One of the gift recipients that I didn’t touch on in my last gift guide about giving the gift of experience was for our pets. It’s pretty hard to give a pet a gift of an experience, unless you count walks and visits to the dog park as a gift. ;) I always like to give Rigby a Christmas gift, and fill his stocking with goodies, so today’s holiday gift guide is going to focus on just that!
Rigby is not the easiest to shop for though! He’s pretty smart, so a lot of dog toys are boring. He also has a love of chewing, and will destroy even the most “indestructible” toys, especially the plush stuffed kind if left to his own devices.
I have learned a few things over the years of owning him about what kind of toys do work, and don’t. And also, as a dog owner and animal lover, I feel like I may know a thing or two about what my fellow pet lovers wouldn’t mind seeing under the tree.
Gifts for your Furry Friends
Jax & Bones Snowflake Rope Toy: How cute is this? This is one toy I wouldn’t mind seeing on my floor! (PetSwag, $14)
Bad Cuz: This is pretty much indestructible and bounces all over the place, plus it makes a squeaking noise that is sure to drive your dog (and maybe you) crazy. (Amazon, $5.99)
Catit Design Senses Play Circuit: Okay, this looks pretty cool. You can set up the track in all sorts of configurations, and the ball is paw powered. Plus, look at that tiny cat’s face in the photo. Nailed it. (Amazon, $8.45)
Bergan Turbo Scratcher Cat Toy: The cats we had growing up had one of these, and it was one of those things that almost always got used by one of the cats. If they weren’t zooming the ball around, they were scratching the cardboard. (Amazon, $12.74)
iFetch Ball Launcher: Um, how cool is this? When you’re busy, now you don’t have to feel bad about not being able to play fetch with your dog. (PetFancy, $115)
Kyjen Holiday Hide-a-Squirrel: This is seriously so much fun. Squeak the squirrels, get your pup excited, then watch them tear into this to get to the little rodents. Fun for all. (Kyjen, $18)
Our Pets Smarter IQ Treat Ball: We got this in a Barkbox a long time ago (and unfortunately Rigby was left unattended and ended up breaking it…) but it was so worth it. On this one, you can set the size of the treat dispenser larger or smaller, so you have full control over how long the dog will be entertained. (Amazon, $9)
Barkbox: Speaking of Barkbox, why not just put a box under the tree? We loved Barkbox, and get it every few months when we’re running low on treats and toys. (Barkbox, Starting at $19/month. Use code CYBERMUTT for new subscribers for 3 free months when you sign up for a 3, 6, or 12 month plan. Previous subscribers, use code WOOF for 20% off.)
Kyjen Puzzle Toys: We got to try out the Spinning Star puzzle and let me tell you, it’s a lot of fun! Seeing a little puzzled look on Rigby’s face was priceless. It didn’t take him long to figure it out though! (Kyjen, $20)
Gifts for Animal Lovers
Mini Emergency Kit for Dogs: How ingenious is this? A tiny collection of essentials that you can keep in your car just in case of a doggie emergency. (Free People, $16)
Custom Pet Artwork: I love the idea of having a pet portrait commissioned, and there’s one that suits every budget on Etsy. For a small gift, try a pet portrait mug ($18). For a bigger splurge, have a pet immortalized in a piece of artwork like this comic style painting or this watercolor style!
Dogs with Glasses Art Print: Okay, seriously, how adorable is this print? I want it! (Hanna Melin, $36.75)
Nail Wraps: Put your pet’s face on your nails with NCLA’s MyNCLA app! See an example of custom pet portrait nail wraps on Racked here. (NCLA, $19) Jamberry also has this option, though you’ll have to do it through a consultant. (Jamberry, price varies)
PetziConnect: I funded this over a year ago and I can’t wait for it to arrive this month. This is more than just a pet camera, you can interact with your dog through their Petzilla app and even offer a treat for good behavior! (Indiegogo, $169)
Humorous Books: There’s nothing more fun than a dog poking fun at our interesting relationships with our pets. I love the concept behind How to Make Your Cat an Internet Celebrity, I Could Chew on This: And Other Poems by Dogs, and I Could Pee on This: And Other Poems by Cats. (Amazon, price varies.)
Our friends at Kyjen (well, more of Rigby’s friends then mine… he does love their toys!) sent us an extra Holiday Hide-a-Squirrel Dog Puzzle to share with one lucky doggie, plus I’ll throw in some of Rigby’s favorite treats (uneaten, of course!) and a few other fun things. Get yourself entered below!
I’m giving my Weimaraner a new coat since the current one is worn out. I hope she likes the new one we bought her.
Aw, how sweet!
A sweater and some treats and toys.
Sounds like the perfect pick! Good luck!
Every year Warner gets a bone shaped like a candy cane, which he devours in 30 minutes. We party.
Aw, too cute!
Our dogs always get the .99 cent ropes from Target and they LOVE them! And I don’t feel as bad when they tear them to shreds because Target practically gives them away. And now every year at Christmas they get a puppachino from Sbux :)
Oh yes, Rigby loves those too!
I bought one of those puzzles for Chewie. It’s made of solid wood. She loves it. The only problem is that when she paws at it it scoots around the floor. I usually have to lay it in the grass outside. :o)
V
LIfe+1
Haha, too funny! I wonder if you could put those little sticky feet underneath it to prevent that?
These are great gift ideas. I’m glad you included some cat toys. I think I already said this but your dog is so cute. He looks like he’s smiling all the time.
Aw, thanks Hnou! :)
I have the same problem that you do, where my dog doesn’t really like normal toys and rarely plays with them. She LOVES puzzle toys though so I am going to pick up another one for her as a Christmas gift. :)
Great idea! I really want to try one of the Nina Ottosson ones, I see they’re carrying a new line of hers at Petco!
I get wayyyy too excited over shopping for my pup..it’s just so fun!
I know right? Must be what shopping for children is like! ;)
My dog is getting a new bed!
Aw fun! Thanks for entering, Lauren!
Every year we replace our dogs’ tug toys. Tugga brand seems to last the longest with our dogs (a miniature Goldendoodle & a Bichon rescue) – we’ve bought toys that they’ve destroyed in less than a day before! And of course we get them biscuits/treats (which they LOVE)…
Ah yes, biscuits and treats are a huge hit here too! I’ll have to check out Tugga!
Such cute ideas! I love the idea of the Barkbox!
Thanks julia! :)
I am buying Luke my dachshund some clothes and a new bed. :)
Aw, how sweet! Good luck, Ashley!
I’m definitely getting that Catit Design Senses Play Circuit! Thanks for your wonderful gift guide! :)
That looks really cool – I’m kind of tempted to order it for RIgby, my dog who thinks he’s a cat. ;)
I’m pretty much the worst dog owner ever because I’ve forgotten to get our dog something for Christmas for the last few years. Happily, she hasn’t complained, and I treated her to a new collar or treats when I remembered! :)
Aw, I’m sure she doesn’t even know the difference! :)
We plan on giving our pups two new dog beds — theirs are awfully flat and lifeless. Bailey keeps hopping up on our bed and because hers isn’t comfortable enough ha ha!
Haha, sounds like a typical pup! :)
I have two furbabies and each year they get a stocking filled with treats, toys and often new sweaters!
Aw, how darling! Good luck, Freda!
I need to learn more about that pet camera!
Mine should be here soon – I’ll get a review up when we’ve had time to try it out! ;)
my dog would love that treat ball!
missy
popofstyle.com
I highly recommend it! Though don’t make the same mistake I did and leave it with your pup unattended ;)
We have that Hide-a-Squirrel thing and my dog LOVES IT. She will play with that for a solid 30 minutes, and I’m always impressed with how she knows when there are more squirrels in there, lol!
I know right? So much fun, does your dog pick it up and shake it? Rigby does and it’s so hilarious.
Looks like that rope snowflake was popular, it’s already sold out on their website! :( I’ll definitely have to keep my eye out for something similar though, I think our dog would love it :)
Oh no! It must have been! They have other shapes and animals here: http://www.amazon.com/Jax-Bones-Good-Karma-Kramer/dp/B0039QWQK4 Rigby already owns the crab and loves it!
Aw yes! I saw the How to Make Your Cat an Internet Celebrity over the weekend at Nordstrom and thought it was the best!
That book looks awesome – I think it would make a hilarious gift!
I want custom pet artwork for my non-existent pet. That one you shared is so cute!
Haha, you’re too funny. It is super cute, isn’t it?
I absolutely loved this post! I did a post just like this last year and it was one of the most fun to write. My dog Djinn Djinn has had both the treat ball and the hide-a-squirrel toy. The hide-a-squirrel toy lasted, hmm, about 3 days before he tore all the little guys apart and so I bought him the one with the birds and the house- lasted another 3 days. He goes crazy insane with toys like that haha.
As for the treat ball, it’s his favorite toy ever. I’ve bought him about 4 in the last 3 years- he goes through them pretty fast because he has the habit of holding them in his mouth which causes it to crack or else it’ll just break because he plays with it so much. I cannot recommend those treat balls enough- they keep Djinn Djinn entertained forever! This year, I have no idea what I’ll get him but I always enjoy wrapping his presents and watching him tear the paper off :)
-Victoria
http://www.treelinedavenue.com
Haha, I can’t blame him! I have to take away the hide-a-squirrel toy when Rigby gets a little too chew happy on the little squirrels!
Yep, that’s exactly how Rigby broke the IQ ball. He wanted those treats so bad he was going to crunch right on through ;) We have a different one now, but it’s too easy for him because the hole is so large. Djinn Djinn sounds a lot like Rigby! :)
I am definitely getting our little Pomeranian something for Christmas. He’s actually flying home with us (10+ hour flight), and will be going in the cabin. He’s a frequent flyer lol.
Oh wow that’s awesome! I don’t think Rigby would handle a flight like that too well!
Great gifts for dogs. My dog mostly just wants treats and rawhides.
Treats are a great gift too – Rigby will definitely get lots of those! :)
For christmas I am giving my puppies homemade dog treats:) They love them! They only get the homemade ones around the holidays though, so it is special.
Aw, that’s so sweet! I really should try to make Rigby some dog treats – he goes through so many!
My dogs don’t live with me, since I moved away from the family home but I can’t wait to get a smaller dog that’s more city appropriate! These are such cute ideas!
Katie <3
Thanks Katie! Hope you’re able to get a dog of your own soon – they’re so much fun! :)
Oh my goodness these are SO CUTE! And that kitten’s face! EEEP! I might have to pick that up for my cat… :)
That kitten’s face is priceless. I hope your cat loves it! :)
Great idea! You rarely see posts about gift guide for pets. I have been a member of Barkbox and it does feel like Christmas every time for her.
We just love Barkbox! Thanks Yaitza! :)
Aw what a great giveaway! Thanks for sharing!
Of course! :)
What a cute post!! Gotta love our furry friends :) thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks Rachel!
I so love that you did this! There aren’t many gift guides for the furry members of our families!
Glad you enjoyed it, Amanda!
My cat is about as simple as my kids. an empty cardboard box to hide in is just perfect for her. lol these are great though!
Aw, sometimes the simple toys are the best! :)
So cute! I know our kitten will probably have a bigger Christmas than us. She’s so spoiled!
Aw, love that! Pets deserved to be spoiled. :)
I need to get Roxy the iFetch- she destroys every today as well! haha that custom print was MADE for her though!
Isn’t that cute? I think you need that. The iFetch looks awesome too!
Great ideas! We always get little Morgan a stocking filled with treats and toys, can’t forget our furry friends at Christmas! Thanks for the suggestions
You’re so welcome! We do a stocking for Rigby every year too :)
My Sophie loves her lambchomp! She carries her around and won’t let anything bad happen to her…it’s like her baby:)
Aw, that’s so sweet!
Great list, I bought my dog a new bed but I already gave it to him so I have to get him a stocking now with treats or something.
Haha, sounds like something I would do! :)
Adorable ideas for pet gifts! <3
Thank you, Shipra!
What a beautiful dog! I always tend to forget the animals gifts until right before Christmas!
Thanks Breanna! I did too last year, but luckily he’s the easiest to shop for! ;)
My dog would love the iFetch
The iFetch looks so awesome!
Hi Jenn, our little rescue dog loves soft toys but I think she would love a challenge like the IQ toy #spoiledrotten
The IQ toys are so much fun! Yours and mine both ;)
My pups LOVE barkbox!! And this giveaway would be so great for them!!! Crossing my fingers that I can win this for them!
Aw, good luck Lindsay!
A giant bone and some balls.
Great picks, thanks for entering!
I love the idea of the face of the pet on the nails! Hahaha… it’s so great, I just might have to do it.
You so should! I bet that would be super cute.
Great gift ideas! I usually by chewy bones for our dogs and clothes for the little one. She’s always cold.
Thanks Joanna! Those are great gift ideas! :)
I just always give my dog treats or toys. He has a ton but he always appreciates new things!
Aw, sounds like a great gift!
So far our Bella has gotten a ball that my youngest daughter got for her and a stuffed dino. The dino is suppose to be hard to tear up but we will see. Thank you!
Thanks for entering, Crystal!
I am buying him a new pet bed
Thanks for entering, Richard!
I am giving my cat gizmo a cat tree
Thanks for entering, Cheryl!
Im buying my dog a new leash that will actually match her collar and now that custom artwork you mentioned! Great ideas.
Thanks Alanna! Glad it was helpful :)
We’re getting her dents sticks and tennis balls.
Thanks for entering, Viv!
I am giving my dogs new toy bones for Christmas!
Thanks for entering, Leanne!
We have 3 of them. I admit that they are all spoiled and have their own Christmas stockings. They are each getting some new chew toys, chew treats and a sweater.
Aw, sounds like they will have a very Merry Christmas! Thanks for entering, Laurie!
Treats!!! And a new bed!
Thanks for entering, Ashley!
This is such a cute list! :) You can’t forget your furry friends at Christmas! :)
Defintely not! Thank you, Breanna! :)