header banner
Default

The 19 Greatest Dogs and Dog Lovers Gifts


A collection of dog related items, including a few dog toys, dog shampoo and a dog collar.
Photo: Michael Murtaugh

Dogs can’t just hand over a list of the gizmos and gadgets they desire. That puts added pressure on us, their human friends, to pick out the best toys and treats for our favorite pooches.

Whether you’re looking for a luxe puppy bed, a fun chew toy, or something more unusual for the canine who has everything, we’ve gathered the best Wirecutter-tested and staff-recommended gifts for dogs (and the people who love them!).

A Happy & Polly Custom Pet Portrait Stamp of a cat.
Photo: Happy & Polly

Submit a tight, straight-on shot of a pet’s mug, and then await the adorable result (it can take up to four weeks to arrive). The self-inking stamp is dark, smudge-resistant, and surprisingly accurate.

Buying Options

VIDEO: Gift Ideas For Dogs and Dog Lovers! (Top Black Friday Deals, Christmas and Holiday Gifts for Dogs!)
CaptainBerz

Anyone who’s obsessed with a fur baby will go wild over this Custom Pet Portrait Stamp. Just upload a photo of their beloved pet’s face, type in the pet’s name, and then choose from one of five colors for the stamp box. Be sure to choose a well-lit photo with a clear, tight shot of the pup’s full head from the front (blurry, dark photos taken at a distance won’t look as great on a stamp). The self-inking, black-and-white stamp will arrive in a few weeks. Some reviewers noted that it took longer than expected to receive their purchase, but most were overjoyed to be stamping away.

A Dalmatian drinking water from a Springer Pets Flip Dog Travel Bottle.
Photo: Springer Pets

Equipped with a built-in drinking bowl, this BPA-free squeeze bottle comes in three sizes (15, 20, or 22 ounces).

Buying Options

VIDEO: Unique Gifts for Dog Lovers on Amazon
Holistic Vet

With its mushroom-shaped top, this water bottle is a convenient way to keep pups hydrated on hot days and long hikes. Just twist the top handle of the Flip Dog Travel Bottle, and flip the silicone cap inside out to make a leak-proof bowl. Squeezing the body pushes water up from the bottle into the food-safe basin. The lightweight bottle is available in three sizes (15, 20, or 22 ounces) and colors (green, black, or white). It has a carabiner, so you can latch it onto a backpack, and the bottom fits most car cupholders.

A framed Vana Chupp Studio Custom Pet Silhouette hung on a wall.
Photo: Vana Chupp Studio

Receive a unique silhouette digitally rendered and printed on archival paper. The company offers flexible customer service and tons of customizable options.

Buying Options

VIDEO: This Year's TOP GIFT IDEAS for Your Dog | Puppy Holiday Gift Guide
Mindy McKnight

If your loved one’s dog has a personality that’s more dignified than goofy, the Vana Chupp Studio Custom Pet Silhouette may better suit their style. Available in seven sizes, the black silhouette is printed on archival paper. The process ensures there are no unhappy surprises: After you provide a profile photograph to the company, a representative will send back a digitally rendered proof in a few days. In our experience, this company was very responsive to making edits, such as deleting an errant hair, at no extra charge. You can choose to include an inscription in varying typefaces (or even someone’s handwriting) or to have it framed.

This handheld cleaner’s back-and-forth rolling mechanism generates an electrostatic charge that effectively clears even the most hair-matted upholstery. It holds up for years and doesn’t require refills.

Buying Options

VIDEO: ✅Top 5 Best Gifts for Dog Lovers in 2022
The Pets Products

The ChomChom Pet Hair Remover is staff writer Samantha Schoech’s go-to gift for new pet parents. It’s the only thing she’s found that can keep up with the fur shed by her two long-haired cats—and it works great for dog hair, too. She keeps one on each floor of her house and uses them daily. When this simple plastic device is rolled back and forth over fur-covered fabric, it creates an electrostatic charge that picks up hair and then collects it in an easy-to-empty chamber.

Dog- and cat-shaped pillows on a bench.
Photo: All About Vibe

Transform a high-res image into a double-take-worthy pet doppelgänger. It arrives in about a week.

Buying Options

VIDEO: The BEST Gift Ideas For Dog Lovers | DOGGO LIFE
Doggo Life

True dog lovers will appreciate a playful pet-shaped pillow. Just send in a high-res photo, choose a size (10, 16, or 24 inches), and review the digital mock-up. In about a week, the pet lover in your life will receive a photo-realistic pillow in the shape of their beloved doggo. The pillow’s polyester velvet is less cuddly than actual dog fur, but it’ll do in a pinch. Though beware: These pillows are so realistic-looking that they can be mistaken for the real thing!

A dog chewing on a Benebone Wishbone Chewer.
Photo: Benebone

This chicken-flavored nylon wishbone comes in multiple sizes and stands up to even the most vigorous chewers.

Buying Options

VIDEO: ✅Top 5 Best Gifts for Dog Lovers of 2023
PetLabs

The Benebone Wishbone Chewer is the only chew toy that has stood up to our friend Frankie, a 69-pound mixed-breed dog who has a real passion for chomping (and has left a string of demolished rawhide in his past). The hard nylon wishbone is chicken-flavored (we’ll take the company’s word for it), and it comes in multiple sizes, for pups big and small. (Owners should note that this is a chew toy, not an edible treat.) Though no pet toy is indestructible, this one comes as close as any others we’ve seen. Bristled or sharp edges can be sanded down to keep the good times gnawing.

Two small dogs playing with an orange Kong Jumbler Ball.
Photo: Kong

This toy consists of a squeaky tennis ball inside a handled, bouncy case that’s great for fetch, tugging, or solo pup play.

Buying Options

VIDEO: Top 5 Best Gifts for Dog Lovers in 2020
Review Click

Some dogs can play with one toy all day and be content. Others need to switch things up. The Kong Jumbler Ball is perfect for the dog who thinks variety is the spice of life. There’s a squeaky tennis ball trapped inside the pliable clear shell. And because of its exterior handles, this ball is easy for a human to pick up and toss—or for a pup to shake and fling to their heart’s content. Two other Kong puzzle toys come highly recommended by Wirecutter staffers. The plastic Kong Wobbler can be filled with hard treats or kibble, and dogs learn quickly that if they move it, a reward comes out. The Kong Classic provides the same entertainment, only it gets filled with wet food.

A black-gray French bull dog playing with a Hear Doggy Ultrasonic Squeaker Toy.
Photo: Hear Doggy

Dogs can hear the tantalizing, high-pitched squeak coming from these plush chewies, but humans, thankfully, cannot.

Buying Options

VIDEO: The Best Gifts for Dog Owners
Pet Shop

A squeaky toy can thoroughly entertain a rowdy pup—but it can also create frayed nerves for nearby humans. The Hear Doggy Ultrasonic Squeaker Toy has a frequency between 24 and 28 kHz; this is still thrilling for a dog but nearly undetectable to the human ear. When chomped, this particular squeaker makes a low-key whooshing sound, like air being pushed around. Hear Doggy toys come in three levels of chew-hardiness—plush, flat, and one the company calls “chew-guard” tech. As is true of any plush toy, this one (even the durable versions) can be destroyed by dogs who have an internal search-and-destroy mission. But our testers found this toy to be relatively tough and especially worthwhile for the sound of silence.

A dog lying down playing with the OurPets IQ Treat Ball.
Photo: Winnie Yang

This adjustable treat-dispensing ball makes dogs work a little for their rewards, and it keeps chow hounds from wolfing dinner in a single gulp.

Buying Options

VIDEO: The Absolute Best Gifts for Dogs -2020
Robert Cabral

To free a piece of kibble from the IQ Treat Ball, an enterprising pup must roll the ball or pick it up in their mouth and drop it. Sounds simple, yet one editor said it was the best dog toy she’d ever bought, adding that it withstood years of rough play and provided hours of waggy-tailed fun. A small disc inside the sphere lets you adjust the difficulty level, to keep things interesting. When giving this as a gift, do consider size: The 3-inch option is recommended for dogs under 40 pounds; for dogs who weigh more than that, opt for the 4-inch version.

A dog lying on a FurHaven Snuggery Burrow Bed.
Photo: FurHaven

Burrowing dogs can get cozy on this sherpa-lined orthopedic mattress. The top layer can be propped up like a den or lie flat like a blanket.

Buying Options

VIDEO: 50 Moments when your dog shows love to you and warms your heart! ❤️
Comfort Zone TV

This cozy resting spot is perfect for pups who love to burrow, said senior staff writer Kaitlyn Wells, whose dog Sutton enjoyed it for over four years. Lined with insulating sherpa fleece, the FurHaven Snuggery bed features a flexible hood; this hood stands up to create a cave and collapses down into a blanket to envelop your pup. This bed comes in several different colors and sizes. An older dog (or one with back problems) may appreciate the orthopedic-foam version. And in the summer, the cooling gel-infused model might hit the spot for canines who live in warmer climates.

Close-up of a dog licking a gooey treat from the SodaPup eMat Enrichment Lick Mat.
Photo: SodaPup

To keep dogs calm and occupied, fill the nooks and crannies of this BPA-free rubber lick mat with peanut butter or other gooey treats.

Buying Options

VIDEO: Does anyone else have a dog like this 😁 Cute Dog And Human Moments
Ginger Cat

When you just want your pup to chill out, a lick mat covered in tasty treats will give them something nourishing to focus on. These thick rubber placemats have novelty-shaped cutouts (think little ducks or dog bones), which pet owners can smear with peanut butter, yogurt, fruit puree, or whatever their pup desires. Dogs will love licking every nook and cranny clean, but Kaitlyn said these colorful and cute mats are also a gift to the owners. “Dogs can spend upwards of 30 minutes working on a mat, which gives you plenty of time to finish a quick chore or conference call,” she said. Lick mats can also help quick eaters slow down at mealtime, and they work well if dogs need a distraction during grooming or bath time. And once your pup has licked the mat clean, just toss it in the dishwasher, so it’ll be ready for the next snack session.

A red teacup and saucer from Poppy Angeloff with a portrait of a dog on the cup.
Photo: Poppy Angeloff

Hand-crafted and finished with 24-karat-gold accents, these delightfully cheeky tea sets celebrate the beauty and elegance of about two-dozen different dog breeds.

Buying Options

VIDEO: Dogs are God's gift to their owners Funny Dog and Human
Ginger Cat

For the pup who is treated like royalty, nothing could be more fitting than Poppy Angeloff’s porcelain Pups on Cups collection. Each teacup-and-saucer pair features one of 21 different breeds, such as pomeranians, golden retrievers, and yorkies. Every item is hand-painted with 24-karat-gold accents and comes in an adorable, glossy box.

A dog licking a Aquapaw Slow Treater Silicone Lick Mat that is stuck to a wall.
Photo: Aquapaw

Use this silicone, suction-cupped licking mat to distract and calm dogs during the indignities of bath time.

Buying Options

VIDEO: I Think My Dog Loves My Neighbor More Than Me 😁
Ginger Cat

Bathing dogs can be hard: It may involve whining, yelping, and a few escape attempts—and that’s just the owner we’re talking about. The Aquapaw Slow Treater Silicone Lick Mat gives dogs a welcome distraction during bath time, so it’s easier for human companions to get the job done. Just spread peanut butter, low-fat cream cheese, or another high-value snack into the grooves of this mat, which suctions to the wall. It’s designed so that dogs can’t eat the treat quickly, giving groomers more time to do a thorough washing. That’s a win for everyone.

Having a dog means carrying poop bags around. This stylish pouch hooks onto the leash and keeps everything neat and discrete.

Buying Options

VIDEO: Two dogs having too much fun
alex nicholos

If someone you know has to pick up dog waste, why shouldn’t they do it in style? This brightly colored poop-bag dispenser is one of more than two-dozen options, ranging from waxed canvas to rainbow, mud cloth, and florals. The pouch looks great hanging from a leash (it attaches easily and securely, thanks to a sturdy gold clip). The dispenser is lightweight and can hold a standard roll of bags, with just enough space left for a treat or two.

A square-shaped Eufy indoor camera.
Photo: Sarah Kobos

No need to spend a lot on a fancy pet cam. This camera offers a sharp image, four choices for video storage, and a continuous recording option, and it can distinguish between different motions and sounds.

Buying Options

VIDEO: 30+ Gift Ideas for Dog Parents This Christmas! & what's on MY Christmas wish list! | vlogmas day 18
Marissa Nicole

The Eufy Indoor Cam C120 makes it easy to keep an eye on pets from anywhere. After extensive testing, we found that our top pick for indoor security cameras is also a great alternative to fancier pet cameras. The inexpensive, wireless Eufy captures sharp, 2K-resolution video with a 125-degree field of view. It can distinguish between pets and people, and it has a Pet Command feature, which lets owners label an activity zone and has the device play an automated or customized sound when something enters into that zone. There are three options for storage: Record footage for free to a microSD card or NAS; use your iCloud storage with Apple HomeKit Secure Video; or subscribe to the Eufy Cloud Service ($3 per month or $30 per year for 30 days of storage for one camera).

A dog lying on the ground next to the Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel plush dog toy.
Photo: Amy Roberts

Stuffed inside a plush tree trunk, these squeaking squirrels provide great entertainment for pups, especially breeds with tunnel-hunting instincts.

Buying Options

VIDEO: BEST PET GADGETS AND HACKS EVERY PET OWNER SHOULD KNOW
5-Minute Crafts

Outward Hound’s Hide-A-Squirrel is several stuffed toys in one: Three small, squeaky squirrels are placed inside a tree trunk, and dogs have to work on getting them out of their holes. This toy is intended to be a boredom-busting, mentally stimulating activity, prompting pups to ponder how to get those critters out of their hiding place. It’s also great for families with multiple dogs—pups can work together to nab the squirrels and then chew on their own. One staffer’s sister has two dachshunds who adore this toy. If you’ve never seen a sausage-shaped dog race around while dragging a stuffed tree trunk behind her, let us assure you that it’s a magnificent sight. Other staffer pups also love this toy.

Two reflective collars by Orvis–one in orange and the other in green.
Photo: Orvis

To customize this bright, reflective collar, you can choose from a variety of colors and sizes. It’s backed by a lifetime warranty.

Buying Options

VIDEO: 50 Sweetest moments dogs teach us what true and unconditional love is❤️
Comfort Zone TV

Should your dog ever get loose, the bright and bold Orvis Personalized Reflective Collar—our favorite basic dog collar—will provide peace of mind. Your pet’s name and your phone number are embroidered on the front, so all of the information to reunite you is right there. And there’s no need to worry about an ID tag falling off. Made of durable nylon, the collar is reflective and easily spotted in low-light conditions. The Orvis collar’s embroidery won’t fade or peel away, and the heavy-duty side-release buckle makes this collar easy to put on and take off. Most importantly, it’s simple to adjust and comfy for your pet to wear, so you (and your pup!) will actually use it.

A dog lying on a SwimWays Spring Float Paddle Paws floating lounger in a pool.
Photo: SwimWays

This floating lounger for sweltering summer pups has a puncture-resistant bottom and supports dogs up to 65 pounds.

Buying Options

VIDEO: Top 10 Best Gifts For [DOG] Lovers
Top 10 Best Gift Ideas

Pool days are even more fun when the four-legged members of your family are involved. This SwimWays float is ideal for smaller dogs but can support pups up to 65 pounds. It’s also puncture-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about canine claws sinking this ship. Inserts on the side of the mesh base allow a little water into the float, to keep your pup cool. If you decide to take everyone on a weekend getaway, the float folds flat for easy transport to another pool.

Close-up of a person wearing DivvyUp Custom Dog Socks.
Photo: DivvyUp

Have a pet’s mug digitally printed on these polyester, spandex, and nylon socks. And remember to size up: Snug socks can lead to distorted faces.

Buying Options

VIDEO: 🌵 10 Best Gifts for Dog Lovers
Lemongrass UK

All dog parents obsess over how cute their dogs are, and now the rest of the world can obsess over them too. These customizable DivvyUp socks are sure to show off a pup’s good side, since you get to choose the photo and upload it directly to the company’s site. Each pair can have up to three different faces, which is great for those who have more than one dog and don’t want to play favorites. Do size up: If the socks fit too snugly, the image gets distorted.

This article was edited by Hannah Morrill and Jennifer Hunter.

Meet your guides

Except for the time she gave a boyfriend her mother’s old toaster for Christmas, staff writer Samantha Schoech has a reputation as an excellent gift giver. She lives in San Francisco with two teens, two cats, a geriatric betta fish, and a bookseller husband. Her first book of short stories, My Mother’s Boyfriends, is coming out in 2024.

Mari Uyehara is a staff writer for Wirecutter’s gifts team. She was previously an editor at GQ, Saveur, and Vice, and she won a 2019 James Beard Award for her column on American cooking in Taste. The daughter of a potter, she has long been a believer in the power of a well-made thing.

Mentioned above

  • The dogs of Wirecutter share their favorite toys for chewing, fetching, destroying, and more. Read on to learn which dog toys are the most durable and engaging.
    The 12 Best Dog Toys, According to Our Pups 
  • Security cameras keep a watchful eye on all your prized possessions—not only your stuff, but family and pets, too—and send an alert when motion is detected.
    The Best Indoor Security Camera 
  • We tested 10 collars on big and small dogs and found that Orvis & Personalized Collar is best. It’s tough, reflective, and customized with your contact info.

Further reading

VIDEO: The BEST Gifts for Large Dogs (& the People Who Love Them) | BIG DOG MOM'S FAVORITE THINGS OF 2022!!
Big Dog Mom
  • A dog resting in a brown dog bed with a bag of treats and a chew toy nearby.

    The Best Dog Beds

    VIDEO: The 7 Best Gifts for Dog People | Rover.com
    Rover

    by Kaitlyn Wells and Nick Guy

    After five years of research—which included plenty of scratching and snoozing—these six dog beds are our top picks.

  • A person walking a short dog on a two handled leash.

    The Best Everyday Dog Leash

    VIDEO: Cute + Inexpensive Gifts for DOG LOVERS (Only $15!)
    In Ruff Company

    by Eve Batey

    After taking 5 dogs on 40 walks, we found the Max and Neo Double Handle Heavy Duty Reflective Leash is the best everyday leash for most pups and their people.

  • A dog wearing one of picks for the best dog harness, shown sitting next to a couple of dog toys.

    The Best Dog Harnesses

    VIDEO: Gift Ideas For Pet Lovers | Best Christmas Gifts For Dog Lovers
    The Daily Topic

    by Meaghan Lee Callaghan and Kaitlyn Wells

    After additional testing, we still think the Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Dog Walking Harness is the best and safest harness for most dogs (and their people).

  • A small dog sitting on a cushion inside one of our top picks for the best dog crate.

    The Best Dog Crate

    VIDEO: 3 Must Have Christmas Gift Ideas For Dog Lovers 🎁🐶 #shorts #dogs #doglovers #dogmom
    Petlab Co

    by Kaitlyn Wells

    We tested 17 dog crates with our own escape-artist pups and those from area rescues. And our longtime pick, the MidWest Ultima Pro, still came out on top.

Sources


Article information

Author: Sara Rivera

Last Updated: 1702259522

Views: 479

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (103 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Sara Rivera

Birthday: 2001-10-19

Address: 167 Alexis Circles, South Sherry, NY 08934

Phone: +3694106828743666

Job: Tour Guide

Hobby: Yoga, Animation, Sailing, Playing Piano, Backpacking, Singing, Hiking

Introduction: My name is Sara Rivera, I am a unguarded, unwavering, unswerving, capable, intrepid, sincere, striking person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.