Whether it’s their birthday, gotcha day or you’re just feeling like you want to spoil them, all dogs big and small, young and old deserve a present (or two). That’s why we talked to veterinarians and dog experts to get the lowdown on what to get dogs and their parents.
“I personally focus on practical gifts for pets because I feel they have more potential to be useful in the long term,” says Dr. Mark D. Freeman, doctor of veterinary medicine and clinical assistant professor at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. “While yummy treats and fun toys are entertaining, they tend to be gone quickly.” Freeman says that “the single most important thing when considering a gift for a pet or pet parent is making sure it is something safe for the pet.” He also encourages owners to research the treats and toys they’re buying to ensure they’re not harmful.
Dr. Hunter Finn, a veterinarian and owner of Pet Method in McKinney, Texas, offers pet tips and insights to more than 2 million followers on TikTok. He echoes the importance of finding safe products, especially when you’re looking at toys. “When it comes to dog toys, I have a rule I like to follow: If a dog toy starts breaking/tearing/becoming stringy, it needs to get thrown away and replaced with a new toy,” Finn says. “I promise that [a] new toy is cheaper than a surgery to remove the old shredded toy.”
Kirsten Belinsky, a professional dog trainer and agility instructor based in Boulder, Colorado, says that you should learn a few things about the dog you’re buying a gift for before making a purchase. “First, learn if the dog you’re buying for prefers food or toys,” she says. “You could end up buying a toy for a dog and they won’t care about it.”
If you’re struggling to choose a gift for the dog person in your life, most dog owners welcome healthy treats, high-quality toys and long-lasting chews. These are must-have products that tend to get expensive, so it’s great when someone else buys them for you. “Treats or toys are the way to go because you can never have too many of those,” says Belinsky.
If there is a spoiled pup in your life who already has everything, there are plenty of good causes to donate to. Freeman suggests shopping at the Animal Rescue Site since a portion of its profits helps purchase food for shelter animals. “I purchase many of my holiday gifts for pet-parent friends from the Animal Rescue Site, and have never been disappointed,” says Freeman.
Below, we’ve rounded up all the products our dog experts recommended, along with some of our personal favorites that follow their guidelines. From toys and treats to pet carriers, travel essentials and, yes, carpet cleaners too, here are our favorite gift ideas for any dog and dog owner in your life. Have a cat? Check out vet-recommended cat gifts too.
Gifts for dog lovers
“Most pet owners want more training for their dogs but are unsure where to look or how to do it in a fun way. I highly recommend all pet owners be directed toward the Fear Free Education Library for tips on training your pets in a fun, reward-based way,” says Finn. “Getting a dog parent a membership to this platform would make for a great unique and functional gift.”
When there is extra pet hair to clean up, reach for this remover from ChomChom, which is a favorite of our cleaning expert. Similar to how you’d use a lint roller, all you have to do is roll the device back and forth on any sort of surface and it will scoop up the pet hair in seconds.
If you’re tired of muddy dog paws on your car seats, a dog seat cover is a must. “This one gives dogs more seat room since it’s a hammock, and the material is fantastic and can be washed,” says Belinsky. “It’s super soft and also has mesh in the front so you can see your dogs.”
If your dog wears a GPS collar or you just want a light-up collar that can slip over their head, we like this thin NiteHowl version. It stays charged for a few weeks at a time, and you can customize the size by cutting extra length off with scissors.?
If you struggle to see your pup on late-night walks, a light-up collar is a game changer. “It works really well for dogs who have longer fur because it’s wider and easier to see at night,” says Belinksy. “It’s also really easy to recharge and doesn’t require any batteries.”
If grooming your pet turns into a nightmare, you might want to check out this kit from Dyson. Several CNN Underscored pets tested it out but most were too terrified of the actual vacuum to tolerate the brushing attachments. However, if your dog doesn’t mind vacuums, this could be a game changer for your grooming routine.
Everyone has accidents sometimes. That’s why having an easy-to-use, effective carpet cleaner on hand is so important. We absolutely love this one and even named it the best portable carpet cleaner, thanks to its compact design and top-tier performance.
No one knows the pain of detangling fur like a long-coated dog owner. If your usual pin brush isn’t doing it, your best option just might be a product originally meant for horses. “This is the best detangler,” says Belinsky. “It’s traditionally from the horse world, but it will detangle any dog fur instantly.”
Mendota Pet’s slip leashes come in over 35 different colors and two different sizes depending on your dog’s weight — opt for the 3/8-inch leash for dogs 50 pounds and under and the 1-inch version for dogs over 50 pounds. “Slip leads are perfect for if you’re going out for a quick potty break,” says Belinsky. “They’re also the safest option for dogs that are flight risks since they can’t back out of them. There’s a reason rescues and vets always use slip leads to safely move dogs from place to place.”
“I am a big fan of having cameras in the house so I can check on my pups when I am at work or away for longer periods of time,” says Finn. “There are many different brands depending on what you’re looking for. For example, many can integrate with your home security system.” This popular camera also dispenses treats and comes with a companion app so you can always check in on your dogs when you’re gone.
This fanny pack from Wilderdog includes multiple zippered pockets so you can keep high-value treats separated from low-value ones, and your phone separated from all those crumbs.
You bought your dog a sweater, but you deserve one too! This Etsy shop can take a photo of your doggy and embroider their face onto a sweatshirt.
If you’ve got a small dog or cat, you can easily bring them onto a plane with you when you use this carrier as your carry-on, which several Underscored editors own. It’s got mesh walls and an interior cushion to keep your pup comfy. Just be sure only to use it to carry dogs that weigh 16 pounds or less.
Gifts for dogs
Freeman recommends shopping at the Animal Rescue Site, and this box is a great gift for any dog. It includes five premium pet products, including tasty treats and fun toys. The best part? Each box feeds at least 142 shelter animals. You can sign up for a subscription to get this box every month to continue helping animals in need.
“A great, long-lasting rubber chew from Kong always seems to do the trick. They’re great for stuffing with more tasty treats, and you don’t have to worry about them breaking off any sharp pieces that could harm your pup,” says Mallory Kerley, marketing director at Muddy Paws Rescue. Tip: Stuff your Kong with peanut butter, then throw it in the freezer so it lasts extra long.
“This is a wearable GPS tracker that can monitor your pet’s location, activity and health,” says Freeman. “It has a 20-day battery life and includes a night-light to make it easy to keep up with your pet in the dark. These devices are going to become very popular and very useful in helping keep pets healthy and safe.”
“Under the Weather makes incredible products that every dog needs at some point in their life,” says Kerley. “All of our fosters are gifted the bland diet to help soothe those tummies after they first arrive, and it’s always helpful to have it on hand!”
Well known in the agility community, Clean Run is a one-stop shop for high-quality, durable dog toys. “Clean Run has an overwhelming amount of the best tug toys your dog will encounter in their life,” says Belinsky. “They’re super prey-realistic, some of them come with bungees that encourage interactive play and they’re really reasonably priced.” This toy features an enticing multicolored fleece fringe, a stuffed section that can hold treats for food-motivated dogs and a bungee handle for an extra-motivating game of tug.
“This is a great toy for chasing and tugging, and it comes in a lot of different sizes,” says Belinsky. “They’re soft for dogs to catch, so it’s safe for their teeth, and you can also stuff them with an old towel and some treats to use as enrichment.”
“We need safer chew toys, as they prevent choking hazards and won't cause tooth damage like many other chew toys,” says Finn. “Plus, every pet owner wants a toy that is durable and will keep their dog entertained for long periods of time (so you don’t have to). West Paw products are some of the safest that I have found in both regards to preventing choking and tooth damage.”
You can stuff treats inside this puzzle toy from West Paw for hours of entertainment. It’s made of nontoxic, BPA-free materials that can withstand even the toughest chewers.
Our pup absolutely loves treats from Bocce’s Bakery, which are all-natural, oven-baked and made in the USA.
Sometimes pet parents need a break from their dogs, and that’s where long-lasting chews shine. “Dogs love bully sticks,” says Belinsky. “They keep them busy, and chews like this are good for their teeth.” Just make sure you always monitor your dog when giving them a new chew.
Beef cheek rolls are a long-lasting (and more affordable) alternative to bully sticks. They’re ideal for super chewers that go through other chews too quickly. You might pay up to $10 per bully stick for a treat that only lasts a few minutes, but my strong-jawed dog has chewed on a single beef cheek roll for multiple hours at a time, and this pack of four is only $26 at Amazon.
A silicone lick mat and interactive slow feeder in one, this handy bowl regularly keeps my puppy from gobbling down her food too fast. The bottom silicone mat is ideal for wet dog food, and the top bone section can be used for dry food or treats. Each piece is removable too, so you can take the top piece off to make it easier, remove the silicone mat for a dry food-only meal, or put them all together for a more challenging “puzzle mode.”
You can’t go wrong with challenging indoor enrichment for rainy days (or when you just don’t feel like going for a walk). This Petgeek toy teaches dogs to press a button to get a food reward — basically like a slot machine for dogs. It’s also a cheaper, less advanced version of the popular Treat & Train remote reward system, so you can use it for agility training or any type of training that might require you to reward your dog from a distance. It can be plugged in for indoor use or used with batteries for on-the-go training sessions.
Belinsky almost exclusively uses Open Farm’s freeze-dried raw dog food as training treats, whether she’s training her own dogs or clients’ dogs. “They’re easy to deliver, not super messy and they’re nutritionally complete,” she says. “I reward by throwing food on the ground quite often, and these are easy for the dog to track. Plus, you can always add some over their kibble as a?topper.”
If your pup has short hair, they might need to layer up when it’s cold. We adore the sweaters and jackets from Little Beast. They’re soft, easy to put on and, most importantly, unbelievably cute.
This two-in-one dog bed has a removable insert that gives your dog even more places to nap. Our favorite feature of this bed is its raised, pillowtop exterior, which is the perfect place to rest a snoot.
Let your pup nap in ultimate comfort with this dog bed from Casper, which has a plush memory-foam filling and a removable washable cover. Our editors’ pets love it.
This stylish crate (yet another Underscored editor fave) gives your dog a safe, cozy place to nap without ruining your living room’s aesthetic. Not only is the crate gorgeous but it features an ingenious garage-style door that tucks away when not in use.
“I love seat belts as an easy, safe option for transporting your dog in the car,” Belinsky says. “They’re especially helpful for anxious dogs because if you can restrict their movement even a little bit, it’ll help them settle. A crash-tested seat belt is a good alternative to bulky, expensive car crates.”
These pet tags from Pine and Bark are some of our favorites since they come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and designs. Not to mention they’re irresistibly cute. We’re fond of the camping-themed tags, but there are plenty to choose from to match your dog’s personality.
