Nothing’s worse than having a holiday come around and realizing you got everyone else presents but your pet. It can be daunting figuring out what to gift your fur children, though — they can be so picky!
We rounded up some of our favorite toys and treats for cats and dogs, below. Many of these work with pets’ instincts, so we think they’re especially sure to be a hit.
HuffPost receives compensation from one or more retailers on this page, and HuffPost and its publishing partners may also receive a commission for purchases made via links. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.
Harsh winter temps and sharp salt and dirt from the ground can take a toll on your pup’s skin.
Adding some moisturizing care to your dog’s post-walk routine can help soothe irritated paws and heal their skin barrier. Wagwell’s paw protector is an especially portable, dog-friendly choice: The easy-to-apply stick balm is packed with naturally soothing oils and waxes to nourish paws, snouts, ears and elbows. The formula is safe for your pet’s microbiome, too — meaning it’s safe for licking!
Promising reviews: “This stuff is great to help protect your dog’s feet. I look at as ‘ChapStick’ for your dogs paws! It helps keep them from cracking.” — Erin
“Love it. It’s so easy to apply and makes her paw pads so soft.” — Ruth S.
Watch your dog go starry-eyed with these 100% beef treats. While most dog treats are made with filler additives and feed-grade ingredients — and are freeze-dried raw — these beef treats are made with only human-grade beef, without added corn, soy or other fillers. Plus, they’re freeze-dried after being fully cooked — so they’re ready to chomp down on!
Let your dog enjoy them as a holiday treat, or sprinkle some on top of their regular food for a delicious topper.
Promising reviews: “The dog went wild over this treat and it did not last too long.” — Joyce H.
Made with springy steel wire and rolled cardboard, this $4 cat toy imitates the scuttle of bugs and small critters when dragged across the ground. The result taps into kitties’ evolutionary instincts and triggers their prey drive, according to a feline behavior specialist HuffPost previously interviewed.
My own cat cannot get enough of this thing: She’ll stalk and chase it, often leaping dramatically in the air before settling down to gnaw blissfully on its cardboard ends. The toy gives major bang for your buck, so if you’re looking for an easy way to delight your cat this holiday, this is the thing to get.
Promising review: “If you haven’t tried this, it’s the BEST gift you can get your cats. My girl that passed away loved this from when she was a kitten to when she was 19 years old! I just got a new one for my 2 new girls. They absolutely love this toy! It keeps them busy for hours!” — Ciera
This sweet hedgehog has soft faux fur that dogs will love carrying around and cuddling with — or joyously ripping apart, enjoying the toy’s squeaks and grunts as they chew. My childhood dog absolutely loved this hedgehog toy — it was his favorite of all. We went through quite a few of them — so I’m not surprised that it’s garnered so many rave reviews from fellow fans.
It’s available in four sizes.
Promising review: “We’ve purchased these hedgehogs for a long time, all of my dogs have loved them. It comes in different sizes but the squeaks and snorts are the same in all of them. Fairly tough as it has survived my biggest chewer. Soft, cute, fun noises and tough. We’ll keep buying them!” — Bearchick
This enhanced cat hammock is the most aesthetic and the sturdiest we’ve come across, with a steel frame and suction cups that attach to windows so securely that I, a lifelong unimpressed cynic, found myself downright wowed. The hammock is designed to hold up to 30 pounds and I’m convinced it delivers.
The hammock’s soft yet sturdy felt cradle keeps your cat cozy and comfy while they lounge in the sun the way we all wish we could.
“Growing up, I remember my parents filling up a Kong toy with peanut butter for my childhood dog Buddie,” writes HuffPost shopping reporter Griffin Wynne. “She’s looking over us in doggie heaven now, and I imagine she was very excited when a veterinarian recommended the Kong to HuffPost. It’s a classic slow feeder that you’ve likely seen in the pet store, and this newer model even twists open so it’s easy to fill and clean.”
The classic toy has an empty body you can fill with treats, and it wobbles back and forth with the smack of a paw. Your dog will have a blast tussling with it using the instinctual canine drive to coax the food out.
Promising review: “My dog was confused by this at first, but once he got the hang of it, he loved it. He gets frustrated when he can’t get the last treat or piece of kibble out, but it keeps him busy. This is definitely his new favorite toy. It’s a large toy, and he’s only 15 lbs, but he manages to paw at it until it tips over and dispenses whatever I put in it. Perfect for kibble and small training treats. Easy to open and clean.” — Vienna
This popular self-groomer for kitties essentially acts as a convenient additional hand, so your cat can still garner scratches whenever you’re occupied. Plus, it collects loose hair from your cat’s coat while they rub on it, helping ameliorate the excess hair that’s always floating around your home.
You can attach it to a flat wall or corner using the inclusive adhesive (or utilize screws). It comes with a pouch of catnip to encourage your cat to get started.
Promising review: “My cat absolutely loves this and I ended up buying two more as gifts for family and friends. Super inexpensive gift that the person and their cat will thank you for. Prime shipping makes it a no brainer and trust me you will smile so hard when you see how much your cats love this thing.” — Aaron
This bestselling plush “donut bed” is designed to help anxious dogs relax: Its round shape helps satisfy their instinct to curl up and nest, increasing their sense of security. The bed’s plush orthopedic design is comfy even for pets with arthritis or joint pain, and it’s even machine washable!
Grab it in numerous sizes and colors.
Promising review: “Our pitbull LOVES this bed. He’s a rescue and has some anxiety, and this bed is his ‘safe space.’ He loves to curl up in it and I really do think it calms him down! It’s super easy to throw in the wash and keep clean, too, which I love. Our pitbull is about 35 pounds and fits perfectly in the size medium!” — Edyn Hengst
Activated with the touch of a paw, this rechargeable wiggling fish toy will keep your cat entertained without you needing to be on the floor with them. You can also use it with small dogs!
It comes with a pouch of silvervine and catnip to help get your cat excited. You can also grab the fish in six types, including cute clownfishes and kois.
Promising review: “My cat Jasper just loves this fish. The motion sensor is awesome and keeps him totally engaged. This is an awesome gift for your cat. This was one of the gifts we gave jasper for his 1st birthday and it was AMAZING to watch him be so into it” — GraziMaMa
These bestselling colorful bouncy kitty spirals are perfect for batting around, chasing and play-stalking. They work especially well on uncarpeted floors, which enable the spirals to slide extra far, but I use them with my cat on carpets, too!
I consider them a must-have and rely heavily on them when my cat is bursting with energy and I’m busy working, trying to sleep or simply worn out.
They’re lightweight yet durable, with smooth ends (I’ve stepped on them many times without breaking them, and without hurting my feet à la Legos — which I’m repeatedly relieved and impressed by.)
Promising review: “I had no idea that cats loved these spring toys until some were given as a gift. They’re light but sturdy as they’ve been stepped on by us, but bounce right back into shape. And because they’re so pliable they don’t even hurt bare feet when we step on them. The cats love them, as they’re easy to bat around, carry and grab. A most loved kitty gift that is well worth the money!” — Dayli
I have not yet met a cat who does not absolutely adore these creamy Churu snacks, reminiscent of Go-Gurt because of their squeezable, lickable tubes. Every cat I’ve fed one always comes running when they see me opening one up, and my vet even used them as an incentive to get my cat to endure her bloodwork.
Plus, they’re designed to interactively strengthen the owner-pet bond, since the treats are dispensed to kitties via humans holding and squeezing each tube.
They come in multiple flavors and pack sizes; this one is a yummy chicken variety.
This interactive toy is designed to engage your dog’s natural hunting instincts. Simply place the squeaky squirrels in the tree trunk and toss the trunk — your dog will get to work coaxing the critters out from their hiding place.
It’s available in four sizes (and in a sweet birthday cake style). You can also grab replacement squirrels here.
Promising review: “Purchased this for my 2 year old golden retriever, ordered the XL, and he LOVES it!!! He likes hide and seek toys and this isn’t just cute it’s so interactive for him finding the squirrels. In 30 minutes he’s about worn himself out playing so hard with it. Such a great toy I purchased another one for his fur cousin. Get this toy for your furchild they will be happy with you for getting it.” — B. Gilbert
Dangle and wiggle this beloved rainbow string toy for your cat, and watch them bat, tug, bunny-kick and chase it to their heart’s content.
The toy is made with soft fleece, so it’ll be gentle on kitty paws and mouths.
Just be sure to put the toy away once you’re done playing for maximum safety!
Promising review: “I discovered this wand while cat sitting for a neighbor. All three of her cats would come out to play with it, even the one who always hides, so I decided to get one for my two. They LOVE it, especially the younger one. If I don’t put it away, she will carry it around, chew on it, or leave it for me to find by my bed in the morning. More than worth the cost. Will definitely buy another if this one ever breaks. Good gift for a fellow cat owner.” — Amazon Customer
This soft cat tunnel will make playtime so much more fun. Your kitty can hide inside the tunnel until they’re ready to pounce for their favorite toys — one of my cat’s absolute favorite pastimes. Your fur baby can also burrow into the tunnel when they need some privacy!
Grab it in 11 colors.