17 Gifts Every Dog Owner Will Love
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It’s almost the holiday season! Can you believe it’s almost the end of 2023? This year has completely flown by!
This year, one of my goals is to get started with finding holiday gifts early. I am one of those people that waits for the last minute, and I always regret it. I don’t need that added stress right before all the holidays!
If you have a dog owner in your life, you already know how much their dog means to them. I personally would always rather receive gifts for my dog than for me. So if you need a little inspiration for a Christmas gift for the crazy dog parent in your life, these are all my favorite products that are sure to be a hit!
Embark Dog DNA Test Kit
This is far and away my favorite gift for dog parents! Embark is regarded as the most reliable consumer level dog DNA test. Embark is especially great for dog parents with rescue dogs who are mixed breeds. This DNA test confirms a dog’s breed makeup. It also connects dog owners with their dog’s relatives (read this story about how I found my dog’s puppy through Embark!). Best of all, it provides health testing that can help your loved one understand and prepare for any health concerns that may arise.
BarkBox and Super Chewer treat & toy subscription boxes
For the gift that keeps on giving, consider gifting a treat and toy subscription box! The Super Chewer and BarkBox subscriptions will send your friend a themed box every month with a fun toy and treat for their dog! I recommend BarkBox for moderate chewers and Super Chewer for heavy chewers. My Golden Retriever definitely does best with the Super Chewer toys!
Dog Puzzle Feeders
Every dog owner appreciates a little downtime from their dog. Mental enrichment helps satisfy a dog’s biological needs. I have very food motivated dogs that like to solve puzzles, so I feed them in Outward Hound puzzle toys. Not only does it work their brains, but it also slows down their eating time!
Photo session with a local photographer
My personal motto is “take more photos WITH your dog”. Our dogs aren’t here for a long time, and having photos together that showcases our relationships with them. One of the best gifts you can give your loved one is gifting them a session with a local photographer. Not sure who to hire? Check out my list of dog photographers across the United States to find someone local to you! (And if you’re located in Upstate New York, you can contact me!)
Custom Dog Portrait
Some of my most treasured items are the artwork I have of my dogs. I’m not talking art of my dogs’ breeds – I mean custom portraits of my dogs! There’s no better gift than a piece of art of your dog. Your loved one will cherish this gift forever! Some of my favorite artists are Wet Lab Creative (watercolors and stickers) and Dawn Toussaint (DIY paint kits and charcoal portraits).
GPS and Activity tracker
It’s so important to keep track of our beloved pets! Especially if your friend’s pet is an escape artist who likes getting out of the house, a GPS collar is one of the best gifts a dog owner could receive. Plus, many track the dog’s general activity so your loved one can keep a close eye on their activity and exercise! Popular GPS/Activity trackers are Tractive, Whistle, and FitBark.
Pet Camera
My dog doesn’t have separation anxiety, but I do! I miss my dog so much while I’m out of the house. I also want to be able to check on them periodically in case there is an emergency. I personally use a Wyze camera to keep an eye on my dogs while I’m gone. If you want something a little higher end that is specifically made for pets, I recommend the Furbo (especially if you want to toss your dog a treat while you’re gone!) or Pet Cube.
Dog Themed Welcome Mat
Keep those muddy paws out of the house! A custom door mat will let your loved one show off how much they love their dog while also keeping the house just a bit cleaner. There are so many cute designs! My favorites are “there’s like a bunch of dogs in here” and “hope you like big ass dogs”.
New Collars
Collars are a super fun way to dress up your dog! The Collar Shop has a huge variety of beautiful and fun collars, including a few with some, er, naughty language (my personal favorite!!).
Identification tags
All dog owners love to accessorize their pups! One of my favorite way to dress up my dogs is with beautiful hand stamped tags. For a minimalist vibe, check out my friend’s shop Lucky Fellow Co. If you want a tag with a larger scene on it, check out Howl and Heart. I also love painted tags and Round the Shire has the best ones on the market!
New Harnesses
I know, I know, I keep bringing up ways to accessorize your dog. But really – Ruffwear harnesses come in so many gorgeous colors. I’ve become a bit of a collector and love changing out my dog’s harnesses for a different look or to match her collar. Ruffwear also has a lot of cute and very functional coats to keep your loved one’s dog warm this winter!
Enrichment toys
WestPaw toys are pretty much the most durable things on the market. WestPaw makes a ton of fun toys for playing with your dog, and also makes lots of toys that can be filled with yummies like peanut butter, frozen kibble, and yogurt. These toys are great for giving dogs mental enrichment and helping them calm down (did you know licking is a self-soothing behavior?)
Poop bags
I’m not kidding. Dog owners know – you can never have enough poop bags. If I got this many poop bags for Christmas, I would be a very happy dog owner.
Bully Sticks
You don’t want to know what bully sticks are made out of…but trust me, dogs love them. Or if your friend isn’t into letting their dog gnaw on bull penis bully sticks…try pig snouts, bladder or buffalo horns. I know it’s gross, but it’s actually a great way to keep dogs’ teeth clean and keep them occupied for a little while!
Snuffle Mats
Speaking of giving your dog an outlet for their biological needs – dogs need to sniff! Many dogs enjoy the challenge of sniffing and foraging for their food. In a domestic setting, snuffle toys satisfy this important biological need! Check out Izzy’s Best Creations for colorful homemade snuffle mats, or this one that you can adjust to make easier or harder according to your dog’s needs.
Custom Portrait Tree Ornament
Custom dog artwork isn’t just for hanging on walls! There are so many options for pet portraiture. Check out these beautiful painted ornaments from Hand Drawn by Chloe and keychains, magnets, and more from Among the Trees Shop.
Pooping Pooches Tree Ornament
If your loved one has a sense of humor about the less than savory parts of dog parent life, this Pooping Pooches tree ornament is the perfect gift. And yes, there is one hanging on my tree!
