Top 10 gift ideas for dog owners

Who said holiday season was only about humans? If you are a dog owner yourself or looking for some gift ideas for someone who owns one, then it is a good idea to include a gift item for the furry friend. After all, dogs are one of the few pets who reciprocate your excitement about the holiday season.

So which are the best unique gift ideas to consider for dog owners?

In this article, we go beyond items such as dog collars and standard feeding bowls and present a few unique suggestions to consider. We will look at various categories and also share our recommendations for the best options in each category. Read on to find some great gift ideas!

A word of advice. If you are a frequent online shopper and shop for pet supplies frequently, consider getting Amazon Prime this holiday season. The overall benefits you can draw out would greatly outweigh the membership charges you would have to incur.

Books

The first and probably the most important thing a new dog owner needs is guidance on how to train the dog or puppy in a way that it turns out to be an obedient and well-behaved furry friend. Even experienced dog owners cannot get enough of training tips and advice on dog training.

The best way to learn about training and upkeep of canines is to get a popular resource recommended time and again by experts. Some of the best dog or puppy training guides to consider are:

• Training the Best Dog Ever by Dawn Sylvia-Stasiewicz and Larry Kay: A must buy if you are a beginner looking for information on training your puppy or dog. The book has a training log for each of the five weeks that you can use to train your puppy and track the progress. And it is available in Kindle edition too.
• Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution by Zak George and Dina Roth Port: A 2016-published, 230-page primer that covers all facets of raising, training and caring for your favorite furry friend. It even has some great playful tricks to teach your dog and a bunch of ideas for spending quality time with your dog. Available in multiple formats.
• The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller: A reference for positive reinforcement and clicker technology techniques to train your dog into an obedient and loving companion. The book is also available in Kindle and MP3 CD format, so you can pick the best format for your needs.

For more popular suggestions, you can check out our article on the best dog training guides.

Frisbees and Fetch Toys

Most dogs just love playing throw-and-fetch. Whether it is the proverbial ball throw-and-fetch in the backyard or the more acrobatic workout with Frisbees and flying discs.

The holiday season is the perfect time to leave the tennis ball aside and look at some interesting and innovative fetch toys and frisbees for dog owners. Some of the best options to consider are listed below. For frisbees you can also check out our article on the best flying discs and frisbees to buy:

• West Paw Zogoflex Zisc Tough Flying Disc: This made in the USA frisbee is probably the most durable flying disc out there. Made with FDA-compliant, BPA, Phthalate-free soft-plastic, this long distance disc comes in two sizes and four colors and is backed by a one-time replacement warranty.
• Chuckit! Sport Launcher: A truly awesome long-distance ball launcher. Ergonomically designed for ultimate comfort and extremely durable. Top it up with some ChuckIt Ultra throw-balls for hours of outdoor fun with your canine friend.
• iFetch Interactive Ball Launcher for dogs: A unique, automatic tennis-ball launcher with a built-in rechargeable battery. Can throw a ball to a pre-set distance of 10, 25 or 40 feet. A perfect gift for the tech-savvy dog owners of today.

Dog Toy Gift Sets

Like children, dogs love their toys – be it squeak toys, chewing and tugging rope toys or fetch toys. Instead of getting individual toys for a dog, you can look at getting a toy gift set with an assortment of six to seven such toys.
Some of the best toy gift sets suitable for small to medium breeds are listed below:

• Duoer Well Love Dog Toys Gift Set: Best-selling, high-quality dog toy set with 6 toys – chew toy, squeak toys, toy bones, plush toys and ropes and tug toys. Made with non-toxic material and suitable for most dog breeds.
• Jalousie dog squeaky toys set: A popular set of three non-stuffed squeaky toys and two animal plush toys for small and medium dog breeds. Not suitable for aggressive chewers. A rope toy set with 14 assorted rope toys is also available for mild chewers.
• Wolfe & Sparky Dog Toy Gift Pack: An assortment of 7 toys that contain squeak, rope and fetch toys. Available in multiple color combinations – red, blue, green etc. Suitable for medium and small dog breeds.

Interactive Feeding bowls

Who said feeding on treats cannot be fun? There are quite a few options in the market that not only help in making feeding fun but also help in regulating the speed of feeding of those fast eaters.
Some of the popular options to consider are listed below:

• Outward Hound Fun Feeder: The most popular slow feeding bowl in the market. Made with BPA, BPS-free food grade ABS plastic material, this slow feeder feature an anti-skid, slip-resistant base for maximum stability without spillage. Available in two sizes and multiple colors and designs.
• Wooly Snuffle Feeding Mat: A smart mat designed to encourage your pet dog to forage through the mat for kibbles and treats. Made with high-quality synthetic materials and machine washable. Suitable for all dog breeds.
• OurPets IQ Treat Ball: Combine your pet’s playful time with a ball that dispenses dry treats through the opening when rolled. Encourages your pet to be active and supports positive reinforcement. Available in two sizes and suitable for small and medium dog breeds.

Check out our article on the best slow feed bowls for some more types of slow feeders for your beloved dog.

Dog Treat Assortments

Cannot decide what to gift your canine companion or a fellow-dog owner. Resort to the all-time gift idea of gifting assorted savories – they work equally well for humans as well as pets.
Some of the best treat assortment boxes to pick from are listed below:

• Prime Pet Box ‘Surf n Turf’ Gift Pack: A treat box that comes with three types of made in the US treats, two interactive toys and a set of 15 heavy-duty dog waste bags. A perfect gift box for a new pet owner.
• Blue Dog Bakery Natural Low Fat Dog Treats: Best-selling, made in the US product. A pack of six assorted preservative-free treat packs for all pooch breeds. Features bacon and cheese, grilled chicken, natural cheese and peanut butter flavored treats in fun-filled animal shapes.
• Lakeside Collection 75-piece Gourmet Gift Box: An assortment of dog treats, made with all-natural 100% human-grade ingredients. Includes plain, bone-shaped treats, bone treats with frosting and sprinkles, delicate “puppy fours” and bonbons. Designed to look like chocolate goodies but made with pet-friendly ingredients.

Automatic Feeders and Water Dispensers

Reliable, disciplined and consistent feeding habits are necessary to keep your favorite pet to stay healthy and free from digestion-related issues. However, fast lives of today make it difficult to maintain a disciplined schedule for feeding and hydrating your pet.

Automatic feeders and water dispensers are exactly what is needed for such dog owners. These items are a perfect gift for large breed and multi-pet homes.

If you are looking for automatic pet feeders, you can check out the following options. For more details and suggestions, you can check our detailed article on the best automatic pet feeders for pets.

• PetSafe Smart Feed Automatic Pet Feeder: An accurate smart electronic feeder, which provides reliable feeding control through a Wi-Fi connection and supported smart app. The PetSafe Smart feed app works on both Android and iOS platforms and provides an easy way to dispense up to 4 meals a day, with portion size ranging from 0.1 cups to 1 cup. And it comes with a 1-megapixel camera with recording and relaying capability to capture and stream those interesting feeding moments.
• PetSafe Healthy Pet Automatic Feeder: The most popular electronic automatic pet feeder perfect to medium to large dog breeds or multiple cats and puppies. Features the best-in-class anti-jamming system and works with most types of dry kibbles.
• Petmate Pet Cafe Feeder: A gravity-based automatic feeder that does not need power or batteries to operate. Made in the USA and features BPA-free and environmentally friendly PET plastic body with an air-tight lid and feeding bowl. Available in three vibrant colors and multiple sizes for all pet breeds.

If you are looking for a gravity-based water dispenser, you can consider the following options or refer to our article on the best automatic water dispensers:

• PetSafe Healthy Pet Water Station: A uniquely designed waterer featuring a food-grade plastic water container and removable stainless steel bowl. Comes with a water flow-control valve and air-tight lock-in lid. Available in three different sizes.
• Heyrex Torus Self-Filling Pet Water Bowl: A smartly designed slick, self-filling pet water bowl. Comes with a carbon activated filter that removes dissolved impurities, foul taste and odor from water. Available in two sizes and multiple vibrant colors.

Dog Vests and Coats

Who said winter time is indoor time for pets? You and your beloved Fido can have all the fun outdoors with a suitable dog vest or coat. These coats are designed to protect your dog from cold as well as rainy weather. These items are designed for all dog breeds and sizes and make excellent gift items.
Some of the best options that you can look at without breaking the bank are listed below:

• Zack & Zoey Nor’easter Dog Blanket Coat: A standard, cold-weather vest that has a soft plaid fleece lining with a reflective stripe on one side and a waterproof shell on the other. Suitable for cold and rainy weather. Available in eight different sizes and colors making it suitable for all dog breeds.
• Kurgo Loft Dog Jacket and Reversible Dog Coat: Reversible and lightweight cold weather coat for dogs, made with ripstop synthetic material that is water and windproof. Features an athletic cut with a zipper opening for the leash. Suitable for outdoor activities in winter. Available in five sizes and colors.
• Kuoser Cozy Reversible Plaid Dog Vest: A British-style plaid vest with a comfortable fleece lining on the inner side and water-resistant layering on the outer side. Reversible with double stitching for durability. Available in seven sizes and four elegant color combinations.

Dog Beds

Dog beds are a perfect option to move away from the pile of old clothes and make-shift beds and gift your furry friend a luxurious bed to snuggle and rest on. And you do not always have to spend a fortune on smart mattresses and beds. We suggest the following options which are equally comfortable. Your pup would love you for it:

• BarksBar Orthopedic Dog Bed: one of the most affordable, yet sleek-looking and high-quality bagel-bed with a 4-inches of solid & grooved Orthopedic foam base, quilted ultra-soft polyester cover and a comfortable cotton-padded rim cushion. The cover is removable and machine washable. Comes in two sizes for medium and large dog breeds. Works well with dogs of all ages and is especially useful for older dogs.
• Quiet Time Deluxe Ombre Pet Bed: Budget dog bed that can be used independently or in a dog crate. Features an ultra-soft synthetic fur stuffing with a skid-resistant grip on the bottom surface. Available in seven different sizes and three different colors, making it suitable for all dog breeds.
• FurHaven Deluxe Orthopedic Pet Bed Mattress: A smartly-designed mattress for your canine companion featuring a convoluted foam filling with a 100% polyester-plush, removable cover having a water-resistant base. The cover is machine washable. Available in four different sizes and more than 10 color combinations.

Dog Car Seats and Seat Covers

Dogs just love to tag along with their owners on vehicular journeys. In order to make your and your beloved pet’s experience comfortable and safe, you can opt for dog seats and dog seat covers.
Dog booster seats are meant for puppies and small to medium-sized dog breeds – Shih Tzu, Corgi, Miniature Pinscher, Chihuahua, Yorkshire terrier, Pomeranian, Mini poodle and Teddy cups. They provide an extra layer of protection to the dog and aim at keeping them secure in the seats.
A couple of dog seats to check out are listed below:

• Snoozer Lookout Car Seat: This best-selling car booster seat features a simulated lamb’s wool foam cushion with a quilted nylon cover. The cover is removable and washable. Comes in two sizes and eight vibrant colors.
• Kurgo Skybox Dog Booster Seat: An award-winning, collapsible booster seat with a machine washable liner and reversible pad. Also includes a dog seat belt and metal supports for structural support. Available in four color combinations and suitable for puppies and small-framed dogs.

For medium to large-framed dogs, a car harness such as the Ruffwear Load-Up Vehicle Harness is sufficient to keep the dog safe and secure within the car. It is available in multiple sizes and fits all car models.

In addition, you may have to get a car seat cover to prevent your car seat from paws, teeth and toenails of your pet. Some of the best car seat covers to consider are:

• BarksBar Luxury Pet Car Seat Cover: A luxurious car seat cover that is easily convertible between a hammock and a standard bench. Made with high-quality, heavy-duty waterproof polyester with Velcro openings for seat belts and seat anchors. Available in two sizes and suitable for the backseats of Standard Cars, Trucks, & SUVs.
• URPOWER Car Seat Cover: Best-selling car seat cover with a four-fold reinforced design – 600D oxford cloth, waterproof polyester and PVC coating for maximum protection and comfort. Comes with seat anchors and Velcro openings for easy installation.

Dog Backpacks and Carriers

If you are looking for a gift for a dog owner who loves outdoor activities, then dog backpacks are an excellent gift idea. These backpacks are specially designed gear for dogs to carry items such as their food, well with water and toys, and anything additional during the outdoor trip and work medium to large framed dog breeds such as Husky, German shepherd, Terrier, Beagle, Great Dane, Mastiff, Labrador and Bernese dogs.

Some of the best dog backpacks to consider are:

• Ruffwear Palisades Dog Backpack: Hands down the best dog backpack available in the market. Features removable saddlebags and a load compression system that makes it comfortable for the dog to carry the load for multi-day trips. Comes with two collapsible hydration bottles. Can also be used as a vest without the saddlebags.
• Outward Hound DayPak Dog Backpack: An affordable, light-capacity saddlebag dog backpack designed specifically for day trips. Has four expandable pockets, adjustable straps and breathable mesh harness for maximum comfort. Available in four sizes.

And if you have a small-framed dog such as a Shih Tzu, Corgi, Miniature Pinscher, Chihuahua, Yorkshire terrier, Pomeranian, Mini poodle and Teddy cup, you are better off by opting for a dog carrier backpack. The best option to consider for such carriers is the K9 Sport Sack AIR Dog Carrier. It is made of waterproof ripstop material and comes in four different sizes for dogs weighing anywhere between 5 pounds to 20 pounds. It is a perfect choice for outdoor trips or just a stroll around the city. For some more dog carrier options, you can check our article on the best dog carriers.

Final thoughts

In this article, we shared 10 unique gift ideas to consider this holiday season for dog owners. Most of the options that we listed are suitable for almost all breeds of dogs, though some may be more suitable for specific dog breeds only. We also shared our recommended products in each category.
We hope that you would find these gift suggestions useful. Do let us know your feedback and additional suggestions by commenting below. Until next time, have a playful holiday season with your furry friend!

Image credits:Amazon.com