Gifts for dog and cat lovers, and a few to avoid
The best gifts for dog and cat lovers are about their own pet, not pets in general: a portrait of their dog, a book of their cat’s photos, or something that makes daily life with the animal easier. Below are ideas in four groups, and a short list of gifts that look kind but are risky in a home with a pet.
Start with the pet, not the paw print
A gift about one particular animal lands better than one covered in generic paw prints. Before you choose, find out four things:
- Dog or cat, and the pet’s name. Spell the name the way the family does.
- Size and age. A toy for a puppy is wrong for an old dog, and a bed for a cat is wrong for a labrador.
- How they live. An indoor cat, a dog who runs every day, a pet who mostly sleeps.
- What the person already has. Most pet lovers own several mugs.
Many of the gifts below are made from a photo. If you need one, ask someone in the household quietly, or pick one from their posts. A sharp photo in daylight, with the pet looking at the camera, works best. Our guide to better photos of your dog or cat shows what to look for.
Gifts made from their own pet
- A portrait. Painted, drawn or illustrated from a photo. Artists usually need a few weeks, so order early for a holiday.
- A photo book. Their pet’s year, or their whole life so far, from puppy or kitten to now. Ask the family for photos the person may not have seen.
- A calendar. Twelve good photos, one for each month. Easy to make, and it gets looked at every day of the year.
- A cushion, blanket or ornament printed or embroidered with their pet’s face. Pick one thing they will use, not one more thing to dust.
- A soft toy made to look like their pet. Popular with children and adults alike.
- Their pet on their screen. Pawsome Family, which we make, turns 1 to 5 photos of a dog or cat into a small animated pet that walks along the bottom of their Chrome tabs. There are no gift cards yet, so the way to give it is to set it up with them on their own computer. It takes a few minutes, and one pet is free for 30 days.
Things they will use every day
- A proper rain jacket. Dog walkers go out in every weather. A long, waterproof jacket with deep pockets for treats and bags is used every single day.
- A head torch or a clip-on light. For winter walks in the dark, along with a reflective collar or lead for the dog.
- A good lint roller, or a pet hair remover for the sofa. Unexciting, and used weekly.
- A washable throw for the sofa or the car’s back seat.
- A pet camera for checking in from work. Our article on missing your pet during the workday covers what to know before buying one.
- A water fountain for a cat. Many cats drink more from running water than from a still bowl.
- A pet first aid kit. Bandages, a tick remover, saline and gloves, in one bag that lives by the door.
Gifts for the pet
For dogs
- A puzzle feeder or lick mat. It turns a meal into ten minutes of work, and that kind of thinking tires a dog out too.
- A long-lasting chew in the right size. A chew small enough to swallow whole is a choking risk.
- A new bed. For an older dog, a firm, supportive one that is easy to step into. Our guide to caring for an older dog or cat explains why it helps.
For cats
- A window perch or a cat tree. Cats like to watch the world from up high.
- A cardboard scratcher. Cheap, and it saves the sofa.
- A wand toy. The best toy for playing together. Put it away afterwards, because cats can swallow the string.
- A pot of cat grass. Many cats like to chew it, and it is safe for them.
For any pet, pick toys that are too big to swallow, and watch the first few play sessions with anything new.
Time and experiences
- Pet sitting. An offer to look after the dog or cat while they go away for a weekend is one of the most useful gifts a pet lover can get.
- A photo session with a pet photographer.
- A class. Puppy training, or a taster session in a dog sport such as agility or scent work.
- A donation in their pet’s name to an animal shelter or rescue near them. Good for the person who has everything.
Gifts to leave off the list
- A pet, as a surprise. A dog or cat lives 10 to 20 years, and the person who looks after them should choose them. If someone wants a pet, offer your help instead: a contribution to the adoption fee, or your company on the visits.
- Lilies, in any home with a cat. Every part of the plant is toxic to cats, including the pollen and the water in the vase. Check bouquets before you send them.
- Chocolate and sugar-free sweets left wrapped under a tree, where a dog can find them first. Our list of human foods that are dangerous for dogs and cats explains why.
- Essential oils, reed diffusers and scented candles for a home with a cat. Many essential oils, including tea tree, are toxic to cats, and a diffuser leaves tiny droplets on their fur, which they then lick off.
- Mistletoe and holly. Both can make a pet sick if eaten. Poinsettias are less dangerous than their reputation, but can still upset a stomach.
- Ribbon and tinsel. Cats like to chew and swallow them, and a long strand can cause a dangerous blockage. Clear the wrapping away once the presents are open.
A short check before you buy
- Is it right for this pet’s size, age and kind?
- Will it be used, or only displayed?
- Is it safe to leave lying around the house?
- Does the person have room for it?
If the answer to all four is yes, it is a good gift.