Presents for pet are great, but what about their people? Here are some unusual gifts for dog lovers that won’t break the bank. Our curated guide – all products we’ve personally experienced – offers useful home gadgets, useful accessories, and just plain fun activities (some include the dog).

Celebrate the pet lovers in your life, or treat yourself … for approximately $50 or less.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate links are indicated in brackets.

West Paw’s Board Game for Dogs

Family game night might have already included the dog, by accident. Now, however, you can include the dog intentionally. Not only is your dog (or dogs) part of The Dog’s Best Friend board game, but Fido is an integral part, often determining which team wins. People are on two teams – the dog is on everyone’s team, unless you have more than one dog.

Created by dog behavourists, The Dogs Best Friend Game by West Paw (video) combines fun activities with positive training techniques. Pick a card, then using the props provided such as red cups, squeaker toy, and big fuzzy dice select a card. Follow the instructions on that card for your team to win points, depending on what the dogs does (or doesn’t) do.

For instance, one person hides with the squeaky toy provided. Flip the timer and, if the dog finds you before the timer runs out, your team gets the point. Play eight rounds or until your dog loses interest, whichever comes first. This game is both training and enrichment play. Approximately $50 US

Odor Busting Candles

Pet House Candles by One Fur All (affiliate link) is one of my favourite go-to gift ideas – see visit our honouring a lost pet article. I visit every SuperZoo experience to check out what new scents they offer – and there’s always a beautiful new scent, some requiring some imagination such as 2023’s newest option: snow cone.

All Pet House candles are 100% natural plant-based wax, meaning there’s no toxic soot produced. They are made in the USA and are formulated to neutralize pet odor making them popular at grooming facilities and homes with more than one fur baby. No need to go nose blind to wet dog smells when you can substitute it for pumpkin spice, sugar cookie, or apple cider.

Conairpropet dog biscuit maker

I love the idea of making homemade dog treats (check out an easy dog treat recipe here), and I particularly love it when it’s easy. I tested this Conairpropet version of a dog biscuit maker that works like a waffle iron, and it worked well though the treats were small.

Previously, I purchased a similar product made by Dash but was disappointed because none of the resulting cookies looked anything like the dog bones pictured on the box front. During the demo of the Conairpropet Goodbone Treat Maker, however, the bone shape turned out much more even and neater than previously experienced.

The trick is not to overload the batter. Funny, that’s the same rule with my waffle iron. Use just the right amount of batter, spoon it into each bone-shaped slots, close the lid, and wait for the light to go off then on again. Cool the cookies before giving them to the dog, obviously. Soft, cake-like treats are what you’ll end up with within seconds.

Conairpropet Goodbone Treat Maker is available at PetsMart in Canada. Approximately $25 US. OR

Lunch bag Gifts for Dog Lovers

Recently, I tossed by portable lunch bag and updated to a new model: a custom insulated bag with an English Cocker Spaniel image that looks remarkably like my Sprocker (Cocker/Spring cross). I bought this gift for myself, because customization is the beauty of this product and others that Cherrybrook offers.

Choose from bags, vests, and insulated lunch bags. Select a colour (one of five) then select the breed of dog from a long list of options. A very long list. Yes, they are all pure breeds, but there are so many to choose from you’ve got a good chance of coming close to one that represents your mix. I found one image surprisingly close to my spaniel cross.

The lunch bags have a foil-insulated interior for toting your lunch to work or on a road trip, and each contains about 50 percent recycled material. Custom embroidery is done in the U.S.A., so takes at least two weeks for delivery within the U.S. (longer beyond). Approximately $36 US.

Doodling for Dog Lovers

I’m a book junkie, and bookoutlet.ca is where I go to get my fix. The Canadian-based independent online retailer (with one large brick-and-mortar store in St. Catharines, Ontario) ships across North America and stocks a steady stream of discounted books, many are recent titles. Check out Bookoutlet here. (affiliate link).

Some titles are just plain fun, such as Doodling for Dog People. This adult ‘activity book’ is designed to ease stress by providing more than 50 inspirational prompts and dog facts that encourage doodling – or drawing cartoon-like images of our furry buddies. If this title sells out (and this clearance site does run out of copies of every title they carry eventually), then check out other products. There are tonnes of books – including great gifts for dog lovers – listed weekly.

SodaPup Bundle Box

Ok, this one is for the dog. But what canine aficionado wouldn’t want to receive a gift box for the pup? I’ve written about SodaPup products before, specifically the Halloween-themed bundle box. Guess what?

There are many SodaPup bundle boxes available in all different themes – it’s like receiving a seasonal subscription box but without the subscription. It’s also a great deal and a good way to check out a cross-section of SodaPup products.

The Holiday Themed Bundle Box includes a Christmas tree lick mat, a Christmas tree rubber chew toy and treat dispenser, a durable nylon chew, and two bags of Dogtastic treats. The winter-themed box is similar but contains chews in the shape of a snowflake and a snowman. Not only are the boxes carefully wrapped – ready to mail as gifts – but at $45 (US), the box is 25 percent less than buying all components individually.

Check out other great gifts for dog lovers … this time for less than $25 … here.

Writer bio: Sherri Telenko has been a professional writer for decades and a travel writer for the last two. She’s a member of TMAC (Travel Media Association of Canada) and Dog Writers Association of America and travels almost weekly with her canine companion, Victoria. Contact Sherri at dogtrotting.net here. All written content is original, written by a person, and based on experience and research. Please subscribe!