In need of some gift inspiration? Look no further – here are 7 affordable gift ideas for dog-lovers
You’ll be pleased to know that shopping for your fellow dog-loving friends may have just got that little bit easier. I’ve gone ahead and pulled together 7 awesome gift ideas for dog-lovers this season, so you can treat your fellow dog-loving friends, or maybe even yourself! Plus, since the high rate of inflation in the UK has forced us all into a cost-of-living crisis, I’ve selected the most affordable and budget-friendly gift options for you to pick from – so that you have money to spare (or spend) on yourself, or your very own pooch.
Gift ideas for dog-lovers
For many of us, Christmas and birthdays are a joyous time and the perfect excuse for us humans to indulge and treat each other. Yet, it is also another great excuse to treat our dog and fellow dog-lovers to a special gift. Since I can remember, I’ve always treated my pets at Christmas and birthday time, from delivering Rudolph’s carrot to my rabbit, to buying my dog more presents than I would ever dream of buying anyone else. It has always been a tradition – a day full of squeaky toys and happy pets – just as it should be.
Nevertheless, selecting a gift can be difficult, even when buying a gift for our dog-loving friends. When picking the best gift ideas for dog-lovers, it’s important that we consider the type of dog owner we are buying for. For example, do they enjoy the great outdoors and travelling with their dog, or do they much prefer to stay indoors and have a cuddle? Maybe their dog is more of the playful type, who seems to destroy every single toy, and is in need of something indestructible? Take time to think about their personality and how they enjoy spending their time. Plus, make sure to also consider the age, personality, and breed of their dog, as this will significantly impact your gift choice. By taking into consideration all these key factors, you can certainly narrow down your present search – until you find the perfect gift.
Top 7 affordable gift ideas for dog-lovers
1. For the outdoorsy type: A weekend dog travel bag
For those of you that know a dog owner who loves taking their dog out and about on their travels, you might want to consider buying them a dog travel bag. Whether your fellow dog-lover enjoys taking their dog to the beach, or prefers hiking, camping, or weekends away, a dog travel bag could be their perfect solution.
All outdoor-loving dog parents will understand the stress that is caused from packing ‘the bag of essentials’ for their favourite companion, even before a trip has begun. To help combat the inevitable stress, a dog travel bag will help neatly store all their dog supplies in one dedicated, organised, and smart space. Fortunately, I have been proactive and created the PawPack, an affordable and high-quality travel bag – designed with the perfect amount of space to cleverly store all dog supplies, from water bottles and blankets to dog toys and food. Each PawPack also includes 2 dog travel bowls and 2 foil-lined food compartments, making the PawPack the perfect travel companion for those longer weekend trips. To find out more, take a look here.
2. For the nature lovers: A super absorbent towel (with pockets)
We all know a dog-lover who takes their dog for a walk, and before you know it, the dog returns with a fur coat covered in mud, sand, water, or anything else that requires a warm bath to remove! Fortunately, this type of dog owner knows their dog extraordinarily well, and always tends to carry a towel with them wherever they go.
There are now fantastic (and super absorbent) dog towels on the market, which are made from absorbent microfibre fabric and designed with hand pockets for quick and easy drying. The hand pockets sit at both ends of the towel (a little like a mitten at both ends), so all you need to do is slot your hands into the towel and rub your dog dry. Take a browse on the web and you’ll notice these towels are available in a range of different colours and sizes, so there are plenty of options for you to choose the perfect ‘handy’ towel.
These towels really are a game-changer for dog-lovers and have been designed to efficiently draw water and dirt away from the coat to make sure the dog is warm and dry in no time. When purchasing these towels, make sure to check they are machine washable, so your dog-loving friend can easily throw them in the washing machine when covered in mud!
3. For the book worms: A dog magazine subscription
A dog magazine subscription is the perfect gift idea for anyone who is a self-proclaimed ‘dog-lover’. The majority of dog magazines (in the UK) offer a 1–2 year subscription service, and are a great way to deliver the latest news, top-tips, product recommendations and reviews to fellow dog owners. Plus, these magazines also include breed profiles and wellness tips, along with other expert advice – delivered straight to your doorstep.
These magazines offer a friendly and informative read for all dog-lovers – for both new and experienced owners. A dog magazine subscription is a perfect gift for any dog owner committed to making sure their dog is happy and healthy. Plus, thanks to technological advancements, these magazines are now available in digital format, so your dog-loving friend can read them on their laptop, tablet, and mobile phone.
4. For the ‘zen’ dog parent: A pet house candle
While you are enjoying the aroma of the candles around your home, it is important to be aware that these candles are not always safe for your dog. Scented candles have grown in popularity over recent years, with almost every home now owning one. Our canine companions have a far greater sense of smell than we do, and unfortunately, many of these candles contain hazardous chemicals, such as paraffin wax, lead, and acetaldehydes – which could be toxic for your dog.
Fortunately, pet house candles are now available on the market, which means dog owners can light a candle (at a safe distance from their dog), without causing harm. Help your fellow dog-lover make a candle swap today by gifting them a non-toxic pet house candle, so their house can smell fresh, while removing any hidden nasties that may adversely impact on the health of their dog. A pet house candle is the ideal stocking filler for a pet-loving home.
5. For the giver: Sponsor a pup
If we could, we’d help every dog in need. If your fellow dog-loving friend already has it all, or you think they’d love to help another dog, why not gift them a sponsored puppy/shelter dog? There are plenty of organisations that allow you to sponsor a dog on another person’s behalf, whereby you simply donate in your friend’s name. Alternatively, you can purchase a gift for a dog in need, so he/she will have a gift, even without a home of their own.
It is one of the most special and rewarding gifts you can give to another dog-lover, whilst also helping a dog in need – it really is a win-win. By sponsoring a dog, you’ll be helping change the lives of thousands of dogs that are without a home. Depending on the organisation, your dog-loving friend will receive regular updates to keep them informed on how your donation is helping buy essential food, toys, bedding, and even specialist treatment.
6. For the art-fanatic: A portrait or personalised gift
For those who simply can’t get enough of looking at their dog (myself included), why not consider creating a custom dog portrait for a fellow dog-lover? There are many services throughout the UK that offer pet portrait services, whereby you upload a photo and pick exactly how you’d like the portrait to be created – from cartoon to pop art portraits. Some companies even provide the option to add clothes and a top hat to the portrait for extra humour. All you need to do is upload a photo of the dog, and the company will take care of the rest. These services usually have a team of dedicated artists who will work to turn your pet photo into a unique masterpiece.
A customized portrait is a gift that not many dog-lovers could resist. However, if a portrait may not be their idea of fun, why not instead use the photo to add to a jumper, a phone case, a cushion cover, a mug, or even a blanket? Alternatively, you could add the name of the dog to a custom food bowl. These personalised gifts are great stocking fillers, and there are many services on Etsy UK that offer them at a range of affordable prices.
7. The classic pet Christmas stocking
Nearly every popular pet store in the UK will stock a dedicated pet Christmas stocking. These stockings usually contain a collection of squeaky toys, plush toys, festive treats, balls, a tug toy, and much more. Depending on the store you visit, you really can’t go wrong with these gifts. Pet Christmas stockings are available online, in most popular pet stores, and even in larger supermarkets. Look here to see what type of dog stockings Pets at Home are delivering this Christmas season.
Christmas and birthdays are the perfect excuse to treat our dog-loving friends, as well as our very own dog – so they don’t miss out on the celebrations. As your Christmas tree emerges from the shed, or maybe your dog is turning one year older, make sure they are treated with gifts filled with dog-friendly festive treats, pet hampers, squeaky toys, and their favourite meal to indulge in. Plus, for those of you who are taking some time away from work to celebrate, there is no better way to spend your extra time than with your pooch.