Spoil Your Pup: Top 14 Dog Gift Ideas You’ll Adore!

Adoring your dog and keeping your pup happy and safe is essential for all dog parents. I adore my dog, Henry, and love finding products he will love and keep his tail wagging.

Knowing what’s important for your dog and avoiding the hype of other things can keep your pup happy, healthy, and your wallet smiling. I’ve learned over the years what’s really needed and what’s more of a want than a need. 

This gift guide contains the top 12 dog gift ideas I know Henry loves. I’m sure you will love them as well since you are a dog lover. Heck, now that I know as a dog owner these are important, I wouldn’t go without them. They are all wag-worthy and get four paws up. I generally refer to these as Henry’s favorites, which I’m sure will make the perfect gift for your furry friend. 

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

❄️ PIN FOR LATER!

Budget tip:

It’s always fun to give your furry buddy a fun gift. When you know it’s pup-endorsed or the benefits, it makes the purchase easier. That means a great gift for your buddy and your wallet.

These are the must-have everyday items Henry loves!

Cuddle bed - Henry has a few and loves them all.

Lick mat - These are amazing for engaging Henry's mind and aiding in his dental health. 

Dental spray - I’ll never run out of this for Henry. It’s amazing! 

Water fountain - Henry loves his water fountain and drinks a lot more with it.

Harness - I will never walk or hiking with Henry without his harness. It’s essential in my book. 

1. Cuddle dog bed

You may think that all dog beds are basically the same. I did at one time as well. But a cuddle bed is truly a thoughtful gift. When Henry got his first snuggly bed, he immediately crawled in, circled a few times, and settled in for a good nap. I swear, I think I need my own cuddle bed. Now Henry has a few of these beds, and he loves using them all. 

This is his favorite cuddle bed.

2. Heartbeat toy

I truly thought a heartbeat toy was all hype. After all, Henry hates dog toys. Then he was gifted one for Christmas a few years ago. I turned it on and let him get used to it. He looked. He sniffed the plush toy. Then he curled up and slept with his head on what we now refer to as “Rex”. Even wind and normal disturbing noises don’t bother him. I may need my own heartbeat toy. 

This one is very similar to Henry’s Rex.

3. Lick Mat

Henry absolutely loves his lick mat. I didn’t realize it was so beneficial for his mental stimulation and dental health. But now that I know the benefits, he gets pumpkin on his lick mats twice a day and looks forward to it. They are a super cheap investment with a big payback. I also love his lick mats because they have strong suction cups on the back that will stick to a wall. That means when he’s getting a bath, he can also have a treat.

These are the lick mats that Henry loves.

4. Dental spray

When I adopted Henry, I made him a promise that I would take care of him and do my best to keep him from experiencing unnecessary things. You may have promised the same thing to your fur baby. For me, that included anesthesia for dental cleanings. With this promise, I went on a deep dive to learn what would work best. I tried dental chews, brushing, and gels. Then I stumbled across a spray. It literally takes seconds, and his teeth are clean. Even better, he hasn’t needed a professional dental cleaning yet. I’m beyond delighted (and I think Henry is as well.) 

This is the dental I use on Henry daily.

5. Cooling vest

I wasn’t too sure about how much a cooling vest would help Henry. He gets very warm in the summer, especially if we are hiking. I tried one not long after adopting Henry. It worked amazingly. Henry didn’t get hot, and he could do a lot more even as the temperature rose. Surprisingly, the vest even stayed cool for hours. 

Later, I learned that if Henry gets extremely anxious and starts to pant with wildfire or howling coyotes, I could put his cooling vest on him as a way to soothe him and drop his temperature a bit. I may need a cooling vest as well. 

This is very similar to the cooling vest I currently use for Henry.

6. Water fountain

I truly thought this one was for the rich and famous canine companion. Then, surprisingly, I won one in a contest. I set it up for Henry. He sniffed and looked at it a bit. Then he drank as if he were a child getting his first taste of chocolate milk. 

Since then, I’ve noticed that there is a dramatic difference in the amount of water he’ll drink when his fountain is set up and not. I had to order a new pump a while ago, and it wasn’t available for about a week. I was shocked at how little he drank those days. Water is an essential part of a healthy dog, so this is super critical for Henry. 

This is the one Henry loves!

7. Harness

Many years ago, I saw a friend’s beloved pet dog painfully deal with a collapsed trachea. It was heartbreaking. The issue for this pup was that he was a puller, and they never corrected the issue. They only used a collar when walking him. All that pulling caused his trachea to collapse.

After witnessing this, I knew I’d never walk or hike with Henry without a harness. But I needed one that could do multiple things. I love this one because it has a handle on the back so that I can pick him up quickly if needed.

You may not think that a handle is important for a big dog, but it certainly can be a great idea. Henry’s first training class included a huge 150 lb pittie mix puppy named Oakly. He wasn’t even a year old and was a very big boy. His mom was maybe 100. They always came to class with his harness on, and it had a handle on the back side. One day, I saw his mom needing to correct him from taking someone else’s cookie. She tugged on his handle once, Oakly looked at his mom, and settled down.

Not only that, but a harness with a front and back loop is amazing. Henry is really good at loose leash walking. But every once in a while, he’ll get the scent of something and start to pull. If it continues for more than a minute or so, I’ll switch to the front loop and bingo! No more pulling. 

In my opinion, this type of harness is really critical for all dogs. I wouldn’t think of a different type for Henry. 

Get your harness just like Henry’s here.

8. Crate

I’ve been surprised to learn that some people think that dog crates are mean. They aren’t mean or cruel at all. Just the opposite. They can provide a sense of security and keep your pup safe. This is super important if you need to evacuate to a shelter or you are visiting someone. 

Did you know that if your pup isn’t crate-trained, your buddy may not be rescued during a disaster or accepted in an evacuation center? For me, that info is enough to make sure my pups are always crate trained. You can’t control a disaster, but you can control how you prepare for one. Even if you have a senior dog, puppy, or a special needs furry friend, a crate is a great practical gift.

Henry always seeks out his crate whenever he gets scared. I cover it with a towel to block out more of the scary world. Then I turn on his heartbeat toy. It’s amazing how he settles down. 

This is the crate Henry currently uses and loves.

9. Calm treats

I admit, I tried a lot of calm treats for Henry, including CBD cookies. None of them worked until a friend told me about these mushroom calm treats. Now, when I know something will be scary for Henry, I give him a calm mushroom treat in advance. 

But if it’s something that could be super scary, like fireworks, I give him a calm treat, I move his crate near me, cover it, sit it next to me, turn on his heartbeat toy, and put the gadget either in his crate or on top of it. I’m always amazed at how he settles down as if nothing is going on, even with thunder. I really need to do the same for myself. 

These are the calming mushroom treats that work for Henry. (Use the code: LaylasWoof for 10% off)

10. Paw Paste

I love paw paste for Henry! It helps to keep his paws in good condition year-round, but especially in the cold winter months. I’ve given paw paste many times as gifts. It’s always well-received and very much appreciated. This is the recipe I use. But you can purchase paw paste as well. This is a great store-bought one. 

If you keep your house super cold in the winter, you may need to place the paw paste in a warm water bath before using. That simply means to put some warm or even hot water in a bowl and put your paw paste in the bowl to warm it up a bit. Don’t place your paste in the microwave because that could make it too hot. Fixing cold paw paste is easy, no matter the weather or your home’s temperature. 

Go here for an easy homemade dog paw paste.

If you’re not into DIY, this store-bought option is great!

11. Sweater

Henry has a few sweaters. He enjoys his sweater whenever he gets cold, which could even be after grooming. Personally, I think he looks cute. I’m certain he thinks he looks royally handsome. Either way, if your pup gets cold or has short fur, you may want to consider a sweater. 

Honestly, the sweater Henry loves most is lightweight and a bit loose. It seems to be the most comfortable one. Think how itchy your head feels when wearing a knit stocking cap. That’s what I imagine it feels like for our pups. 

This one is very similar to Henry’s favorite sweater.

12. Winter Coat

You may think a winter coat for your dog is a bit over the top. If you have a winter dog, like a Husky or Malamute, it is not needed. But if your buddy has a thin coat of fur, is a senior, or has a disability, it could be a great addition.

A winter coat lets Henry enjoy playing in the snow much longer. He leaps and dives as if he’s swimming through the snow. There’s not a thing he doesn’t sniff or explore. Even though Henry isn’t a thin-furred pup, he does enjoy his coat when the snow is deep. Honestly, for him, that’s anything over a foot. 

This is the coat I currently use for Henry. He’d be happier if it were red, but it works great, and I think he looks rather handsome in it. 

This winter coat is very similar to the one Henry currently uses.

13. Slicker brush

Not all brushes are created equal. If you have a doodle dog or a dog with a thick coat, then a slicker brush is a must. It helps to keep their fur healthy and mat-free. Henry loves getting brushed. He generally falls asleep during his brushing. The one I use has a protective covering on the tips of each prong so that I don’t hurt or scratch his skin.

This is the slicker I currently use for Henry.

14. Cookies

I bet every pup would put cookies on their wish list. Henry loves dog treats. But he does have a sensitive stomach, so I’m careful with what he eats and how much he eats. 

As such, I created a fun cookie tool that creates recipes based on your dog’s likes, dislikes, and what you need to avoid. For example, Henry doesn’t like peanut butter, so I avoid that for him. All the recipes are easy, and the tool is free to use as much as you like. 

You can play with this free cookie creator here.

Get explore all these dog gift ideas and more in this curated list.

These Dog Gift Ideas Will Make Your Buddy Feel a Bit Royal

❄️ PIN FOR LATER!

I often refer to Henry as “King Henry.” Knowing that he loves all the items on this list makes it a royal list and one you can rest assured you, your dog, and the dog parents on your list will love. They all make great gifts and Christmas presents. Heck, who doesn’t want to feel a bit royal?