Gifts for Dog Lovers: 22 Picks From Our Two-Dog House
By Cliff at Pet Pic Portraits. Updated September 23, 2026
Most gifts for dog lovers end up in a drawer. Another mug with a paw on it, another pair of socks with bones on them. This list is different because it comes from our own house, where two small dogs are very much in charge.
I'm Cliff. Yogi is our senior boy, a 12-year-old Shih Tzu Terrier and the calm old man of the house. Mia is our Shih Tzu Poodle. She just turned one, and she's all energy. Some of these are my own picks. The rest had to clear a simple bar: highly rated by lots of real buyers, and something a dog person would actually be happy to unwrap. The one exception says so.
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The gift that protects: pet insurance
I'll start with the gift nobody wraps, because it's the one I'd want most. If someone on your list loves their dog, help them insure it.
Both of ours are with Pets Best, on the Accident & Illness plan with no annual limit. Here's what we pay, straight from our account.
| Detail | Yogi, 12 | Mia, 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | $160.58 | $26.93 |
| Yearly deductible | $250 | $500 |
| Paid back after that | 90% | 80% |
| Annual limit | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Insured since | July 2024 | November 2025 |
That's $187.51 a month for the two of them. Pets Best also gives a 5% discount for insuring more than one pet, which shows on our account.
Look at those two premiums again. Same company, same kind of plan. Mia went on as a young puppy, and she costs $26.93 a month. Yogi is our senior, and he costs $160.58. If someone you love just brought home a puppy, helping them start a policy now is a gift that goes a long way.
How it works, in plain words
- The dog sees the vet. With Pets Best, that can be any licensed vet in the US or Canada.
- You pay the bill at the front desk, like normal.
- You send Pets Best the paid invoice online.
- They pay you back a percentage of the covered costs, minus your deductible. Ours is 90% for Yogi and 80% for Mia. Pets Best says direct deposit usually lands in 5 to 7 days.
Pets Best's own example
A $1,000 vet bill, on a plan that pays 90% with a $250 deductible. 90% of $1,000 is $900. Take off the $250 deductible, and $650 comes back to you. That happens to be Yogi's exact setup. The deductible comes off once a year, not at every visit.
Two things to know before anyone signs up. Pets Best has no upper age limit, so an older dog can still be enrolled. And pre-existing conditions aren't covered, there or at the two companies below: anything the dog already has, or shows signs of before the waiting period ends, stays on the owner.
How to give it
You can't really wrap a policy. The owner picks the deductible and the percentage, and their dog's details set the price. So give it the easy way: sit down with them for a quote, and cover the first few months, or tuck a card in their stocking that says you will.
Two others worth a quote
Lemonade
You file claims in the Lemonade app, and it pays back 70%, 80% or 90% after your deductible, whichever you choose. Illnesses have a 14-day waiting period and orthopedic conditions 30 days. It also sells optional preventive care packages for things like checkups and vaccines. It's available in 42 states plus Washington, D.C., and it has an age limit for new sign-ups, so ask before quoting an older dog.
Healthy Paws
No claim forms: you take a photo of the invoice and upload it in the app, within 90 days of the visit. Healthy Paws says approved claims are paid in about 2 business days on average. It pays up to 90%, with a yearly limit of $5,000, $7,000 or unlimited, and every accident and illness policy includes unlimited virtual vet visits through Airvet. Its oldest enrollment age varies by state, so ask.
We make pet portraits. We're not insurance advisers, and we can't tell you which plan is right for anyone's dog. The numbers above are what we pay for our two; a quote for another dog will be different. Read the policy before you buy. We don't earn anything from these three insurance links.
Keepsake gifts for dog lovers that last
The next gift is the one they'll still have in ten years. This part is ours, so read it knowing that.
A portrait of their dog
Pet Pic Portraits turns one photo of a dog into a portrait. Yogi became a royal prince in a crown and robes; Mia got a princess gown. There's watercolor, pop art and a growing collection of other styles too.
You see it before you spend anything. Upload a photo, pick a style, and a free preview comes back, no card needed. If it's right, order it as a digital file, a print, a canvas or a framed piece. Physical pieces are made in the USA, framed ones are assembled in the USA, and Mercy and her team check every portrait against the photo before it's made.
The only tricky part is getting the photo without spoiling the surprise. Their social media is the easy place to look: you want a clear, well-lit shot with the dog's face in focus. Or ask a friend or family member to send you one.
Engraved jewelry and tags
Engraved pet jewelry is having a moment, and it makes sense: it's a keepsake they get to wear every day.
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Their dog, on a necklace
Personalized pet photo necklace
A pendant engraved with a photo of their dog and its name. You upload the photo when you order, so it's their dog, not a stock paw.
Good to know: It's plated steel, not solid silver. Order early; personalized pieces take longer to arrive.
See it on Amazon (paid link)
A quieter keepsake
Sterling silver paw print heart necklace
A small paw print and heart pendant in 925 sterling silver. It works for someone who'd rather wear something subtle, or as a memorial gift for someone who has lost a dog.
Good to know: The seller notes sterling pieces run smaller than they look in photos.
See it on Amazon (paid link)
Stocking stuffer
Engraved stainless steel dog ID tag
A laser-engraved tag with room for up to four lines on each side: the dog's name, a phone number, and something fun on the back.
Good to know: Ask for the phone number to engrave before you order. It's the part people forget.
See it on Amazon (paid link)
Calm and travel for the holidays
The holidays are loud. Fireworks, the doorbell, a house full of people, and for plenty of dogs a long car ride or a flight on top of it. These are the gifts for that part of the season.
The Amazon links here are paid links: we earn a commission if you buy through them.
My pick for noisy nights
Bach Rescue Remedy Pet
For fireworks nights and loud holiday gatherings, this is my pick. It's a flower essence in dropper form, made for pets and alcohol-free, and you add it to water, food or a treat. The pet version is a different bottle from the one for people, so check the label says Pet.
Good to know: Bach says on the listing that its claims come from traditional homeopathic practice, not scientific evidence, and aren't FDA evaluated. If a dog really struggles with noise, that's a conversation for the vet.
See it on Amazon (paid link)
For the dog who burrows
Best Friends by Sheri donut dog bed
A deep, round, fluffy bed with a raised rim, made for a dog who likes to curl up tight. It's one of those gifts the dog claims the minute it's out of the box.
Good to know: This link is the small, 23-inch size. Measure the dog curled up and pick the size on the listing.
See it on Amazon (paid link)
On the road
For holiday road trips
4Knines heavy-duty back seat cover
A waterproof, hammock-style cover for the back seat with a non-slip backing, so the dog rides on one contained space and the seats stay clean. It wipes down or goes in the washer.
Good to know: Check it fits the car. Ask what they drive before you buy.
See it on Amazon (paid link)
For flying small
Henkelion soft-sided dog carrier
A soft carrier for small dogs and puppies up to 15 pounds. The seller lists it as airline approved, and it folds flat when you're not traveling.
Good to know: Airlines set their own size and weight rules, so check theirs before the trip.
See it on Amazon (paid link)
CBD, handled with care
Some dog people pack CBD for travel days, and it comes up every time I talk gifts with them. I'll keep this plain. No CBD product is approved by the FDA for use in animals, and we're not making any claim about what it does. If the person you're shopping for already uses it, or wants to try it with their vet's okay, this is the brand we'd point them to.
Hemp-derived CBD for dogs
Paw Origins CBD oil and chews
Paw Origins makes hemp-derived CBD oils and chews for dogs, and its customers rate it highly. The company says its products are third-party lab tested. Check the label for the milligrams of CBD per serving, and ask for the lab report for the batch you buy.
Good to know: Talk to the vet before giving a dog anything new.
Clever and fun
Puzzle toys and lick mats are having a real moment, and for good reason: they get a dog using its nose and its brain, and they're a lot of fun to watch. This is also where the bigger surprises live, from a DNA test to a shark fin life jacket.
The Amazon links in this section are paid links.
Hide and seek
ZippyPaws Burrow milk and cookies puzzle
A plush milk carton with three squeaky cookies hidden inside. The dog digs them out, you stuff them back in, and the game starts over. It's a fun one to watch on Christmas morning.
Good to know: Soft toy. Not for dogs who shred plush in a minute.
See it on Amazon (paid link)
A puzzle bowl
Nina Ottosson Lickin' Layers treat puzzle
Three spinning layers with a lick mat surface. Spread something soft on it or scatter kibble, and the dog has to lick and sniff its way to every bite.
Good to know: The listing calls it a fit for medium to large dogs. Top-rack dishwasher safe.
See it on Amazon (paid link)
For flat-faced dogs
Fluff Trough raised slow feeder
A raised, tilted bowl built for flat-faced dogs and cats, with a slow-feeder insert for fast eaters. If they have a Shih Tzu, a pug or a Frenchie, this is one they probably haven't seen.
Good to know: Holds up to two cups. Sized for small dogs and cats.
See it on Amazon (paid link)
For the "what's he, anyway?" dog
Embark dog DNA test
A cheek swab they mail back to the lab, and the results show what breeds make up their dog. It's a fun one for a rescue or a mixed breed, and it gives everyone something to talk about at dinner.
Good to know: Embark sells two kits: Breed ID, and Breed + Health, which adds health screening. Pick the one you want on their site.
For the porch, garage or barn dog
K&H Lectro-Soft heated outdoor bed
A heated bed for a sheltered outdoor spot. It warms to the dog's normal body temperature only while the dog is lying on it, and it has a foam base with a washable fleece cover.
Good to know: Not for chewers; there's a cord. Made for sheds, garages and covered porches.
See it on Amazon (paid link)
For a senior or a small dog
Ahpmeoa foam dog stairs
Soft foam steps up to the bed or the couch, with a washable fleece cover. Good for an older dog whose jumping days are behind him, or a small one who can't make the leap.
Good to know: This link is the four-step, 19.7-inch size. Measure the bed or couch and pick the step count to match.
See it on Amazon (paid link)
For the lake dog
Queenmore shark fin dog life jacket
A dog life vest with a shark fin on the back, a grab handle and a leash ring. It's the photo-op gift of the list, and a useful one for anyone with a boat or a pool.
Good to know: Sizes run from extra small to 2XL. Get the chest measurement.
See it on Amazon (paid link)
Everyday things they'll use
Not every good gift is exciting. Plenty of the ones dog people thank you for are things they'd have bought anyway, just a little nicer.
Fresh food, delivered
Ollie fresh dog food
A fresh dog food subscription, with a meal plan set up for their dog and delivered to the door. It's a good gift for someone who has talked about switching but hasn't.
Good to know: Food is personal. Ask the owner first, and check the dog doesn't have a vet diet or allergies.
What ours actually get
N-Bone puppy teething sticks
These are the treats I give Yogi and Mia, so this one isn't a guess. It's a variety pack of three bags: chicken, pumpkin and peanut butter.
Good to know: The bags say puppy, and both of ours get them anyway. Check the bag for how many to give a dog their size.
See it on Amazon (paid link)
One more easy one: ask what food the dog already eats and buy a bag of exactly that, or a gift card to the pet shop, groomer or dog walker they already use. We earn nothing on those. They're here because they're useful.
One cool find: open-toe dog booties
Dogs and boots rarely get along. When I went looking, none of the big-selling dog boots I found cleared the bar I set for this list. Then I found Clawgs.
The cool find
Clawgs open-toe dog booties
Booties that wrap the paw but leave the claws free at the front, so they can still dig in and grip. Their own line for it is "wrap the paws, free the claws," and it's the first dog boot I've seen that looks like it was designed by someone who watched a dog walk.
Good to know: They're sold by the pair, so four paws means two pairs. Check the size chart on their site.
I'll be straight about why it's the one exception on this page. It's a small company that sells from its own site, with a modest number of reviews and no overall star rating I could check. There's no affiliate program either, so we earn nothing if you buy. It's here because it's clever and different, and a dog person will get it right away.
Gifts for dog moms
Gifts for dog moms follow one simple rule: something for her, about the dog. A portrait of her dog for her wall does both. So does the photo necklace up in the keepsakes, and so, honestly, does a year of insurance, since she's the one who'd be paying the vet.
And if you want to make her laugh:
She'll laugh, then use it daily
PetLovers giant lint roller
A 9.4-inch lint roller on an extending handle, for couches, car seats and floors. Anyone with a shedding dog knows exactly why this is funny.
See it on Amazon (paid link)
Shopping for your own mom and her dog? Our page on a pet portrait gift for mom has more ideas just for her.
Questions people ask
What do you get a dog lover who has everything?
Something about their dog rather than for it. A portrait of the dog, a necklace engraved with its photo, or a DNA test that finally answers what breed it is. You can preview a portrait free before you buy anything.
Can I give someone pet insurance as a gift?
Not as a box under the tree. The owner chooses the plan and their dog's details set the price, so the easy way is to help them get a quote and cover the first few months. We're not insurance advisers; ask the insurer about anything specific.
Why are there no prices on this page?
Prices change too often to print, and a number on this page would be out of date within days. Every link takes you to the current price.
Do you earn money from these links?
Some of them. Every link that can earn us a commission is marked (paid link) right next to it. A commission never decided what made the list.
What if I don't know the dog's size?
Ask the owner, or someone who sees the dog often, for its weight and chest measurement. If you can't, pick something that doesn't need a size: a puzzle toy, a DNA test, a necklace or a portrait.
- No AKC breed matches that yet. Try another spelling or part of the name.
Pick a breed to see its average adult weight, height and size.
Open the full dog size calculator and breed chartEmbed it on your site
Whatever you pick, pick it for the dog they actually have. And if a portrait is on the list, start with the free preview: upload one photo of their dog, pick a style, and see it before you decide.