Best Holiday Gifts for Dogs

Searching for a special way to spoil your canine this Christmas? Or maybe you want to wish your hound a Happy Hanukkah? Whether you're celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, don't "furget" to include your fur-baby in your holiday festivities. Seeing your dog excitedly rip into a present with their tail wagging is priceless!

But you might be wondering what you should get your dog for Christmas. We've compiled a list of 10 of the best holiday gifts for dogs to make this year's holiday shopping a little simpler!

Many families break out tacky Christmas sweaters to wear over the holidays, so why not include your canine in this holiday tradition? If you have a short-haired dog like a Greyhound, they might get cold on winter walks, so a Christmas sweater might be a thoughtful present for your pup. 

You can find loads of classic Christmas sweater designs for dogs, and there are even a few Hanukkah-themed sweaters available if you're celebrating the Festival of Lights. 

Popular Christmas sweaters for dogs: 

• Frisco Moose Fair Isle Dog & Cat Sweater
• Frisco Striped Christmas Tree Sweater
• Merry Makings Hanukkah Cozy Coat

Raw bones might not seem like a luxury dog gift, but pups prefer them to fancy jewelry or flowers. Professional dog trainer Robert Cabral says raw bones are excellent holiday gifts for dogs:

"They're great for your dog's health, and they'll keep them busy. I always recommend that you think BIGGER rather than smaller, so your dog can chew the bones, but not swallow them."

Robert recommends getting raw bones from your local butcher's store or picking a high-end brand, like Primal. You might not think much of getting your dog a bone, but we promise it'll get your dog's tail wagging.

Popular raw bone brands: 

• Primal
• K9 Connoisseur

A chew toy is a wonderful alternative to raw bones. Chew toys are great because they're multi-use — you can play tug-of-war, fetch, or just let your dog have a good old-fashioned gnaw. Plus, chew toys will help prevent your pupper from munching on your favorite pair of shoes!

You'll want to pick out a sturdy chew toy, especially if you have a large dog with a strong jaw like a Rottweiler. Otherwise, your pup will tear through their holiday gift in a few seconds flat!

Popular chew toy brands: 

• Nylabone
• PetSafe
• Goughnuts

There are few things dogs love more than food, so a treat-dispensing toy is a good Christmas gift for your dog. A Kong is a perfect gift if you don't have one already. They're simple, durable, and can be stuffed with tasty treats. Robert Cabral backs them as one of the best ways to keep a dog busy:

"One of my all-time favorite toys to keep your dog busy after a walk or before is a Kong. I've used Kongs forever and love the big basic pyramid shaped ones. Nothing fancy. I stuff them with organic almond butter, cheese, honey, meats, yogurt, and just about anything else that is healthy for my dogs."

You could also get your dog a puzzle toy. Puzzle toys give dogs some extra stimulation and ensure your hungry hound won't eat all their treats in one go.

Popular treat-dispensing toy brands: 

• Kong
• Outward Hound
• Starmark

Nothing says "I love you" to your pupper like a comfy dog bed. And it'll get your pooch off your bed, giving you more space to sleep! If you want something festive for your dog, you even get them a holiday-themed dog bed.

When picking out a dog bed, try to pick one that's durable, comfortable, and easy to wash. All animals need some alone time, and a dog bed gives your pup somewhere to escape if they feel overwhelmed or anxious.

Popular dog bed brands: 

• Casper
• PetFusion
• Furhaven

If you're already baking Christmas cookies for your kids, why not make some for your fur-baby too? Dogs love a special treat, and they're sure to feel the love when chowing down on some Christmas cookies of their own.

Always check that the ingredients you pick for your dog's Christmas cookies are safe. Avoid any ingredients that contain xylitol, as this common sweetener is extremely toxic to dogs. You should also avoid feeding your dog chocolate, macadamia nuts, and raisins. 

Check out our Christmas cookie recipes for dogs for inspiration!

A dog gift basket is a "pawsome" present if you're planning to really spoil your pup over the holidays. Gift baskets for dogs can contain anything from leashes to treats to toys. The contents of your gift basket are sure to keep your pup entertained on long winter nights. 

Crafty pet parents can even make their own dog gift basket, complete with homemade cookies and toys. You'll also find several companies and sellers on Etsy that offer pre-made gift baskets. If you want a gift that keeps giving, some companies, like BarkBox, offer monthly subscription boxes containing toys and treats for your canine compadre. 

Popular dog gift baskets:

• BarkBox
  
• Hanukkah Cookie Box by Wufers
• Butcherbox Dog Treat Gift Box

Help your dog stand out from the crowd at your next visit to the dog park with a flashy new leash and collar. Robert Cabral has a personal favorite dog collar and leash brand:

"One of my favorite type of leashes are braided leather, and Sexy Beast Dog Collars makes some amazing leashes (and collars)...Each can be as unique as your dog and is sturdy enough to last your pooch his whole life — provided you don't let him chew it up!"

When picking out a collar and leash, ensure it's functional and fashionable. There's no point buying a flashy leash and collar if it's not fit for purpose!

Popular dog leash and collar brands: 

• Soft Touch Collars
• PetSafe
• Maxbone

It might sound strange, but dog wine is a fun gag gift to give your dog over the holidays. Dog wine isn't wine at all — in fact, grapes are toxic to dogs. Dog wine is safe for dogs, and usually includes ingredients that are beneficial for your dog's health, like fish oil. 

So whether you're having a cozy glass of wine by the fire or raising a glass to toast a delicious Christmas dinner, your doggo doesn't have to be left out of the festivities. 

Popular dog wine brands:

• Pet Winery
• Woof & Brew
  
• Apollo Peak

Buy your pupper an adorable personalized stocking for all their Christmas presents. Some companies will embroider your pooch's name onto a stocking, which you can hang on the mantle with the rest of the family. 

These stockings are dog-themed — some are shaped like bones, and some feature puns like "Santa Paws". Now you'll have somewhere to put all your dog's homemade cookies, chew toys, and dog wine in prep for Christmas Day!

Popular customizable dog Christmas stockings: 

• Custom Personalization Solutions Pet Stockings
• Frisco Personalized Pet Stockings