The holiday shopping season is in full swing, and coming up with unique, thoughtful gift ideas is never as easy as we hope. But if this year’s list includes a beloved pet owner and their companion animal, we’ve got you covered with the best gifts for pet lovers of every kind.
Whether your in-laws’ lives revolve around their German Shepherd or your favorite coworker can’t stop talking about their pet fish, you need to look no further for a gift idea that will light up their holiday season.
14 Gifts for Pet Lovers and Their Animals This Holiday Season
The holidays are all about giving. Your shopping list likely has quite a few human names on it, but what about their animal companions?
Many of the best gifts for pet lovers work double-duty. While your human giftee will appreciate the thought behind the gift, most of these gift ideas also benefit the pets in question.
From pet-friendly cookbooks to toy storage boxes, giving one of these gifts is sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face — human, canine, feline, or otherwise!
1. Willow Tree figurine
The holiday season is full of collectibles. Unlike Christmas tree ornaments and nativity scenes, though, Willow Tree figurines can be displayed year-round.
When it comes to the Willow Tree collection, there really is a figurine for everyone. So if you’re looking for thoughtful gifts for pet lovers, they’ve got you covered.
The Willow Tree Angel of Friendship features a classic angel holding a sweet, brown puppy. In total, the figurine measures 5 inches tall.
For the cat-lover on your holiday gift list, the Willow Tree Angel of Affection depicts another 5-inch tall angel, this time holding a gray cat in her arms.
These figurines also make excellent sympathy gifts for anyone grieving the loss of a pet.
2. Meal tracker
Whether you own a dog, cat, or another species altogether, every pet owner knows the struggles of keeping track of mealtime. And our pets know it, too!
The Original ‘Did You Feed The Dog?’ Daily Feeding Reminder is halfway between being a fun novelty and an ultra-useful gift-giving idea. It makes a great stocking stuffer for any busy family that can’t remember who fed the dog (or if they were fed at all).
Dog owners aren’t the only ones who can enjoy this meal tracker. The company also makes versions for cats and for pet fish.
Recommended Read: Dog Stocking Stuffers Your Best Friend Will Love this Christmas
3. Interactive pet camera
Between video doorbells and smart thermostats, we really are living in the future. And for pet owners, it’s never been easier to keep tabs on your four-legged family members when you’re at work, school, or running errands.
The Furbo Dog Camera is easily one of the most exciting gifts for pet lovers this year. It connects to your smartphone, letting you see what your pets are doing in real-time.
The camera is just a small part of this pet camera, though. The app includes two-way audio, so users can speak to and hear their pets through the device. You can also set up push notifications that are triggered by your dog barking.
Oh — perhaps most important — the Furbo Dog Camera includes a treat dispenser that pet owners can control through the smartphone app.
While this camera is designed for dogs and their owners, many of the features will work just as well in a household of cats.
4. Matching accessories
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You’ve heard of friendship bracelets, but what about friendship collars? Several pet brands make matching collars and bracelets so pet owners can coordinate their outfits with their cat’s or dog’s collar.
No products found. set by FriendshipCollar comes in seven different collar sizes to fit almost any dog. You can also get matching leashes or order an extra friendship bracelet for yourself or another family member.
If you’re shopping for a fashionable feline, the Pettsie Cat Collar with Friendship Bracelet set features a breakaway collar (this style is safer than a traditional collar). This particular set comes in blue or yellow, and two sizes.
5. Toy organization
Most owners love to spoil their pets. But this can mean living in a mess of dog and cat toys strewn around the house. Having a designated place to store those pet toys can make tidying up a lot easier and less stressful.
Some dogs can even be taught to put away their toys when they’re finished playing!
Instead of an unsightly plastic bin, consider gifting your favorite pet owner a special toy box or basket.
The DII Bone Dry Pet Storage Collection Toy Basket comes in multiple sizes, all featuring a fashionable plastic wicker construction. You can choose from a bone- or cat-shaped basket — the bone version even includes a locking strap, so Fido can’t get into his toys in the middle of the night.
For a fun, modern pet toy basket, the OurPets Big Bone is another great gift idea. This stylish plastic container features a secure lid and can also be used as dry kibble storage.
6. Pet-approved cookbooks
The holidays are prime time for baking. Unfortunately, feeding human cookies to your pets isn’t always recommended or even safe.
If there’s someone on your holiday shopping list that loves spending time in their kitchen, you can give them the gift of baking for their four-legged friends.
Tons of pet-friendly cookbooks exist on the market, but one of the best gifts for pet lovers is Doggy Desserts . This book includes 125 dog-safe treat recipes that use everyday kitchen ingredients and simple steps.
For cat owners, The Ultimate Cat Treat Cookbook is another great option. It includes 50 recipes for cat-friendly snacks and treats. We don’t recommend gifting this cookbook to the owner of a feline with food sensitivities or on an all-natural diet — the recipes include some processed ingredients.
Recommended Read: Best Outdoor Dog Bed 2020 Reviews: An In-Depth Look
7. Treat molds
Whether making homemade treats or full-on kibble, your giftee is going to need some molds to go with their new pet-approved cookbooks.
You can technically use any small candy or cupcake molds, but there’s something about making bone- or fish-shaped treats that just feels right. Plus, not all pet owners want to share their regular baking trays with their furry companions!
For larger dog treats, the Le Dogue Paw and Bone Silicone Dog Treat Molds are the perfect starter set. Each set includes two mold trays, one featuring bones and the other paws. Your giftee will also get a small recipe booklet to get them started.
Many pet owners choose to make their own dry dog or cat food. If you know someone interested in baking dry food from scratch, they’re going to need a special kibble mold. These molds are also great for making extra-small treats for any dog or cat on a diet.
8. Lick mats
Why hand-feed your dog’s or cat’s treats when they could work them out of a puzzle or do a few tricks in exchange?
It’s clear that there’s more than one way to reward our animals for good behavior (or bribe them not to engage in bad behavior). One method your giftee might not yet own, however, is a lick mat.
Lick mats work great with spreadable dog treats like peanut butter, greek yogurt, or Kong sprays. You can also use these mats to slow-feed wet paté food in a way that’s more mentally engaging.
Lick mats come in all different sizes and styles. One particular design every dog owner needs is the Aquapaw Slow Treater. This silicone treat holder suctions to almost any shower wall, making a clever distraction during puppy bath time:
Lick mats are pretty easy to find for dogs, but the Lickimat Felix is one specifically designed for pets of the feline variety.
9. Odor-neutralizing candles
We’re not saying all pet-owning households smell bad. But we do know that, from personal experience, dog and cat odors are a constant battle.
If you’re on the hunt for a fun stocking stuffer or White Elephant gift this season, consider gifting a Pet House Candle. There are over 20 scents available to choose from, and each one is specially formulated to neutralize common pet odors.
For extra scent-neutralizing and covering power, you can pair your Pet House Candle with a matching room spray.
10. Yeowww Catnip Toys
Cats love catnip — it’s just a fact of life. And there are few, if any, commercial catnip toy brands stronger than Yeowww.
You can pick up one or two Yeowww toys, like their classic banana or cigar toy, as an easy stocking stuffer or add-on to another gift. We promise that your giftee’s cats won’t look twice at any other Christmas gifts after unwrapping one of these catnip toys!
If you’re shopping for a multi-cat household, the Kris Krinkle Holiday Gift Bundle includes three toys.
11. Cardboard cat house
At some point, every cat owner finds themselves unable to recycle an old cardboard box because their feline companion has decided to call it home.
Chances are, you can’t convince your giftee’s cat that shipping boxes are boring. But you can replace that old cardboard box sitting in their living room with one that actually looks nice.
There are a surprising number of cardboard cat boxes out there! You can gift a simple house with a hanging toy and built-in scratcher. Or a multi-level kitty condo made entirely of cardboard.
12. Grow-your-own pet grass
As much as we try to discourage our animals from eating grass, there’s a biological reason for this behavior. Grasses contain fiber and a whole host of vitamins that cats, dogs, and other critters don’t get from their normal diets.
The grass in our lawns, though, is often treated with chemicals and exposed to all kinds of potential contaminants. Not only is growing your own pet grass safer, but it’s also incredibly easy.
Gifting a grow-your-own pet grass kit is a great way to give your favorite animal the vitamins they crave while also offering peace-of-mind to their owner.
Most pet grass kits are marketed for cats, but many are also safe for dogs, small mammals, and reptiles! Double-check the safety of different grass species for your giftee’s pet before wrapping up one of these kits.
13. Seasonal aquarium decor
When we think of pets, we typically jump straight to dogs, cats, and little else. But small mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles deserve a share of the holiday spirit, too!
Holiday-themed aquarium decorations make excellent gifts for pet lovers of many kinds. It doesn’t matter if your giftee owns a fish, turtle, or something else entirely. You can add a festive touch to the enclosure with a Christmas tree or a family of polar bears hanging out by their igloo.
14. Shower perch
If you’re a fan of pet-centric social media, then you’ve probably seen videos of parakeets, cockatiels, and other pet birds enjoying a refreshing shower. If, somehow, you’ve missed these adorable videos, here’s a macaw having a blast:
You can share this experience with your favorite bird owner. All you need is a special perch.
Many bird owners end up making a DIY shower perch. Fortunately, though, ready-made versions are becoming easier and easier to find.
The Polly's Sandy Window and Shower Bird Perch uses heavy-duty suction cups to mount to a shower wall or window. Or check out the FeatherSmart Shower Perch, which comes in several different shapes and sizes for the ideal fit.
No Gifts for Pet Lovers Can Compete With a Pet’s Love…
But you can show your generosity this holiday season with the next best thing!
It doesn’t matter if your gift is for the owner or their pet. What matters most is the thought behind it. In our opinion, though, the best gifts for pet lovers are those that animals can enjoy, as well.
What are your go-to gift ideas for pet owners and their animals? Share your favorites in the comments below!
Last update on 2023-06-08 at 17:28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API