As Christmas draws near, many are already starting to look for presents for their family and friends. Perhaps you’re one of them, list in hand as you ponder which gifts will bring a huge smile to your loved ones’ faces.
If any of them happens to be a new dog owner, there are tons of gift ideas to choose from to make the decision much easier for you, and perhaps even more special for them. New dog owners would certainly love a mixture of practical and fun items for the new furry member of their family, so here are some excellent gifts you may want to consider giving them:
A Dog Essentials Kit
A dog essentials kit with items such as food and water bowls, a couple of chew toys, a dog blanket, grooming items, and other fun, yet useful inclusions such as custom poop bags can be the perfect starter gift for new dog owners. This gift also saves them the hassle of having to buy these items individually. To make the gift more special, consider outfitting it with custom DIY packaging such as a box shaped and painted to look like a dog house.
Customized Dog Tags
Dog tags are a must-have safety item for ensuring that dogs can be identified and returned to their owners immediately if lost. Giving new dog owners a personalized dog tag containing their dog’s name and their contact information is not only practical, but can also convey your wishes for their dog to always stay safe and free from harm.
Customized dog tags come in various shapes and designs, so make sure to pick one that’s relevant to the owner’s interests, such as a tag in their favorite color or a tag shaped like a flower if they’re into gardening. You’ll likely make them even happier if you pair the dog tags with Martingale collars that suit their pooch’s one-of-a-kind paw-sonality.
A Portable Water Bottle for Dogs
For active new dog owners who enjoy taking their animal companion with them out for walks, jogs, or even hikes, a portable water bottle could be a great gift. You could get the kind that comes with an attached bowl, which will make drinking much easier for their dog (and less messy, too). Portable water bottles are also compact and easy to use, so they’ll be convenient for a dog owner to carry on the go.
A Cozy Dog Bed
Dog beds promise more than just a place to sleep. They can also provide dogs with a sense of belonging and safety. As such, a soft and cozy dog bed would make for an excellent gift for new dog owners, as this will allow them to welcome their pet warmly into their home.
Do make sure that you take into account the size of their dog before purchasing the bed to ensure that the latter can sleep on it comfortably. Also look for beds with removable covers for easy washing, as well as chew-resistant fabrics for maximum durability.
A Pet Hair Remover Roller or Vacuum
Removing pet hair all over furniture and flooring can be a huge hassle if you don’t have the right tools. Help out the new dog owner in your life by gifting them pet hair removers, such as reusable lint rollers or a small vacuum, that will be thorough enough at picking up dog hair and fur on various surfaces. They’ll surely thank you for allowing them to keep their home fur-free with less effort.
Interactive Puzzle Toys
Dogs need mentally stimulating activities to keep their natural high energy in check, allowing them to channel any excess while also keeping their brains sharp. Why not pick up some interactive puzzle toys for the dog owner in your life to engage their dog’s attention in a meaningful way? Choose a puzzle toy with adjustable difficulty levels so that new dog owners can configure them accordingly as their dog gets more used to the toy.
A Dog Care Book for New Owners
New dog owners will certainly need a lot of guidance as they mark this huge new milestone in their lives. With that in mind, giving them a book on dog care can certainly be helpful for their learning process.
Choose a book that covers basic topics, such as proper feeding and grooming, as well as more complex ones such as health issues that dogs commonly face and behavioral problems that dog owners may encounter. This gift will definitely help new dog owners feel more confident in their new roles as fur parents and guide them towards providing the best care for their pets.
A Gift Card for Puppy Training Classes
For new dog owners feeling overwhelmed about the prospect of training their new puppy, a gift card for training classes will be a huge boon. Just make sure you inquire with the training facility first regarding what type of training they offer for puppies as well as the given time frame, all so that you can brief the recipient about the details of the classes you got for their pup. This gift will help them establish good behavior for their dog while also creating a fun bonding opportunity for them.
Make gift shopping a bit easier this holiday season by taking note of the suggestions above for new dog owners among your loved ones. Not only are these gifts practical—they’ll also convey a thoughtful message, wishing them the best in their exciting new role as a fur parent.