Holiday Gifts for Pets and Pet Lovers (Plus a Pet-Safe Holiday Checklist)

We run the NicheStuff store; some links in this post go to products we sell.

Pets are part of the family, so it makes sense that they end up on the holiday list too. The best gifts match how your pet actually plays and rests, and they’re safe to leave lying around a busy house. This guide has ideas for dogs, cats and the people who love them, plus a checklist for keeping the holidays safe at home.

How to choose a safe gift for a pet

Before you buy, think about your pet’s size, age and play style:

• Size matters. A toy should be too large to swallow and sized for your pet’s mouth. Small balls and toys are a choking risk for big dogs.
• Match the chewer. Gentle chewers and power chewers need very different toys. Our guide to dog toys by chew style explains how to tell which you have.
• Supervise new toys. Watch your pet with a new toy the first few times, and throw away toys that are torn or have loose parts.
• Read treat labels. Choose treats made for pets, keep portions small, and introduce new foods slowly to avoid an upset stomach. Treats should stay a small part of the daily diet.
• Skip the costume unless your pet already enjoys wearing clothes. Many pets find costumes stressful.

Gift ideas for dogs

• A tug or rope toy: great for interactive play with you. Rope toys are best used together, not left out for unsupervised chewing.
• Enrichment toys: snuffle mats, lick mats and food puzzles give a dog’s brain a workout, which helps on cold days when walks are shorter.
• A cosy bed: a new bed in a warm, draft-free corner is a gift your dog will use every day. Our winter pet care guide covers what to look for.
• Single-ingredient treats: useful for training as well as for treating. Break them into small pieces.
• An outing: a new trail, a dog-friendly cafe or a visit to friends. If you’re travelling, see our road trip checklist.

Gift ideas for cats

• Wand toys and motion toys: cats love to stalk and pounce. Put string and wand toys away after play, because string can be dangerous if swallowed.
• A window perch or hammock: a sunny lookout is entertainment for hours.
• A hideaway bed: many cats love a covered or nest-style bed, especially in winter.
• Scratching options: a new scratcher in a spot your cat already likes to scratch.
• Play time: two or three short play sessions a day is one of the best things you can give an indoor cat. Our cat care checklist explains why.

Gift ideas for pet lovers

For the person who talks about their dog or cat constantly, personal gifts tend to land best:

• A personalized ornament with their pet’s name or likeness
• A framed photo of their pet. Our tips on taking a great cat photo work for dogs too.
• A gift for the pet, wrapped and labelled with the pet’s name, which many owners find just as touching
• Time: an offer to pet-sit or walk the dog while they travel is a generous, practical gift

If someone has recently lost a pet, a gentle remembrance can mean a lot, but let them lead. Our article on coping with the death of a cat has more on supporting someone who is grieving.

Holiday picks from our store

These are a few of the holiday and gift items we carry that suit pets and pet people:

• For a festive nap: the Cozy Christmas Sleigh Pet Bed is a soft, sleigh-shaped bed for small dogs and cats.
• For the pet lover: the Personalized Xmas Pet Ornament is a wooden ornament personalized for a dog or cat. Order early so it arrives in time.
• For the dog who loves to tug: the Stuey Sock Monkey Rope Knottie is a sock-monkey rope toy for interactive play.

A pet-safe holiday checklist

Food

Keep these away from pets, and ask guests not to share plates: chocolate (especially dark and baking chocolate), anything sweetened with xylitol, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, alcohol, cooked bones and fatty scraps such as turkey skin. Put trash in a closed bin.

Plants

Lilies are extremely dangerous for cats; even pollen or water from the vase can cause kidney failure. Holly and mistletoe can make pets sick. Poinsettias are less toxic than their reputation suggests but can still upset the stomach. Artificial plants are the safest choice in a home with a curious pet.

The tree and decorations

• Anchor the tree so it can’t tip if a cat climbs it or a dog bumps it.
• Cover the tree stand. Tree water can contain sap, fertilizer or bacteria.
• Hang breakable glass ornaments and edible decorations up high, out of reach.
• Skip tinsel and loose ribbon in homes with cats. If swallowed, they can cause a dangerous intestinal blockage.
• Tuck light cords out of reach or use cord covers for chewers.
• Never leave lit candles unattended around pets.

Guests and gatherings

Holiday parties are loud and busy. Give your pet a quiet room with water, a bed and a favorite toy, and check that doors stay closed so nobody slips out. Make sure your pet’s ID tag and microchip details are up to date. Our guide to dog body language can help you spot when your dog needs a break.

If something goes wrong

If your pet eats something they shouldn’t, call your vet or an emergency clinic right away. You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 (a fee may apply). Don’t try to make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to.

Holiday gift FAQ

Is it safe to wrap a gift for my pet?

Yes, but supervise unwrapping and clear away paper, tape and ribbon right after, so nobody eats them.

What’s the best gift for a dog who destroys toys?

Choose toys made for power chewers, play tug together instead of leaving toys out, and add food puzzles that keep them busy.

When should I order personalized gifts?

As early as you can. Personalized items take extra time to make and ship, and carriers get busy in December.