Gift ideas · Updated November 2026
Gifts for dog and cat people
The short answer: Buy for the pet. Their person will be happier about a toy the dog loves than about a mug with a paw print on it.
Pet people already have the mug, the tote and the doormat. What they never have enough of is things that make their animal happy, or that make living with fur a little easier.
Two things to know before you shop: the pet’s name and its rough size. A toy for a Chihuahua and a toy for a Lab are not the same toy.
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For dog people
- Find on Amazon
KONG Classic dog toy
Fill it with peanut butter, freeze it, hand it over. Twenty minutes of peace. Check the size for their dog.
- Find on Amazon
Chuckit! ball launcher
Throws farther with less effort and no slobbery hands. Lives by the front door.
- Find on Amazon
Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel puzzle toy
A plush tree trunk full of squeaky squirrels to dig out. Dogs lose their minds, in a good way.
- Find on Amazon
Embark dog DNA test
Finally answers “what IS she?” for the rescue-dog owner. One of those gifts people talk about for months.
For cat people
- Find on Amazon
Da Bird feather wand cat toy
A feather on a string that moves like a real bird. The toy cat people recommend to each other.
- Find on Amazon
Yeowww! catnip banana
A small, strong, slightly ridiculous catnip toy. Cats who ignore everything else tend to go for this one.
- Find on Amazon
Catit Flower Fountain
Running water gets cats to drink more, and this one looks like a little flower.
- Find on Amazon
PetFusion cat scratcher lounge
A big curved cardboard scratcher that doubles as a bed. Saves the sofa.
For their human
- Find on Amazon
ChomChom roller pet hair remover
Rolls fur off the couch and the bed, with no sticky sheets to refill. Every pet home needs one and half don’t know it exists.
- Find on Amazon
Furbo dog camera
Check on the dog from work and toss a treat from the phone. For the person who brings up their dog in meetings.
What to skip
- Treats and food, unless you know about allergies.
- Clothes, for a pet that hates clothes.
- Anything that squeaks, for someone in a small apartment. Ask first.
Make it personal
Put the pet’s name on the tag. “For Biscuit” does half the work.