Whatever occasion is on the cards, be it Christmas, their Birthday, or "just because", you'll want to make sure you've bought the best gifts for pets to involve them in the celebrations. You can go the traditional route and buy some amazing treats, toys and food for your beloved dog or cat. But, as well as this, you can get some unique tools and tech to really go all-out on Christmas, birthdays and other special occasions. Pet tech has become our new favourite thing to buy for our furry friends. Or, why not get a personalised gift for your dog or cat?
Best gifts for pets at a glance:
Whether you're searching around for the paw-fect Christmas present, setting up for a furry birthday or just want to give your pet something they deserve, we've rounded up our favourite products you can gift your pets.
The best gifts for dogs for Christmas and beyond
Fun and festive, the Pets at Home Christmas Caroling Carrot Soft Latex Dog Toy will make an ultimate gift under the tree for your pooch this Christmas. It has a playful squeaker inside to keep your pup engaged and a soft latex body that makes it easy for your pup to carry around.
Tried & Tested by Rosie Floyd & Gina.
What's Christmas without a pig in blanket (or a scarf in this case..)? This Pets at Home Christmas Mini Party Pig Squeaky Dog Toy is the perfect festive pal for your pooch as it's nice and soft to cuddle up with during the festivities but equally the squeaker inside makes it a good playtime companion too.
Tried & Tested by Rosie Floyd & Bella.
Get your pooch smelling delightfully festive for any guests you have visiting over Christmas with the Bugalugs Gingerbread Dog Shampoo. This shampoo not only has a long-lasting gingerbread smell but it will easily remove dirt and grease from your pup's coat without irritating their skin. It's also available in an equally lush Cranberry and Mistletoe scent for owners who prefer more fruity fragrances.
Tried & Tested by Rosie Floyd & Bella.
Okay, this one might be more of a gift for us owners but they'll benefit both you and your dog. The Who Gives a Crap Poop Bags are both leak and tear-resistant and made from super strong, 100 per cent recycled plastic. The tie handles at the top ensure dog waste is securely kept inside until you can dispose of it, meaning you can easily tie them around your dog's lead until you reach a bin. We love the bright and fun print.
Tried & Tested by Rosie Floyd and her three dogs.
Show your pup exactly how much you love them with these Wagg Christmas treats. There are three different types available, Turkey, Stuffing & Gravy, Festive Cookies with peanut butter and chicken, and Three Bird Roast so your pup doesn't have to miss out on all the seasonal flavours on offer this Christmas.
Tried & Tested by Rosie Floyd & her three dogs.
Brussell Sprouts may not be everyone's favourite but this Jack Brussell Sprout Dog Toy from tails.com will certainly be your pups! It can be thrown, caught, tugged and more for all kinds of festive fun and as the toy is double-stitched for durability, Jack Brussell Sprout is sure to be at the centre of all your hound's fun this festive season.
Tried & Tested by Rosie Floyd and her three dogs.
Your furry friend might not be able to understand that it's their name on this Personalised Christmas Large Pet Bowl from Emma Bridgewater, but they'll certainly know this bowl is especially for their food and water. Beautifully handcrafted and personalised with care, this bowl will add a charming touch to your pup's mealtimes.
Tried & Tested by Rosie Floyd and her three dogs.
Best treat dispensing gift
A two-in-one interactive toy and slow feeder, the Brightkins Tough & Tumble Treat Dispenser is ideal for those pups who need to slow down at mealtimes. This tough rubber toy bounces about so your pup will need to knock it around with their paws to work out how to get the tasty treats hidden inside out.
Best dog grooming brush gift
If you didn't know already, the popular hairbrush brand Tangle Teezer has branched into pet products with this Pet Teezer. Perfect for getting knots out of pet hair and giving an extra bit of grooming, this is great for long-hair doggies or those that get a bit shaggy.
Best dog ball launcher gift
Dogs love to power through energy day in, day out, so make sure they're getting their full exercise with this exciting automatic ball launcher. They'll be bouncing with excitement, especially if your pooch loves a tennis ball (or ten).
Best trackable dog collar gift
If your pooch is prone to running off or getting lost, Tractive is a great gift that will keep them safe. All you need to do is attach it to their collar and it will keep them tracked via the Tractive app. You'll never have to worry about dog walks or letting your dog roam again.
Best personalised treat storage box for dogs
When it comes to our dogs, we love to spoil them with loads of treats. If you're looking for a unique present to buy, this personalised dog treat box literally has your dog's name on it. Made out of wood, you can store and keep your dog's biscuits safe and sound.
Best dog bath towel gift
After you've been for a walk - especially if it's a wet one! - you'll want to make sure your pooch is all clean and ready to go back inside. This Nobleza dog bath towel is perfect for those clean-ups as well as bath time and more. A cute little gift that you can invest in.
Best heated dog bed gift
There's nothing better than a cosy up in a warm bed - and your dog shouldn't have to miss out too. This heated bed is a great gift for any pooch out there who loves snoozing. Before you know it they'll be drifting off.
Best dog birthday gift
Your dog deserves to look the part for their birthday, and this set screams birthday - literally. Dress your dog up in a matching bandana and hat that reads 'Happy Birthday'. We can't promise they'll keep it on, but they will look super cute for pictures.
The best gifts for cats for Christmas and beyond
We think these are the purrr-fect options for any cat out there. They'll be meowing for these gifts as soon as they get opened.
Best cat scratcher gift
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'Tis the season for lots of scratching. Keep your kitty's claws healthy while satisfying their natural instincts with the Pets at Home Christmas Gingerbread House Cat Scratcher. It'll also add a touch of Christmas charm with its cute gingerbread house design.
Best cat Christmas stocking
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Why should your moggy miss out on the fun of opening their stocking on Christmas morning? Santa Claws has filled this Pets at Home Christmas Cat Treats & Toys Stocking with plenty of treats, including a mixture of toys and food gifts.
Best cat treat gift
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If you're a cat owner, you know that your cats may be a little obsessed with these biscuits. So, on a special occasion, why not grab this mega tub of those delicious snacks? It's worth stocking up on and even more reason when you want to treat your kitty.
Best cat roller gift
If your cat is obsessed with roller toys or balls, this Catit Design Senses Roller Circuit may keep them occupied for hours. Easy to set up and coming with a light-up ball, your cat will be chasing this toy up and down. A great techy toy to spoil them with.
Best interactive cat toy gift
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Cats love to chase mice on a string, and you can really up the fun with this gift: an automatic flying mouse chaser. You won't even have to go far for your cat to get loads of fun out of this toy, which spins around and flips that your cat can catch.
Best self-cleaning litter box gift
www.argos.co.uk
If you're getting sick of the stinky litter box in the corner of your home, treat both you and your pet with this self-cleaning litter box. A luxury, this litter box will catch and flip the litter so that you won't be stuck with your cat's smelly leftovers. It's a win for everyone.
Best cat drinking fountain gift
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Cats prefer to drink out of running water taps and enjoy fresh water. With water fountains, you know your cat will be staying super hydrated. We like this cute Catit Pixi fountain, which has a sweet pair of whiskers printed on the front.
Best gift for outdoor cats
In colder months, it can be difficult for cats to want to stay outdoors. If you're a family that likes to put your cats out at night, you can give them the luxury of this heated cat house that they can cosy up in. You won't have to worry about them sneaking away with this warm house.
Best cat puzzle treat toy gift
Puzzle toys can be a perfect option to keep your kitty active and excited. Especially for their special day, you can treat them to this puzzle treat toy which stimulates their natural hunting habits.
Best personalised cat ID gift
www.etsy.com
Add this personalised pet ID to your cat's collar and make them look extra special. This independent shop lets you choose your cat's breed and add their name and number to the collar, so if they ever get lost, it'll have all the information needed to reunite you with your missing moggy.
Best birthday cat gift box
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If your cat's special day is coming up, you can really treat them with this huge cat birthday gift box. From KittyCreativeCompany, it includes chew toys, treats and even a mini birthday cake toy. Paw-sitively perfect.
Best pet gifts FAQs
What can I buy for my pet?
Just like us, our pets have all kinds of personalities, and some will like things that others might not. Cats, for instance, are more likely to love a cosy cat bed or high-tech toy. Dogs, on the other hand, may benefit from a variety of chew toys (especially if they like to destroy them!) or a comfortable new harness. Smaller animals like hamsters and guinea pigs always need new accessories and toys to keep them occupied in their hutches.
On the market now you can get even more unique presents, high-tech and luxurious products that you can really spoil your pet with. Pet drinking fountains have been trendy in recent years or grab a pet camera to keep an eye on your loved one.
What are some pet essentials?
If you're not too keen on splashing out too much, pet essentials are always a good place to grab gifts for your animals. From pet food to leads, collars and toys, pets will always need these in handy!
Food: Of course, like us humans, animals need food to survive - and most of them love their food. Grab their favourite pouch of wet or dry food, get them some extra special treats or even buy an expensive brand as a one-off.
Bowls and bottles: Dogs, cats and small animals will be needing something to eat or drink out of too - why not treat them to an extra special personalised bowl they can enjoy? Hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs usually drink out of bottles so don't forget those either.
Leads, collars and harnesses: These are most likely to come in handy for dog owners, but also may be a good choice for any cat, rabbit or small animal owner. Just make sure you buy the right sizes for your pets.
Toys: Erm, hello! A great choice for a gift is a fancy new toy to treat your pet. There are toys and games for all animal types and they'll be able to play with them straight away.
Pens, cages and houses: Whether you use these as a place for them to sleep or as a portable travel option, pens and cages come in handy as a pet owner. Houses and caves can be a great choices too for them to snuggle into.
Rosie Floyd is a Senior Home & Pets Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.