It’s that time of year again. Whilst we’re eagerly preparing to open our annual top up of toiletries, socks, and chocolates, do you ever wonder what your four-legged friend might wish for? Your dog is part of your family so hey, why not give them a gift too?! It’s a bit of fun, they will enjoy ripping the wrapping paper off and chasing it around the room as much as the gift inside, but it’s nice to bring a little Christmas joy to your furry family members. 

With so much on the market though, it’s hard to know where to start. Well fear not – I’ve done the legwork for you. Here are my top present ideas for your dog this Christmas

1) A bubble gun

If your dog naturally likes to catch or chase things, they will love a bubble gun. These battery powered toys are cheap, easy to use and provide hours of fun. They are also a firm favourite with kids so can easily entertain the whole family. Chasing an endless stream of harmless bubbles can have some great benefits too; it can encourage exercise in dogs that need it, and provide some mental stimulation for those ‘on-the go’ types. You could take it out on a favourite walk for some extra interest. Or to a picturesque spot with the aim of capturing some mid-air, jowl-flapping action shots. Any bubble gun will do the job, but doggy specific ones do exist and even come with peanut butter flavoured bubbles . What more could you ask for?!

2) An interactive toy

Playing games with your dog can be a lovely way to bond as well as keeping you both entertained, making an interactive toy a great gift idea. There are so many options to choose from: snuffle mats, treat dispensing balls, puzzle feeders and more. It’s fun to watch how clever (or not, as the case may be!) your pooch is by watching them find different ways of getting hidden treats. Learning how to move sliders, raise a flap, or press a button to release a goody is great mental stimulation for them, and they will love the interaction with you as well. A great value gift that will last way beyond Christmas day.

3) Something personalised 

Whether it’s a smart new bed, cosy blanket, bandana, crate cover or food bowl, having it personalised will make it a little extra special for Christmas. You could go traditional with simply their name, or go for a fun title like ‘King of Naps’ or ‘Spoiled Pup’. Lords and Labradors have a lovely range of personalised items; but you will find plenty of options on Etsy and Amazon too.

4) A drying coat

Does the thought of washing and drying your dog afterwards always take the edge off a winter walk? If so, it’s no exaggeration to say that an Equafleece is going to change your life. These dog coats are not just great at keeping your dog warm. But they actually dry them off too, saving you the dreaded job. There is a great selection of products, and with really comprehensive sizing you know your dog will be cosy, comfy, and DRY! They are machine washable, rainproof, and good quality. You won’t regret this purchase and your dog will thank you for it too when he avoids the garden hose! 

5) A Christmas Stocking

You will see plenty of these in the shops at this time of year, stuffed full of delicious treats, chews and fun toys. They will keep your dog occupied and satisfied on Christmas day, and hopefully away from your mince pies and chocolate! You could even make your own stocking from scratch, selecting some of their favourite things and putting them together in a cheap kids stocking. 

Some long lasting chews might be worth their weight in gold on Christmas day; keeping your dog content for hours when the house is busy and there’s plenty of mischief to otherwise be found. Some chews (like real bones, antlers and rawhides) can actually be quite dangerous to dogs. They can cause choking, block their intestines if large pieces are swallowed, break their teeth while chewing them, or splinter and cause damage to their digestive tract. Bully sticks, yak chews and coffee wood chews are relatively safe alternatives as they are softer, digestible and do not splinter. Do remember though, that ANY chew has the potential to cause a problem. So dogs should be supervised and small pieces should be removed to make sure they are not swallowed. 

6) A Doggy DNA kit

This beats a soggy Santa toy any day. Canine DNA tests are widely available online now. With a simple swab of their gums, you can find out exactly what mix of breeds your dog is made up of. If you have a rescue dog or cross breed, a DNA test might show up some very unexpected results! There can also be some interesting health benefits for your dog; as the more advanced kits will also be able to screen for medication sensitivities (especially the MDR1 test). Dogs that have this sensitivity are at risk of serious side-effects from some common veterinary drugs.  If you know your dog is sensitive, you can inform your vet and they will avoid using any of these high-risk medications with them.  

(As interesting as the results might be, let’s be honest – this may not be the most exciting thing for your dog to open on Christmas day, so maybe chuck in a few delicious treats to keep them happy). 

With a mixture of practical, fun and tasty ideas, I hope there is something to whet your fancy and give you some inspiration for a great Christmas gift for your dog. Those peanut butter flavoured bubbles have left me intrigued – I’m off to buy a bubble gun. Ho Ho Ho!

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