Best Holiday Gifts for Pet Lovers

Lori Ennis
by Lori Ennis

It’s been a year, so we feel we’re all pretty much in agreement: we need gifts. And not just any gifts because we’re not just any people. We’re pet lovers–parents, grandparents and the like. We love all things pets and we want our gifts to reflect that quality in us. Luckily, these gifts will fit the bill. Go ahead, pick them all and then send them appropriately. We’ll wait…but not long.

Editor's Choice: Marcoot Jersey Creamery's Dog-O's™ Dog Fanatic Gift Box

We all know that charcuterie boards are all the rage nowadays – from butter boards to classic spreads, no one can resist the appeal of beautifully arranged food that’s also delicious to boot. Not even your pet! So why not arrange them a cute little “pup”-cutrie board while you’re making your own charcuterie board for the holidays, so they are not left out of the yummy part of the festivities, either? This cheesy gift is bound to make any doggo wag their tail at the first whif of the box contents. The box by the Marcoot Jersey Creamery includes two packs of Dog-O's Cheese Bites, 2 packs of Dog-O's Cheesy Chompers®, and one adorable Dog-O's Bandana for Pups which makes a great stocking stuffer. Perfect for dogs who love yummy treats – or in other words, every dog on the planet.

Runner Up: Embark Breed Identification Kit

If your loved one is a proud owner of a cute little mutt, your gift could help resolve the mystery of their rescue’s history! This DNA test for dogs is a wonderful holiday gift for any dog owner, as it gives a bit more insight into any dog’s ancestry, lineage, and even relatives. Embark dog DNA test can test for over 230,000 genetic markers, and screen for 350+ dog breeds so you’ll be able to get a clear profile of all the breeds that went into creating your precious and unique pooch. To boot, it can also reveal any close canine siblings of your pet so you can arrange a meetup – over 90% of people who test with Embark have found their dog’s relatives. How exciting! It’s truly a lovely gift for any dog owner in your life, especially those that have adopted a dog through a shelter or a rescue and don’t know much about their past.

Customer’s Choice: Christmas Tree Ornaments - Honor The Pooch

Classics are timeless for a reason – you really, really can’t go wrong with a pet-inspired Christmas ornament, whether as a stocking stuffer or a thoughtful gift to anyone that loves pets. This particular design depicts different dog breeds as little holiday angels, complete with golden wings and a golden halo above their heads. Adorable as it gets – plus, there are 15 breeds available, from Dachshunds to Yorkies and many others. The ornament is really well made, too, as it is hand cast from real crushed stone bonded with durable designer resin, so you can expect it to last for years to come. Perfect to start someone’s new ornament tradition, inspired by their four-legged best friend.

Best for Cat Lovers: Window Garden Cat Planter

Whether you want to surprise a cat owner or someone that just adores felines with a cute gift for the holidays, this planter is just the thing. Ideal if your gift recipient-to-be is a plant lover as well, this planter can be used for regular flowers or to grow cat grass for their pet to munch on. Yup, those obligate carnivores sure love nibbling on grass from time to time! Made from durable glazed ceramic, these cat-inspired flower pots are individually hand-painted and come with a bamboo saucer to catch excess water (as these have drainage holes on the bottom). What’s more, you don’t have to limit your choice to a single sleeping kitty design, as this pretty planter comes in 6 different designs inspired by different cats in different poses. No lover of cats can stay indifferent to this gift!

Best for Dog Lovers: DASH Dog Treat Maker

If you have a friend or a family member that’s crafty in the kitchen and has a dog to boot, this gift will make them super happy! Even if they’re not an aspiring dog chef, they might appreciate this cute little treat maker that lets you create healthy dog treats from scratch, in minutes, from the comfort of your own home. It’s easy to use, practical, and helps save money in the long run as homemade dog treats cost a fraction of the price of store-bought – and are much healthier, too. The device is similar to a waffle maker, as all you have to do is turn it on, add batter, close the lid and wait for the treats to be ready. It makes 8 dog bone-shaped treats in one go and comes with a recipe book to help you create healthy but drool-worthy goodies for your dog – a gift that keeps on giving, truly.

Best Thoughtful Gift: Matching Dog Collar Bow Tie & Owner Friendship Bracelet

Nothing says my dog is my best friend as matching accessories do! When you want to give a thoughtful gift to someone you know that has a four-legged best friend they simply adore, this matching set of a dog collar and a friendship bracelet for the owner is definitely going to make an impression. The collar and the bracelet are both made from natural, long-lasting materials: the collar is a combination of durable hemp and canvas, with details (bowtie) made from lightweight but sturdy beech wood, whereas the bracelet meant for their human owner is soft, comfy cotton that will feel like a feather on the wrist. There are multiple sizes to choose from to ensure any dog breed will be a match – extra small, medium, or large – and it comes in blue, pink, or green to match any owner’s aesthetic preferences.

Best Funny Gift: Pooping Pooches White Elephant Gag Gift Calendar

Whether you love giving out funny gifts or the person you want to surprise with a holiday present has a great sense of humor, this white elephant gag gift calendar will fit the bill perfectly. Featuring 12 artistic photos of, well, dogs pooping, the calendar is bound to make the recipient cackle once they open the gift! This year's edition features a Dalmatian, Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog, Labradoodle, German Shepherd, Husky, and other dog breeds, all pictured at the moment when they were answering the call of nature. Honestly, it really is hilarious – if your friend or a family member who is a pet lover knows how to take a joke, they’ll love this one for sure.

Best Stocking Stuffer: SassyCups Fur Mama Travel Mug

Looking for something affordable, perfect as a stocking stuffer gift, but still super cute and practical? Look no more, because this travel mug for pet lovers is a universally great gift for anyone who loves a cat or a dog! Not to mention how important it is to stay hydrated, and this 22 oz capacity, insulated, double-wall tumbler that keeps your drinks hot or cold for hours will ensure you do exactly that. The tumbler is really well made, with a BPA-free shatterproof lid and high-quality 18/8 stainless steel body and it fits most cup holders, so it’s both durable and handy. The design features cute engraved ‘Fur Mama’ with a heart-shaped paw print and comes in mint green or party pink color to match anyone’s tastes.

Best Decorative Gift: Handmade Wood Decor Sculptures

A figurine that depicts the unbreakable bond between a (wo)man and a dog will be a welcome piece of home decor in any dog lover’s house or apartment. These handmade wooden sculptures come in different designs, all centered around the love that owners share with their four-legged friends and make a great shelf decoration or tabletop decor. They are made of beechwood material with natural texture and have a natural, eco-friendly coating to protect them from wear and tear, as well as finely polished edges and corners to make for a sleek, neat finish. What’s more, this decorative sculpture comes packed in a gift box, so it’s all ready for the gift-giving season – how convenient is that!

Best for Creatives: Crafting with Cat Hair: Cute Handicrafts to Make with Your Cat

This one was tough to categorize – some would say it should fall into the category of funny gag gifts, and others would be genuinely curious about how applicable the crafts from the book really are. And, in all honesty, it would work in both cases! While this craft book is certain to get a few giggles from the recipient, it contains actual real tutorials on how to make finger puppets, badges, pet portraits, tote bags, and many other projects all from your cat’s hair. Yup, you get to make something out of those clumps of hair your kitty leaves all over the place – from mess to art in under an hour, and no special tools needed, either. It might seem silly, but don’t knock it until you try it!

Honorable Mention: Skechers Women's Too Cozy-Pooch Parade Slipper

What’s better than getting all nice and cozy for the holidays, all snuggled up with your four-legged bestie, sipping on eggnog, and watching evergreen movies? Well, if you want to give a great gift to any pet lover that really appreciates the coziness of the holiday season, these dog-inspired slippers are a lovely choice. Super comfortable and pretty, these slippers are made from microfiber, with the softest, fluffiest faux fur lining and memory foam footbed with a flexible sole for maximum comfort. These cozy slippers are available in 4 colors (black, gray, taupe, and multicolor), and sizes from 5 to 11, so you can easily find a tailored match to the recipient’s preferences. But what makes these really stand out in the eyes of pet lovers isn’t just the fact that they are completely covered with illustrated tiny dog portraits – it’s the fact that with each purchase, the company donates to animals in need.

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Lori Ennis
Lori Ennis

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