Christmas Presents for Dogs and Cats (UK 2026): Treats, Toys and Beds
The short answer: the presents pets enjoy most are ones that feed their instincts: a long-lasting chew or stuffable toy for dogs, a puzzle feeder, a toy that moves like prey for cats and a warm bed or window perch. Give your pet their own present so they leave the wrapping and Christmas food alone.
Plenty of us buy a Christmas present for the dog or cat, and pets do notice when routines change. This guide picks gifts from our range that are useful as well as fun, explains how to choose the right size and type, and covers the festive foods, plants and decorations UK animal charities warn about. Nothing here contains melatonin, CBD or hemp, and we have kept to everyday treats and toys rather than supplements.
Our picks at a glance
| Gift | For | Type | Why it works | Choose carefully if... |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KONG Classic (medium, 2 pack) | Dogs | Stuffable chew toy | Fill with food and freeze for a long-lasting, calm activity | Your dog is between sizes; size up for strong chewers |
| KONG Wubba (large, 2 pack) | Dogs | Tug and fetch toy | Reinforced nylon with tails for throwing and tugging | Your dog shreds fabric toys; supervise play |
| Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Brick | Dogs | Puzzle feeder (level 2) | Slide, flip and lift to find treats; good indoor exercise for the brain | Your dog is new to puzzles; start with easy settings |
| Whimzees Brushzees (medium dogs, 12) | Dogs | Dental chew | Short ingredient list, grain-free, one a day for dogs of about 11 to 18 kg | Your dog has a food allergy; check ingredients |
| Greenies Puppy Teenie (43) | Puppies | Dental treat | Soft, rawhide-free, for puppies from 6 months and about 2.3 to 6.8 kg | Your puppy is younger or heavier than the label range |
| Rigby grass-fed beef squeeze pouches | Dogs | Lickable treat or topper | Organic beef, vegetables and olive oil; squeeze into a KONG or onto a lick mat | Your dog is on a vet-prescribed diet |
| INABA Churu Pop'n Serve chicken (10 cups) | Cats | Lickable treat | Shredded chicken in a high-moisture jelly, served in single cups | Your cat has a sensitive stomach; introduce slowly |
| Fancy Feast Chef's Cuts tuna (5 x 28 g) | Cats | Single-ingredient treat | Steam-cooked, hand-flaked tuna | Your cat is on a weight-loss plan |
| Potaroma flapping bird toy | Cats | Interactive toy | Flaps and chirps when touched; hidden catnip pouch; USB-rechargeable module | Your cat chews fabric; supervise and remove the module to wash |
| Yeowww! catnip banana (2 pack) | Cats | Kick toy | Filled with organic catnip, made for kicking and carrying | Your cat doesn't react to catnip (not all do) |
| Zakkart SnugCloud cat window perch | Cats | Window bed | Folding metal frame with a washable bolster; gives an indoor cat a view | Your windowsill is narrow; measure first |
| Bedsure donut bed (23 inch) | Small dogs and cats | Bed | Plush faux fur with a raised rim, machine-washable | Your dog is larger than a small breed; check sizes |
Gifts for dogs
Chew and stuffable toys
Dogs are natural chewers, and a toy that holds food turns a few minutes of eating into a longer, calmer activity, which is useful on a busy Christmas Day when visitors arrive. The KONG Classic is made from natural rubber and can be filled with part of your dog's meal, a squeeze of Rigby beef pouch or soaked kibble, then frozen to make it last longer. Choose a size your dog cannot fit entirely in its mouth.
Puzzle feeders
Short winter days mean shorter walks. Puzzle feeders like the Nina Ottosson Dog Brick give your dog something to think about indoors. Start by showing your dog how the compartments work, and use part of their daily food rather than extra treats.
Play toys
A tough tug-and-fetch toy such as the KONG Wubba is ideal for Boxing Day walks or indoor tug games. Check toys regularly and throw away anything that is splitting or losing pieces.
Treats
Dental chews like Whimzees Brushzees or, for puppies, Greenies Puppy Teenie make easy stocking presents. Follow the weight range on the pack and supervise your dog while it chews. Our pet treats collection has more options. Count treats as part of your dog's daily food allowance, and reduce meals slightly if you are giving more over the holidays. Our dry vs wet dog food guide explains how to balance a dog's diet.
Gifts for cats
Toys that move like prey
Cats love to stalk, pounce and kick. The Potaroma flapping bird flaps and chirps when touched and can hang from a wand for interactive play. A simple kicker like the Yeowww! catnip banana is a classic stocking filler. Not every cat responds to catnip, so watch how yours reacts, and rotate toys to keep them interesting.
Somewhere warm with a view
Indoor cats spend a lot of time watching the world. A window perch such as the Zakkart SnugCloud gives them a warm spot by the glass; measure your windowsill before ordering. A soft donut bed such as the Bedsure 23-inch donut bed works for cats and small dogs.
Treats
Lickable treats such as INABA Churu Pop'n Serve are popular for bonding and for adding moisture to a cat's diet. Single-ingredient options such as Fancy Feast Chef's Cuts tuna are a simple festive extra. Keep portions small, as treats add up quickly for cats. New to cat ownership? Our new cat checklist covers the essentials.
Christmas dangers to keep away from pets
The RSPCA's Christmas advice and the PDSA's pet-friendly Christmas guide highlight the same hazards every year:
- Chocolate is one of the most common causes of poisoning in pets over Christmas, because it contains theobromine.
- Grapes and dried fruit (raisins, sultanas, currants), which are in mince pies, Christmas pudding and Christmas cake, can cause severe kidney failure.
- Xylitol, a sweetener in some sugar-free sweets and products, is extremely toxic to dogs.
- Onions, garlic and leeks (including in stuffing and gravy) can damage red blood cells.
- Cooked bones are a choking hazard and can cause a gut blockage.
- Alcohol, blue cheese, macadamia nuts and very fatty leftovers are also on the list.
- Lilies can cause life-threatening kidney failure, particularly in cats. The RSPCA also lists poinsettia, mistletoe, holly and ivy as plants to keep out of reach.
- Decorations: small baubles, tinsel and fairy lights can be swallowed or chewed, and ribbons, tape and bows from presents should be cleared away.
If your pet eats something harmful, contact your vet immediately. The RSPCA also lists the Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000). Don't try to make your pet sick unless a vet tells you to.
If you want to share Christmas dinner, the PDSA suggests a small amount of plain cooked vegetables and lean turkey without sauces or bones, and says regular pet food remains the safest choice.
Keeping Christmas calm
The PDSA notes that a change in routine can be stressful for pets. Keep meal times and walks as normal as you can, set up a quiet room or den your pet can retreat to when visitors arrive, and give them their own present to keep them busy while everyone opens theirs. New Year's Eve fireworks can be a second stressful night; our guide to keeping dogs and cats calm during fireworks explains how to prepare.
How we chose
We chose gifts that support natural behaviours (chewing, sniffing, stalking, resting) and that are useful beyond Christmas Day. We checked every product page for sizing, weight ranges and ingredients, and excluded calming chews with melatonin, CBD or hemp, flea and tick products, and anything making medical claims. We favoured well-known US brands that can be harder to find on UK shelves, and we only recommend toys and treats in the size ranges stated by the maker. We don't show star ratings because we don't yet have enough verified customer reviews, and no brand paid to be included. Prices and stock can change, and all orders come with free UK delivery and free 30-day returns.
Gift-buying checklist
- Match toy size to your pet's size and chewing strength; size up for strong chewers.
- Follow the weight range on dental chews and treats, and count treats in the daily food allowance.
- Supervise new toys and chews, and bin anything damaged.
- Keep chocolate, mince pies, Christmas pudding, xylitol sweets, onions and cooked bones out of reach.
- No lilies in homes with cats; keep decorations and wrapping away from pets.
- Have your vet's out-of-hours number to hand over the holidays.
Frequently asked questions
What can I buy my dog for Christmas?
Good choices are a stuffable chew toy such as a KONG, a puzzle feeder, a tough tug toy, dental chews matched to your dog's weight, or a new bed. Choose sizes to suit your dog and supervise new toys.
What is a good Christmas present for a cat?
Cats enjoy toys that move like prey, catnip kickers, lickable treats and a warm place to watch from, such as a window perch or a soft donut bed.
Which Christmas foods are dangerous for dogs?
The RSPCA warns about chocolate, grapes and dried fruit (in mince pies, Christmas pudding and cake), xylitol, onions, garlic and leeks, cooked bones, alcohol, blue cheese and macadamia nuts.
Are Christmas plants poisonous to cats?
Lilies can cause life-threatening kidney failure in cats, and the RSPCA also lists poinsettia, mistletoe, holly and ivy as festive plants to keep away from pets.
What should I do if my pet eats chocolate?
Contact your vet immediately. The RSPCA also lists the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000. Don't try to make your pet sick unless a vet tells you to.
Can I give my dog some Christmas dinner?
The PDSA suggests a small amount of plain cooked vegetables and lean turkey without sauces or bones is fine in moderation, but regular pet food remains the safest choice.
