12 Fun (And Functional) Pet Gifts for the Holiday Season
If you’re a pet owner, you already know that your furry pal brings you joy year-round. But during the holidays, you might be too busy buying up gifts for friends and family to remember that your pet likes presents, too. The holiday season is a great excuse to spoil your pet, and whether you have a friendly dog or an aloof cat, there's no doubt they'll appreciate a new toy, treat, or accessory from their trusty human. Here are 12 ideas for pet gifts that are sure to lead to barks and/or meows of gratitude.
Pet Gifts for Dogs
Dogs are (wo)man’s best friend, so they definitively deserve some fun gifts. Here are six of our top picks for your canine companion.
1. Dolly Parton Shirt
Is there anything cuter than a dog wearing clothing? We think not (if your dog doesn't mind it, of course). This dog shirt (Buy from Amazon, $9.97), from Dolly Parton’s recently launched dog accessory line (named — what else? — Doggy Parton) pays tribute to the country queen’s signature over-the-top style. The shirt sports a retro-style portrait of Parton herself, and it’s guaranteed to garner compliments when you take Fido on a walk.
2. Ava’s Pet Palace Treats
Ava’s Pet Palace is an organic, all-natural pet treat brand founded by Ava Dorsey, an impressive teen entrepreneur who started her business when she was just 8 years old. Your dog will flip for Ava’s Snappin’ Salmon treats (Buy from Amazon, $14), which are made from 100 percent Wild Alaskan Salmon. Not only are these treats charmingly packaged, the omega-3 fatty acids contained within can support your pup’s immune system and keep their coat shiny.
3. Clean Paws No-rinse Foaming Cleanser
If your dog returns home from their daily walks with dirty paws, this cleanser (Buy from Dandylion, $18) — which contains a natural mix of aloe vera, coconut oil, broccoli seed oil, and pomegranate extract — is a must-have. Simply pump out the foamy formula; the clever bottle design even features bristles that gently but effectively cleanse your pup's paws, so you don't need any other implement. This product is bound to come in particularly handy after walks in the snow.
4. Calming Donut Bed
Every dog needs a comfy place to lounge, especially when it’s cold outside. This luxuriously soft bed from Best Friends by Sheri (Buy from Amazon, prices vary) is made from a cozy shag that the brand describes as “reminiscent of a mother’s fur coat.” The best thing about this dog bed is its versatility — it comes in 15 different colors and sizes ranging from small to extra-extra-large, and has over 50,000 five-star ratings. This is a great option for just about any kind of dog you can think of.
5. Treat Pouch
At first glance, this bag (Buy from Wild One, $40) looks like a cute purse you could wear for a day out with your girlfriends — but it’s actually a pouch specially designed for dog walking. The pouch sports compartments for both your personal belongings and your dog’s treats, plus a convertible strap that can go around your shoulders or waist. There’s even a built-in bag dispenser for when your pooch needs to take care of business. The pouch comes in a variety of colors, including two plaid versions by fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi, whose fabulous looks you may remember from the '90s.
6. Holiday Goody Box
If you’re indecisive about what to get your hound, this gift set (Buy from Chewy, $27.99) has you covered. This limited edition goody box comes with holiday-themed toys, treats, and a bandana that will make your dog look positively jaunty. Getting toys, treats, and an accessory all in one reasonably-priced package is definitely a win.
Pet Gifts for Cats
Our feline friends often prefer a cardboard box to a fancy bed — but you can still try to give them some pet gifts they might enjoy. Here are six of our favorites.
1. Everybody Dance Meow Toy
This catnip toy (Buy from Amazon, $9.99) will surely get your kitty into the groove. The quirky graphic of two dancing, sunglasses-wearing cats is delightful, and the US-grown catnip within is very potent and sure to enhance your cat’s zoomies. Put on some disco music, give your cat the toy, and watch them go!
2. Kitty & Me Fleece Blanket and Cat Mat
Cuddling with a cat is always good for the soul. This gift (Buy from Triple T Studios, $35) is a two-for-one, as it includes a fleece blanket (for you) and a matching mat (for your cat). The set comes in two cat-centric patterns: one features “pretty flowers on a blue background with black and tiger striped cats playing in the garden,” while the other has a “classic black and white damask design featuring black cats." This item will undoubtedly inspire some super-cute mother/cat child photo opportunities.
3. Nylon Tunnel
Curb your cat’s destructive impulses with this crinkly, durable nylon tunnel (Buy from Chewy, $18.89). When your cat has a burst of energy, they’ll love rolling around in the tunnel and playing peek-a-boo by poking their head through the window. And when they’re in a more chill mood, they can quietly hide in the tunnel and enjoy a meditative moment.
4. Scratcher Laptop
Cats love distracting us from getting work done by walking around on computer keyboards. This scratcher laptop (Buy from Amazon, $35) offers a hilarious solution to a pesky problem. The laptop has many ingenious details, including cat-themed graphics on the “screen” (it gets bonus points for the folder that’s labeled “Plans to Rule the World”) and a mouse that’s — you guessed it — a literal fluffy mouse toy for your cat to play with.
5. Mesa Bowl
This ergonomically designed food bowl (Buy from Cat Person, $45) has an elegantly minimalist profile and comes in a selection of four aesthetically pleasing colors. It also includes a stand and a mat, and is “designed to accommodate cats’ facial profiles, so they can gobble down every morsel without agitating their whiskers.” This bowl isn’t just lovely to look at, it’s also dishwasher safe, and the mat catches spills to make cleanup a breeze.
6. Backpack Carrier
Cat backpacks have recently blown up in popularity, and if you or a cat-owning friend have been wanting to try one out, the holiday offers a perfect opportunity. There are many different cat backpacks on the market, but this one (Buy from Amazon, $49.99) is top-rated on Amazon. The expandable design accommodates cats of a wide size range, plus the bag is comfortable to carry for you and features good ventilation and visibility for your little one.
This holiday season, don’t forget to give your pets some exciting new treats — after all, they deserve it. Any one of these pet gifts would be an excellent addition to your shopping list, and your fur baby will definitely be wagging their tail in approval. Happy paw-lidays!
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