Each year, my family and I exchange gifts. But no matter what I receive, I already have the best gifts: my furry felines. While not all of my kitties were adopted around the holidays, I still consider all of them the metaphorical "gifts" that keep on giving. And despite the fact that they leave the occasional hairball in my shoe, I don't mean that sarcastically.

Like their short-haired counterparts, long-haired kitties need a high-quality diet, litter boxes to eliminate in and lots of love. In addition, these fluffy furbabies will require some grooming and special considerations in choosing their litter and foods to keep their luxuriant coats looking their best.

You'll probably notice that your pup turns his nose up at some foods but happily chows down on others, like yummy doggie treats. While this preference is based somewhat on his sense of taste, it's actually primarily based on his sense of smell because dogs have very sensitive noses. This is why pups typically prefer canned food to dry: because of its more potent aroma.

If you've ever seen your pup drooling over a puzzle toy filled with peanut butter, you know dogs love nutty flavors. Unfortunately, most nuts are high in fat, and some may even contain potential toxins that can be harmful to our canine companions. While nuts are tasty to us, it's best to keep them away from your four-legged friend or only give a few safe nuts to him as a treat.

From one corner of the globe to the other, people love their pets. But just like our food, attire, activities and language varies from culture to culture, so does the way we express our love for dogs and cats. Here are a few of the different ways people from around the world love their pets. Do you know of any other ways people around the world express their love for pets?

Apricots, which contain lots of healthy vitamin C and vitamin A, won’t last more than a few weeks in the refrigerator unless you dehydrate them. Dehydrated apricots can last up to two years in the fridge, and you can dry them out yourself in a dehydrator or your oven. Use ripe but not overtly soft apricots.

One of the first priorities of dog ownership involves veterinary care to keep the dog healthy and free of disease. A dog requires vaccines for parvovirus, distemper, canine hepatitis and rabies, recommends the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Starting at 6 weeks of age, a puppy gets its vaccinations every three to four weeks until it reaches 16 weeks old.

The odor of cat urine can make your whole home smell awful. Fortunately, you can use cat urine cleaners, found in pet supply stores, to clean up any of Fluffy's accidents. Many of these cleaners contain protein-based chemicals called enzymes, which break down your kitty's urine into non-toxic substances.

The presence of your own feline friend or a special therapy cat can actually help you feel better as you recover from cancer treatments, improving your quality of life. Animal-assisted therapy is a type of complementary treatment used with hospital patients, including those suffering from cancer.

When the chill of winter comes around, you’ll want your pet to stay warm and cozy, even when you’re stepping out. Fortunately, with some weather-appropriate clothing, safety precautions, and other strategies, your four-legged friend will be ready to face the frosty temperatures. Before heading outside, dress your pet for the cold, especially if you plan on staying out for more than a few minutes, recommends Darlene Richard, a licensed veterinary technician in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Give your pet a stylish cut can transform her appearance from drab to fab, making her a topic of conversation wherever you go together. With a number of options to choose from, your cat or dog can look like anything from a teddy bear to a dinosaur. Get your furry friend ready for spring or summer with a trendy trim.

According to the National Pet Owner's Survey of 2011 to 2012, in the U.S. alone, 46.3 million households own at least one dog. These dog owners, according to the survey, conducted by the American Pet Products Association, plan to spend 52.87 billion dollars on their pets. If you're considering starting a line of clothing for dogs, you stand a chance to get in on some of that expendable income.