By Samantha Schoech and Mari Uyehara
Dogs can’t simply hand over a list of the gizmos and gadgets they desire. That puts added pressure on us, their human friends, to pick out the best toys and treats for our favorite pooches.
Whether you’re looking for toys that won’t get destroyed in a single day, treat puzzles to keep your pooch occupied, or just a tribute in their likeness, we’ve gathered the best Wirecutter-tested, staff-recommended gifts for dogs (and the people who love them).
For even more dog gear, check out our expert-tested picks for dogs, including the best collars and pet carriers. And if you’re adopting a new dog altogether, we have a complete checklist so you’re ready on Day 1.
Head-turning accessories
Your favorite pooch will be the envy of the dog park with these bright, easy-to-clean collar charms, which can spell out their name in lilac, cherry red, green, butter yellow, or sky blue. You can also add a heart, flower, or star.
Available in three sizes, this waterproof, odor-resistant PolyFlex collar comes in almost 10 colors and can be personalized with silicone charms.
Make a dog into a celeb by spelling out their name with the Springland Silicone Dog Charms. You can choose from five pastel hues for each bubble-style letter of the alphabet, as well as a heart, flower, and star. Almost anytime writer Evan Dent takes his dog Winnie to the park sporting her name in butter yellow, along with a flower, she gets plenty of oohs and ahhs. The charms can require a little bit of tugging to get over the clasps and buckles of a standard collar, but you can also attach them to a contrastingly colorful Springland Personalized Waterproof Dog Collar, which is odor-resistant and available in small (10-14 inches), medium (13-18 inches), and large (16-23 inches).
A next-level bone
Less messy than it looks, this cellulose-based bone features beef-and-sweet-potato bits in its grooves. We also like that it’s plastic free.
Pets writer Mel Plaut wasn’t exactly eager about testing the Woof HonestChew Meaty — it looked, like many beloved dog treats, a bit messy. But they were won over after their dog Dave became “obsessed” with the bone (over a carefully laid towel), and it didn’t flake off as much as feared. The cellulose core has grooves, so some of the beef-and-sweet-potato bits stay stuck on, enticing pups to come back for more. And since it’s made with a plant-based core, your dog won’t be gnawing on plastic. “It’s Dave’s new favorite bone by a large margin,” says Mel. “All other bones have been ghosted.”
Silly shirt
Made of 100% combed cotton, this relaxed-fit T-shirt is easy to design using multiple pet photos, fun backgrounds, and up to two lines of text.
Loud and proud dog people can wear their pooch right on their chest with the Threadheads Custom Dog Bootleg Tee. Designing one of the shirts is a real riot, too. After uploading up to six hi-res images of the pet (the auto-crop feature will remove backgrounds), you can add a line or two of text and choose from funky treatments, like a purple-green galaxy background or colorful illustration accents. After you approve the image, it takes about 12 business days to be delivered. Editor Rory Evans got one for her daughter, praising the “very easy” ordering process and “hilarious” results.
Fun-loving puzzle toy
Snout-shaped and dishwasher-safe, this combo treat puzzle and chew toy is entertaining on a couple levels.
Sometimes it’s important to keep toys around that amuse humans as much as dogs. Case in point: Snoggydogs The Oinker. Part treat puzzle, part rubber chew toy, part family-group-chat fodder, the Oinker can hold kibble or other small treats in a small compartment at the nose tip, and your pup will have to maneuver it around to push them out. And when a dog lifts it on their face, it looks like their canine snout has been replaced with a porcine one. The rubber toy is easy to clean, too, either by hand or in the dishwasher.
Dog house
Make no mistake, a home bedecked with this 100%- coir doormat (backed with non-slip vinyl) is a dog-friendly household.
This cheerful Hope You Like Dogs Bungalow Doormat makes it clear that the home you’re about to walk into prioritizes its canines — or at least gives a delivery person a heads up. The smallish (18-by-30-inch) mat is made with 100% coir, a natural fiber made from coconut husks, and has a nonslip vinyl backing. It comes in either cream or black, and if you think it’s weird to give someone a doormat, well then you’ve never seen how much the right one can truly surprise and delight.
For the doglete
This sturdy, 10-inch disc is made of rubber that withstands nearly endless games of fetch, tug-of-war, and chew time.
If the doggo in your life is a flyer and a catcher, the tough Nerf Dog Atomic Flyer — made of thermoplastic rubber — will allow him to show off his moves. The Frisbee-like disc is easy to throw and catch, and it also will keep tug-of-war enthusiasts entertained. Plus, as software engineer Beth Niegelsky’s dog Hobbes can vouch, it stands up to chewing way better than discs made for humans.
Poop patrol
Delivering on its promise of squatting pooches, this 1,000-piece puzzle keeps the laughter rolling with German shepherds, golden retrievers, and Bernese mountain dogs doing their business.
Like a dog walker’s nightmare, this 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle features dogs of all sizes and breeds pooping simultaneously on an enormous green meadow. The Funwares 101 Pooping Puppies Jigsaw Puzzle is a high-quality cardboard puzzle with a no-glare matte finish and dust-free pieces that fit together snugly.
Doggie danglies
Simply upload your pet’s photo to create a funky earring, necklace, or charm with or without an added jewel.
We’ve long been fans of Haricot Vert’s make-your-own approach to jewelry, but the Picto-Pet option — which allows you to upload pet pictures and add them to baubles — is on a whole other level. First, choose silver- or gold-toned hardware, then upload a picture of your recipient’s pet, and finally, add a jewel to finish it off. You can make necklaces, earrings, or charms. We were able to create a one-of-a-kind Cosmo the Chihuahua earring in under five minutes. We do wish the site provided a preview of what your exact creation looked like before ordering. Instead, you have to go by their samples and your imagination.
Cartoon caricature
This cartoon service offers fast, accurate caricatures in a variety of cartoon styles, including Disney-like renderings of your favorite pet.
Fans of the 1955 classic Lady and the Tramp — or really any Disney movie — might squeal upon receiving a Happy Tooned Pet Disneyfication. All you have to do is upload a clear, front-facing photo of your pooch (or pets) and tap in some drawing notes. The options for a background are white or (for an additional $10) custom. You’ll get a proof for approval in eight to 10 days or less. Happy Tooned offers revisions, but when writer Evan Dent and his wife submitted a photo of their dog Winnie, along with the direction of “enchanted forest,” they were so thrilled with the result (see above) that their only response was, “No notes.” You can choose a high-resolution digital file to print and frame on your own. Or, for an additional fee, you can get a printed 16-by-12-inch matter poster with the option of a frame.
Doggo distraction
This dishwasher-safe, easy-to-clean natural rubber treat toy keeps dogs busy for 20 to 40 minutes.
Any human friend of an energetic pooch knows that dogs need jobs — and if they don’t have one, they just might find one you may not appreciate (like, say, chewing through some woodwork). The easy-to-use, easy-to-clean Woof Pupsicle keeps them on task. You just unscrew the rubber ball, pop in a treat, and let your pup go to town. The company sells premade food balls, or you can freeze your own (broth, peanut butter, and pumpkin are crowd pleasers) in a treat mold. Once it’s done, just separate the two pieces and run it through the dishwasher. Easy peasy. Wirecutter’s resident dog expert Mel Plaut says it keeps their dog busy for about 30 minutes.
Sleek slicker
This uninsulated waterproof coat keeps your dog’s torso dry, but it isn’t meant for overly cold weather. It comes in six sizes, to fit dogs with chest girths from 13 to 42 inches.
Dogs who shirk walks in the rain — or humans who don’t love them shaking it off indoors — might appreciate our pick for best dog raincoats, the durable and lightweight Ruffwear Sun Shower Dog Raincoat. Best suited for milder weather (not snowstorms), the uninsulated slicker will keep your canine pal mostly dry. Available in three colors and six sizes, it attaches via two buckles on each side of the dog’s torso, and it holds up in washing machines.
Making fetch happen
It’s easy to play fetch with this beloved lightweight toy, which can rocket balls far away with little effort.
The Chuckit Dog Ball Launcher may very well be a lifesaver for the humans attempting to meet the needs of high-energy dogs, especially puppies. With an ergonomic handle, this flexible dog-park favorite effortlessly slings balls at a distance, over and over and over again, and you can avoid throwing out your rotator cuff. Once Fido has returned the ball, you can pick it up with the click-in head — without touching slobber or mud. Of course, it will work only with dogs who are game to retrieve — sorry, husky owners.
Handsome slow feeder
These great-looking, wobbly slow feeders hold up to 1.5 cups of dry food, are available in six cool colors, and can dole out an entire meal to most dogs.
For dogs who scarf down their bowls in a few gulps or just need a little activity, a couple of Wirecutter staffers are big fans of Fable’s The Puffin Slow Feeder. The screw-together puzzle toy, which holds up to 1.5 cups of dry food, provides mental stimulation by making dogs work for their meal — they have to knock around the wobbly toy so that it releases a few pieces of kibble. (The bottom is padded with silicone for quieter knocking around.) While it’s not all that different in performance from the cheaper OurPets IQ Treat Ball, the sleekly designed toy comes in six attractive two-tone colors, including blush, purple, and teal.
Goof off
While this affordable, shaggy squeaker looks pretty silly (in a good way), its reinforced stitching, interior liner, and round shape make it seriously durable.
This neon-bright, cross-eyed squeaker is a favorite of several staffers — and over 10,000 Amazon reviewers. Software engineer Jasmine Kasheboon Khoury said that every dog she’s given the GoDog Furballz — which she dubbed “Mr. Fluff” — has been “obsessed with him.” One of the recipients was product designer Olivia Sheldon’s sweet-but-destructive German shepherd mix. The Furballz’s double-stitched seams, liner, and large, round shape fared much better than flatter plushies. Longevity aside, dogs just love the cuddly little guy. “He carries it around the house, which is really cute,” Olivia said.
Disgusting delectables
These high-value treats have one ingredient and one ingredient only: omega-3-rich cod skin.
(16 ounces)
(8 ounces)
Raw, freeze-dried minnows provide animal protein, zinc, and taurine, plus cleaner teeth (due to natural abrasion from crunching the whole fish).
All of these slightly yuck-inducing treats (to humans, anyway) are made with just one ingredient (hint: it’s in the names), with no added salt or filler of any kind. They boast a healthy dose of animal protein as well as a host of other beneficial vitamins, minerals, or omega-3s, beneficial for a dog’s coat, skin, heart, teeth, muscles, and immune system. When writer Mari Uyehara’s family got their Samoyed, Kaia, the breeder handed her off with a bag of cod-skin treats. They’ve been a high-value snack for Kaia ever since, outlasting other treat phases, and Mari’s given packs to other smitten dogs, too. Similarly, the Vital Essentials Minnows Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats consist entirely of little fishies that dogs go gaga for.
Tough it out
Made with embroidered eyes and a tough plush exterior, this sweet-looking (and squeaker-less) fish significantly outlasts other plush toys.
A certain dog we know — we’re looking at you, Jordi — has destroyed countless Lamb Chop toys. Then his people found Fluff & Tuff, a range of impressively enduring plush toys. Ruby the Rainbow Trout is a standout, with an ultra-plush exterior, thick mesh liner, concealed double-stitched seams, and embroidered eyes. According to Fluff & Tuff, the toys are independently tested for lead and phthalates, and they are filled with non-toxic polyester. What Ruby doesn’t have, mercifully, is a squeaker. Fluff & Tuff also makes dozens of other cute, unique animals, including an octopus and a brachiosaurus.
Portable hydration
Equipped with a built-in drinking bowl, this BPA-free squeeze bottle comes in three sizes (15, 22, or 44 ounces).
(22 ounces)
(22 ounces)
With its mushroom-shaped top, Flip Dog Travel Bottle is a convenient way to keep pooches hydrated on hot days and long hikes. Just squeeze the body to push water up from the bottle into the food-safe basin. The lightweight bottle is available in four sizes (15, 20, 22, or 44 ounces) and seven colors. It has a carabiner, so you can latch it onto a backpack, and the three smaller bottles fit in most car cupholders.
Worthy portraiture
Provide a clear photo, and an artful, accurate hand-painted portrait of the pet will arrive about four weeks later.
Several staffers have been delighted with a Dimdi Watercolor Pet Portrait of their own furry friends. (Editor Tracy Vence calls the portrait of her dog, Bone, pictured above, her favorite Wirecutter pick “without a doubt.”) The watercolors are hand-painted by one artist, Irene, in Italy — not an AI rendering or a team of artists — so processing can take up to a month, although a digital proof comes much sooner. We think it’s worth the wait for a unique work on thick, acid-free watercolor paper that sweetly captures a beloved pet’s spirit. The standard size is 8-by-10 inches, but you can message Dimdi about accommodating different trims. Gifts editor Hannah Morrill also ordered one recently, and the results were as lovely as ever; bonus points awarded for the digital proof.
The best pet-hair remover
This handheld cleaner’s back-and-forth rolling mechanism generates an electrostatic charge that effectively clears even the most hair-matted upholstery. It holds up for years and doesn’t require refills.
With its motorized brush and extendable crevice tool, this handheld vac cleans up pet fur in a snap, especially on upholstery.
The ChomChom Roller Pet Hair Remover is gifts writer Samantha Schoech’s go-to gift for new pet parents. It’s the only thing she’s found that can keep up with the fur shed by her two long-haired cats, and it works well for dog hair, too. She keeps one on each floor of her house and uses them daily. When this simple plastic device is rolled back and forth over fur-covered fabric, it creates an electrostatic charge that picks up hair and then collects it in an easy-to-empty chamber. If you’re looking for something more comprehensive, the Black+Decker Clean+ Cordless Pet Hand Vacuum HHVK515JP07 is our pick for the best pet-hair vacuum.
Bathtime distraction
Use this silicone, suction-cupped licking mat to distract and calm dogs during the indignities of bath time.
Bathing dogs can be hard: It may involve whining, yelping, and mad-scramble escape attempts. The Aquapaw Slow Treater Silicone Lick Mat gives dogs a welcome distraction during bath time, so it’s easier for human companions to get the job done. Just spread peanut butter, low-fat cream cheese, or another smearable snack into the grooves of this mat, which suctions to the wall. It’s designed so that dogs can’t eat the treat quickly, giving groomers more time to do a thorough washing. That’s a win for everyone.
A pillow pet
Transform a high-res image into a double-take-worthy pet doppelgänger. The pillow arrives in about a week.
True dog lovers will appreciate a playful pet-shaped pillow. Just send in a high-res photo, choose from four sizes, and review the digital mock-up. In about a week, the pet lover in your life will receive a photo-realistic pillow in the shape of their beloved doggo. The pillow’s polyester velvet is less cuddly than actual dog fur, but it’ll do in a pinch. Though beware: These pillows are so realistic-looking that they can be mistaken for the real thing!
The mother of all chew toys
Made of digestible, splinter-resistant cellulose, this chew-friendly wishbone comes in three densities.
(hard density)
For pet parents looking to avoid rawhide and nylon, we’re fans of BetterBone, which is made out of cellulose and vegetable oils. For dogs who like to have a project, this one does the job, and there is no danger of ingesting plastic, either. Whereas nylon bones can be tough on dog teeth, the BetterBone comes in three densities (soft, medium, hard).
A toy that’s twice the fun
This toy consists of a squeaky tennis ball inside a handled, bouncy case, and it’s great for fetch, tugging, or solo pup play.
Some dogs can play with one toy all day and be content. Others need to switch things up. The Kong Jumbler Ball is perfect for the dog who thinks variety is the spice of life. There’s a squeaky tennis ball trapped inside the pliable clear shell. And because of its exterior handles, this ball is easy for a human to pick up and toss, or for a pup to shake and fling to their heart’s content. Two other Kong puzzle toys come highly recommended by Wirecutter staffers. The plastic Kong Wobbler can be filled with hard treats or kibble, and dogs learn quickly that if they move it, a reward comes out. The Kong Classic provides the same entertainment, only it gets filled with wet food.
Silent squeakers
Dogs can hear the tantalizing, high-pitched squeak coming from these plush chewies, but humans, thankfully, cannot.
A squeaky toy can thoroughly entertain a rowdy pup — but it can also create frayed nerves for nearby humans. The Hear Doggy Ultrasonic Squeaker Toy has a frequency between 24 and 28 kHz, which is nearly undetectable to the human ear but thrilling to dogs. When chomped, this particular squeaker makes a low-key whooshing sound, like air being pushed around. Hear Doggy toys come in three levels of chew-hardiness — plush, flat, and one the company calls “chew-guard” tech. As is true of any plush toy, this one (even the durable versions) can be destroyed by dogs with a search-and-destroy mission. But our testers found this toy to be relatively tough and especially worthwhile for the sound of silence.
Comfy beds
Burrowing dogs can get cozy on this sherpa-lined orthopedic mattress. The top layer can be propped up like a den or lie flat like a blanket.
The FurHaven Snuggery Burrow Bed is a joy for pups who love to burrow, said writer Kaitlyn Wells, whose dog Sutton enjoyed it for many years. Lined with insulating sherpa fleece, the bed features a flexible hood, which can collapse down into a blanket or stand up like a cave.
Tasty enrichment
To keep dogs calm and occupied, fill the nooks and crannies of this BPA-free rubber lick mat with peanut butter or other gooey treats.
May be out of stock
When you just want your dog to chill out or to slow down their eating, a lick mat covered in tasty treats will give them something nourishing to focus on and keep them from scarfing down meals. The dishwasher-safe SodaPup Enrichment Lick Mat comes in a novelty-shaped cutout (little ducks, dog bones), which humans can smear with peanut butter, yogurt, wet dog food, or whatever their pup desires. These colorful and cute mats are also a gift to their people, since lots of dogs spend upwards of 30 minutes working — so you can finish a quick chore or conference call.
Squirrel world
Stuffed inside a plush tree trunk, these squeaking squirrels provide great entertainment for pups, especially breeds with tunnel-hunting instincts.
(medium)
(medium)
Outward Hound’s Hide-A-Squirrel is several stuffed toys in one: Three small, squeaky squirrels are placed inside a tree trunk (or six if it’s the “Ginormous” size), and dogs have to work on getting them out of the holes. It’s also great for families with a pair of multiple dogs — they can play tug-of-war and then chew individual squirrels on their own. One staffer’s sister has two dachshunds who adore this toy. If you’ve never seen a sausage-shaped dog race around while dragging a stuffed tree trunk behind her, let us assure you that it’s a magnificent sight.
We love finding gifts that are unusual, thoughtful, and well vetted. See even more gift ideas we recommend.
This article was edited by Hannah Morrill and Jennifer Hunter.
Meet your guides
Samantha Schoech
I discover, vet, and write about gifts of all kinds from my office in San Francisco. I am particularly drawn to all things shiny or bookish, but I try not to impose my taste more than is strictly necessary.
Mari Uyehara
I cover a wide range of gift giving, with a specialty in food and drink gifts; I also touch on beauty on occasion. I work to ensure that we consider a diverse range of socio-cultural backgrounds in our guides.
Mentioned above
- We tested 10 collars on big and small dogs and found that Orvis & Personalized Collar is best. It’s tough, reflective, and customized with your contact info.The Best Dog Collar
- We tell you how to keep your animal companion safe in transit in a car or plane.The Best Travel Carrier for Cats and Small Dogs
- Before you bring home a dog for the first time, make sure you have everything to keep your new pet happy and healthyAdopting a New Dog Checklist
- We used seventeen jackets on dozens of walks. The WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Premier Free Parka Deluxe Dog Coat is the best for keeping your pup warm and dry.The Best Winter Jackets and Raincoats for Dogs
- We recommend six vacuums that have the tools, power, and maneuverability to tackle pet fur in your carpets, on your couch, or in your car.What’s the Best Vacuum for Pet Hair?
- The dogs of Wirecutter share their favorite toys for chewing, fetching, destroying, and more. Read on to learn which dog toys are the most durable and engaging.The 10 Best Dog Toys, According to Our Pups
Further reading
Gag Gifts (That They Might Actually Use)
by Samantha Schoech
Gag gifts should make them laugh, sure, but they should also last beyond the first guffaw. We found over a dozen they might actually use.
A Teeny Working TV — And More Unexpected Gifts for Boyfriends
by Samantha Schoech and Mari Uyehara
Handsome, surprising, and silly finds to delight the man in your life.
14 Aesthetic Gift Picks (for Those With Impeccable Taste)
by Hannah Frye
Finding gifts for the aesthetes in your life can be hard, so we gathered the best recommendations from Wirecutter staffers with impeccable taste.
Luxe Sweats, a Parisian Brush, and More Gifts for Girlfriends
by Samantha Schoech and Mari Uyehara
We have a perfect gift for your girlfriend whether she's outdoorsy, design-minded, literary, fancy, practical, or all of the above.
Comments
Ashton2h ago
We love Fluff + Tuff toys!! Bonus about the brand: if you post a photo of your dog playing with a Fluff + Tuff toy on social (any of them, but I've only posted to IG) and tag the brand, they'll donate one of their toys to a shelter. Wins all around!
We love Fluff + Tuff toys!! Bonus about the brand: if you post a photo of your dog playing with a Fluff + Tuff toy on social (any of them, but I've only posted to IG) and tag the brand, they'll donate one of their toys to a shelter. Wins all around!