Looking for Christmas gifts for dog and cat lovers that feel a little more personal? A handmade bowl, a portrait of their favourite companion or a carefully chosen toy can be a lovely way to show that you know what matters to them.
I’m Claire, the potter behind Chow Bella. I’ve been making bowls for long-eared dogs since 2006, so useful presents with thoughtful design are very much my sort of thing. For this Christmas gift guide, I’ve brought together some of my own pottery and finds from other makers and pet brands, from small stocking fillers to something special for under the tree.
There are gifts for dogs, cats and the people who love them. Some are British-made, others use recycled materials or traditional handcrafting techniques overseas. I’ve included those details where they’re available, so you can choose what matters most to you.
Prices checked on 16 October 2026. Prices, stock and delivery dates may change; check the linked product page before ordering. This is a curated shopping guide, rather than a hands-on test of every item.
Christmas gifts for dogs and their people
1 All The Trimmings Christmas Cocker Spaniel Bowl by Chow Bella
£47.99 including delivery through Holly & Co
For the spaniel owner who knows exactly how much dinner can end up on a pair of ears, this is a festive gift with an everyday purpose.
I throw each bowl on the potter’s wheel in my Hampshire studio using British clay. The broad base and narrower opening help a Cocker Spaniel’s ears fall outside the bowl while they eat. Burgundy Christmas motifs give it a festive finish, with “All The Trimmings” on the front.
It’s approximately 15cm across the base, 11cm across the opening and 8cm high, with a capacity of around 750ml. It’s designed for show and working Cockers and is also suitable for Cockapoos, although checking the measurements against their usual bowl is sensible. It has a food-safe glaze and can go in the dishwasher on the glassware setting.
Shop the All The Trimmings Christmas bowl at Holly & Co.
Prefer a bowl for every season? Explore my Ear Free dog bowls for more options for long-eared dogs.
2 Russell the Brussel Sprout dog toy by Beco
£12.99 at John Lewis
A Brussels sprout that might actually be welcomed on Christmas morning. Russell is a soft toy with a squeaker and rope, suited to dogs who enjoy carrying toys around, fetching them or settling down with them.
John Lewis lists the materials as 60% recycled PET, 18% recycled polypropylene, 10% cotton and 12% polyester. It’s made in China, so the appeal here is its recycled content and cheerful design. At 36cm by 28cm overall, it’s worth checking the size if you’re buying for a tiny dog.
This is a soft play toy, so choose something else for a determined toy shredder.
Shop Russell the Brussel Sprout at John Lewis.
3 Nancy & Betty Dog Christmas Cracker
£5.95
A small present that lets the dog join in with Christmas morning. Nancy & Betty’s cracker contains two Christmas cake dog biscuits made in small batches in England.
The thoughtful part is the missing snap: there’s a printed cardboard “BANG” instead. Open it with your dog, then give them the biscuits rather than the packaging or paper crown.
The recipe includes peanut butter, gram flour, buckwheat flour, peanuts, cinnamon, carob and cranberry. If you’re buying for someone else’s dog, check that those ingredients suit them first.
Shop the Nancy & Betty dog cracker.
4 JR Venison and Turkey Advent Calendar
£14.99
If you’re looking for a dog advent calendar with straightforward ingredients, this is a good place to start. It alternates 100% venison and 100% turkey training treats behind doors 1–24, followed by a whole packet of turkey sticks on Christmas Day.
There are no added ingredients or preservatives in the listed recipes. The small treats also make it easy to turn the daily door-opening into a little training or sniffing game.
Simple ingredients don’t mean every treat suits every dog: this calendar contains two different animal proteins, and the treats aren’t low-fat. For a gift, ask the owner what their dog normally enjoys and tolerates. Remember to give an advent calendar before 1 December!
Shop the JR Venison and Turkey Advent Calendar.
5 Sweet William Christmas Dog Hamper
£36 at the time of checking with a listed regular price of £45
For a ready-to-wrap present, this hamper combines biscuits handmade in Norfolk, a velvet bow tie and a choice of soft toy. Choose a small tweed bone or Woolliam the Lamb, then select a red, green or gold bow tie.
It arrives in a kraft presentation box, making it an appealing gift for someone whose dog is firmly part of the family. I’d choose it for a gentle toy-lover; the toys are intended for soft play. The biscuits are confirmed as Norfolk-made, but that doesn’t establish the origin of every item in the box.
Shop the Sweet William Christmas dog hamper.
Christmas gifts for cats and cat lovers
6 Handmade Strawberry Cat Cave by Hiro and Wolf
£58.50 including delivery through Holly & Co
For a cat who likes an enclosed sleeping spot, this strawberry-shaped cave is a wonderfully unusual present. Its red body and leafy green top bring a bit of colour to the room, and it’s something the cat can use long after the decorations come down.
The cave is handmade by artisans in Nepal using 100% New Zealand wool. The listed base measures around 43cm, with a height of 29cm and an opening of 19cm by 16cm. Compare those dimensions with the cat’s favourite hideaway before ordering, particularly for a larger cat.
Shop the Hiro and Wolf strawberry cat cave.
7 The Foggy Dog Felt Christmas Lights Cat Toy
£9.99 at WOOOF
A festive cat toy with a handmade feel: these Christmas lights are made from sheep’s wool. They’re a fun little addition to a cat’s Christmas stocking, particularly for someone who likes natural textures and colourful design.
The range is listed as Nepalese felted wool, so this is an overseas handmade find. As with any toy involving string, keep it for supervised play and put it away afterwards.
Shop the felt Christmas lights cat toy.
8 Dasher Catnip Teaser by Green and Wilds
£5.95 at Green and Wilds
A little festive playtime can be a better present than another accessory the cat has no interest in wearing. Dasher is a reindeer teaser with catnip, wool felt, jute string and a bamboo stick.
It’s a good choice for someone who enjoys playing with their cat: move the toy along the floor, let the cat stalk it and give them opportunities to catch it. Put the wand and string away when the game is over.
Shop Dasher at Green and Wilds.
9 A handmade cat bowl from Chow Bella
See the collection for current designs and prices
For a practical Christmas gift, a thoughtfully chosen feeding bowl is something a cat owner will use every day. My handmade cat bowls and saucers offer an alternative to the usual pet-shop dish, with pottery that looks at home in the kitchen.
Choose the shape with the individual cat in mind. Look at the dish they already eat comfortably from, and compare the width and depth rather than choosing by appearance alone. If you’re buying as a surprise, a quick question about their feeding setup can save a guess.
Pair a bowl with a small toy for a present that includes something useful and something playful.
Personal Christmas gifts for dog and cat owners
10 Peggy and Kate Personalised Pet Portrait Bauble
£49.95 including delivery through Holly & Co with an optional name for £2 extra
For someone who already has everything their pet needs, a portrait bauble makes a lovely keepsake. Peggy & Kate paints the pet’s likeness onto a ceramic bauble using photographs supplied by the customer. Dogs and cats can both be included.
The bauble is handmade in the UK and measures around 5.5cm across. It comes with a hanging ribbon and kraft presentation box. A clear photograph taken in natural light is helpful, particularly when the animal has distinctive markings.
Allow time for the portrait to be made, and check the maker’s current Christmas order deadline before buying.
Shop the personalised pet portrait bauble.
11 A ceramic treat jar from Chow Bella
See the product page for current options and pricing
A treat jar is a gift for the person as much as the dog: a useful place to keep rewards close at hand, and something attractive to leave on the kitchen worktop.
My handmade ceramic dog treat jars have a cork lid. Match the jar with a packet of the recipient’s usual dog treats for a personal gift without having to guess which new food their dog can eat.
Keep any original packaging for ingredient and storage information, particularly if you’re giving the treats separately from their bag.
12 A Christmas card chosen for their favourite animal
From £3.25
Sometimes the finishing touch is the part that makes a present feel personal. Stormy Knight’s Santa Paws pop-out bauble card, £3.75, doubles as a little decoration and is made in the UK.
For a cat owner who has negotiated Christmas-tree territory before, the Mischief cat Christmas card, from £3.25, is an entertaining choice. Add a proper handwritten message and it’s a thoughtful extra for a friend, dog walker or pet sitter.
How to choose a Christmas gift they will actually use
Start with the animal’s habits. A dog who carries soft toys needs something different from one who dismantles them. A cat who sleeps stretched out may prefer an open bed to an enclosed cave. Useful measurements and a little knowledge of the pet are more valuable than a “luxury” label.
For treats, read the full ingredients and ask about dietary requirements. “Natural” and “grain-free” don’t tell you everything about a product. If you’re unsure, a keepsake for the owner is a good alternative to food.
For a more thoughtful purchase, look for specific details: where it was made, what the materials are, whether it will be used for years and whether the maker offers useful care information. British-designed and British-made are different things, and recycled content doesn’t make a toy indestructible.
Order personalised gifts and handmade pottery early. Check production times as well as delivery estimates, and don’t assume a last-posting date also applies to made-to-order pieces.
Give something personal this Christmas
The best Christmas gifts for dog and cat lovers usually show that you’ve noticed something about their companion: the spaniel’s endlessly soggy ears, the cat’s favourite sleeping spot or the toy that gets carried everywhere.
If handmade pottery sounds like their sort of present, browse my Ear Free dog bowls, cat bowls and saucers and ceramic treat jars. For a particularly festive spaniel gift, you’ll find the All The Trimmings Christmas bowl exclusively at Holly & Co.
