gift picks and advice for keeping Hanukkah celebrations fun and safe.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131119/LA19682)

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130429/MM03037)

Night 1: One of the most important and significant traditions of Hanukkah is lighting the menorah. Pets will want to be social and participate in the family gathering during the lighting, but it's important to keep them away from open flames to prevent a possibly dangerous situation. Instead, keep dogs mentally stimulated at a safe distance from burning candles with Petco's Hanukkah Gingerbread toy ($8.99).

Night 2: Because dogs can get chilly when the sun goes down in winter, dress them in Petco's Cozy Coat ($19.99) in Hanukkah blue. The stylish coat is not only functional, but fashionable too; meaning pets are ready for the fun festivities during all eight nights of the celebration.

Night 3: Many families give their children "gelt," the Yiddish word for money, as part of their Hanukkah celebrations. This is even more common when playing with the dreidel as an incentive to win. Let furry family member's think they've won the dreidel game by gifting them with Petco's Hanukkah Gelt Bag toy ($6.99).

Night 4: If giving gelt isn't preferred, opt for a customized Petco gift card. Pet parents won't be standing in the return line because the personalized card, in any denomination, means they can get exactly what they want for their dog, cat, bird or small animal! Design your own at petco.com or choose the Hanukkah template to add the "wow" factor and show the recipient there was real thought put into their present.

Night 5: Traditional Hanukkah foods like potato latkes and blintzes are deep-fried and loaded with cheese, which means they are not meant for sharing with non-human family members. Human foods, especially ones containing high amounts of fat and oil, are not properly balanced to meet a dog's nutritional requirements, and can cause health problems– oy vey!  Instead, treat Fido to some fun, without the fat, with Petco's Hanukkah Kosher Sausage toy ($8.99).

Night 6: Let pets show off their holiday spirit in style with Petco's Oy Vey Bandana ($8.99). Although oy vey means "woe is me," this fashionable neckwear will have other pets blue with envy during the Hanukkah celebrations!

Night 7: Not all Jewish families keep kosher, but those who do can be proud to show off that their four-legged family member observes this Jewish tradition too, with Petco's Hanukkah Kosher Bone toy ($4.99).

Night 8: Cat lovers can make the Festival of Lights a little brighter with Petco's Circle of Fun Track Cat Toy($9.99) in Hanukkah blue. This toy will drive cats crazy as the light up ball races around the tubular track for them to try to catch. Not only is it a great gift, but this present will keep cats mentally stimulated for hours.

*For those pet lovers looking for a "mitzvah" this holiday, donate to the Petco Foundation Tree of Hope campaign, sponsored by Hill's Science Diet. For every $1 donated, Hill's Science Diet will donate $1 up to $75,000.  Every year four million pets do not live to see the holiday season and Petco is encouraging those who are passionate about animals to donate from November 1 - December 24, 2013 at their nearest Petco store, Unleashed by Petco store or Pooch Hotel location or online at www.petco.com/toh. Donations help feed homeless pets in shelters, give lifesaving medical assistance, enable rescuers to ease the burdens of overfull shelters, and provide venues and grants to help find more forever homes for animals in need.

About Petco
Petco is a leading pet specialty retailer that focuses on nurturing the powerful relationship between people and pets. We do this by providing the products, services, advice and experiences that keep pets physically fit, mentally alert, socially engaged and emotionally happy. Everything we do is guided by our vision for Healthier Pets. Happier People. Better World. We operate more than 1,250 stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico, including more than 80 Unleashed by Petco locations, a smaller format neighborhood shop; nine Pooch Hotel destinations for pet daycare, boarding and spa services; and petco.com. The Petco Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization, has raised more than $115 million since it was created in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the Foundation, we work with and support thousands of local animal welfare groups across the country and, through in-store adoption events, help find homes for more than 350,000 animals every year.

CONTACT:
Mia West
619.501.2756
[email protected]

SOURCE Petco