There's no denying that dog owners (dog dads and dog moms, ahem) are doggone wild about their pooches. When shopping for a gift for a dog lover in your life, it's always a safe bet to go with something canine-centered. You could choose a toy subscription, dog oracle deck, customized socks featuring a photo of your friend's precious pup, or something even more unique. Dog gift ideas come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colors — just like the dogs themselves. Whatever your friend needs — there's a paw-some choice here.
Is your friend a dog lover and a plant lover? Consider gifting them a new plant in a dog-shaped planter. This is a great choice for the giftee whose residence doesn't allow them to have pets; now they'll have a new friend to care for (minus the barking).
If your friend does have pets in their home, make sure you pick something pet-friendly, like a spider plant, African violet, or prayer plant.
Need a last-minute gift idea for a dog parent? Grab a gift card to a pet supply store like Chewy.com. You can purchase and send the gift card electronically within moments (which is a relief if you're truly down to the last minute!)
Every pet owner wants to know what their dog is doing when they're gone, which is why a dog camera is a fantastic gift. Unlike other cameras, the Furbo rotates 360 degrees and allows the user to dispense a treat with the click of a button!
Give the gift of communication with a set of talking dog buttons. These colorful buttons are programmable, so your loved one can record their desired words and then teach their dog how to speak via the buttons. Hunger for Words also includes a stepwise teaching guide. However, once your friend gets their pup talking, they might not stop!
Gift a monthly subscription box specifically for your buddy's best friend. The BarkBox membership comes with two toys, two treats, and a chew delivered directly to their house each month. You can choose a plan based on the dog's size or select the Super Chewer box if you know they're a tough chewer. Purchase a single month as a gift or spring for an entire year.
Dog lovers who enjoy entertaining would appreciate a serving board in the shape of a paw print. They can use this natural bamboo gift for cheeses, snacks, desserts, or even as a butter board. Plus, it doubles as a cutting board.
If your buddy doesn't have a "Wipe Your Paws" welcome mat in front of their door, are they really a dog lover? Gift them a fun mat with a similar saying, or even have a custom one made with their dog's name.
Messages from the Universe often feel that much more magical when delivered via dog oracle cards. The Divine Dog Wisdom deck is a thoughtful gift for the wisdom-seeker in your life who can't get enough of dogs because each card features an artistic image of a dog along with an inspiring message.
A photo is great, but if you want to give a dog lover something really special, why not commission an original portrait of their pet? You can find dozens of incredible artists on Etsy who will create a beautiful work of art based on a photo of the dog. Just make sure to plan ahead because these can take several weeks, if not months, to make.
The dog lover who loves to write would appreciate a new notebook with a dog on the cover. You could also add in some puppy-themed pencils, stickers, sticky pads, or a set of envelopes and cards. This is a great choice for a Secret Santa gift or an acquaintance you don't know very well.
Give the gift of peace of mind via a pet tracking device. There are several brands you can choose from based on your budget and needs, but use caution because many require pretty exorbitant monthly service subscriptions. Tractive's plan is only $5 each month and offers live location tracking plus wellness updates, like sleep activities and daily calories burned.
A wine glass, bottle stopper, or coffee mug featuring a picture of a dog or paw prints can be a sweet gift idea for any dog lover. This "Dog Mom" tumbler even has a lid to keep their wine free of dog hair. Go an extra step by filling the vessel with coffee beans or treats you know the giftee likes, or purchase a bottle of their favorite beverage.
Gift a photo frame adorned with paw prints, bones, or doggy sayings. Better yet, place your favorite photo of your friend's pooch in the frame.
Give your loved one knowledge of their dog's breed(s), along with genetic health markers. You can gift the unopened kit for them to complete on their own, or do a sneaky cheek swab at least three to four weeks before the special day, then give your friend the final results.
A star named after a special dog is often thought of as a memorial gift, but it can be a meaningful way to celebrate a living dog, too. Find out the name of your dog lover's pet and name a star for them through the International Star Registry.
Any dog lover will agree that watching their dog play provides them with so much joy. Consider gifting a dog-safe toy that represents the occasion, like a cake for a birthday or Santa for Christmas. Chewy's Goody Boxes have fun themes and include toys, treats, and accessories for your giftee and their dog to enjoy.
Let your gift recipient play dress up with new clothes for their dog. You can choose some fun costumes or gift functional clothes like a rain jacket, winter coat, or UV protective hat. Just make sure you know the dog's size so you can pick something that fits, and that their dog's ok with clothes. A failsafe choice is a one-size-fits-all bandana.
Pet hair gets everywhere, including the car. A handheld vacuum cleaner can be a thoughtful and useful gift idea for a dog owner, and this one is designed specifically for tough-to-grab pet hair. It's a bit of a splurge, but the recipient might love it so much they'll even vacuum your car for you!
Bringing home a new bundle of fur is a momentous occasion. If you're looking for a new puppy gift idea, this guided book will encourage your giftee to record all their pup's "firsts," so they can refer back to them as their puppy matures.
What's better than receiving an item with a dog on it? Receiving an item with your dog on it. Consider having some apparel or household items customized with your friend's dog's photo printed on them. There are endless options available, but the following are some ideas to get you started.
- Calendar
- Phone case
- PopSocket
- Socks
- Shirt
- Blanket
- Mug
- Tumbler
- Pillow
- Playing cards
- Mouse pad
- Christmas tree ornament
- Pendant
- Keychain
- Hat
- Pajamas
This adorable keepsake is the perfect gift for someone who wants to capture their dog's paw print. And let me tell you — I wish I had one of these when I did my dog's prints. Not only did it end up in a huge mess, but I didn't get a good print. With this one, the dog's paws never come in contact with the ink, so it's mess-free!
I can't begin to tell you how many times my dog has jumped up on the bed after taking a dive in the creek out back. If you have a friend with a dog that loves to swim, this could be a lifesaver. And it could save them from washing their blankets over and over!
My parents grabbed a couple of these handy storage containers after their sneaky doggies kept breaking into their other storage container. It's been about a year since they bought them, and they've held up tremendously. And bonus, they're dog-proof, even for their persistent English springer spaniels!
To be honest, I've never seen one of these, but I have hoped for something like this! You know how you might not know if or when a dog or cat peed somewhere, but our dogs do?
That's exactly why this would be a helpful gift to grab for someone with dogs. If there's a certain area of the house their dog is attracted to, they can shine the light and figure out if there's any urine around.
As an added bonus, it can show if there are any signs of bed bugs, which could be super helpful for people who travel with their dogs.
Can you think of a family member who has dog toys literally everywhere around their house? This cute toy collector can solve that issue. Of course, they're still going to have some lying around, but they can put some away in a designated spot with these handy dandy baskets.
Gift Ideas for Every Dog Owner and Every Occasion
The last thing you want to do is give someone a gift they can't or won't use. Most dog owners are already equipped with the essentials and have tried-and-true brands they like, so it's usually not wise to gift a leash, collar, bowls, or pet food unless you know they need them. Instead, give your loved one something fun they typically wouldn't splurge on. Or allow them to buy their own necessities with a gift card to a pet store. Whatever gift you choose for a special dog lover, they'll undoubtedly appreciate the thought behind it.
