When it comes to buying Christmas gifts for your dog, it’s tempting to grab some old socks or a cheap toy on sale. With her dog getting older, Explorer Jess has realised that gifting strategy sucks and she wants to do better by her bestie this year.

 

I know I’m not the only one who spends way too much pampering their fur-child. Between the endless toys, treats, and food that somehow gets pricier every month, spoiling my dog is a year-round affair.

What doesn’t happen every day are those gloriously cute few minutes on Christmas Day when your dog tears open their gifts in a flurry of excited tail wags and mayhem. Despite the slobbery confetti decorating the living room, it’s all worth it for those moments of unbridled joy.

My boy’s turning 11 this year, and I know we only have a few more Christmases together. So, in the spirit of making every moment count, I’ve put together a list of potential dog Christmas gifts to ensure he feels the love.

Hopefully, this list helps you create some Christmas magic for your doggo this holiday season too. Let’s take a w-a-l-k through it!

Refunds are never required

Easily his favourite moment on Christmas Day

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Ideas For Dog Christmas Gifts

1. Ruffwear Approach Dog Backpack

RRP: $209.95

Ok so the Ruffwear Approach Dog Backpack is a thinly-veiled dog Christmas gift (it’s clearly pretty beneficial for us humans!) but it’s a damn good gift!

The pack is less about keeping your dog entertained and more about helping him keep you company more often, and be useful at the same time. The pack is big enough to carry dog treats, a favourite toy or two, plus some water to keep them hydrated.

Let your dog help carry the load on outdoor adventures by toting around their own gear. Rather than digging through your backpack when they have a toilet stop, multiple pockets on their back mean you’ll easily find what you need – and fast.

Make sure to consider your dog’s age and capabilities before purchasing a backpack for them. It shouldn’t be filled with more weight than they can handle so make sure to monitor their enjoyment levels. Start with light items, give them plenty of dog treats for positive reinforcement and go explore!

The bright colour means doggo will be more visible too

2. DOOG Car Seat

RRP: $99.99 – $149.99

If I was a dog, who’d been slumming it on the manky old towel on the back seat for three years, I’d be pretty thrilled to snag this bad boy for Christmas. This car seat is the definition of doggy luxe – check out that cushioning! And the bolster? Made for snuggling chins and catching the drool before it hits the floor.

Available in multiple sizes for big dogs and small dogs, the DOOG car seat will allow your dog to ride comfortably in the car all year long. The booster seat has been designed to be easy to clean and has a removable cushion so you can adjust the setup to suit your dog.

You’ll need to pair this with a dog restraint so they can’t wander around the backseat with abandon, and a harness is generally a good idea too.

Just as comfy for the tiny pups

And self-proclaimed lap dogs

3. Muk Grass Mat Original

RRP: $70.00

The Muk Mat definitely isn’t a common item on dog Christmas gift idea lists like this one, but hear me out. This little mat comes in various sizes and is perfect for keeping in the car to clean your doggo’s feet before they jump in.

It’s super versatile (we’ve actually written a whole article about it!) and is a gift you can use at home, on camping trips, with your caravan…you name it. It’s just as good for cleaning your shoes and feet as your doggo’s paws.

The joy of a sand-free, dirt-free vehicle after a fun day out is not to be underestimated. It’s easier to clean than washing towels all the time, and is so slim it barely takes up any space. Just make sure your dog knows it’s not a toy, or it might not last long!

 

muk mat, beach camping, tent, doorway

Full warning, they’re also the perfect spot for a snooze, doorways be damned

4. Ruffwear The Beacon Safety Light

RRP: $54.95

Amping up the holiday spirit with festive Christmas gifts that are useful as well as a bit of fun is what the festive season is all about, right? This Ruffwear Beacon Safety Light meets the brief perfectly.

It’s a light you can clip to their harness, vest, or even backpack to ensure you can see them in low light. The battery lasts for twenty hours, it’s rechargeable and it’s waterproof to a depth of 1m for 30 minutes.

When you’ve got the whole family round and you’re whiling away the evening in front of the campfire, this light is perfect to attach to your dog so everyone knows where Santa’s favourite helper is. It’s durable so it won’t matter if you’ve got a swamp diver, hedge-explorer, or serial grass-wiggler on your hands.

As far as dog accessories go, this is a pretty rad one to keep them safe and give you peace of mind.

 

Multiple light functions are available too from solid light to flashing

5. DOOG Neosport Hip Belt

RRP: $54.95

Yep, this Christmas gift idea is definitely for the humans, but the DOOG Neosport Hip Belt does make walks easier, and more walks a day keeps whinging doggos at bay. The hip belt is large enough for a phone, the all-important dog treats, and even a toy if it’s small.

If you’re all about that matchy-matchy life, this one pairs perfectly with the Neosport Clip It Dog Lead. The instagram post pretty much designs itself. Treat yourself as well as your dog this Christmas and level up your walk organisation (and style!).

Note the little opening for the doggy poo bags too – love that!

6. Ruffwear Grip Tex Dog Boots

RRP: $79.95

Ok, ok, your dog will probably hate these initially. But once he’s done walking like a flamingo (which is excellent Christmas Day entertainment), these durable booties will give him suitable protection from hot concrete, rough rocks, and slippery floors.

If your dog is remotely like the rest of the canine population, you’re going to want to stock up on dog treats to ensure this toy for their feet doesn’t distract them for long. The investment of time to help them learn is well worth it when you no longer need to lay towels on the floorboards, and can walk them easily and safely on a variety of surfaces without a thought.

With Vibram outsoles the Ruffwear Grip Tex Dog Boots are designed to give your dog maximum grip. If you’re not sure about sizing, the team at Ruffwear have awesome customer service to help ensure you get the perfect fit.

 

These are genuine lifesavers as your dog gets older

7. Frank Green Pet Poo Bag Holder

RRP: $14.95

The best Christmas gifts are the ones that make everyday tasks easier and as simple as it may seem, making sure you have poo bags on you is something that goes wrong way more often than it should.

There’s no better way to spoil your walk than your dog beginning that telltale twirl on the nature strip in front of a neighbours house (or worse, on their lawn!), and not being able to find a baggy. The Frank Green Pet Poo Bag Holder is a pretty solution for an ugly problem.

Avoid the uncomfortable with an affordable and durable gift for yourself to ensure comfort and peace of mind every time you leave the house with your furry friend.

 

As a caveat, you don’t need two at once, one is enough!

8. DOOG 3 in 1 Dog Water Bowl

RRP: $21.99

Doggo hydration 101 – never go on a walk longer than twenty minutes without some water and a means for them to drink it! Dogs get thirsty fast, especially in the warmer months around Christmas.

A great time to walk them during the festive season is early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid hot concrete and that sharp midday sun. But even if you’re walking outside of the peak heat, you still need water for them.

The 3 in 1 Dog Water Bowl from DOOG makes this task super convenient. I’ve never seen a bottle/bowl combo that was actually convenient and not weirdly shaped so this is a great item to add to your collection of dog accessories.

 

Cannot emphasise enough how handy that carabiner is to clip onto the outside of your bag

9. Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Cooling Dog Vest

RRP: $149.95

The Ruffwear Swamp Cooling Dog Vest is one of the best dog Christmas gifts you can get for Aussie pups. The holiday season is hot, and it’s easy to forget that our doggos are wearing fur whether they like it or not. Ensuring your pets stay cool and comfortable during our sweltering festive season is made a hell of a lot easier with this vest.

Sure you could use the hose, but as someone who tried that once and pretty much scarred my dog for life (hose = death as far as he is concerned), I’m all for the easier option.

If you have a nervous nelly who’ll freak out, or a curious chewer that’ll interpret it as a unique challenge, you may need to do some training or short exposure stints to train them to like their new clothing style.

Available in multiple sizes and with easy-release side buckles, you can relax knowing they’re nice and cool.

 

It’s even lightly coloured to absorb less heat from the sun

10. DOOG Car Restraint

RRP: $19.99

Your dog’s safety should always be your number one priority, especially when you’re popping them in the car. Thankfully ticking this box is super easy and affordable thanks to this dog car restraint from DOOG.

If you have multiple cars at your place make sure to buy a restraint for each one and leave it plugged in to the seatbelt ready to go. Nothing is more soul crushing than watching your doggo’s excitement die when the adventure is cancelled because the restraint isn’t where you left it.

If it’s the first time your bestie is going in the car, show them the restraint beforehand, use dog treats to help make it a positive experience, and give them a toy for a better distraction than the restraint itself once they’re in the car.

These come in a couple of colours so you can match it to other accessories like leads, harnesses, and beds

11. Ruffwear Mt Bachelor Portable Dog Pad

RRP: $139.95

The Ruffwear Mt Bachelor Portable Dog Pad is a durable bed roll for dogs that move around a lot. As far as dog gifts go, this would have been a great buy a few years ago had I know it existed, but ah well.

It’s waterproof and rolls up small so it’s perfect for camping trips, day jaunts to the office or friends places, and even to keep them comfy at the cafe when you walk there for brunch on the weekend.

Help them feel at home wherever they go with a Christmas gift they can use for years.

It’s plenty squishy

And rolls up easily

12. Snooza Dog Bath Robe and Towel Set

RRP: $69.90 – 89.90

 

Gift Guide for Dogs, Snooza, Dog Bath Robe and Towel Set

 

Nothing smells worse than a wet dog, no matter how fruity the shampoo. Banish wet dog aromas for good with the Snooza Dog Bath Robe and Towel Set. Once you’ve finished bathing your four-legged friend, you can pop the robe over their head and use the generously sized adjustable tummy belt to cinch the towel around them, simultaneously drying and keeping them warm.

This is especially useful if you use a mobile dog wash as you can bundle them back into the car quickly knowing they’ve got maximum towel coverage compared to just getting them to lay on a towel and hoping for the best.

The sets are available in small, medium, and large so there’ll definitely be a size to suit your doggo.

Robes for little bois

And big bois

Tips For Choosing Perfect Dog Christmas Gifts

Consider Your Dog’s Personality, Capabilities, and Interests

Just because dogs are enthusiastic about just about anything you give them, it doesn’t mean that any old gift will do – well, delectable treats aside! Considering your dog’s preferences is step one to finding the perfect gifts to make your furry friend happy this Christmas.

If he doesn’t like chasing toys, don’t buy a ball. If he’s getting older and has arthritis, skip the backpack and plans for long walks. And when in doubt, dog treats will always go down well, just make sure you factor in any allergies and ensure ingredients are listed if you’re gifting it to a pooch that’s not your own.

 

If you’ve got an adrenaline-loving adventure doggo, think backpacks, booties, and harnesses | @remiunwrangled

Practical Christmas Gifts vs. Fun Gifts

Most of this Christmas gift list is made up of practical ideas because if you’re anything like me you’ve been buying your pooch toys every month anyway – they have enough! No matter how much they love them, toys aren’t the only way to enhance your doggos life.

A dog backpack makes it easier for you to bring them on multi-day adventures like overnight hikes.

A portable bed means bringing them to the office or a mates house is less stressful. And a harness and car seat bed makes car rides comfy, safe, and more peaceful.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying to skip the treats or toys on Christmas morning – no killing the festive vibes! Christmas gifts are the perfect opportunity to buy the bigger ticket items you actually need for your dog, not just the random stuff you see on sale now and then.

 

Couch potatoes will probably prefer the bed | @remiunwrangled

More Ways To Treat Your Dog

 

Header image @Remiunwrangled

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