Buy Side from WSJ is a reviews and recommendations team, independent of The Wall Street Journal newsroom. We might earn a commission from links in this content. Learn more.
Buy Side from WSJ is a reviews and recommendations team, independent of The Wall Street Journal newsroom. We might earn a commission from links in this content. Learn more. Outdoor Dog Toys
For the dog-obsessed, there is one type of gift that will ensure a smile: a present geared toward their pooch. Whether it’s a practical gift they can use for their pet, a gift their dog can directly enjoy (think, a toy) or just a sweet reminder of their furry friend, it’s all fair game. We sniffed out the best-in-field experts—from a trainer to a veterinarian—to find out their top picks for happy tails (and owners, too). Browse the ideas below, and take a look at our roundups of expert-approved products to keep your pet calm and the best gifts for cat lovers too.
Anyone with a pooch who inhales their food as it’s coming out of the bag will appreciate the Pet Parents Forager Snuffle Mat & Slow Feeder Dog Bowl , which turns mealtime into playtime—in a healthy way. Certified dog behaviorist Juliana DeWillems, owner and head trainer JW Dog Training & Behavior Consulting in Washington, D.C., says it gives her pooch “an outlet for sniffing.” Basically, it’s like hiding kibbles in the plush equivalent of grass, which encourages natural canine foraging instincts—and keeps them from consuming their grub in two bites. “The foraging is so good for a dog’s brain,” DeWillems says, “and using a snuffle mat can tire them out mentally and help calm them down.” It’s easy to adjust the level of difficulty: Put the “grass” down and flat and it’s easier for Fido to get the treats, or use the bowl shape and the pet has to search for the goodies.
Every dog needs mental exercise, too, and DeWillems praises the Outward Hound Hide-A-Toy Plush Puzzle Toy for letting them flex their problem-solving ability. Curious dogs stick their snouts in the tree’s holes to hunt for and retrieve stuffed squirrels. Play is a critical diversion that helps ease a dog’s feelings of anxiety, she says. The toy is extra engaging because “it provides an outlet for a dog’s natural desire to chase, sniff, tug and hunt,” she explains. After she gave this gift to a client’s extremely shy pup, the dog bounded around the room, squeaking the squirrels. “We used it to help her bond and feel comfortable in her new home,” she says.
Robert Haussmann, certified trainer, canine behavior consultant, and co-founder of Dogboy NYC , says he uses the ChomChom pet hair remover everyday. Not only is it super practical for his own use; he’s gotten the hair remover as a gift for family and friends who have pets. He says it’s extremely useful for any pet owner to have and calls it a “great little hair catcher” for furniture, rugs and clothing.
The Dash Dog Treat Maker —a small waffle iron with bone-shaped plates—lets your pal whip up homemade dog treats. Hernandez raves about the ease of operation: Plug it in and fill the compartments with the mixture du jour. It makes up to eight bone-shaped dog treats at a time, and it includes sweet and savory recipes. Boston-based lifestyle expert and gifting guru AJ Hernandez especially enjoys using it during the holidays to gift biscuits to friends’ pups from his dog Roxy. “The treats look like they came from a bakery, but the fact they’re homemade makes them so much more meaningful,” he says.
Maggie Marton, the Indiana-based writer of the Oh My Dog blog , says the most memorable dog-related gifts she’s ever received are both portraits of her first two dogs. Many similar custom pet portraits are available on Etsy , including a Mini Custom Watercolor Pet Portrait from Riverry Studio and a Custom Watercolor Pet Portrait from Pet Portrait Galaxy. Marton hung her two dog portraits in her front hallway so visitors can admire them. “They stood out as perfect gifts because they were so meaningful and so personal,” she says. “I will treasure them forever.” Haussmann also loves custom pet portraits and gifted one to his brother-in-law. He says the gift was a big hit. “It’s a gift that shows how much you love your dog,” he says.
Dogs’ toothcare is an important but often overlooked part of their overall health. While your giftee may not be brushing as often as they should be , you can help them out with these Greenies dog dental care chews . Not only do they help remove plaque and tartar, but they’re also loaded with vitamins for their pup’s health. And at about 50 cents a chew, they’re about half the price of the more well-known Greenies brand.
Buying for someone with a shy or anxious dog? Experts say certain products can be helpful . Cynthia Dockx, owner of Wash N’ Wiggle grooming in Morris Plains, N.J., eased her golden retriever’s separation anxiety while she was at work with a Snuggle Puppy , a plush toy with a battery-powered heartbeat. “It was like having a very soft little brother or sister to comfort him,” she says. The vibration of the simulated heartbeat—which can be turned on and off—helps ease their loneliness (dogs are pack animals). It’s a spot-on gift for a new puppy who is getting used to sleeping away from its mom and siblings.
Haussmann is a big advocate of training dogs using environmental enrichment, meaning the dog engages with something that engages with the dog in return. For example, he says the Omega Paw Tricky Treat Ball Dog Toy is his dog’s favorite. The ball has a hole in one end and folds in on itself, so any treats you place inside get trapped for the dog to dig out. “It’s a great way for your dog to get a chunk of its calories through interacting and working,” he says. He also likes the Kong Wobbler , which is great for dry food. “Dogs who learn to use it love engaging with it,” he says. “It’s pretty indestructible, and for a dog to feed itself through a problem solving game is a healthy thing.”
While pet parents can’t learn to bark back or read their dog’s mind, they can improve their communication skills. To brush up on dog speak, DeWillems recommends “Doggie Language: A Dog Lover’s Guide to Understanding Your Best Friend ,” which decodes canine body language through illustrations that highlight subtle nuances in their mannerisms. “Dogs communicate with their bodies all the time ,” she says. This book helps their human spot subtle signs of stress—like a whale eye (when the whites of the dog’s eyes are visible in a half-moon shape) and lip licking with a tense mouth. “Then they can defuse the situation before the dog feels so threatened, they snap,” she says. It’s a practical present that’ll help them understand their pet’s dislikes—and what makes them a happy doggy.
$45 at Ground & Hounds Coffee Co.
If you know someone who loves coffee almost as much as they love their dog, the Must Love Dogs Bundle and Must Love Dogs Travel Tumbler from Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co. are the perfect gifts. The bundle includes a 12-ounce bag of the brand’s Lovable Blend of coffee, a blue mug with the Grounds & Hounds logo and a cold brew glass with illustrations of different dog breeds’ faces. Not only does Marton love the cute, dog-themed designs and quality of the products, she’s a fan of the Grounds & Hounds mission. The company donates 20% of its profits to support animal rescue organizations, including Beagle Freedom Project , The Sato Project , Heartland Animal Shelter . Through these donations, the brand says it’s provided more than 22,000 vaccines, 4 million meals and 24,000 toys to shelter dogs in need so far.
Help prevent their four-legged friend from getting into things they shouldn’t by giving them something to bust boredom. The Lickimat Buddy is up to the job, according to DeWillems. Made from BPA-free rubber, it has a surface pattern they can smear with food (wet dog food, peanut butter, pumpkin purée) for Rover to remove. “Licking can work wonders for calming down a dog and decreasing stress levels,” she says. The mat can also be used to keep a dog occupied during activities they don’t love like grooming, or to calm them down when guests come over. DeWillems puts hers to use during Zoom calls.
The adorable and hilarious photo book “ Wet Dog ” by Sophie Gamand makes for a great coffee table accessory and a fun conversation piece, according to Haussmann. The book is filled with images of dogs in the middle of a messy event that dog owners are all too familiar with: bath time. Gamand, a photographer and animal advocate, also makes calendars, cards and other pieces of art with her photos, which feature different breeds, especially pitbulls.
Hunter Finn, a veterinarian in McKinney, Texas, has a rule for gifting toys: “If it is too hard for me to make an indent in it with my fingernail or it hurts when I slap it on my knee, then it’s too hard for a pet to chew,” he says. He also avoids playthings with stuffing, “which can be toxic,” Dr. Finn says. His go-to gifts are P.L.A.Y plush toys, because they’re filled with a nontoxic, eco-friendly filling that’s a safer alternative to traditional stuffed toys, and have a double layer of fabric—great for serious chewers. He frequently gives the 80s Classic Collection , a fun sampling of the era’s retro icons—the family station wagon, a boom box, hair spray—in fuzzy form. They’re cute enough that your friend won’t mind having them strewn all over her floor.
Keep Nature Wild has plenty of great gifts for anyone who loves dogs and the outdoors. The Happy Tails Tee is the perfect thing to wear while hiking with your dog , and don’t forget to add the Recycled Dog Bag Dispenser to your dog’s leash so you can clean up after your pup. The bag dispenser is made from recycled materials, and the brand pledges to pick up one pound of trash for every product sold. Marton likes the brand for its “sustainable angle and fun, outdoorsy designs.”
If your dog feels sad when you’re away, Mikkel Becker, Seattle-based lead animal trainer for Fear Free Happy Homes , recommends using this Pet Tunes Bluetooth Speaker , which plays calming music suited to a dog’s sensitive hearing. It’s a good way to help keep your pet relaxed while you’re at the office .
Hiking with your dog can be a fun way to exercise with your pet, but smaller dogs might need to take a break in the midst of challenging trails. DeWillems always wears the Outward Hound PoochPouch Dog Carrier Backpack when hiking with her Chihuahua. It’s roomy enough for a small dog to sit or lie down in and provides extra storage space for personal belongings.
We included the Baapet Dog Leash with Padded Handle as the best for everyday use in our list of the best leashes for every type of dog. The leash, which comes recommended by Colo.-based certified dog trainer at Senior Tail Waggers Julie Burgess, is available in 12 colors and five sizes, making it a great lower-price gift for any dog owner.
We included the adorable Lucy & Co The Shark Attack Reversible Raincoat in our list of the best dog raincoats thanks to its reversible design and wide range of sizes. The raincoat is made of water-repellent nylon fabric, which is stretchy and therefore easy to get your dog into. New York-based celebrity wardrobe stylist Pilar Scratch says the raincoat was her go-to for her late Shih Tzu, Oddie.
Though Ingrid Johnson primarily works with cats and gave us many expert recommendations for gifts for cat lovers , she also recommended the treat-dispensing toys that her dogs love. Like Haussmann, Johnson appreciates interactive toys that encourage her pets to solve a puzzle before they are rewarded with a treat. She especially likes the Starmark Bob-a-Lot , which has an adjustable opening, making it possible to customize the difficulty level of treat dispensing. She also recommends the West Paw Zogoflex Toppl treat dispensing chew toy, which is stretchy and bouncy but retains its toughness. It’s also easy to clean, since it’s dishwasher safe.
The Drinkwell Platinum Plastic Dog & Cat Fountain from Petsafe is Johnson’s favorite pet fountain and is the perfect option for a household that has both cats and dogs, since its 168-ounce water capacity is suitable for pets of all sizes or multiple pets. It includes a replaceable carbon water filter that refreshes the water, and you can adjust the flow control to a stream speed that your pet likes.
A great personalized gift for someone who wants to show off their pet is a custom embroidered hat from Etsy. Hernandez loved the custom hat embroidered with an image of his dog that he ordered for himself so much, he now gives them as gifts to friends. As long as you have a photo of your dog or your giftee’s dog, all you need to do is upload it and let the illustrators at ModPawsUS convert it into a special illustration.
Even the most trusting dog parent might be curious about what their pet gets up to while they’re away. Petcube’s camera is a low-price way for them to keep tabs on Fido from their phone. In addition to 1080p video streaming, it also offers two-way audio (so they can say “hey, get off of that!” from afar), night vision and sound and motion alerts.
Putting an AirTag , the best Bluetooth tracker we tested , on a dog’s collar is an easy way to keep tabs on their location because it’ll update whenever they’re by an Apple device. Elevation Lab’s TagVault Pet is the most secure way we’ve seen to attach one. It uses screws that pierce through the collar to lock into place, and because the AirTag is screwed into the holder, it can’t be forced out.
— Additional reporting by Bellamy Richardson
Laser Toy Pen Cat By Juliet Izon and Casey Clark