Dog toys and treats | Dog beds | Dog leashes, collars, clothes and accessories | Gifts for dog owners
Dog lovers are a special breed. You know the type: They're forever finding a way to show you videos of their dog's adorable antics, they plan their days and vacations around their pet's playdates, and they're constantly buying new accessories for their pup.
But all with good reason: Dog owners know that showering their pets with amazingness is only fair. After all, there's nothing quite like a dog's comfort, company and unconditional love.
Finding gifts for dog owners can be especially difficult, but we're here to help. Whether their canine companion is a frosty-faced senior or a brand-new puppy, we curated a group of functional, unique dog gifts that celebrate all pups (especially with National Puppy Day tomorrow!) — and their compassionate, loving owners.
Best dog toys and treats
Boots & Barkley Gator Plush Dog Toy
"My fur niece Marcie is a little reptile disguised as a dog, so she can relate to this spiny lizard toy well. Beyond that, it can handle the wrath of her strength whenever she’s play tug of war with my brother," says senior SEO editor Jess Bender.
Andy's Dandys Honey Oat Trio Classic Decorated Bones
If you’re shopping for gifts for dog birthdays, end your search at Andy’s Dandys, a Vermont-based dog treat company on a mission to develop human-grade dog treats in an environment that’s inclusive. This sweet treat trio is topped with a delicious pup-friendly yogurt.
Pet Zone IQ Treat Dispensing Ball
Ideal for high-energy dogs or those who get bored easily, this food-dispensing toy engages pets physically and mentally: They learn how to roll the ball to get treats out, and pet parents can change the difficulty level as Fido starts to catch on. Plus, it comes in two sizes.
Dr. Catch Dog Puzzle Toy
Not only does this slow feeder encourage dogs not to snarf down their kibble, but it also provides mental stimulation and fights boredom. It has eight moving parts to keep even the most genius of pups busy.
Outward Hound Invincibles Green Gecko Plush Dog Toy
Some dogs are relentless chewers who just won’t quit until they shred a toy to tiny little bits. For those who want their dog to feel the joy of ripping apart a toy — but not have that joy last a mere 36 seconds — this is for them. It has an inner Dura-Tuff lining and reinforced double-stitched seams, and it has multiple squeakers to keep the pup’s interest. It’s also stuffing-free, so they won’t have to worry about the pet ingesting fluff.
Yummers Freeze-Dried Cheddar Cheese Gourmet Meal Mix-In
Created by Antoni Poworski and Jonathan Van Ness, these tasty cheese food mix-ins instantly punch up any bowl of kibble. Former Shop TODAY writer Hannah Baker says her “dog goes crazy for this whenever we add it to her food.”
Squeaky Toys Set
"My dog usually never plays with toys at the dog park — he’s too distracted with other dogs — but we once came across this toy in a park, he would not let go of it so I knew it was one I needed to track down for the home," says commerce editor Vivien Moon. "Thankfully, I was able to find them and it’s still his favorite toy to play with on a regular basis. Because of the odd shape, it doesn’t bounce the same as a regular ball making fetch even more fun and unpredictable for him. I will say that these are best for smaller dogs because they are on the smaller size and may be a choking hazard for bigger dogs."
Haute Diggity Dog Chewy Vuitton Bone Toy
Associate editor Allie Wise recently gifted this bone toy to her sister's new teacup yorkie. "He absolutely loves it and plays with it any chance he gets. It is affordable, stylish and super soft."
Hear Doggy Ultrasonic Squeaker Toys
For the dog that loves squeaky toys but whose human works from home and finds the squeaky distracting, look no further than Hear Doggy’s ultrasonic squeaky toys. The toys, available in several cute animal shapes (we’re partial to the purple elephant), makes a squeaky noise that dogs can hear but is virtually silent to the human ear. Happy squeaking.
Outward Hound Hide a Squirrel
You can’t put a price on happiness for man’s best friend, and this toy provides endless hours of fun. Just keep stuffing the squirrels back inside; it’ll never get old.
Barkbox Gift Subscription
This popular subscription box for pets also sends gift boxes filled with customized toys and treats. Your friend’s dog will be thrilled, your friend will be overjoyed — and you’ll be a hero.
Best beds for dogs
Thermo Snuggly Sleeper Pet Bed
Everyone knows someone who has a hard time keeping their dog out of their human bed. But this electric heated dog bed may be just what it takes. It’s got a 6-watt thermostatically controlled heater that can keep pets warm all year round, or it can be removed so the bed can be used in all seasons. It’s ideal for elderly dogs or those who have trouble staying warm in winter. (And yes, it’s OK to want one for yourself.)
Casper Dog Bed
From the people who created the cult fave “mattress in a box,” this dog bed is thoughtfully engineered to meet a dog’s needs: It has pressure-relieving memory foam and strong support, along with a tough microfiber cover that’s removable for easy washing. Available in four colors: Blue, Eucalyptus, Gray and Sand.
Big Barker Orthopedic Sofa Bed
Moon says that, while this bed is an investment, it's definitely worthwhile. "This dog bed is more than just a regular fluffy bed, it’s an orthopedic option that has a 10-year warranty making it a one-and-done option. My pet loves this bed because it is both comfortable and has enough room for him and I can feel good about giving him an option that is good for his joints as he grows. I also have the cooling treatment so that it can be even more comfortable for him during the hot summer months."
Diggs Evolv Dog Crate
Moon says this crate was not only easy to put together, but has noteworthy features. "It has two doors that open instead of just one meaning I can put it in a different location if I move. It’s a lot cuter than a regular crate and has a lock that my dog cannot get out of which is also super helpful if your pet is a magician!"
Best dog leashes, collars, clothes and accessories
Printfresh Celestial Skies Pet Bandana
"This has become my go-to gift for the dogs in my life who need a little extra pizazz beyond their usual collars. These come in several vibrant prints that match their bigger-than-life personalities," says Bender.
And if you want to take things one step further, you can even get matching pajamas for their human!
Soggy Doggy Super Shammy Dog Towel
Perfect for post-bath or an impromptu dip in the pool, this super absorbent microfiber shammy holds up to seven times its weight in water. It’s even got easy-on hand pockets to help dry soaked pups. The wet dog smell, though? You can’t have everything.
Kurgo Quantum 6-in-1 Dog Leash
This multifunction leash converts to six different styles, including hands-free around the waist, over the shoulder in a courier style and even as a double dog leash. It’s made of strong nylon, it’s got a padded handle, and it’s reflective.
Ouai Pet Shampoo
For the very good dog that deserves a spa day is Ouai's pet shampoo. With notes of floral and citrus, this vegan formulated pet shampoo leaves pups with soft, amazingly smelling fur that will have everyone wanting to snuggle up with them.
Kate Spade New York Dog Leash
For the stylish fur baby, this Kate Spade dog leash is complete with bold polka dots and a gold lobster clip. The 4.5-foot leash is ideal for dog owners who love to look stylish even when they’re doing an early morning walk.
Scotch & Co Mini Barkin Poo-Bag Dispenser Pet Leash Accessory
Moon says she wanted a poo-bag dispenser with a little more personality than your typical options and this mini "Barkin" called her name. "I’ve had mine for about a year and it hasn’t gotten scuffed up so it looks virtually good as new which is rare for any product you use consistently on a daily basis! I will say, because it’s meant to only fit a roll of poop bags, it is a little difficult to refill."
Maxbone Go! With Ease Leash Bundle
When hunting for an alternative to a traditional leash, Moon opted for this style that allows her to remain hands-free. "I also love that it has a little treat pouch so I am always ready to have a little training session no matter where we are. I will note, this is best for smaller dogs because even when mine pulls — and he’s under 20 pounds — it still can be forceful so if your dog pulls and is bigger, this might not work for you."
Whistle Go Explore 2.0 Smart Tracker
You can’t put a price on peace of mind: This lightweight smart device — which affixes to a pet’s collar — monitors a pet’s health, sets fitness goals and acts as a GPS so you can track a dog’s location and receive alerts when they leave a designated safe place. The charge lasts a couple of weeks when linked to Wi-Fi.
Puraclenz Surface and Air Purifier
You'll feel relieved knowing this air purifier is safe to use around pets (and children). The brand says the purifier is able to remove indoor pollutants without releasing harmful materials back into the air.
Best gifts for dog owners
“Dog’s Best Friend: The Story of an Unbreakable Bond” by Simon Garfield
This heartwarming, witty book investigates our relationship with man’s best friend, calling upon history, art, science and personal experience.
Cavertin Novelty Socks
These socks are the perfect gift for dog lovers who enjoy lounging around with their pup. They are designed with cute pics of dogs and the bottoms feature a cute message that reads "I can't get up right now" one sock while the other follows up "the dog is on my lap."
American Pet Supplie Travel Pet First-Aid Kit
Most pet owners don’t have one of these, which makes it the perfect gift. The kit includes sterile gauze pads, scissors, adhesive bandages, one roll of medical tape, hand cleansing wipes, disposable gloves, a bottle of saline solution, sting relief pads and other supplies. Plus, a carabiner clip provides a convenient attachment for hikes or trips to the dog park.
OTOTO Best Buddies Dog Kitchen Spoon Holder
While their little bestie likely already keeps them company at the stove, your dog-loving friend can add more dogs to the party with this kitchen spoon holder duo. To use, place the little dog on the side of the pot. The spoon will fit right in the dog’s mouth when not in use.
Rechargeable Hand Warmer
From the snuggles to the wagging tail there are so many great things about having a dog, but getting outside for a walk on a chilly day can be a struggle. Make it better with this covetable rechargeable hand warmer that will have the dog lover in your life wanting to reach for the leash. Better buy several, though: I gifted one of these to my mom last year and my siblings keep stealing it.
Embark Dog DNA Test
If your friend has a dog that’s a mystery breed, there’s nothing more fun than trying to uncover the DNA secrets behind a pet’s scruffy fluff or stand-up ears. They’ll love that this kit looks at more than 350 breeds and 210 genetic health risks. Chihuahua on the outside, Great Dane on the inside? You never know until you check.
Bonus: The online platform allows pet owners to see other dogs that are related to theirs.
