14 Genius Gift Ideas For Your Dog – Birthday Gifts or Holiday Presents

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14 best gifts for a dog's birthday

Susan Paretts

Why Buy a Birthday Gift for Your Dog?

You love your dog, and they’re a part of your family, so why not celebrate their big day (or a holiday) by giving them something they’ll love? After all, many gifts can also help improve your dog’s quality of life, like freshly cooked food, drinking fountains, slow-feed bowls, and interactive toys. (1)

Some items, like GPS health trackers, can even help you keep tabs on your dog’s health or, in the case of CBD oil and anxiety vests, alleviate their stress.

Here, we’ve put together a list of the 14 best gifts you can buy your pup. Some of these not only enrich your dog’s environment but even make life a little easier on you too.

Read on to see which ones are best for your particular dog’s needs.

Top Pick: BarkBox Toy Subscription

BarkBox Review

Free animal robe with your first box: BarkBox

1. Toy and Treat Subscription: BarkBox

Best For: Good Dogs (and Dogs Who Have Everything)

What is BarkBox?

BarkBox is a subscription box of toys and treats that is delivered to your home for your dog each month.

Why Would Dogs Enjoy BarkBox?

All dogs love to play with toys and enjoy getting yummy treats, which this subscription offers with each BarkBox delivery. You’ll get a different selection each month, and you can even choose a range that is specifically for dogs who love to chew: Super Chewer Box.

BarkBox Prices 

BarkBox costs between $23 and $35 per box a month (depending on your subscription plan).

BarkBox Reviews: What Others Have to Say

BarkBox scored a total of 4.1 out of 5 stars from a total of 1,029 customer reviews on Trustpilot and ConsumerAffairs.

Most satisfied customers raved about how much their dogs loved the toys and treats included in their monthly package. Pet parents of dogs who love to chew everything in sight were also pleased with the SuperChewer box option.

A minority of unsatisfied customers said they had trouble canceling their subscription. Others didn’t like the selection of toys and treats.

However, for most reviewers, BarkBox has been a big hit with owners and pups alike.

BarkBox Review

Is BarkBox Worth It?

BarkBox is worth it as it provides dogs with a wide variety of treats and toys which arrive at your door every month. The fun element of these boxes means that they make great gifts for pups and are loved by many dog owners too.

BarkBox Special Offer

Free animal robe with your first box: BarkBox

2. Nom Nom Fresh Dog Food Subscription

Nom Nom Review

50% off your first order: Nom Nom

Best For: Dogs With Allergies or Picky Eaters

What is Nom Nom? 

Nom Nom is a subscription-based fresh dog food delivery service. Meals are made with human-grade ingredients, freshly cooked, and delivered to your door. You can find out more about their meal options and other products they offer in our detailed Nom Nom review.

Why Would Dogs Enjoy Nom Nom?

Nom Nom’s meals are not only good for your dog’s health but are tasty too.

Dishes include whole meats, vegetables, fruits, vitamins, and minerals. All ingredients are human-grade, freshly prepared, and free from many additives that might be found in traditional kibbles.

A veterinary nutritionist approves their meals to ensure that they meet a dog’s nutritional requirements, and your order is tailored to your dog’s size, age, and individual health needs.

Nom Nom Prices

Nom Nom subscriptions generally cost between $3 to $13 a day. The exact price depends on the size and breed of your dog, along with other details particular to your dog, such as activity levels, age etc.

Nom Nom: What Customers Have to Say

Nom Nom fresh dog food subscriptions scored a total of 4.4 out of 5 stars from a total of 1,233 customer reviews on Trustpilot and ConsumerAffairs.

Most satisfied customers mentioned that their dogs loved the food, which improved their coat quality and reduced their stomach issues. They were also pleased with the quality of the food, how well it was packaged with dry ice, and how responsive the customer service team was.

A few unsatisfied customers said that their dogs didn’t like the food or gave them tummy issues. Nom Nom advises dogs to transition slowly from kibble onto fresh food over a period of a few weeks to reduce the risk of upset stomachs. A small handful of customers had issues with canceling their subscription or experienced delivery issues, but this is common with many delivery services. 

Nom Nom Review

Are Nom Nom Meals Good?

Many dogs love Nom Nom’s freshly prepared meals, and many owners have found that their dogs enjoy better health after starting with Nom Nom.

Nom Nom Special Offer

50% off your first order: Nom Nom

3. Hyper Pet Automatic Ball Launcher for Dogs

GoDogGo Fetch Machine Review

Best price: GoDogGo Fetch Machine

Best For: Energetic Dogs

What is the GoDogGo Fetch Machine?

The Fetch Machine is a mechanical ball launcher that can play fetch with your dog for hours.

Why Would Dogs Enjoy the Fetch Machine?

Dogs love to play fetch, but you may not always have the time to do it for hours at a time. This automatic machine allows your dog to play with minimal supervision once you train them to fetch the ball and drop it back into the bucket.

GoDogGo Fetch Machine Price

The GoDoGo Fetch Machine costs $149.95. They often have special offers on Amazon.

GoDogGo Fetch Machine Reviews: What Others Have to Say 

The Hyper Pet GoDogGo Fetch Machine scored 4 out of 5 stars from a total of 691 customer reviews on Amazon.

Most satisfied customers were happy to see their dogs chasing after the balls launched by this toy for hours each day. 

The dogs also quickly learned how to place the included balls back in the launcher bucket. 

Most loved that the ball launcher could be operated on a timer. And that it could even be controlled by a remote, which comes included.  

Some unsatisfied customers experienced problems with the machine, or their dog didn’t take to it because of the noise or because it didn’t launch the balls far enough for their dog.

Many, like this customer, were happy with the purchase, and it can make a great gift for dogs on those special occasions.

GoDogGo Fetch Review

Is the GoDogGo Good?

Yes the GoDogGo Fetch Machine is a good automatic ball launcher that can give your dog hours of fun. Although you do have to teach your dog to use it at first, after that it mechanizes your games of fetch using its ball launcher.

GoDogGo Fetch Machine

Best price: GoDogGo Fetch Machine

4. FitBark GPS Dog Location & Health Tracker

FitBark Review

Best For: Active Dogs

What is FitBark?

FitBark is a lightweight fitness tracker with GPS location capabilities that you attach to your dog’s collar to keep track of your pup’s activity, health, and sleep schedules.

What Does the FitBark Do?

Your dog can’t tell you if they aren’t getting enough exercise or have itchy skin, but with this fitness tracker and the connected app, you can easily monitor their health. Plus, if your pup accidentally runs off, you can track them down in minutes.

FitBark Price

The FitBark 2 costs $68.15 for the device and $5.95 to $9.95 for the monthly subscription.

FitBark Review: What Others Have to Say

FitBark scores 4.0 out of 5 stars from a total of 531 customer reviews on Amazon and Chewy.

Most satisfied customers noted that the tracker helped them determine how much exercise their dogs were getting and how much they needed to stay healthy. Others mentioned that when their dogs wandered off, they located them quickly using the FitBark app.

Some unsatisfied customers said that the battery life for the unit degraded over time, and they had issues syncing the FitBark app. Others complained about a lag with the tracking information and that the exercise log seemed incorrect. But the majority of reviewers were very happy with the health monitoring FitBark provided for their dogs.

FitBark Review

Is the FitBark Worth It?

Yes the FitBark is worth it if you want to be sure your dog is getting enough movement and exercise in their day. It gives you a way to monitor your pup’s health and activity level from the convenience of your phone. Plus, it comes with a 2-year limited product warranty.

FitBark Offers

Free shipping on orders over $20 and a 30-day money-back guarantee: FitBark

5. Holistapet CBD Oil for Dogs & Cats

HolistaPet Review

25% off subscriptions: HolistaPet

Best For: Anxious Dogs or Dogs with Joint Pain

What is Holistapet’s CBD Oil?

HolistaPet’s CBD oil is a full-spectrum organic cannabidiol (CBD) oil and hemp seed oil tincture. It contains cannabinoids to help with conditions like anxiety, pain, inflammation, nausea, and mobility. Check out our in-depth Holistapet review to learn more.

Why Would Dogs Enjoy Holistapet’s CBD Oil?

The cannabinoids in the tincture interact with your dog’s endocannabinoid system to provide a sense of calm for them. In this way, it can relax them and reduces their stress levels. It can also help to alleviate joint pain.

Holistapet CBD Oil Prices

Holistapet’s prices range from $25.95 to $144.95, depending on the bundle you select.

Holistapet CBD Oil: What Others Have to Say

HolistaPet scored 4.6 out of 5 stars from 3,120 customer reviews on Trustpilot.

Most satisfied customers noted that the CBD oil helped ease the pain of conditions like arthritis, problems with mobility, and other health issues in their dogs. Plus, pups with separation anxiety were calmed with the oils when left alone.

Some unsatisfied customers mentioned that their dogs didn’t like the taste of the oil and wouldn’t eat it. Others said that the oils didn’t help as much as they had hoped with anxiety.

However for many dogs their oils have given relief from anxiety or pain:

Holistapet Review

Is Holistapet’s CBD Oil Worth It?

Holistapet’s CBD oils can be worth it if your dog has pain or anxiety and you are looking for a way to alleviate their suffering. Adding Holistapet’s CBD oil to your dog’s food or administering it directly to them each day may make them feel calmer and more relaxed in their daily lives.

HolistaPet Offer

Save 25% when you subscribe: HolistaPet

6. Joice Best Dog Care Gift Basket Package Box Set

Juice Dog Care Gift Basket Review

Best price: Joice Dog Care Gift Basket

Best For: New Puppies

What Is the Joice Gift Basket?

The Joice Gift Basket is a gift box with everything from treats to toys for medium to large breed dogs.

Why Would Dogs Enjoy the Joice Gift Basket?

Dogs need toys to play with, treats for training, and balls for chasing, so this basket gives them plenty of fun and entertainment.

Joice Gift Basket Prices

The Joice Gift basket costs $39.95.

Joice Dog Care Gift Basket Reviews: What Others Have to Say

The Joice Dog Care Gift Basket scored a total of 4.4 out of 5 stars from a total of 92 customer reviews on Amazon.

All customers mentioned how great this box was for dog owners to celebrate special occasions with their dog, because it contained everything they needed to entertain them, from treats to toys to dog balls.

They also loved how the toys came in a basket which made it perfect to gift to dog owners.

Juice Dog Care Gift Basket Review

Is the Joice Dog Care Gift Basket Worth It?

Yes, this gift basket was greatly appreciated by dog owners who received it as a gift. It has everything you need to entertain and spoil your pup on special occasions. The box includes dog-appropriate treats, toys, and tennis balls.

Joice Gift Basket

Best price: Joice Dog Care Gift Basket

7. Raw Paws Dog Treats

Raw Paws Green Tripe Treats

Save 15% when you subscribe: Raw Paws

Best For: Picky Eaters

What Are Raw Paws’ Treats?

Raw Paws offer bags of crunchy, bite-sized freeze-dried green beef tripe treats.

Why Would Dogs Enjoy Raw Paws’ Beef Tripe Treats?

Beef tripe is exceptionally palatable to dogs making these treats a good training aid or meal topper for picky eaters. Plus, the treats contain probiotics to help with digestion.

Raw Paws Beef Tripe Prices

The Raw Paws Beef Tripe costs $24.99 with our offer (regularly $34.99): Raw Paws Offer

Raw Paws Beef Tripe Reviews: What Others Have to Say

The Raw Paws Freeze Dried Green Beef Tripe Treats scored 4.4 out of 5 stars from 250 customers on Amazon.

Most customers mentioned that their dogs couldn’t get enough of these treats. Many pet parents even used the treats to train their dogs because their dogs enjoyed eating them so much.

Some pet parents did mention that the treats had an unpleasant odor for humans. A few said that they felt the treats were pricey but worth the money due to the high quality of the product.

Raw Paws Green Tripe Treats Review

Are Raw Paws’ Beef Tripe Treats Good?

Although they may be a little smelly to humans, even the pickiest of dogs seem to love the Raw Paws freeze-dried beef tripe treats. They’re good for training or just for a tasty snack.

Raw Paws Offers

Save 15% when you subscribe: Raw Paws

Green Tripe meals and snacks: Raw Paws Green Tripe

FurHaven Bed Review

Best price: FurHaven Memory Top Dog Bed

8. FurHaven Faux Fur Memory Top Dog Bed

Best For: Older Dogs

What is the FurHaven Dog Bed?

The FurHaven dog bed is a supportive orthopedic memory foam pet bed with bolstered edges and a removable faux fur cover.

Would Dogs Enjoy a Faux Fur Dog Bed?

Your dog needs a cozy spot to snooze and this memory foam bed provides supportive comfort for achy joints, especially in older dogs.

Price of the FurHaven Dog Bed

The FurHaven dog bed costs $27.99 to $145.99 (depending on the size).

FurHaven Dog Bed Reviews: What Others Have to Say

The FurHaven Faux Fur Memory Top Bolster Dog Bed scored a total of 4.4 out of 5 stars from a total of 29,970 customer reviews on Amazon.

Most satisfied customers mentioned that dogs with conditions like arthritis and hip dysplasia loved the bed because it provided comfortable support for their achy joints (plus, it kept them off the couch).

Some unsatisfied customers said that the bed showed wear and tear within weeks. A few mentioned problems with the zipper on the removable cover. Others noted that the size of the bed seemed smaller than expected, so do check the dimensions carefully before purchasing. Most dogs however took to their new bed straight away, like this German Shepherd:

FurHaven Bed Review

Is the FurHaven Dog Bed Worth It?

Yes, the FurHaven dog bed is worth it if you’re looking to give your pup a cozy spot to snuggle during naps and at bedtime. This memory foam bed also helps keep your dog (and their fur) off the couch but still comfortable and nearby.

FurHaven Dog Bed

Best price: FurHaven Memory Top Dog Bed

9. Sweet Paws Wearable Puppy Teether Stack Dog Chew Toy

Sweet Paws Puppy Teether Review

Best price: Sweet Paws Puppy Teether

Best For: Teething Puppies

What is the Sweet Paws Puppy Teether?

The Sweet Paws Puppy Teether is a set of wearable food-grade, BPA-free silicone bracelets that your puppy can chew on to alleviate teething discomfort.

Why Would Dogs Enjoy Teethers?

Teething is no fun for puppies and having these colorful bracelets on hand allows you to instantly satisfy your dog’s need to chew.

Sweet Paws Teether Price

The Sweet Paws Puppy Teether costs between $23.99 and $31.99 (depending on the color combination).

Sweet Paws Teether Reviews: What Others Have to Say

The Sweet Paws Puppy Teether scored a total of 4 out of 5 stars from 36 reviews on Amazon.

Most customers mentioned that they loved that the chew toys were wearable as bracelets because it meant that they were always at the ready. They also noted that the bracelets were great for impromptu games of fetch.

Sweet Paws Puppy Teether Review

Is the Sweet Paws Teether Good?

The Sweet Paws Teethers are good for teaching your puppy good manners by giving them one of these puppy teethers whenever they get mouthy.

Sweet Paws Puppy Teether

Best price: Sweet Paws Puppy Teether

10. KONG Classic Dog Toy

Kong Classic Toy Review

Best price: Kong Classic Dog Toy

Best For: Destructive Chewers

What is the Kong Toy?

The Kong is a sturdy chew toy for dogs with a hollow center that you can fill with treats, peanut butter, cream cheese, and other delicious foods.

Why Would Dogs Enjoy the Kong Toy?

This toy (when filled) combines your dog’s favorite activities – chewing and eating. Plus, it comes in different sizes, appropriate for small pups to large dogs.

Kong Toy Price

The Kong costs $7.49 to $25.91 (depending on the size).

Kong Toy Reviews: What Others Have to Say

The classic Kong dog toy scored 4.6 out of 5 stars from a total of 49,713 customer reviews on Amazon.

Most satisfied customers noted that the Kong provided hours of entertainment for dogs when stuffed with treats, cream cheese, and peanut butter. Some mentioned that they also used the empty Kong and used it to play fetch with their dogs.

A few unsatisfied customers mentioned that their dogs showed no interest in the Kong. Others noted that aggressive chewers might make short work of the toy.

Kong Classic Toy Review

Is the Kong a Good Dog Toy?

The Kong gives your dog a good outlet for their chewing instincts, and you can fill it up with food to keep them busy for hours on end.

Best Price on the Classic Kong Dog Toy

Best price: Kong Classic Dog Toy

11. Pioneer Pet Drinking Fountain

Big Max Drinking Fountain Review

Best price: Pioneer Pet Drinking Fountain

Best For: Thirsty Dogs

What is the Pioneer Pet Drinking Fountain?

The Pioneer Pet Drinking Fountain is a stainless-steel or ceramic drinking fountain that provides continuously flowing and filtered water for your dog.

Why Would Dogs Enjoy a Drinking Fountain?

Dogs love fresh water, and fountains keep it cooler and cleaner than a bowl can. This ensures that your dog will stay well-hydrated, especially on hot days.

Price of the Pioneer Pet Drinking Fountain 

The Pioneer Pet Drinking Fountain costs between $40.13 to $54.99 (depending on the type you choose).

Pioneer Pet Drinking Fountain Reviews: What Others Have to Say

Pioneer Pet scored a total of 4.1 out of 5 stars from a total of 7,253 customer reviews on Amazon.

Most satisfied customers noted that their dogs used the fountain regularly and that it wasn’t noisy. They appreciated the sleek design and the fact that it was easy to take apart and clean.

Some unsatisfied customers mentioned that the water pump wasn’t as powerful as they would have liked. Others noted that the pump tended to burn out if not cleaned regularly or if the water level became too low. When looked after though, customers were very happy with this fountain:

Big Max Drinking Fountain Review

Is the Pioneer Pet Fountain Good?

The Pioneer Pet Drinking Fountain is an easy-clean fountain that can provide cool, clean water for dogs. It’s also relatively quiet so it won’t scare skittish dogs or annoy pet owners.

Pioneer Pet Drinking Fountain

Best price: Pioneer Pet Drinking Fountain

12. Roverlund Pet Carrier

Roverlund Review Cropped

Free shipping on orders over $100: Roverlund

Best For: Dogs Who Travel

What is the Roverlund?

The Roverlund is a sturdy, airline-approved carrier that doubles as a mobile dog bed and car seat. It includes a cozy sherpa lining and is made with durable, mountaineering-grade materials.

Why Would Dogs Enjoy the Roverlund?

The Roverlund carrier provides plenty of mesh ventilation for your dog. And the sherpa base helps your dog stay comfy at home or on the go. It also has a handy shoulder strap that doubles as a leash for quick walks or potty breaks.

Roverlund Prices

The Roverlund pet carrier costs between $149 and $159 (depending on the size you choose).

Roverlund Reviews: What Others Have to Say

The Roverlund Pet Carrier scored 4.4 out of 5 stars from a total of 267 customer reviews on Amazon.

Most satisfied customers noted that the carrier was sturdy and comfortable for their dogs. They also liked the design and found it was useful for air travel. They said that the zippers were easy to operate and the carrier provided plenty of ventilation for dogs while on the go.

A few customers found the carrier sizes too small for their dogs to stand upright in. This is something to keep in mind, and you may wish to purchase the larger-sized carriers for your dog.

On the whole, customers were happy with the Roverlund carrier:

Roverlund Review

Is the Roverlund Pet Carrier Worth It?

The Roverlund is worth it if you plan to travel with your dog. Its design is ideal for small to medium-sized dogs, although it does have sizes for larger dogs too. Users recommend getting a size up for your dog to give them enough space to sit upright in the carrier.

Generally the Roverlund pet carriers are very useful for keeping your dog secure and comfortable when you’re taking car or plane trips.

Roverlund Pet Carrier Offer

Free shipping on orders over $100: Roverlund

13. Outward Hound Fun Feeder Interactive Dog Bowl

Outward Hound Feeder Review

 

Best price: Outward Hound Slow Feeder Dog Bowl

Best For: Dogs Who Scarf Down Their Food

What is a Slow Feeder Dog Bowl?

A slow feeder dog bowl is a dish filled with irregular-shaped ridges that your dog has to eat around, slowing down mealtimes.

Would Dogs Enjoy a Slow Feeder Dog Bowl?

Some dogs like to wolf down their food which can lead to vomiting or even a dangerous condition called gastric dilatation volvulus. (2) 

This Outward Hound slow feeder helps prevent both these things from happening by slowing down their eating. It also makes eating more of a fun game.

Price of the Slow Feeder Dog Bowl

The Outward Hound Fun Feeder costs between $9.69 and $10.15 (depending on the size you choose).

Slow Feeder Dog Bowl Reviews: What Others Have to Say

This product scored 4.7 out of 5 stars from a total of 82,982 customer reviews on Amazon.

Most satisfied customers found that the bowl significantly slowed down fast eaters, thus reducing episodes of vomiting. They also mentioned that it helped provide mental stimulation for their pups.

Some unsatisfied customers said that the bowl was hard for some breeds with skin folds to eat from and for puppies who couldn’t navigate the high sides. So it’s worth keeping in mind if either of these apply to your dog.

Overall, Slow Feeder dog bowls are much appreciated by dog owners. 

Outward Hound Feeder Review

Is the Slow Feeder Dog Bowl Right for Your Pup?

If your dog likes to scarf down their dinner with gusto, this ridged bowl may slow down their meals while also making mealtimes more fun for them.

Slow Feeder Dog Bowl

Best price: Slow Feeder Dog Bowl

14. ThunderShirt Classic Anxiety Vest for Dogs

Thundershirt classic anxiety vest

Best price: ThunderShirt Anxiety Vest

Best For: Easily Startled Dogs

What is the ThunderShirt Anxiety Vest?

The ThunderShirt is a wrap-style vest that you fasten around your dog’s middle to reduce feelings of anxiety, especially during stressful situations.

Do Dogs Enjoy Wearing the Anxiety Vest?

The ThunderShirt is supposed to feel like a supportive hug to reduce your dog’s anxiety when they get scared during fireworks or when meeting new people.

Price of the ThunderShirt Anxiety Vest

The ThunderShirt costs $38.95 to $44.95 (depending on the size you need).

ThunderShirt Anxiety Vest Reviews: What Others Have to Say

The ThunderShirt Anxiety Vest scores a total of 4.2 out of 5 stars from a total of 40,013 customer reviews on Amazon.

Most satisfied customers noted that the shirt helped to calm their anxious dogs during fireworks, thunderstorms, and other potentially stressful events.

Some unsatisfied customers mentioned that the shirt didn’t help their dog to feel less anxious, and there were some minor comments that the sizes seemed to have changed from previous orders.

The majority of reviewers were very happy with the ThunderShirt: 

Thundershirt classic anxiety vest

Is the ThunderShirt Right for Your Dog?

If your dog is prone to anxiety, the ThunderShirt may give your dog some relief during stressful situations, making them feel more at ease and calmer.

ThunderShirt Anxiety Vest

Best price: ThunderShirt Anxiety Vest

Which is the Best Birthday Gift for Your Dog?

The best gift for your dog really depends on what they like the most and what would help them the most. An older dog would love a soft and supportive bed to snooze on, while a finicky dog might prefer freshly cooked dog food or tasty freeze-dried treats. 

Teething puppies and active chewers would appreciate having something to gnaw on, and nervous dogs might be comforted by an anxiety-fighting jacket or CBD tincture.

For new puppies a welcome box can get you started on caring for them, and for the dog who has everything, a subscription toy and treat box will make their day. 

A pet fountain provides fresh water for thirsty dogs, and active dogs will appreciate a machine that can play fetch with them for hours.

Fast eaters can slow down with an interactive dog bowl, and a fitness tracker can ensure they get enough activity each day. 

And every pup needs a sturdy carrier to travel safely. 

No matter what gift you choose, your dog is sure to know just how much they are loved when you give it to them.

Dog Gift FAQs

Are the KONG and Sweet Paws teething toys dishwasher-safe?

Yes both the KONG and Sweet Paws can be washed in the top rack of the dishwasher.

Is Holistapet CBD oil safe for dogs and puppies?

Yes, the oil doesn’t contain any psychoactive chemicals harmful to dogs of any age.

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