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The best Christmas gifts for dogs give your dog something to chew, something to sniff out or something to sleep on. For most dogs that means a KONG Classic stuffed with something good, a treat puzzle like the West Paw Toppl and a bag of single-ingredient treats such as Stewart freeze-dried liver. If you want one big luxury gift, an orthopedic bed gets used every day for years, and a DNA test answers the question every mixed-breed owner gets asked at the dog park.
The year my shepherd mix turned two, I wrapped six squeaky plush toys and put them under the tree. By noon on Christmas Day four of them were stuffing on the rug and one squeaker was missing. The only gift he was still carrying around in February was the plain red rubber toy that cost the least of the lot. That is the rule this list is built on: buy for how your dog plays, not for how the gift looks in the photo.
Quick picks
| Gift | Best for | Type |
|---|---|---|
| KONG Classic | Almost every dog | Chew and treat toy |
| Benebone Wishbone | Strong chewers | Chew toy |
| Goughnuts Pull Toy | Dogs that destroy everything | Tug toy |
| Hide-A-Squirrel | Gentle players who love plush | Plush puzzle |
| West Paw Toppl | Fast eaters, bored dogs | Treat puzzle |
| Nina Ottosson Dog Brick | Smart, food-driven dogs | Puzzle board |
| AWOOF Snuffle Mat | Seniors and sniffers | Foraging mat |
| BarkBox Advent Calendar | A gift that lasts all December | Advent calendar |
| Chuckit! Ultra Ball | Fetch dogs | Stocking stuffer |
| Stewart Beef Liver | Training and stuffing toys | Treats |
| Natural Farm Bully Sticks | A long chew on Christmas Day | Chew treat |
| LickiMat 2-Pack | Anxious dogs, busy holidays | Lick mat |
| Plaid Christmas Bandanas | Holiday photos | Stocking stuffer |
| Best Friends by Sheri Donut Bed | Small dogs that curl up | Bed |
| Kuoser Reversible Coat | Short coats in cold weather | Coat |
| Big Barker 7″ Bed | Large and senior dogs | Luxury bed |
| Embark Breed & Health Test | Mixed breeds and rescues | Luxury gift |
| Furbo 360 Dog Camera | Dogs home alone | Luxury gift |
| Carhartt Dog Chore Coat | Big dogs outdoors | Luxury coat |
| Pearhead Paw Print Ornament | The owner | Keepsake |
| Personalized Dog Stocking | The family mantel | Keepsake |
Christmas toys that last past New Year
A gift toy should survive the first week. Plush toys with squeakers are fun on Christmas morning, but a strong chewer opens most of them in minutes. Rubber and nylon toys last months. Pick one hard toy for chewing and, if your dog plays gently, one soft toy for carrying.
Best overall
1. KONG Classic
The KONG is the toy dog trainers hand to new owners, and it earns a spot under the tree because it does two jobs. Empty, it bounces in odd directions for fetch. Stuffed with kibble and a smear of peanut butter (check the label for xylitol) and frozen overnight, it keeps a dog busy while you cook Christmas dinner. It is the gift on this list most likely to still be in use next Christmas.
- Natural red rubber, hollow center for stuffing
- Sizes from X-Small to XX-Large; the listing links to Large
- Top-rack dishwasher safe
- Black KONG Extreme exists for power chewers
Good: two toys in one, easy to clean, sizes for every dog. Not great: a size too small is a choking risk; when in doubt, size up.
Best for strong chewers
2. Benebone Wishbone
The Wishbone is a nylon chew flavored with real bacon, curved so a dog can pin it between its paws and work at one end. It is the gift for the dog that unstuffs plush toys in five minutes. Benebone also sells limited holiday flavors such as pumpkin and venison, which make a good stocking surprise.
- Nylon infused with real bacon; peanut and chicken versions too
- Small, Medium and Large; the link is Medium
- Made and sourced in the USA
Good: lasts weeks, the curve gives a good grip. Not great: hard enough to chip a tooth on a dog that crunches rather than gnaws; throw it out once the ends get sharp.
Toughest toy
3. Goughnuts Pull Toy
Goughnuts was designed by a rubber chemist for dogs that destroy everything else. The pull toy is a thick ring with a stick-shaped handle, so you can play tug without your hand near the dog’s teeth. Goughnuts toys have a red safety layer inside the rubber: when a dog chews through to the red, you stop using the toy before pieces come off.
- Medium (Original) for dogs of 30 to 70 lb; Maxx for 60 to 120 lb
- Solid rubber, no weak seams
- Red inner layer shows when the toy is worn through
Good: survives dogs that eat KONGs, safe tug handle. Not great: heavy and dense, so too much toy for small dogs.
Best plush toy
4. Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel
If your dog carries toys around instead of shredding them, this is the plush to wrap. The squirrels hide inside a plush tree trunk, and your dog pulls them out one by one, which turns a soft toy into a small puzzle. Once your dog learns the game, you can stuff the squirrels back in and hand it over again.
- Large trunk holds 3 squeaky squirrels
- Small, Medium, Large and Jumbo sizes; extra squirrels sold separately
- Plush with stuffing and squeakers
Good: a plush toy with a game built in. Not great: strong chewers will open the squirrels; supervise play and remove torn ones.
Puzzle and enrichment gifts
A treat puzzle gives your dog a job, and a dog with a job is calmer when the house fills with guests. Sniffing and problem-solving tire a dog out faster than a walk of the same length. Start with the easiest setting so your dog wins in the first few minutes, then make it harder.
Best treat toy
5. West Paw Toppl
The Toppl is an open cup of soft, flexible rubber with fingers inside that hold food in. Fill it with kibble for an easy game, or pack it with wet food and freeze it for a long one. The wide opening makes it much easier to fill and wash than a KONG, and two Toppls of the same size snap together into a ball for kibble that rattles out as it rolls.
- Zogoflex material, BPA-free, top-rack dishwasher safe
- Small, Large and X-Large
- Made in the USA; West Paw replaces a toy once within 6 months if it does not hold up
Good: easy to fill, easy to clean, works as a slow feeder. Not great: softer than a KONG, so a determined chewer can bite pieces off the rim.
Best puzzle board
6. Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Brick
The Dog Brick has three ways to hide treats: lift-out bones, flip lids and sliding covers. Use one at a time for a beginner, then all three for a dog that has figured it out. It is rated Level 2 of 4, the right start for a dog that has never seen a puzzle. Food-motivated breeds like Labs and beagles take to it fast.
- Holds 3/4 cup of kibble or treats
- Three hiding styles in one board
- Plastic; wash by hand
Good: adjustable difficulty, doubles as a slow feeder. Not great: it is a supervised toy; a bored dog left alone will chew the plastic bones.
Best for seniors
7. AWOOF Snuffle Mat
A snuffle mat is a pad of felt strips you scatter kibble into. Your dog noses through the strips to find each piece, which slows down a fast eater and gives an older dog a game that needs no running or jumping. It packs flat and goes to grandma’s house with you.
- Non-slip cloth bottom
- Folds into a bowl shape with drawstrings
- Machine washable
Good: works for any age or size, travels well. Not great: a puppy or a chewer will pull out the felt strips; pick it up when the food is gone.
Dog advent calendar
An advent calendar spreads the gift across December, one door a day. Most dog calendars are all treats; check the treat count and size against your dog’s daily treat allowance before you buy, because a small dog does not need 24 extra cookies.
Best advent calendar
8. BarkBox Dog Advent Calendar
BarkBox mixes toys in with the treats, which most dog calendars do not. Behind the doors are 8 holiday toys and 16 bakery-style treats, so some days your dog gets something to keep. Toys are made for small to large dogs; for a giant breed or a strong chewer, treat them as supervised play toys.
- 24 doors: 8 toys, 16 treats
- Toys with squeakers, crinkle and tug straps
- Sized for small to large dogs
On r/dogs, owners of toy-destroyers say regular BarkBox toys bring variety, not durability; the brand’s Super Chewer line is the one owners of heavy chewers praise.
Good: toys and treats in one box. Not great: plush toys are not chew toys; open it before the first of December so you know what is inside.
Stocking stuffers for dogs
Stocking stuffers should be small, cheap to replace and safe to hand over on a busy morning. Treats with one ingredient are easiest to check for allergies.
Best for fetch
9. Chuckit! Ultra Ball (2-Pack)
The Ultra Ball is solid rubber instead of tennis-ball felt, so it bounces higher, floats and does not wear down teeth the way fuzzy tennis balls do. Bright orange and blue show up in snow and grass. Two in the pack means one can go missing under the couch.
- Medium is 2.5 inches, for dogs of 20 to 60 lb
- Floats; fits Chuckit! medium launchers
- Not a chew toy, by the maker’s own label
Good: high bounce, floats, easy to spot. Not great: a ball too small for a big dog is a choking hazard; Large and X-Large exist.
Best treats
10. Stewart Freeze-Dried Beef Liver
One ingredient: beef liver, freeze-dried. Dogs that ignore biscuits will work hard for these, which is why trainers use them for recall. Crumble one into a KONG or a Toppl to make the toy more interesting. Smaller tubs exist if you only want a stocking-sized gift.
- 21 oz tub, up to 475 pieces; 2 oz to 14 oz sizes too
- Single ingredient, made in the USA
- Pieces break by hand into smaller bits
Good: high value, easy to split, one ingredient. Not great: rich; too many at once can upset a dog’s stomach.
Best long chew
11. Natural Farm Odor-Free Bully Sticks
A bully stick is the edible chew to give on Christmas morning so your dog stays busy while the family opens presents. Bully sticks are single-ingredient beef and digest better than rawhide. Natural Farm’s are baked to cut the smell, which matters when the chew is lying on the living room rug.
- 6-inch sticks, 25 count; 4, 7 and 12-inch packs too
- Grass-fed beef, single ingredient
- Thick and extra-thick versions for big dogs
Good: long chew, no rawhide. Not great: take the last two inches away before your dog swallows it whole; a holder or a big-enough size prevents choking.
Best for anxious dogs
12. LickiMat Classic 2-Pack
Spread yogurt, wet food or pumpkin over the textured surface and your dog licks it clean, one small bit at a time. Licking calms dogs, so a frozen LickiMat helps when the doorbell keeps ringing or during New Year’s fireworks. Two textures come in the pack: Buddy has a cross pattern, Soother has short spikes.
- Two 8 x 8 inch mats
- Rubber, freezer and top-rack dishwasher safe
- Works for wet food, raw food, spreads and supplements
Good: calms a dog fast, cheap to stuff. Not great: a chewer will chew the mat; use it with you in the room.
Best for photos
13. Plaid Christmas Dog Bandanas (2-Pack)
Most dogs tolerate a bandana when they would fight a sweater or reindeer antlers. One red plaid and one green plaid come in the pack, so the second one is ready when the first goes in the wash. They tie on, so you can fit them around a collar.
- Large fits necks up to 18 inches; Small and X-Large too
- Double-layer fabric with tassel trim
Good: fits dogs that hate costumes. Not great: tassels are chewable; take it off when your dog is alone.
Cozy gifts for winter
December is cold for short-coated breeds, small dogs and seniors. A warm bed and a coat get used every day of the winter.
Best bed for small dogs
14. Best Friends by Sheri Calming Donut Bed
The donut shape has a raised rim all the way around, so a dog that sleeps curled up can rest its chin on the edge and press its back against the side. Shag faux fur holds warmth. The whole bed goes in the washing machine, which matters by the second week of muddy winter walks.
- Small is 23 inches, for dogs up to 25 lb; sizes go much larger
- Machine washable, water-resistant bottom
- Many colors
Good: warm, washable, popular with curlers. Not great: polyfill flattens over time and offers little joint support; big or senior dogs need foam.
Best everyday coat
15. Kuoser Reversible Dog Coat
A coat makes a difference for greyhounds, whippets, Chihuahuas, pit bulls and any dog with a thin coat. The Kuoser has a waterproof solid side and a plaid fleece side, closes with hook-and-loop straps at the neck and chest, and has a leash hole for a harness underneath.
- 7 sizes, from toy breeds to Great Danes
- Waterproof on the solid side, fleece lined
- Leash hole; reversible
Good: fits most breeds, easy on and off. Not great: measure chest and back length first; the maker says to size up when in doubt.
Luxury Christmas gifts for dogs
A luxury gift for a dog is worth it when the dog uses it every day or it tells you something you could not learn another way. These four do one or the other.
Best luxury gift
16. Big Barker 7″ Pillow Top Orthopedic Bed
Big Barker makes beds for large dogs only, with seven inches of foam that holds its shape under a 70-pound Lab year after year. The headrest bolster gives a big dog a pillow. For an older dog with stiff hips, this is the gift you will see used every single day.
- Large for 50 to 70 lb; XL and Giant for bigger dogs
- 7-inch foam, microsuede cover, zip-off and machine washable
- Water-resistant liner protects the foam
Good: the foam does not flatten, built for big and senior dogs. Not great: the most expensive gift here, and only made for large breeds.
Best for mixed breeds
17. Embark Breed & Health Dog DNA Test
You swab your dog’s cheek, mail the swab back and get a breakdown of breeds plus genetic health risks a few weeks later. For a shelter dog the breed report settles years of guessing. The health half matters more: it screens for the MDR1 drug sensitivity and inherited diseases you can then plan for with your vet.
- 400+ breeds, types and varieties
- 270+ genetic health risks
- Results in an app, with a relative finder
Good: the most detailed dog DNA test, real health information. Not great: it is not a wrapped object the dog enjoys; results take weeks, so it arrives after Christmas.
Best for dogs home alone
18. Furbo 360 Dog Camera
The Furbo sits on a shelf, rotates to follow your dog and tosses a treat when you tap your phone. It alerts you to barking. For a dog that spends workdays alone, a treat at lunchtime is a real change in its day, and you see what it does while you are out.
- 360-degree rotating camera, two-way audio, treat tossing
- Barking and activity alerts
- Needs a paid Furbo Nanny plan to activate
Good: treats and talk from anywhere. Not great: the camera does nothing until you pay for the subscription; read the plan terms on the listing before you buy.
Best coat for big dogs
19. Carhartt Insulated Dog Chore Coat
This is the same heavy duck canvas as Carhartt’s work jackets, cut for a dog. A quilted lining and corduroy collar keep a big dog warm on long winter walks or farm chores, and the canvas shrugs off brush and burrs. It is a good match gift for an owner who wears the human version.
- 12 oz firm duck canvas shell
- Quilted insulated lining, corduroy collar
- Several sizes; measure chest and back first
Good: tough and warm. Not great: stiff when new and heavier than a fleece; not waterproof in a downpour.
Keepsakes for dog owners
Some of the best dog Christmas gifts are really for the people. These two put your dog on the tree and the mantel. For gifts aimed at the owner, from walking gear to books, see our Christmas gifts for dog lovers.
Best keepsake
20. Pearhead Paw Print Ornament Kit
Roll out the clay, press your dog’s paw in, cut it round and punch the hole for the ribbon. It air-dries, so there is no baking. Make one each year and the tree turns into a record of your dog growing up, or a way to remember a dog you have lost.
- Air-dry clay, rolling pin, shaping ring, hole punch, 3 ribbons
- No baking
- 1-pack and 2-pack
Good: simple to make, a gift that lasts. Not great: hang it high; wipe the paw after pressing and do not let your dog lick or chew the clay.
Best stocking
21. Personalized Bone-Shaped Dog Stocking
A knit stocking shaped like a bone, with your dog’s name embroidered on the cuff. Use the “Customize” button on the listing to add the name and pick a thread color. It holds a ball, a bag of treats and a bandana with room left over.
- 16.5 x 9.6 inches
- Embroidered name, several fonts and colors
- Hanging loop
Good: personal and holds a full set of stocking stuffers. Not great: order in early December; custom items ship slower than stock ones.
Christmas gifts for dogs: what Reddit owners say
Owners on r/dogs and the breed subreddits agree on one thing: no toy is indestructible, so buy for your dog’s chew style. Here is what came up most often in their Christmas gift threads.
- A black KONG is the safe bet. Asked what to give a big dog for Christmas, the top answer in one r/dogs thread was “a black kong and a jar of peanut butter”. German Shepherd owners say only KONG toys last more than an hour.
- Rubber outlasts everything for power chewers. GSD owners name Goughnuts (“pricey but they last forever”), Chuckit! rubber balls (one owner said a single ball outlived two shepherds over seven years) and Benebones, which one owner uses as the only “toys” that survive, with supervision.
- Plush is a short-term gift. A Golden Retriever owner put it plainly: stuffed toys have “life spans in weeks not months”. Many owners give a cheap plush each year expecting it to be shredded, and the top answer on what to buy dogs for the holidays was to stock up at discount stores rather than pet stores.
- Puzzles depend on the dog. In a thread on puzzle toys, one owner said their dog still prefers ripping up a cardboard box with treats inside to any bought puzzle. Others report puzzles lasting for years: two Nina Ottosson puzzles still worked after two and a half years.
- Lick mats and snuffle mats are the cheap enrichment pick. Owners suggest them for a treat-motivated dog that already has plenty of toys, filled with applesauce or pumpkin purée and frozen. Snuffle mats split owners: “It will depend on your dog”. One dog took a chunk out of a silicone lick mat, so watch the first few sessions.
- Skip the hardest chews. A commenter relaying a veterinary dentist’s advice after oral surgery wrote that dogs “should not be given anything harder than you can dent with your fingernail”, and listed antlers, yak chews and water buffalo horn. One owner’s dog broke a tooth on an antler, and a commenter who says they are a vet reports yak chews causing blockages that needed surgery or endoscopy. Owners given rawhide as a gift were told to toss it.
- Buy advent calendars from known brands. In a thread about treat calendars, Canadian owners said dogs got sick from cheap discount-store advent calendars. A brand-name calendar with a clear ingredient list is worth the difference.
The Benebone on this list is a hard nylon chew, and it fails the fingernail test. Give it only to a dog that gnaws slowly and does not crunch, and take it away once the ends turn sharp. For a dog that bites down hard, the rubber KONG, Toppl and Goughnuts are the safer chews.
How to choose a Christmas gift for your dog
Match the gift to three things: your dog’s size, how it chews and what it loves to do.
- Size: a toy or ball should be too big to fit fully in your dog’s mouth. Size charts on toy listings go by weight; if your dog sits between two sizes, take the bigger one.
- Chew style: a dog that destroys plush in minutes needs rubber or nylon (KONG, Benebone, Goughnuts). A gentle carrier will keep a plush toy for months.
- What it loves: fetch dogs want balls, sniffers want snuffle mats and puzzles, couch dogs want a better bed. If you are not sure, a stuffable toy covers most dogs.
- Age: puppies need softer rubber for baby teeth (KONG Puppy), and senior dogs do better with sniffing games and an orthopedic bed than with hard chews. Our puppy weight calculator helps you guess the adult size before you buy a big bed or coat.
- Diet: if your dog has a food allergy, buy single-ingredient treats and count them as part of the daily food. The dog food calculator shows how much food your dog needs in a day.
Buying for someone else’s dog? Ask the owner one question: “Does your dog destroy toys?” The answer tells you whether to buy plush or rubber. Treats are the riskiest gift for a dog you do not know, because of allergies and diets.
Shopping for a cat too? Our Christmas gifts for cats guide covers toys, beds and advent calendars for cats.
If chewing is the main need, our guide to the best dog dental chews covers edible chews that also clean teeth. A new harness for a small dog or a harness for a big dog makes a practical gift for winter walks.
Christmas foods and decorations to keep away from dogs
The emergency vet is busiest over the holidays, and most visits start in the kitchen. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center lists the foods below as dangerous for dogs.
- Chocolate: dark and baking chocolate are the most toxic.
- Grapes and raisins: can cause kidney failure; watch fruitcake, stollen and mince pies.
- Xylitol: a sweetener in sugar-free sweets, gum and some peanut butters. Check the jar before you stuff a KONG.
- Onions, garlic, leeks and chives: stuffing and gravy are the usual source.
- Cooked bones: turkey and ham bones splinter and can block or tear the gut.
- Alcohol and raw yeast dough.
Decorations matter too. The ASPCA’s holiday safety tips warn about tinsel, which can block the gut, tree water, snow globes (some hold ethylene glycol, the toxic ingredient in antifreeze) and salt-dough ornaments, which are toxic even when dry. If you make a paw print ornament, use air-dry clay rather than homemade salt dough, and hang it out of reach. Wrapped food gifts under the tree are easy for a dog to smell and open, so keep them on a shelf until Christmas morning.
If your dog eats something it should not, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center right away rather than waiting for symptoms.
FAQ
What do you get a dog for Christmas?
Get a dog a durable chew or treat toy like a KONG Classic, a puzzle or snuffle mat, and a bag of single-ingredient treats. Pick the toy by your dog’s size and chew style: rubber or nylon for strong chewers, plush only for gentle players.
What is a good luxury Christmas gift for a dog?
A good luxury Christmas gift for a dog is an orthopedic foam bed like the Big Barker for a large or senior dog, a breed and health DNA test like Embark, or a treat-tossing camera like the Furbo for a dog that spends the day alone.
What are good stocking stuffers for dogs?
Good stocking stuffers for dogs are rubber balls like the Chuckit! Ultra Ball, freeze-dried single-ingredient treats, bully sticks, a lick mat and a holiday bandana. Keep them small and easy to replace.
Are dog advent calendars worth it?
A dog advent calendar is worth it if you check the treats against your dog’s diet first. Most are all treats; the BarkBox calendar mixes 8 toys with 16 treats. For a small dog, split each treat or skip days so December does not add extra weight.
Should I wrap my dog’s Christmas present?
You can wrap a dog’s present in plain paper with no ribbon, string or tape, and hand it over while you watch. Do not leave wrapped dog treats under the tree, because your dog will smell and open them early.
Are plush Christmas toys safe for dogs?
Plush Christmas toys are safe for gentle players if you supervise. Strong chewers can swallow stuffing and squeakers, which can block the gut. Take a plush toy away once it is torn.
Can I give my dog Christmas dinner leftovers?
Plain cooked turkey meat with no skin, bones, gravy or seasoning is fine in small amounts. Do not give cooked bones, stuffing, gravy, chocolate, grapes, raisins or anything sweetened with xylitol.
What is the best gift for a dog that destroys every toy?
The best gift for a dog that destroys every toy is a solid rubber toy made for power chewers, such as a Goughnuts pull toy or a black KONG Extreme. Avoid plush and thin plastic, and replace any toy once pieces start to come off.
Sources
- ASPCA: people foods to avoid feeding your pets
- ASPCA: holiday safety tips
- r/dogs: what do you buy your dog for Christmas?
- r/germanshepherds: suggestions for virtually indestructible toys
- r/dogs: chew recommendations and hard-chew warnings
- Goughnuts: toy sizes and the red safety indicator
- West Paw: Love It Guarantee
