Last Updated on May 25, 2024 by Dogster Team
When you’re searching for the ultimate present for your favorite canine, you may notice that you have almost infinite options. Dogs are the top pets in the United States, and pet product manufacturers have responded to the high demand by flooding the market with new products. You can find gifts as inexpensive as a cup of coffee and ones that are close to the price of premium electronics. Whether you need a present for your family’s dog or a gift for a friend’s pet, we have you covered with in-depth reviews of the 15 best dog gifts for 2023.
We examined several exceptional pet products, but we awarded the Chuckit! Flying Squirrel Dog Toy our prize for the best overall dog gift. Playing frisbee with your pup is an enjoyable activity that provides vital exercise for your pet, but standard frisbees are hard on your dog’s teeth and can cause dental problems. The Chuckit! toy is made of soft polyester that will not cause pain or irritation when your pet bites down on the material. It has raised edges that are easy to grab after your dog has coated the toy with slobber, and it is ideal for playing in the pool or pond since it floats.
When the sun sets, the toy is illuminated by four glow-in-the-dark paws. We like Chuckit!’s sturdy construction and lightweight material and appreciate the affordable price. Our only concern with the toy is its longevity with destructive dogs. Dogs who love to chew can tear up the fabric faster, but because of the product’s low price, buying replacements is not a financial burden.
The Outward Hound Port-A-Bowl Pet Bowl is our pick for the best dog gift for the money. Providing water for your pup on the trail or in the park is a hassle when you must carry a bulky water bowl with you. Outward Hound folds flat and fits easily into your pocket or backpack. It can hold water or food, and it has a handy pocket on the side to store your dog’s favorite treats. Whether you have a tiny pet or a large breed, the Por-A-Bowl holds 6 cups of water to satisfy the thirstiest pets. If you use it for wet food, you can keep it clean by washing it in the machine with cold water and mild detergent.
The product is a temporary water bowl ideal for travel, but it should not be used as your dog’s permanent bowl. After filling the bowl with water, the fabric eventually becomes saturated and starts to leak. However, the wet fabric should not cause any problems when you’re outside.
If you’re looking for a premium gift for a special dog, you cannot go wrong with the iFetch Mini Automatic Ball Launcher Dog toy. It comes with three balls slightly smaller than tennis balls that are perfect for small and medium-breed dogs. You can set the machine to launch the balls 10, 20, or 30 feet in the air while you relax and watch your dog play. Your pup can learn to retrieve the balls and return them to the machine for more playtime. It uses an AC power cord and can be powered with batteries when you’re away from an outlet.
The iFetch has a low center of gravity and is not as tall as a standard tennis ball launcher, but some customers had problems with their hyper dogs knocking the machine over. Although it’s considered a solo toy for dogs, you should supervise your dog while playing to ensure the launcher is not knocked over or damaged.
If you’re having trouble finding gifts specifically designed for puppies, you can try out the Goody Box Puppy Toys, Treats and Potty Training. The gift box was designed by dog lovers to provide a new dog with toys and treats and owners with essential puppy supplies. The package includes a rope rainbow cloud toy, grain-free lamb snacking sticks, potty bag dispenser, refill poop bags, navy herringbone, and a Sherpa dog and cat blanket. You can select as many gift boxes as you like from Chewy without a subscription. Puppy owners were impressed with the Goody Box, but the only drawback is the lamb treats. Some puppies disliked the flavor of the chewy sticks
When you live with a clever canine that can escape when your back is turned, you can try the Tractive Dog and Cat GPS Tracker to prevent your pet from wandering too far. The tracker syncs with a connected device and allows you to create virtual borders around your property. The device alerts you when the dog goes near the borders, and the collar emits a clicking sound to warn the dog not to venture farther. The tracker also lights up when you get close to the animal to make it easier to locate in the dark.
It’s invaluable for dog owners who live on a fenceless property, but some customers were disappointed that it requires a monthly subscription fee to operate properly.
Dogs that spend long hours outdoors must contend with hot pavement, scorching sand, ice-covered rocks, frozen vegetation, and other paw irritants. You can protect your working dog’s paws with Musher’s Secret Dog Paw Wax. The wax is made from natural ingredients that form a semi-permeable seal around the pads that do not inhibit perspiration. It contains beeswax and vitamin E to soothe tired paws and prevent cracking. Dog owners with active pups are happy with the product’s performance, but a few dogs had allergic reactions to the wax. Although it’s not a common problem, it’s best to contact your vet before using the wax on your puppy’s feet.
Whether you need a new collar to train a young dog, or you’re looking for a leash that doesn’t irritate your wrist, you can try the Tuff Mutt Hands-Free Bungee leash for hassle-free walking sessions. The leash attaches to your waist and features two grab handles to control the dog in narrower walkways. It has reflective paint on the fabric to make nighttime walks a little safer, and the bungee material extends to 60 inches and absorbs shock when you’re walking a powerful beast. You can run or hike with the leash, and the swivel attachment on the leash lets your dog move in any direction.
Although owners of large, energetic dogs were happy with the leash, some mentioned that the metal fastener on the waist section fails after extended use.
| Gift Type: | Dog sweater |
| Color: | Navy/red/white |
The ugly sweater craze continues to dominate winter fashion during the holiday season, and now, you can let your dog in on the fun. The Frisco Moose Fair Isle Dog and Cat Sweater is an adorable garment that keeps your canine warm and displays its festive spirit. The pull-over design makes dressing your pup simple, and the 100% acrylic provides warmth and comfort. It’s available in seven sizes, and the product description includes a sizing chart to examine before you make a purchase.
The sweater is made to fit dogs and cats, but broad-chested dogs may have trouble fitting into the sweater. Several dog owners complained the material does not stretch, and the larger sweaters are still too small for their dogs.
The Ethical Pet Dura Brite Treat Dispenser Ball Dog Toy is ideal for solo games or lively games of catch. The thermoplastic ball has a knobbed texture that feels pleasant on canine jaws, and the internal maze distributes treats slowly. The ball is made of non-toxic material, and it’s safe for active dogs who love to chew their toys. The biggest issue with the product is the size of the treat hole. It’s not large enough to hold most treats, and you have to load it with kibble or break up a larger treat. The internal maze does not inhibit the morsel from dropping out, and some dog owners were disappointed the treats fell out too quickly.
If you’re interested in high-tech pet gadgets, you can use the Furbo Dog Camera. It allows you to monitor your dog when you’re away and interact with the voice controls. It connects to your home WiFi and displays a 1080 HD image of your home on your phone. The Furbo app lets you talk to your pet and distribute treats. The camera is excellent for dogs that suffer from separation anxiety and eagerly await your return from work. It also helps dog lovers observe what their pets are doing all day when the house is empty. However, some customers had trouble keeping their devices in sync with the camera, and some complained that the video signal lagged from time to time.
With the Embark Breed Identification and Health Condition Identification DNA Test, you can discover your dog’s breed history and examine potential health issues. It screens for 210 genetic health risks and includes data for 350 breeds, including wolves and coyotes. After taking a cheek swab from your canine, you send in the sample for analysis. A few weeks later, you’ll know if your dog is a pure breed or a mix. Most consumers were pleased with the DNA test, but others mentioned that the results took too long to come back or seemed inaccurate. The test provides valuable information about your dog, but the price is a bit too high for some dog owners.
The Frisco Plush Squeaking Cow Dog Toy is made from a plush fabric that’s durable enough to withstand your dog’s grip. It can be used in a game of catch or as a sleeping companion for your puppy. It’s available in two sizes suitable for small to medium breeds. The Squeaking Cow is an affordable gift, but some dog owners mentioned that the toy only squeaks when the dog bites on one side. The toy contains a tiny speaker, but it is not as loud as other squeaky toys. Some customers are not bothered by the lack of squeak, but others claim their dogs do not like the toy because it does not squeak enough.
If your pet is a champ at catching balls and retrieving them, you can check out the Chuckit! Bucket Fetch Dog Toy. Unlike tennis balls that are not designed for pets, the Chuckit! balls are durable enough to withstand chewing and soft enough to prevent dental problems. The bucket has drain holes, so you can fill it with the rubber balls and rinse them with water to clean off slobber and debris. Although we liked the quality of the balls, the bucket is a bit too pricey for eight balls. The balls are fine for small and medium-size dogs, but they’re too small for large dogs.
The Frisco Pet Training Clicker with Wrist Band is a helpful tool when training a new puppy or young dog. It has an ergonomic handle and a cozy wristband for lengthy training seasons. It’s available in three colors at an incredibly low price. When your pet responds to a command or completes a new trick, you hit the clicker and immediately provide a treat. The clicker helps dogs recognize appropriate behavior, and most pet owners and trainers rely on positive reinforcement techniques for training. Although most customers were pleased with the clicker, several claimed the click is not loud enough for adequate training.
The Caldwell’s Potty Bells Original Dog Doorbell keeps your dog from scratching or barking at the door when it wants to go outside. It comes with two sets of bells so you can hang them on the front and back doors. The straps are made of reinforced nylon stitching, and the nickel-plated bells are loud enough to hear throughout your home. The product includes a simple guide to show you how to train your pup to ring the bells. Overall, customers were happy with the Potty Bells, but some mentioned that their skittish dogs were afraid of the bells. The straps are durable, but they’re pricey.
We’ve gone over several excellent gifts for your dog, but you can examine a few additional elements before finalizing your purchase.
If you’re buying a gift for a friend or family member’s pet, consider their preferences before purchasing the first appealing product you see. Are they annoyed by squeaky toys or gifts that jingle? Will a premium gift upstage the gifts they’ve provided their dog? Look for gifts that fit the owner’s age, personality, and preferences to avoid conflicts or hurt feelings.
Unfortunately for large breed parents, many toys and devices are geared towards smaller dogs. We reviewed several products for all dogs, but we noticed that the sweater, ball launcher, squeaking cow, and bucket of balls were suitable only for small to medium-size breeds. Although larger dogs may be able to play safely with the toys, the manufacturers recommend using the toys only for smaller pups to prevent choking hazards. If you have an enormous beast in your home, read the product warnings carefully to ensure the toy or equipment is safe for your pet.
If you’ve used Chewy before, you probably know that their customer service is exceptional, and they go out of their way to help their customers. When you have an issue with a pet product, sometimes you have to deal with the manufacturer’s customer service representatives, and that can be a much less pleasant experience than talking to Chewy. Some companies will only respond by email, and others may take weeks or longer to respond. Hopefully, you will not have to speak to a manufacturer about a problem, but if you do, prepare for a minor ordeal.
The products we reviewed represent some of the best dog products for this year, but our top pick is the Chuckit! Flying Squirrel Dog Toy. We liked the lightweight design that’s safer for your dog’s teeth than a frisbee, and we were impressed that it floats and glows in the dark. Our best value selection is the Outward Hound Port-A-Bowl Pet Bowl. It’s easy to store in your pocket and unfolds to hold 6 cups of water. After reading our reviews, we’re sure you can find the ideal present for your furry friend.
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Featured Image Credit: Media Home, Shutterstock
Nicole has loved animals of all sizes her whole life so it’s no wonder she has dedicated her career to helping them through what she loves best: learning, writing, and sharing knowledge with others. She’s the proud mom of two dogs, a cat, and a human. With a degree in Education and 15+ years of writing experience, Nicole wants to help pet parents and pets around the planet to live happy, safe, and healthy lives.
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