If your friends just got a new puppy or dog, chances are they feel super overwhelmed right about now (speaking from experience). While puppies are so cute, they can be little monsters—peeing on rugs, tearing up shoes and nipping at your ankles. As older dogs get acclimated to new environments, they can be a handful as well. And all of this chaos may be happening as your friends are adjusting to pet parenthood themselves! It’s a lot. But you can help! Whether you’re planning to stop by for a quick visit (a huge gift in itself) and want to bring a present or you’re hoping to send a congratulatory gift in the mail, we’ve got you covered. People with dogs swear by these essential gifts—including a mix of fun, whimsical toys and practical supplies like cleaning spray.
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TOYS
Your biggest tool against their razor-sharp puppy bites? Giving them something else to sink their teeth into. And, almost every pup (at any age!) gets super excited when they get a new toy.
KONG
Available in a few sizes, this rubber dog toy is a staple—and for good reason: It is super durable and easy to fill with treats, so it should keep a dog occupied for awhile. (Pop filled Kongs into the freezer to extend playtime.)
LICK MAT
Another thing that comes in clutch when you want some peace? A lick mat. Spread some applesauce, mashed banana or Greek yogurt on this plastic mat and pop it in the freezer to set.
SOMETHING PERSONALIZED
Chances are, your friends are already obsessed with their new pup. Give them an opportunity to show everyone else just how much they love their new dog with a personalized coffee mug, ornament, pillow sweatshirt, phone case, or hat.
BARKBOX SUBSCRIPTION
Spoil that pup on the regular with help from this canine-friendly company. It ships a box monthly filled with toys and treats based on a fun theme (think: Bark to School, Season’s Sweetings, St. Pup’s Day, and more).
Busy buddy treat rings
Paired with natural rawhide rings dog treats, this interactive, durable toy will keep boredom at bay for a while. Plus, it simultaneously helps pups keep their teeth clean.
DYSON VACUUM
Dogs can shed a lot. This vacuum is specifically engineered for homes with pets, designed with a powerful suction that can help suck up pet hair across all floor types. And, it can convert to a handheld vacuum to help remove dog hair from the car.
DOG DNA TEST
Did your friends rescue their pup? Help them find out what type of dog they adopted with this DNA test that works to decode the breed mix.
SHOP EMBARK
SEATBELT TETHER
Car safety should be a priority; who wouldn’t want pups to be protected in the case of a short stop or full-on accident? While some may buy a booster seat or hammock, we love the idea of gifting this seatbelt. You don’t have to deal with specific car measurements. And it’s intuitive to figure out: Pop one side into the slot of the car’s seatbelt, then tether the other side onto the dog’s harness or collar.
CLEANING SPRAY
Accidents happen, especially when you have a puppy. Help your friends be prepared for all those surprises with an enzymatic stain remover and odor eliminator spray.
PORTABLE WATER BOTTLE
Perfect for active pups (and adventurous paw-rents), this portable water bottle makes it easy to stay hydrated on long walks and hikes, since it doubles as a drinking bowl.
FLIRT POLE
One of our trainers recommended this toy to help tire out our energetic pup and it was a huge lifesaver. The dog chases after the toy that’s tied to the end of the pole, which is great exercise, while the person holding the pole doesn’t have to do a ton of running around.
SNUFFLE MAT
Turn dinner into a time for physical and mental enrichment with a snuffle mat or slow feeder interactive dog bowl. This is incredibly useful for anyone with a pup that eats super quickly or needs extra tiring out.
LEASH
Trust us, they will be happy to have a spare leash on hand. (It’s especially clutch to have a replacement leash ready for if/when their dog anxious chews through another leash.)
DOG BED
Help make their new home a little bit cozier! Casper, the mattress-in-a-box company also makes an option for dogs and it has a ton of good reviews (2,000+).
PET PORTRAIT
Alright, this one is 1000% for the paw-rents but who wouldn’t want a custom portrait of their pet to hang on the wall? That’s what we thought.
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