Christmas Gifts for Dogs: Vet-Approved Picks Your Dog Will Actually Use
The best Christmas gifts for dogs are the ones the dog uses in February. Here are vet-approved picks for every kind of dog, from a power chewer to a senior with stiff hips, with the safety notes that keep a gift from becoming a vet visit.
BVMS MRCVS
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The best Christmas gifts for dogs are the ones still in use in February. That means a gift chosen for the dog in front of you: a power chewer needs a different present than a stiff 12-year-old or a teething puppy, and some popular holiday chews belong on no list at all.
This guide sorts Christmas gifts for dogs by chewing style, age, size, and health, then names the gifts to skip and the medical reason for each. Every safety point comes from veterinary sources such as VCA Animal Hospitals, the FDA, and the Merck Veterinary Manual, and the product details come from the makers themselves.
Here is the short list at a glance. Each pick gets a full write-up further down.
| Gift | Best fit | Material or format | Key detail | Main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large KONG Classic Dog Toy | Almost any average chewer | Natural rubber, stuffable | Large size fits dogs 30 to 65 lbs | Power chewers should size up or choose KONG Extreme |
| Frisco Snuffle Mat, Grey | Bored or food-driven dogs | Fabric interactive feeder | Turns part of a meal into a sniffing task | Fabric, so use it only while you watch a shredder |
| Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Spin N' Eat Dog Food Puzzle Feeder, Green | Dogs who solved easy feeders | Level 2 puzzle feeder | Holds up to 2 cups of food | Hand wash only; supervise every use |
| Benebone Wishbone Chicken Flavor Chew Dog Toy | Power chewers, with a vet okay | Nylon chew, made in the USA | Made for aggressive chewers | VCA advises against nylon chews for tooth safety |
| Chuckit! Classic Launcher, Original | Fetch-obsessed dogs | Hand-held ball launcher | Keeps your hands off the ball | Maker specs could not be confirmed |
| FurHaven NAP Ultra Plush Orthopedic Deluxe Cat & Dog Bed with Removable Cover, Gray, Jumbo | Large senior dogs | Orthopedic bed, removable cover | Jumbo size | Exact foam specs could not be confirmed |
| K&H Pet Products Thermo-Snuggly Sleeper Heated Dog Bed, Sage/Tan, Medium | Older dogs who feel the cold | Heated bed | Uses 6 watts, per K&H | Place it so the dog can move off the heat |
| Petlibro Stainless Steel Dog & Cat Fountain, 101-oz | Owners who hate scrubbing bowls | Stainless steel fountain | Dishwasher safe except a few small plastic parts | Capacity not confirmed on the maker's page |
| Virbac C.E.T. VeggieDent Fr3sh Dental Chews for Medium Dogs (30 ct) | Stockings, daily dental care | Dental chew | On the VOHC accepted list for plaque and tartar | Counts toward the daily treat budget |
| Frisco Christmas Holiday Personalized Dog Stocking | Keepsake and photo gift | Personalized holiday stocking | Carries the dog's name | Decoration, not a toy |
| Awoo Lick Dish Silicone Dog & Cat Lick Mat Slow Feeder Dish, Almond | Fast eaters and wound-up dogs | Silicone lick dish | Slows eating | Maker specs could not be confirmed |
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How to choose a Christmas gift your dog will actually use
The rule is simple: gift to the dog's chewing style and age, not the wrapping. For a power chewer, our pick is the Benebone Wishbone, chosen with your vet's okay. For a senior with sore joints, it is an orthopedic bed. The one gift to skip for every dog is rawhide.
- 1Start by matching the gift to age, size, chewing style, and health, not to the packaging.
- 2Favor enrichment and chew gifts that hold up: rubber toys sized up for strong jaws, puzzle feeders, and snuffle mats.
- 3Older dogs and dogs with joint pain get more from a supportive bed than from another toy.
- 4Skip rawhide, cooked bones, tinsel-trimmed toys, and anything small enough to swallow.
- 5Count edible gifts toward the 10 percent treat rule.
The wrong gift is not just a wasted present. VCA Animal Hospitals warns that the wrong chew toy can crack teeth, obstruct the gut, or become a choking hazard. Four questions sort out most decisions:
- Age: Puppies are teething and need softer toys. Older dogs may be missing teeth and often need comfort more than chewing.
- Size: VCA's first rule is to go big, sizing a toy so it cannot be swallowed. KONG sizes its toys by dog weight across six sizes.
- Chewing style: A gentle mouther and a power chewer need different materials. VCA reports that veterinary dentists often advise against letting a dog chew anything that will not bend.
- Health: Joint pain points to beds and traction. A weight problem means edible gifts count against the 10 percent treat rule from VCA, which keeps treats within 10 percent of daily calories.
Even a well-chosen toy needs a watchful eye. VCA's puppy chewing guidance says to supervise chewing even with recommended toys, because no toy is 100 percent safe. VCA also says to retire a toy once stuffing shows, rope frays, or rubber breaks, so broken bits are not swallowed.
| Your dog | Gift that fits | Why it fits | Skip this |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power chewer | Benebone Wishbone with a vet okay, or a KONG one or two sizes up | KONG tells owners of power chewers to size up or choose the KONG Extreme | Hard rawhide, cooked bones, antlers |
| Bored dog | Snuffle mat or a stuffed, frozen KONG Classic | Food puzzles make a dog work mind and body for its meal | Toys with ribbons, eyes, or loose parts |
| Food-motivated or gulping dog | Spin N' Eat puzzle feeder or a lick dish | Interactive feeders slow eating and may reduce gulping problems | Extra treats past the 10 percent budget |
| Senior or arthritic dog | Orthopedic bed, heated bed, or KONG Senior | Orthopedic foam eases pressure on sore joints; cold and damp may worsen stiffness | Hard chews if teeth are missing |
| Puppy under 9 months | KONG Puppy or other soft toys | Hard objects can break teeth | Nylon, bones, antlers |
| Fetch-obsessed dog | Chuckit launcher with a ball too big to swallow | Gives a high-energy dog a job outdoors | Small balls and chewed-up balls |
| Small dog in a multi-dog home | Toys sized to the largest dog in the house | KONG advises sizing to the biggest dog for safety | Anything a big dog could swallow |
How to make Christmas special for a dog?
Keep the dog's routine steady, then add one new job, such as a frozen stuffed KONG while the family opens presents. Keep tinsel off the tree and collect ribbons and string once gifts are open, as the FDA advises, and check our list of Christmas plants toxic to pets before decorating.
What are some thoughtful things to gift a dog?
The most thoughtful gifts answer a need you have already noticed. A dog who struggles to rise from a hard floor needs a supportive bed. A dog who inhales dinner needs a puzzle feeder. A dog with missing teeth needs a soft KONG Senior, not a hard chew.
What is the best Christmas gift for a dog?
For most dogs, the best Christmas gift is a KONG Classic in the right size. KONG says the red rubber Classic is formulated for average chewers and is mentally stimulating, and a stuffed, frozen KONG doubles as a DIY treat. Seniors usually get more from an orthopedic bed, and power chewers need a tougher option.
What are some good Christmas presents for dogs?
Good Christmas presents for dogs give them something to do or somewhere comfortable to rest. The strongest categories are:
- Enrichment feeders, such as snuffle mats and puzzle feeders, which VCA says make a dog exercise mind and body for its food
- Rubber chew toys sized to the dog's weight
- VOHC-accepted dental chews for the stocking
- Orthopedic or heated beds for older dogs
Our picks: the best Christmas gifts for dogs in 2026
Our picks cover the main dog types: chewers, bored dogs, food-motivated dogs, seniors, puppies, and the people who love them. WebVet did not test these products. Each pick is chosen from manufacturer information and veterinary guidance, and we say plainly where a maker's specs could not be confirmed.
Whether you shop these good Christmas gifts for dogs at Chewy or compare them with Amazon or PetSmart lists, ask one thing: does it suit this dog's size, chewing style, and health? The bed, the fountain, and the lick dish are sold for dogs and cats, handy when buying Christmas gifts for cats and dogs together.
KONG Classic: best overall gift for almost any dog
Natural rubber, sized by weight, and easy to stuff and freeze for dogs who finish their food too fast.
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The KONG Classic is the red rubber toy most dog owners recognize. KONG lists it as natural rubber made in the USA, and its sizing guide places the Large at 30 to 65 lbs. Chewy listed the Large KONG Classic at $13.96 in October 2026.
KONG's FAQ recommends freezing a stuffed KONG for dogs who finish it too quickly, which makes it the easiest homemade or DIY Christmas gift for dogs on this list. In a multi-dog home, KONG advises sizing every KONG to the largest dog in the house.
- Best for: average chewers of any size, including large dogs, and anyone shopping a cheap, useful gift
- Tradeoff: KONG says the Classic is for average chewers and carries a supervised-use-only label; power chewers should go up one or two sizes or move to the black KONG Extreme
Frisco Snuffle Mat: best gift for a bored or anxious dog
A fabric snuffle mat that turns part of a meal into a sniffing game, one of the interactive feeders VCA describes.
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A snuffle mat is a fabric mat with folds where you hide kibble or small treats, and the dog sniffs them out. VCA describes snuffle mats as one of many shapes of interactive feeder, which make a dog exercise mind and body for a portioned amount of food eaten more slowly.
That makes the mat a strong pick for a bored dog stuck indoors over the holidays or a dog wound up by guests. VCA does not make calming claims for snuffle mats; what it supports is slower, more engaged eating. Chewy listed the Frisco Snuffle Mat at $14.99 in October 2026.
- Best for: bored, food-motivated, and fast-eating dogs
- Tradeoff: Frisco is Chewy's house brand, so there is no separate maker page with specs, and a fabric mat should only be used while you watch a dog who shreds fabric
Outward Hound Spin N Eat Puzzle Feeder: best brain game
A level 2 spinning puzzle feeder that holds up to 2 cups of food for dogs who have outgrown basic feeders.
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The Nina Ottosson Spin N' Eat is a spinning puzzle feeder. Outward Hound rates it level 2 in difficulty, says it holds up to 2 cups of food, and lists it as BPA, PVC, lead, and phthalate free.
It suits a food-motivated dog who has already figured out a basic slow feeder and needs a fresh challenge. It is one of the more fun and unique Christmas gifts for dogs who love to work for dinner.
- Best for: clever, food-driven dogs and gulpers
- Tradeoff: Outward Hound says to always supervise, never leave a dog alone with a treat puzzle, and replace it if damaged, since no toy is indestructible. It is hand wash only.
Benebone Wishbone: best gift for power chewers
A made-in-USA nylon wishbone that its maker designs for aggressive chewers, best chosen with your vet's okay.
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The Benebone Wishbone is a chicken-flavored nylon chew. Benebone markets it as a durable chew for aggressive chewers and says its nylon chews are made in the USA. Chewy listed it at $22.95 in October 2026.
This is the pick for the power chewer who destroys rubber toys in an afternoon, but it comes with a real caveat. VCA's tartar-prevention guidance says never to let dogs chew nylon toys because they may break teeth, which conflicts with the way nylon chews are marketed.
- Best for: adult power chewers whose vet has okayed a firm chew
- Tradeoff: ask your vet before buying any nylon chew; if the answer is no, a KONG sized up one or two sizes or the KONG Extreme is the alternative
Chuckit Classic Launcher: best gift for fetch-obsessed dogs
A hand-held ball launcher for fetch-loving dogs and owners who would rather not touch a slobbery ball.
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The Chuckit! Classic Launcher is a hand-held ball launcher, so the owner throws without handling a wet ball. We could not confirm the launcher's specifications from the manufacturer, so we recommend it for its simple job rather than for published specs. Chewy listed it at $12.94 in October 2026.
It is a fun gift for a high-drive retriever and a practical one for the person throwing. The ball matters more than the launcher: VCA's go-big rule applies, so pick a ball too large for your dog to swallow, and retire it once the rubber starts to break.
- Best for: fetch-obsessed, high-energy dogs and their owners
- Tradeoff: maker specs unconfirmed, and the ball size has to be matched to the dog's mouth
FurHaven Orthopedic Bed: best gift for senior dogs
A jumbo orthopedic bed for big senior dogs, the kind of support VCA suggests for sore, arthritic joints.
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An orthopedic bed is one of the few gifts with direct veterinary backing. VCA's osteoarthritis guidance suggests an orthopedic or memory foam bed for dogs with arthritis to reduce pressure on sore joints and improve sleep.
This FurHaven bed is the Jumbo size with a removable cover. FurHaven's page for a sibling Deluxe Mattress bed describes an orthopedic foam base that cushions pressure points and a step-on mat design for senior dogs. We could not read the Ultra Plush page itself, so its exact foam specs are unconfirmed.
- Best for: large and giant senior dogs, and older dogs who sprawl
- Tradeoff: the Jumbo size takes floor space, and we could not verify the foam thickness
K&H Thermo-Snuggly Sleeper Heated Bed: best gift for cold-weather and arthritic dogs
A low-wattage heated bed, 6 watts per K&H, for a stiff older dog who seeks out warm spots in winter.
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The K&H Thermo-Snuggly Sleeper is a heated bed that K&H says uses only 6 watts. This pick is the Medium size.
VCA advises keeping an arthritic dog warm and dry because cold, damp conditions may worsen stiffness. No veterinary source we reviewed endorses heated beds for arthritis specifically, so think of this as a comfort gift for an older dog who seeks out warm spots.
- Best for: older and arthritic dogs, short-coated dogs, and dogs in cold homes
- Tradeoff: K&H says not to place a heated pad where the pet cannot get off it; leave room for the dog to choose heat or no heat
Petlibro Stainless Steel Fountain: best practical gift
A stainless steel fountain that is dishwasher safe apart from a few small plastic parts, for owners tired of scrubbing bowls.
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A water fountain is the gift the owner appreciates as much as the dog. Petlibro says its stainless steel fountain is dishwasher safe except for a few small plastic parts, which makes routine cleaning simpler.
We did not find veterinary research showing that fountains make dogs drink more, so treat this as a convenience gift rather than a health fix. For a full comparison, see our guide to the best dog water fountains.
- Best for: multi-pet homes with dogs and cats, and owners who want easier cleaning
- Tradeoff: the 101-oz capacity on the listing did not appear on Petlibro's own page, so it is unconfirmed
Virbac C.E.T. VeggieDent Chews: best stocking stuffer
VOHC-accepted dental chews for plaque and tartar, an easy and useful gift to tuck into a stocking.
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Dental chews are the stocking stuffer with the strongest evidence behind them. The Veterinary Oral Health Council accepted-products list for dogs, updated November 2025, includes C.E.T. VeggieDent FR3SH Chews for Dogs in all sizes for plaque and tartar, with the seal awarded in 2020.
VOHC awards its Seal of Acceptance after reviewing data from trials run to its protocols. The list covers all sizes rather than naming this medium 30-count pack separately. Our guide to vet recommended dog dental chews covers more options.
- Best for: stockings for medium dogs, and owners building a daily dental habit
- Tradeoff: every chew counts toward the daily treat budget, and we could not confirm the calorie count per chew from the label
Frisco Personalized Dog Stocking: best keepsake gift
A personalized holiday stocking with the dog's name on it, a keepsake that comes out every December.
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A personalized stocking is the cute, sentimental gift on this list, and the one most likely to show up in holiday photos for years. The Frisco Christmas Holiday Personalized Dog Stocking carries the dog's name and gives the edible gifts on this list somewhere to live. Chewy listed it at $21.95 in October 2026.
Frisco is Chewy's own brand, so there is no independent maker page with materials or dimensions. Hang it out of reach and hand out what is inside rather than letting the dog pull it down.
- Best for: personalized Christmas gifts for dogs, new dog owners, and families who decorate
- Tradeoff: it is decoration, not a toy, and its details come only from the retailer
Awoo Lick Dish: best calming gift
A silicone lick dish that slows a fast eater and gives a wound-up dog a quiet job during holiday gatherings.
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The Awoo Lick Dish is a silicone lick mat and slow feeder in one, sold for dogs and cats. The dog licks food out of its grooves slowly. VCA says interactive feeders force gulping dogs to eat slower and may decrease gulping-related problems. Chewy listed it at $16 in October 2026.
Its calming value is a quiet, settled task while guests arrive, not a treatment. We could not confirm Awoo's specs from a maker page. For a dog with real holiday anxiety, our guide to calming chews for dogs and a talk with your vet go further.
- Best for: fast eaters and dogs who get overexcited when the house fills up
- Tradeoff: maker specs unconfirmed, and it is a feeding tool to pick up once the food is gone, not a chew toy
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Christmas gifts for power chewers and bored dogs
A power chewer is a dog who destroys standard toys fast, and the gift has to match that jaw. KONG's sizing advice is direct: power chewers should go up one or two sizes or skip the Classic for the black KONG Extreme, which KONG positions as its toy for the most powerful chewers.
Harder is not automatically better. VCA says toys that are too hard can chip or fracture teeth, and it names bones, cow hooves, pig ears, hard rawhides, and large ice cubes. VCA also reports that veterinary dentists often advise against chewing anything that will not bend.
That is why the Large KONG Classic Dog Toy in a bigger size often beats a rock-hard chew for strong chewers. Nylon chews sit in the middle of a real disagreement: makers sell them for aggressive chewers, while VCA's tartar-prevention page says never to let dogs chew nylon. Ask your vet before choosing one.
Bored dogs need enrichment more than a tougher toy. Food-based enrichment is the easiest place to start:
- Stuff and freeze a KONG. KONG's FAQ recommends freezing a stuffed KONG for dogs who finish it too quickly.
- Scatter a meal in a snuffle mat. The Frisco Snuffle Mat, Grey turns part of dinner into a sniffing job.
- Level up to a puzzle. The Outward Hound Spin N' Eat is a level 2 puzzle that holds up to 2 cups of food.
- Check toys after every session. VCA says to retire a toy once rubber breaks or stuffing shows, before pieces get swallowed.
Durability is a safety issue as much as a value issue. VCA says swallowed chunks of toys can lodge in the stomach and require surgery, and KONG's own FAQ says a damaged toy can become a choking or ingestion hazard, so owners should monitor chewing.
What are some cool gifts for dogs?
The coolest gifts for dogs give them a problem to solve. A spinning puzzle feeder, a snuffle mat hiding part of dinner, and a frozen stuffed KONG all turn eating into enrichment, which VCA says works a dog's mind and body. For fetch fans, a ball launcher adds distance and keeps your hands dry.
Christmas gifts for senior dogs and dogs with joint pain
Christmas gifts for senior dogs should make daily life easier. Older dogs with osteoarthritis often struggle to rise, walk on slick floors, and get comfortable at night, and VCA's osteoarthritis guide lists practical changes that translate directly into gifts for elderly and old dogs.
- A supportive bed. VCA suggests an orthopedic or memory foam bed to reduce pressure on sore joints and improve sleep. Our best orthopedic dog bed guide compares options, and the FurHaven NAP Ultra Plush Orthopedic Deluxe Cat & Dog Bed with Removable Cover, Gray, Jumbo is our pick for big seniors.
- Warmth. VCA says to keep an arthritic dog warm and dry, because cold, damp conditions may worsen stiffness. See our roundup of heated dog beds for more choices.
- Traction. VCA notes that slippery flooring makes it hard for dogs with osteoarthritis to walk and rise, and suggests non-skid rugs, foam tiles, and baby gates.
- A car ramp. VCA says a ramp for getting in and out of vehicles can reduce stress on back and leg joints.
- A softer chew. KONG's purple Senior line uses soft rubber for gentle chewers and aging dogs who may be missing teeth.
Be careful with edible gifts for older dogs. VCA says to work with your vet on a safe weight-loss plan if an arthritic dog is carrying extra weight, so a stocking full of treats can work against sore joints.
Movement still matters. VCA says regular, controlled exercise is beneficial for most dogs with osteoarthritis, so a gift that supports gentle daily walks suits older dogs better than long bursts of fetch.
Some of the best Christmas gifts for older dogs cost little, such as a non-skid runner on the path from bed to water bowl.
Dog stocking stuffers that are safe
Stocking stuffers are where most holiday treat trouble starts, because small gifts add up. VCA states the general rule: 90 percent of a dog's daily calories should come from complete and balanced food, and the remaining 10 percent can come from treats and snacks.
VCA suggests turning that into a treat budget by taking 10 percent of the dog's daily calories, then staying below it, because many treats are not complete and balanced. A second VCA handout sets a stricter ceiling of 5 percent, so if your dog is overweight, ask your vet which number to use. Safe stocking stuffers and treat portion limits go together: every treat in the stocking still counts toward the 10 percent of daily calories that treats should stay under, so a stocking full of chews is a week of treats, not one evening.
For training-size treats, VCA suggests looking for commercial treats with fewer than 5 calories per piece. That matters most for small dogs, whose daily treat budget is tiny. The best Christmas gifts for small dogs are a toy sized to their weight and a few low-calorie treats. Safe stocking stuffers include:
- VOHC-accepted dental chews, such as Virbac C.E.T. VeggieDent Fr3sh Dental Chews for Medium Dogs (30 ct), counted toward the treat budget
- A size-matched rubber toy, such as a KONG in the right weight class
- Low-calorie training treats under 5 calories each
- A dog advent calendar, rationed across the month; see our picks for the best dog advent calendars
Cheap Christmas gifts for dogs do not have to be flimsy. At Chewy's October 2026 prices, the Chuckit Classic Launcher was $12.94, the Large KONG Classic $13.96, and the Frisco Snuffle Mat $14.99, and KONG lists its smallest Classic at $7.99 MSRP.
Leave these out of the stocking entirely:
- Anything with xylitol. The FDA says holiday mints and other xylitol products can cause life-threatening problems in dogs, so check every label.
- Chocolate. The FDA says unsweetened and baking chocolate are especially dangerous, and a suspected ingestion is an emergency.
- Grapes, raisins, and currants. VCA says to avoid them.
- Rawhide. VCA lists it among treats to skip.
Christmas gifts for dogs to avoid: rawhide, tinsel toys, and gifts that end in the ER
Some of the most popular holiday dog gifts are the ones vets most want you to skip. Here is each one with the medical reason:
- Rawhide. VCA lists rawhide among treats to skip because it is made from animal skin and often treated with potentially harmful chemicals. If offered at all, VCA says it must have no knots, because knots can be pulled off and swallowed, leading to surgery. No source we reviewed gives a rate of rawhide obstruction.
- Cooked bones and turkey carcasses. VCA, citing the FDA, says bone fragments can lodge in the small intestine and cause a complete blockage that needs emergency surgery. Bones can also injure the mouth and tongue, and the FDA says turkey carcasses and steak bones can lodge in the esophagus, stomach, or trachea.
- Tinsel-trimmed toys and gift ribbon. The Pet Poison Helpline says even small amounts of swallowed garland and tinsel can cause gastrointestinal blockage and rupture.
- Toys with ribbons, eyes, or loose parts. VCA says a toy should have nothing removable that can be swallowed or inhaled.
- Very hard chews. VCA says bones, cow hooves, pig ears, hard rawhides, and large ice cubes can chip or fracture teeth, and most veterinary dentists also advise against nylon and antlers.
- Xylitol sweets, chocolate, grapes, and raisins. These are toxic food gifts, not treats.
String-like gifts are the most dangerous shape. The Merck Veterinary Manual says linear foreign bodies carry a higher risk of intestinal perforation. Merck's owner guidance adds that string swallowing is more common in cats but can cause more damage than other foreign material in dogs.
Merck also notes that young, large-breed dogs are more likely to have an obstruction from eating a foreign object, so a big adolescent dog deserves extra caution on Christmas morning. VCA lists the signs of a swallowed foreign body:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Decreased appetite
Merck says endoscopic or surgical removal is usually recommended because of the risk of obstruction or perforation, although some small, smooth objects pass on their own. Once an obstruction occurs, VCA says surgical removal is the only treatment. If you are weighing that bill, our guide to emergency vet cost explains what to expect.
Christmas gifts for dog owners and new puppies
Christmas gifts for dog lovers work best when they make life with the dog easier or mark a milestone. A personalized stocking, such as the Frisco Christmas Holiday Personalized Dog Stocking, suits a first Christmas with a new dog. A dishwasher-safe fountain suits the owner who is tired of scrubbing bowls.
New puppies need their own rules. VCA says puppies have 28 baby teeth that give way to up to 42 permanent teeth, and that by six months all permanent teeth have erupted. Excessive chewing seems to subside around 18 months but continues to some degree for life.
For a puppy's first Christmas, choose soft toys over hard ones. VCA says most veterinary dentists advise against letting dogs chew anything hard, including nylon, bones, and antlers. KONG's Puppy line is made soft and durable for puppies 9 months and younger, and VCA's advice to supervise chewing applies most of all to puppies.
What to get a dog lover who has everything?
Give something tied to their own dog rather than another generic toy. A personalized stocking, a framed photo of the dog, or a donation to a local shelter in the dog's name all land well. Christmas gifts for shelter dogs, such as toys or blankets, double as a gift to the owner.
What are some unusual gifts for dog lovers?
The best unique gifts for dog lovers solve a problem they live with. A vehicle ramp for an aging dog, which VCA says can reduce stress on back and leg joints, is unusual and useful. So is a level 2 puzzle feeder for a dog who has outgrown easy ones.
What are some last-minute gift ideas for dog lovers?
Last-minute gifts that still feel considered:
- A KONG plus the makings of a frozen stuffing recipe
- A snuffle mat or lick dish, ready to load with dinner
- A box of VOHC-accepted dental chews for the stocking
- A dog advent calendar for the rest of December
Christmas gifts for dogs questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I put in a dog's Christmas stocking?
Fill it with a size-appropriate toy, a few single-ingredient treats or low-calorie training treats, and a dental chew. Single-ingredient treats make it easy to check the label for xylitol, which the FDA warns can cause life-threatening problems in dogs. Keep the whole stocking within the dog's 10 percent treat budget.
Are Christmas toys with squeakers safe for dogs?
They can be, with supervision. No veterinary source we reviewed addresses squeakers specifically, but VCA says a toy should have no removable parts that can be swallowed or inhaled. Supervise play, and once the dog chews into the toy, remove the squeaker or retire the toy before the pieces come out.
Can dogs have rawhide for Christmas?
It is better to skip it. VCA lists rawhide among treats to skip, and knotted rawhide can be pulled apart and swallowed, risking an obstruction that needs surgery. If you give rawhide anyway, VCA says to choose thick, knot-free U.S. cattle hide too large to swallow. A frozen stuffed KONG is a safer chew.
What is a good Christmas gift for a puppy?
Choose soft toys made for teething puppies, such as a KONG Puppy toy, which KONG designs for puppies 9 months and younger. Teething puppies chew a lot, but VCA says most veterinary dentists advise against hard chews like nylon, bones, and antlers. Pair the toy with a puzzle feeder to build good habits early.
Editor
The Webvet Editorial Team is the in-house group of pet-care editors and writers behind Webvet, operated by Smart Pet Collective. The team researches, writes, and maintains Webvet's pet health, behavior, and medication content. Every article follows a defined editorial process: research from reputable veterinary and scientific sources, careful drafting, mandatory review of medical content by a credentialed veterinarian, and dated publication. Health and medication articles are medically reviewed by a licensed veterinary professional before they go live and are kept current over time.
Veterinarian · BVMS MRCVS
Dr. Pippa Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS, is a veterinarian with nearly 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. Dr. Elliott earned her Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery from the University of Glasgow. She was also designated a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Married with 2 grown-up kids, Dr. Elliott has a naughty Puggle named Poggle, 3 cats and a bearded dragon.
