A good gift for a dog lover does one of two things: it makes their everyday life with the dog a little easier, or it keeps the dog in the picture. The easiest way to choose is to think about how they spend time with their dog. Someone who walks two hours a day needs different things than someone whose dog mostly guards the couch. Below are ideas for each type, a few gifts that give back, and the one gift to think twice about.
Shopping for the dog itself? See Christmas gifts for dogs (and from the dog).
For the daily walker
- A clip-on light or a reflective vest for dark winter mornings and evenings, for the dog, the person or both.
- Warm, waterproof gloves that still let them use a phone and pick up after the dog.
- A hands-free leash that goes around the waist, popular with runners and anyone who walks with a coffee.
- A poop bag holder that clips to the leash, plus a big roll of refills. Not glamorous, used every single day.
- A packable water bottle with a fold-out bowl for long walks and hikes.
For the homebody
- A washable throw for the spot on the couch the dog has already claimed.
- A good pet hair tool kit: a rubber hair brush for upholstery and a refillable lint roller for the coat they wear to work.
- A dog bed that matches the living room, so it can stay out when guests come over.
- A snuffle mat or puzzle feeder for rainy days, when the dog has energy and nowhere to put it.
For the dog photographer
If their phone is 90 percent dog pictures, help them do something with those photos.
- A photo book or a wall calendar made from the year's best shots. Most photo services can pull pictures straight from a phone or a shared album.
- A treat holder that clips onto a phone, so the dog looks straight at the camera.
- A portrait of their dog for the wall. It turns one good photo into something they will see every day.
Full disclosure: PawSums, the team behind this site, makes custom pet portraits on canvas. You upload a photo of the dog, we create a royal or watercolor-style portrait with AI-assisted digital art, email you a preview, and print it on a 12" x 16" or 18" x 24" canvas. Economy shipping in the US is free and takes about 9 to 16 business days, Standard is $4.99 and takes about 7 to 13 business days, and during the holiday season it can take a few days longer.
From the PawSums shop
Royal Pet Portrait Canvas
A classical royal portrait of your dog or cat, with details such as a velvet cape, a lace collar and a warm, dark painterly background.
See the royal style
From the PawSums shop
Watercolor Pet Portrait Canvas
A soft, light watercolor-style portrait of your dog or cat, made as digital art, with gentle washes of color and fine ink details.
See the watercolor style
For the baker
A dog treat cookbook with a set of bone-shaped cookie cutters is a fun gift for someone who likes to bake. Add a short note about ingredients, because some everyday baking staples are not safe for dogs. The ASPCA lists, among others:
- Chocolate: "The darker (higher cacao percentage) the chocolate, or the higher the caffeine content, the greater the risk for toxicity."
- Xylitol, a sweetener in many sugar-free products, which "can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and potentially liver damage depending on the amount ingested."
- Grapes and raisins: "exposure to grapes/raisins can lead to kidney damage."
- Onion, garlic and chives: these "Allium species can cause gastrointestinal irritation and red blood cell damage, which can lead to anemia."
- Macadamia nuts, which "can cause weakness, incoordination, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs."
Raw yeast dough is on the list too, because it "can rise and cause gas to accumulate in your pet's digestive system." For the bigger picture, see holiday foods that are toxic to dogs.
For the new puppy owner
- Chew toys in the right size, because puppies chew everything and a toy is cheaper than a shoe.
- A soft crate blanket and a cover that makes the crate feel like a den.
- An enzyme cleaner made for pet accidents. Every new puppy owner needs one, few think to buy it.
- A gift card for a local puppy class, if you know there is a good one nearby.
New owners also tend to worry about how much to feed. Point them to the puppy feeding calculator and the puppy feeding schedule.
For someone with an older dog
- A supportive bed for a dog that sleeps more than it used to.
- Non-slip rugs or runners for slippery floors in the hallway or kitchen.
- Pet steps or a ramp for the couch, the bed or the car.
- A professional photo session, so they have good pictures of these years.
Curious how old their dog is in human years? The dog age calculator works it out by size.
Gifts that give back
- A donation in the dog's name to a local shelter or rescue, with a card that says so.
- Your time: a voucher for a weekend of dog sitting or a week of morning walks is worth a lot to someone who rarely gets a day off.
The gift to think twice about: a surprise puppy
A puppy under the tree looks great in a movie. In real life, the ASPCA recommends giving pets as gifts "only to people who have expressed a sustained interest in owning one" and who have "the ability to care for it responsibly," and says the gift-giver should know the recipient's schedule well enough to be sure they have the time. If you are not sure, a book about dog care and a promise to visit the shelter together is a gentler way to give the idea of a dog. The real cost of a dog surprises many people, too: the dog cost calculator adds it up.
Frequently asked questions
What do you get someone who loves dogs but doesn't have one?
Something that lets them enjoy dogs without the commitment: a dog photo calendar, a book about dogs, a donation in their name to a shelter, or an afternoon volunteering together at a local rescue.
What is a good gift for a dog lover under $25?
A clip-on light for night walks, a leash-mounted poop bag holder with refills, a pet hair tool kit, or a dog treat cookbook with cookie cutters. Small, practical and used often.
Is a portrait of their dog a good gift?
For most dog lovers, yes, because it keeps the dog in the picture for years. You need one clear, well-lit photo of the dog's face. If the gift is a surprise, ask a family member or a close friend who has good photos of the dog, and only use a photo you took yourself or have permission to use.
Should I give someone a puppy for Christmas?
Only if they have shown a sustained interest in owning a dog and are able to care for one responsibly, in line with the ASPCA's position. Otherwise, give the idea of a dog instead, and let them choose the dog themselves.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
- ASPCA: Position Statement on Pets as Gifts