The Best Pet Gifts for Anyone With a Cat or Dog
Photo: Verishop, Chewy, Cat Person | Design: theSkimmWhile we admit we love shopping for friends and family — who doesn’t enjoy gifting a partner or a parent something they’ll really love? — we can’t help but find extra joy in buying something oh-so perfect for the squishable furball we always look forward to petting.
Whether you’re browsing for your own cat or dog or someone else’s, we rounded up the best gifts any pet owner will appreciate. From supplements to a GPS tracker to the most adorable sweater, these presents are nothing to bark at.
A modern pet portrait that’s almost too chic to believe…
Just select their dog’s or cat’s breed, choose the design, color, and size, and then add a name. The print will be created in three to five business days. Picture a minimal-style portrait — so something that is a bit more subtle for their home. (Prices vary, Animalist)
Or a custom portrait that’ll turn their pet into the royalty they unquestionably are…
All you have to do is send in a picture of their dog or cat and pick an outfit. There are 20 options, including a Renaissance royal, Sherlock Holmes, and a Star Wars Jedi. Choose from digital, canvas, or poster options. Totally pawesome. ($33.22+, VanWoof on Etsy)
An organic candle for their tablescape that’s safe for pets…
It’ll burn for up to 40 hours and is free from pesticides, paraffins, preservatives, and petroleum. What we really love about these small-batch candles? They are made by a woman-founded business that uses a coconut-soy wax blend. Aka the candles are pet-friendly. Goodbye, ruff life. ($25, Companion Candles)
A slow-feeder dog bowl in the shape of their pet's name...
Slower eating = better digestion and less bloating. If their pet tends to gobble down kibble in a matter of seconds, this bowl will essentially force them to take their time. The grooves of each letter makes food harder to reach, so meal time ends up being like a mini game. All you've gotta do is select the number of letters needed and what size you want. ($15+, MinkandMaple on Etsy)
Dental treat sticks so their pup always has fresh breath…
No stinky mouths here. These berry treats are blueberry- and mint-flavored, and use upcycled ingredients (aka blueberries that would otherwise go to waste). They’re also free from grain, corn, and soy, and contain no artificial flavors. Other ingredients include chia and flax seeds, which are good for keeping their skin and coat healthy. It’s sustainable shopping done the right way. ($8.99, Shameless Pets)
A GPS locator for pets so you can keep ’em safe…
This real-time GPS tracker means they’ll always know where their furry friend is — whether they actually go missing or are just roaming around the backyard. Your friend will be able to mark “safe zones,” so if their dog or cat goes a bit too far, they’ll be notified. The tracker syncs with a phone app, so they’ll be able to see everything via their smartphone. The tracker collar is also waterproof, so no matter where their pet goes, they’ll be following. (Prices vary, Tractive)
A liquid multivitamin that’s formulated by vets and backed by science…
Drizzle this steak- and salmon-flavored vitamin over your pet’s food. It’s packed with healthy ingredients, like vitamin C, mojave yucca (reduces joint inflammation), and glucosamine HCl (increases joint mobility). It can support hip and joint well-being, a silky and full coat, good heart health, thorough digestion, and improved immune function. Psst...we tried this formula and our dog ate it right up. ($39.26, Dogsnob)
A cat feeding bowl that won’t make them hunch over…
Since it’s elevated, their cat won’t have to eat at an awkward angle. If your friend has a kitten, the bowl can snap off and be placed directly on the plate. Big bonus: The bowl itself is shallow, so it won’t irritate whiskers. If it gets dirty, the drip tray and tip-resistant bowl can go directly in the dishwasher. Easy peasy. ($40, Cat Person)
A cat fountain that dispenses clean water…
The flower waterfall will keep their feline friend busy and hydrated. Plus the charcoal filter inside will keep everything sanitary, aka no sitting water that may get murky. The tank is pretty big, so your giftee won’t have to constantly keep an eye on their cat’s water bowl. ($22.99+, Amazon)
A brush that’ll work through tangled fur…
The bigger teeth work best on mats, while the finer ones are great for deshedding. The head of the brush is flexible, so they’ll be able to get into crevices around their pet’s legs. Once grooming time is over, they can run the brush under water to dispose of any fur. ($20.99, Amazon)
A holiday-themed goody box packed with treats and accessories…
There are multiple boxes to choose from (including ones for cats), but this one is meant for small-sized dogs. They’ll get a cozy blanket, a festive bandana, a full-size bag of treats, two cheerful toys, a pamphlet that includes a tasty seasonal recipe, and a “Happy Holidays” banner for Insta photo ops. The box is a one-time gift, so just select the one you want and it’ll ship directly to their door. ($24.99, Chewy)
A self-grooming brush that can be mounted to a wall…
Their feline friend will immediately want to rub up against it for a daily massage. Aka there will be fewer interruptions during WFH days. When the brush gets filled with hair, they can simply remove it from the bracket and wash with soap and water. ($5.23, Amazon)
A ‘dog mom’ hat for the proud mama in your life…
She loves her fur baby more than anything else. Now when she takes ’em for a walk, she’ll get to display her title. If another dog tries to bark at her precious lil’ bebe — she’ll defend them like any protective mother would. ($25, Verishop)
A plaid bandana that can be embroidered with their pet’s name…
Animals deserve accessories too. You can choose from two sizes, five color combos, and eight fonts. You can also select thread color and what you want the bandana to say. The fabric is cotton, so if it gets dirty, it can go straight into the wash. ($13.99+, DogHug on Etsy)
A dog harness that’ll make walks much easier…
This cushioned and lightweight harness gives them more control. The neck and chest are adjustable, and a leash can be attached in three places. Instead of directing a pup from a neck collar (which can yank them), they’ll be able to control stops from the center of their dog’s back. ($48, Wild One)
A personalized children’s book all about their favorite pet...
Every pet owner wonders what their dog or cat would say if they could talk. This funny book tells kids what those barks and meows might mean. You can personalize it with their child’s and pet’s name — and the rest of the book writes itself. Trust us, they’ll ruff this. ($35, Uncommon Goods)
An adorable festive sweater for the holiday season…
The hood has antlers. We repeat: The hood has antlers. Whether for a cat or dog — no pet parent will be able to resist this cute number. ($12.91+, Chewy)
If you buy anything from this article, theSkimm may get something in return. Oh, and if something’s out of stock, oops, it was there (and all prices were accurate) when we published. Thanks.
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Skimm'd by Alexandra Napoli, Emmy Favilla
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