Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Dog
- Nov 19, 2025
- 7 min read
Remembrance Day has passed, so we will now see the onslaught of Christmas decorations, and holiday preparations will be in full swing. I know some of you plan ahead and may already have those special gifts ready. BUT then there is everyone else who will experience growing panic and may hit the frenzy of shoppers the week before Christmas. As a former and recovering retail worker, I sympathize but want nothing to do with last-minute shopping!
Instead, I have compiled a list of holiday gift ideas for your dog, including fun toys and treats.
Shop Local
If you can please shop local to support our businesses here in Abbotsford and Mission. Most, if not all, of the items listed below can be found at one or more of our local pet stores:
Just About Pets on Abbotsford Way
Tail Blazers on Immel in Abbotsford and Lougheed Hwy in Mission
Oly's on South Fraser Way in Abbotsford and Lougheed Hwy in Mission
Mr. Pets on South Fraser Way in Abbotsford and 1st Ave in Mission
Bosley's on Whatcom and South Fraser Way in Abbotsford and Stave Lake and Lougheed in Mission
Pawstreet Market on McCallum
Pet Lovers on Ware St.
To view more contact info and links visit the list of pet stores in Abbotsford and Mission on our resource page here!
Holiday Gift Ideas: Some Cool Toys Your Dog Might Like
Puzzle Feeders
You can buy these at the store or make your own. Some dogs learn quickly so it may not be the long-lasting game you hope for. But, it is still better than the boring bowl and depending on your dog's interest you can either use it instead of the bowl or treat it as a novelty and bring it out once in a while. For DIY ideas check out YouTube and Instagram. It can be anything from boxes, toilet rolls, rolled-up towels, and beyond.
Snuffle Mats
You can buy these at the store or make your own. I have seen some fun ones that look like tacos or pizza but if you are a bit crafty they are not too hard to make. Just look it up on YouTube. Most call for fleece due to its durability but if you have scraps of fabric you can certainly use that up and get creative. You can even make a plastic basket into a snuffle basket or make snuffle balls. There are also DYI packs you can buy if you want to have a fun craft project for yourself or the kids (check out Hound Hugger DYI).
There are a lot of fun options that I see at the local stores now which is great. If you can find PawzNDogz brand (or order from them online) they have some huge ones and fun designs and it is all made in Canada. Their ginormous avocado even has a small lick mat included as part of the avocado pit. https://pawzndogz.ca
Licki Mats and other brands
This is a great product to slow feeding down and use as a distraction, or extra mental stimulation instead of the boring bowl. It is best for wet food or treats like peanut butter, pumpkin, or yogurt. There are different brands now that have a variety of shapes and patterns. Several Furryornot gang members use this at mealtime or as a goodbye treat. I will say that the smaller poky bumps are best for dogs with extreme determination to eat ALL their food. Some may give up at a certain point because it is too tricky. I would try an easier pattern or one with 3 or 4 patterns to see what works best for your dog. But either way, give it a thorough rinse and scrub and it's good to go for next time.
And, once your dog (or cat) is comfortable using the lick mat and/or a snuffle mat I recommend (with the advice of many behavioural and enrichment experts) that you ditch the old boring bowl and make eating time a more interesting and fun activity for your pet. I am sure you can even find a Christmas or holiday-themed one to use at your family's holiday dinner.
Toppl by West Paw
This is one of Ziggy's (our Spokescat) older toy feeders and is clearly well-used. But they have a variety of options now and sizes and accessories and Dog Enrichment Expert Tori Mistick highly recommends it. You can stuff it with wet food, kibble and treats, peanut butter, yogurt or really any mixture your pet likes. If you get the stopper accessory it keeps it upright more easily and the stuffing inside. So check it out and all their other fun toys too.
Ruffwear Toadstool and Porcini mushroom toys
I like Ruffwear a lot and am smitten by them making a mushroom-themed toy but these are also pretty cool in function. The Toadstool is similar to a Kong toy and can be stuffed, but it also has a unique shape that allows you to use a Chuck-it launcher to throw it, adding extra fun to playtime. The Porcini is quite large and would make a great alternative to the boring bowl and for those fast eaters out there.
Kong
A classic but on top of their signature Kong they have a lot of different products and toys to spice things up with and all are well made. They also have a variety of sizes for the small Chihuahua to a large Rottweiler. I know several of the Furryornot gang members regularly get a kong filled with kibble or treats, peanut butter, or are stuffed with different mixtures and frozen for a longer-lasting distraction. This is a great tool to use as a parting gift when you head to work, when you need to calm your dog down, or as an alternative to the boring bowl.
JW Hol-ee Roller
This is a fun ball alternative that people can stuff things inside of as an extra treat or game. Furryornot gang member Reya LOVES her purple Hol-ee Roller with a passion and it was also a favourite of Amstel's for his dental stick. They are also conveniently easy to throw with minimal slobber slime to deal with (as the thrower). I suspect these would not be suitable for a real chew monster but are great supervised and for those discerning dogs who will only chew on delicious treats or shoes.
There are also a number of ways to augment the Hol-ee Roller ball to make it a snuffle ball and into other fun puzzle games. People stuff it with things like paper, a smaller Hol-ee Roller ball, old stinky socks (yucky but also classic dog scent enrichment), stuffed animals, treats, fleece, and I am sure countless more ideas.
DIY instructions from Hound Hugger DIY: https://houndhuggerdiy.com/snuffle-star/
10 ways to use the Hol-ee Roller on YouTube: How to Train A Dream Dog
Chuck-it
They have the classic thrower and ball set but they also make a variety of toys including a frisbee that is very durable and all their stuff is really well made. Furryornot gang member Tux loved his frisbee but then drowned it in the pond and it is now living with the frogs there. Banjo loves the bigger plush Chuck-it ball, it is easy to grab and also does not break the furniture if tossed inside (probably, but be careful anyways). Dogs can also see blue well so the little Chuck-it swish is helpful to them for spotting their toy in tricky terrain.
Not a toy or treat but...
Our holiday fundraiser includes the adorable Ziggy the Reindeer customizable holiday card. This unique card allows you to write whatever greeting you want on it. No more boring "Seasons Greetings"! You can use a fun pet pun like "Happy Pawlidays", get creative or cheeky and write "Pass the Turkey..." or "I can't wait till summer", or even "Bah humbug". Partial proceeds from each card sale will go to Heart and Soul Dog and Cat Rescue this year. You can order online here: https://www.furryornotpetcare.ca/product-page/ziggy-says-customizable-reindeer-holiday-card
Cost includes either mailing via Canada Post or drop off if you live close by.
Holiday Gift Ideas: Treats made locally
Made in Abbotsford & Mission and the surrounding area
ChocoPup
A carob-based drink for your pup. It's locally made in Chilliwack and a fun treat to try. Follow @choc_o_pup on Instagram and check out a list of local stores that carry this fun gift idea: https://chocopup.ca/pages/where-you-can-currently-buy
Noah's Ark
They make single-ingredient high-quality treats like Salmon Skin and Sweet potato chips, plus a lot more. Their products can be found in most local pet stores and many of the Furryornot gang members enjoy them.
Gibson's Gourmet Goodies
Locally made dog treats & cakes, sold locally at Lepps and other locations. Best known for their donut dog cookies, they are super cool. They also have a really cool Dog Advent Calendar!
Follow @gibsonsgourmetgoodies on Instagram for more info.
Pupper Nom Noms
Locally made dog treats, online sales, and local farmers markets. Lucy loves these.
Rosie's Brand Pet Treats
These are quality treats, nice and crunchy and a favourite with many of the Furryornot gang members.
Special for the Holiday Season of 2025
New this year and part of our holiday fundraiser, Baker Wendy's homemade natural peanut butter cookies. These are made with peanut butter, honey, oat or almond flour and an egg. The dogs are loving them, as displayed by a significant amount of drooling and gobbling. They are made fresh weekly and you can preorder for the holidays if you want to give them as gifts or as a stocking stuffer.
Smaller size, 1 dozen = $9
Larger size, 1 dozen = $11
Local delivery available or pick up can be arranged. To order email us at office@furryornotpetcare.ca.
** Please note that these are meant to be consumed within about a week, but you can refrigerate them for up to 2 weeks or freeze them to use later.
Happy shopping! And, if you have any other suggestions on toys or treats that your dogs love please share in the comments so everyone can see your great ideas.
Updated for the 2025 Pawliday/Howliday/Meowliday/Holiday Season!
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