15 Best Gifts for Pet Owners, According to a Frequent Animal Fosterer

I’ve always been an animal lover (the first non-parental word I learned was “kitten”), but recently I’ve become more serious about helping our furry friends. my instagram profile I half-joked that I moved from New York City to rural New Hampshire to have more pets. My partner and I started fostering animals in 2019. Since then, in addition to the one dog and four cats we live with full-time, we almost always have an additional animal (or two or six) living temporarily in our spare bedroom .

All of this is to say that we have some ideas when it comes to gift ideas for the animal lover in your life, at least the one who owns a cat or dog (for fans of rodents, birds, fish and reptiles) Sorry, I don’t have any experience there). Matching sweaters and holiday-themed bandanas are cute, but there are plenty of more practical gifts that you can guarantee any cat or dog owner on your list will be happy to receive, even if they’re not the most glamorous. there is. Below are toys, treats, grooming tools, and poop-related essentials (sorry, but when you have a pet, at least 50% of the time you’re concerned about their potty habits) they’ll be excited to find under the tree.

Favorite gift for pet owners

Best toys for dogs: Merry Makings stuffed pickle jar

My dog ​​is goofy, but he’s not particularly playful. She can’t catch a ball to save her life, and she usually gets bored with toys that don’t have peanut butter hidden in them. But there’s something about these giant stuffed pickle chew toys that really tickles her fancy (watch the video for evidence of enthusiasm). The set of 3 makes it perfect for multi-dog households or dogs who like to unstuff stuffed animals.

Best toys for cats: merry making cat kicker toy

If the giver is fostering cats, you probably can’t have too many cat toys. They tend to disappear in different ways. (I personally take a few of my favorites and send them off to their forever homes, and I know most people do the same.) These Actinidia-filled ones from Merry Makings Kicker lives up to its name. My cats are hitting them all over the house. .

Best dog shampoo: Oai Fur Bebe Pet Shampoo

My dog ​​hates taking my bath no matter what shampoo I use. Therefore, in case of an emergency situation where you can’t take your dog to the groomer due to the smell, I think it might be better to use a shampoo that you find enjoyable. Best of Beauty Award Winner, Ouai’s Fur Bebe Pet Shampoo is as luxurious as any human beauty product, making it a fun gift.

Best cat brush: Tangle Teezer Pet Teezer Cat Grooming Brush

Pet Teaser has been a great product for all the cats that have visited my home, from a short-haired cat with sensitive skin to the two long-haired kittens I fostered. It fits easily in the palm of your hand and the bristles are perfectly textured. It’s hard enough to get through tangles, but flexible enough not to spook your cat.

Best pet-related art: West & Willow Custom Portraits

OK, no, this doesn’t fit into the “helpful” category. But who wouldn’t want a custom portrait of their pet (or multiple pets – up to 4 in one frame)?! In addition to the adorable art, you can also customize the background color and frame. You can also choose from a variety of items, so you can create a piece that perfectly matches the decoration of your recipient’s home.

More great gifts for pet owners:

We regularly purchase raw pet food

The millennial in me isn’t spending all his money on avocado toast and oat milk lattes. In fact, it’s the thousands of dollars I spend each year on pet food that keeps my savings account from growing as quickly as I’d like. Pet food subscriptions are an easy way to help your animal-loving friends get through the holidays. First, be sure to find out what your pet can actually eat. I recently added Wee Feed Raw to my dog ​​Billy’s diet and she is hooked. If you hear that sound in your alley, allure Readers can get 30% off their orders using the code beauty 30.

The world’s best unscented lump corn cat litter for multiple cats

Even if your giver doesn’t regularly find and trap entire families of feral cats (just ask me) my barn cat summer) They probably produce more trash than you think. It may be similar to giving someone a package of toilet paper, but if I found a bag of trash under my tree, I would cry at least one tear of joy. I would definitely sob if someone set up a subscription or vending machine for me. It will take several months to ship. As with food, it’s important to know what brand of sand your friends are already using, but I personally favor World’s Best. It’s perfect for multiple cats, doesn’t leave a ton of dust, and flushes quickly. Under the toilet.

Boots & Berkley Tunnel Cat Scratcher

In my experience, it’s true that a cat’s favorite toy is the box it came in. However, a cardboard box as a gift can be a little flattened when a human unpacks it. Give them these cardboard tunnels instead. This has proven to keep even the most naughty kittens entertained for hours.

Fremover Original Indoor Pet Hair Rubber Broom

If your friends with multiple pets don’t already have this, you should help them get it. The Fremover Original Indoor Pet Hair Rubber Broom has changed the way I think about cleaning my home. It collects dirt and hair more efficiently than any other vacuum cleaner I’ve tried.

Tweezers Precision Nail Clippers for Small Pets

Cutting your pet’s nails is rarely fun, but having a nice set of clippers can make the experience a little better. No wonder Tweezers Man won awards. allure Their pet tools are also great, as they win Best of Beauty awards every year.

Merry Making Slope Dog Toy

I’ve played with many rope toys and can confidently say this is the best. Incredibly soft, undeniably durable, and available in two sizes and a variety of colors.

Raw Sugar Living Fur Kids Refresh Up Pet Wipes

Especially in the spring, I like to keep a pack of wipes by the front door to clean up any footprints that may be left all over the house after a walk. It has a slight apple-vanilla scent, which makes it feel a bit luxurious, and it’s also perfect as a stocking stuffer.

Petmate Soft Side Kennel Cab Pet Carrier

If your recipient fosters an animal, there will likely be multiple trips to the veterinarian for health exams before adoption. Riding in a car alone can be stressful, especially for cats. A larger, upgraded crate (with this Petmate’s soft sides and cozy fleece bottom) will help them feel as comfortable as possible.

earth rated dog poop bag

When you start collecting a lot of pets, you find yourself having opinions about the strangest ones. For example, the type of bag you use to store your dog’s poop. (Yes, this is the second poop-related gift on this list! Having a pet is very poop-centric!) I’m not entirely sure on what basis the Earth measures yeah. These bags tick all the boxes in my book: not too thin, easy to tear apart, and a “3 bags left” warning sticker. I prefer the unscented version, but the lavender option isn’t bad either.

greenies cat pill pocket chicken cat snack

Cats need to take all kinds of medications. Cats also seem to think that being drugged is equivalent to the worst kind of torture. These pill pocket treats make the entire medication experience less stressful for both you and your pet.