Gifts for Dog Lovers: An AirTag Collar, Walk-Ready Gear and Cozy Picks for the Human

If you want to be the favorite person of someone who has a dog, give them something that makes life with the dog a little easier. The best dog-lover gifts do one of three things: they keep the dog safe, they make the walk better, or they give the human a comfortable place to land when the walk is over.

This guide goes through a few gifts in our catalog and says plainly who each is for. Selection changes, so check the catalog for what is current.

First, three questions

1. How big is the dog? For anything the dog wears, size matters for safety, not just for fit.
2. What does a normal day look like? A city walker, a trail hiker and a backyard dog need different things.
3. Is the gift for the dog or for the human? Both are fine. Just decide before you shop.

If you do not know the answers, ask the owner, or send a gift link and let them choose.

For the dog

Collar, AirTag Enabled, Vegan Leather, Cupertino

A handcrafted vegan leather collar with a built-in holder for an Apple AirTag, offered in several colors and sizes. It suits the owner who already uses an iPhone and would like to know where the dog is if it ever slips out of the yard. The AirTag itself is not included. From Nina Woof.

What to check: collar size depends on the dog’s neck, so this is a good one to send as a gift link. The owner picks the size and color that fit.

For the walk

Icon Pro Waist Pack

A hands-free walk pack that sits on the hip, with room for treats, poop bags, keys and a phone, so the leash hand stays free and coat pockets stay empty. Made in water-resistant TPU-coated ripstop, in olive or strata. From Forge Creek Hunting.

Hydration Pack Backpack (Small)

A small, lightweight backpack with a 2-liter BPA-free water bladder and adjustable shoulder and chest straps, in bright prints. For the owner whose dog prefers trails to sidewalks, it keeps water handy on a long hike. From SoJourner.

The pairing: the waist pack for the daily neighborhood loop, the hydration pack for weekend trail days.

For the human, after the walk

Rustic Handmade Ceramic Coffee Mug

A handcrafted ceramic mug with an earthy glaze, a dimpled surface and a wrapped natural fiber handle. It holds about 10 oz, which is the right size for the coffee after a cold morning walk. Hand wash only. From Backwoods Provisions.

Lilac/Coconut Flower Cozy Blanket

A soft throw blanket made for movie nights and curling up on the sofa, which in most dog households is a shared space. From Mila & Rose.

The pairing: mug plus blanket is the "you both earned it" gift. For more ideas in this direction, see our guide to cozy night in gifts.

Before you send

• A brand-new puppy. Sizes change fast as dogs grow, so let the owner choose anything the dog wears.
• A dog with a sensitive neck or a harness-only rule. Ask before sending a collar.
• An owner who does not use an iPhone. The AirTag holder is the point of that collar, so pick a walk or comfort gift instead.

Our holiday gift guide covers more ideas for everyone else on the list.

How to send it

Send a gift link by text or email. The recipient picks a gift and enters their own address, so you never need to know it. You pay only after they accept, and they never see the price. Read about personal gifting or start free.