The Ultimate Dog Parent Gift Guide for people that have everything
2024 Holiday Gift Guide for Dog Moms (Who Have Everything)
Let’s be real: nobody actually needs anything these days. We live in a time where we treat ourselves whenever we want, so the concept of "need" is a little outdated. Plus, let’s face it—most gifts are more about the giver’s taste than the recipient’s. So why not embrace the art of re-gifting? Or, better yet, consider donating to a charity in your friend’s name. But if you’re still determined to buy something, make sure it’s cool. Check out my list below and save yourself from the pitfalls of buying random stuff!
Budget-Friendly Gifts
1. A Beautiful Bottle of Wine
Yes, I mean literally beautiful! Stel+Mar’s Cabernet Sauvignon features the cutest dog mom print on the label, designed by Stephanie Cheng. You can even buy the print separately! At only $15, this wine makes for a great, quick, and budget-friendly gift that’s both classy and cute.
2. Licking Mats
Missy loves her licking mat. It’s a simple way to provide mental stimulation for your dog while also calming them down through the soothing motion of licking. Licking mats start around $10, and you can find some free recipe booklets online to pair with it. Perfect for a budget-friendly gift that shows you care!
Gifts Under $50
3. Barkuterie Board
These mini Baruterie Boards from Layla’s Bakery (Houston’s first mobile Dog Bakery) are a real show-stopper! Pair it with a lovely bottle of wine like the Stel+Mar mentioned above for the human, and you’ve got a winning combo. It’s a gorgeous, dog-friendly charcuterie board that’s almost too cute to eat from. Almost.
4. Dog Toys
The Pretty Mutt has always been dedicated to raise awareness to Sustainable Alternatives for dogs (see blog post here). This is where the pet toys from The Kind Pet fit perfectly!
The Kind Pet is a women-owned, sustainable brand sourcing and creating plastic-free, zero-waste pet toys with a chic, minimalist design. Made in the USA, these toys aren't just stylish—they're safer for your pets and kinder to the planet! They have just been voted The Best Sustainable Dog and Cat Toy Brands by Green Matters!
I adore the dog toy bundle!
This Includes their Organic Rope Dog Toy using USA grown organic cotton. These are great for active dogs and aggressive chewers. (YAY!) Available in four sizes. The second part of the bundle is the Soft Dog Bone stuffed with USA grown organic cotton in a durable hemp canvas shell.
Minimalist style and Super chic! Check out their Cat collection too!
For the Eco-Concious friend
Starts from around $40
5. Sniffle Mats
These are a fantastic choice whether you DIY one or order from Etsy. A sniffle mat provides mental stimulation and is a hit among dogs who love using their noses. Dog parents will love you for gifting one! There are so many creative sniffle matts on etsy and other small businesses. I recently found:
6. CBD Treats!
Baked Bones will always be our trusted brand for CBD treats. I have seen great results in Missy’s calming down with the 12mg treats. Please do your own research and speak to your vet if you are unsure about the effects of CBD. I regularly post about BAKED BONES on my Instagrams and their dedicated fanbase speaks volumes. Check out their ginger bread flavor! A not so secret secret of mine is that I regularly share these treats with Missy. Made of human-grade ingredients, these CBD treats smell delicious and are full of beneficial spices, herbs and other ingredients. If you need something crunchy for your next coffee break….
6. A Fun Dog-Themed (Card) Game
Okay, this one’s not a necessity, but it’s a guaranteed laugh. Nothing brings people together like a hilarious, dog-themed card game like this one from Megan Carn. Who needs to be practical all the time, right?
This is a great gift for Game Night enthusiasts.
$20
7. Grooming or Daycare Voucher
This might sound like an everyday expense, but trust me, any dog parent would appreciate saving $50 on a grooming trip! It’s the perfect gift for someone who would rather splurge on a Starbucks run or pup cups instead. Make sure you get the voucher from their regular place (or a fancy one you know they’ve been dieing to try out) and double check your friend doesn’t already have a groomer subscription though! Doggies with demanding coats like doodles, poodles etc, might have a grooming subscription
8. Dog Travel Kit
If your friend’s like me, they’ve schlepped way too many bags on dog trips. A good dog travel kit can change everything! I swear by mine—it’s great for weekend getaways and fits everything, including food, toys, and leashes, into one tidy bag. Super practical and life-changing for doggy road trips!
The exact bag is not available anymore, but this is a close variation, available at Chewy.com.
The Bag comes with two extra pouches to keep dog food safe (easy to clean as well) and with a matt for your food dishes. My case also came with a collapsible bowl, but Missya nd I usually use our Yeti Bowl for travelling
For the person that takes their dog everywhere.
costs ca. $50
9. Fancy Bowl
Did someone say Yeti Bowl just now? While I am very particular about my interior design and a Yeti bowl would certainly not fit into my interior vintage aesthetic, I appreciate the weight of this bowl - the large bowl brings a hefty 1.9 lbs. I use this bowl in our yard and for trips. It is sturdy enough to not scooch or tip over in the car (thanks to a rubber ring footing) and Yeti offers customization on these bowls that are available in 2 different sizes ( 32 oz/ 64oz.) and in 12 different colors at the time of my writing this post. Best thing? It’s Dishwasher safe!
Perfect for Adventurous friends/Outdoorsy
starts at $40
10. The Pretty Mutt Art Downloads
Okay, I might be biased here, but dog art is the ultimate thoughtful gift. Most dog parents love the idea of immortalizing their fur babies in art but often don’t spoil themselves with it. Starting at just $10, my pet portrait downloads are a quick yet unique alternative to typical gifts and a great way to decorate a space dog themed on a budget.
Perfect for Design fans and artsy fartsy people
starts at $10
Lux Gifts for When You’re Ready to Go All Out
11. A Weekend Getaway in a Pet-Friendly Hotel
Looking to spoil your favorite dog parent? Book them a weekend trip to a pet-friendly hotel. Whether it's a budget-friendly stay at LaQuinta or a luxe retreat at the Ritz Carlton, it’s the ultimate gift. Travel with your pup is the gift that keeps on giving—memories and adorable vacation pics included. IF you’re already spending that kind of money, you might want to add the travel kit in No. 8 with it!
For the friend you either have known since childhood, or you want to bang.
starting from $300
12. Staud Apparel for Dog Lovers
This luxury brand has tapped into the dog-parent fashionista world with customizable dog portraits on their signature bags! From fancy luggage to pet sweaters, Staud is a must for the stylish dog mom who loves a little high-end flair. My personal fave? You know I’ve got my eye on one of these!
Find all the Fashionista Dog essentials from STAUD here
Dog Sweaters that match back to Human sweaters start from $60 (available in S/M/L) while custom small leather goods start at a whooping $250 with jackets, purses and cashmere blankets making you smack down more than 4 Benjamins. But aren’t they amazing?
For the friend who doesn’t know who she loves more, fashion or her dog/cat.
starts at $150
13. Anthropologie’s Dog Décor
Anthro’s home décor section is full of whimsical, dog-themed items. Wine bottle holders? Check. Hound-shaped bookends? You bet. Some of their dog-themed goodies are a little on the pricey side, but they’re the perfect quirky addition to any dog lover’s home. There’s almost nothing you cannot get at Antrho, there’s a famous scene even on Family Guy referencing that Anthropologie has anything you can imagine and more.
Find all Dog themed items from Anthro here
For the basic Dog lover in your life
Kitchen Towels start at $18, most from $100
14. Dog Wine Holder
I mean, who wouldn’t want this? Available at Anthropologie for $120.
For the Alcoholic “Rose all day” friend
costs $120
15. Custom Dog Portrait by the Pretty Mutt.
While most people adore their pet and art related to their own poet, often dog parents are hesitant to “spoil” themselves with something so “unnecessary” and sadly wait, until it turns into a mourning portrait. I encourage people to commission art of their living pets to enjoy together and while they are living, breathing and still playing fetch with you.
My commission work starts at $30. Visit my shop or etsy for all options. If you have something specific in mind, just let me know, and we can brainstorm together how to bring your idea to life!
Contact me for help!
Gifts That Are Not Things
16. Ask for Donations
For the minimalist dog mom who has it all, why not ask for donations instead? Set up a fundraiser for a charity close to their heart and encourage friends and family to contribute. It’s a thoughtful and impactful gift that really makes a difference.
17. Dog-Sitting for a Weekend
No budget? No problem! Offer to dog-sit for a weekend. Every dog parent worries about where to leave their pup when they go away. Taking the initiative to say, “Hey, I know you’re going to that concert next month—can I watch Fluffy for you?” is such a relief. It’s a gift that’s practical, thoughtful, and free!
18. Pup Cup Night In
Plan a fun evening with your friend and their dog. Whip up some cool pup-friendly treats, settle in for a dog-themed movie, and enjoy the simple joys of hanging out with your favorite fur babies. Bonus: you can snap some adorable pics for Instagram while you’re at it!
19. Dog Night Out!
Take your friend and their dog to a dog-friendly café for a mini outing. Catch up over coffee while their pup enjoys a pup cup and some attention from fellow dog lovers. Just make sure this is something the dog can handle—some pups prefer to keep it chill at home!
20. Happy Vet Visit
Ever heard of this? Invite your friend to take their dog to the vet just for fun—no appointment needed! It’s a great way to ease a dog’s anxiety around the vet. The pup gets to explore the environment, meet the staff, and get all the treats without any pokes or prods. End the day with a pup cup and a PSL for yourself, and it’s a win-win!
Lastly, for Gift Idea #21 I ask you, do we really need anything? Are we not already super busy, trying to juggle all responsibilities in our lives without the hassle to meet up for another date, buy something that no-one needs or wants? So, for gift No 21. Discuss with your friends, that you don’t gift each other anything. Saves you time and energy to focus on those gifts that truly matter, like to your parents or children.
I hope this gift guide sparks some new ideas for you this holiday season. Whether you're working with a luxe budget or looking for a free gift, there's something here for every type of dog parent in your life. Have any other ideas? Let me know—I’m always up for more inspiration!
If you liked this gift guide you might enjoy browsing these extended lists with gift ideas fir all types of pet lovers:
Pet themed gifts that are not stuff