Puppy gift box
A puppy gift box works best when it mixes a few genuinely different things a new puppy owner will actually use in the first weeks — something to chew safely, something to play with, and a practical item or two for the humans doing the hard work of the first few months, rather than a pile of items that all do the same job.
What belongs in a good one
A puppy-safe chew toy and a couple of soft, puppy-sized toys cover the play and teething side, since a young puppy's needs here are genuinely different from an adult dog's — smaller mouths, softer teeth, and a real need for something appropriate to chew rather than furniture or shoes.
A small selection of training treats is one of the most practically useful things to include, since the first weeks with a puppy are largely about repetition, and having treats ready from day one makes early training and house-training noticeably easier for a new owner who has not yet built up a stock of their own.
Sizing it for a puppy, not a grown dog
It is worth resisting the urge to include adult-sized toys or chews on the basis that the puppy will grow into them — an item that is too large or too tough can go unused for months, while a puppy-appropriate one gets used immediately and is genuinely helpful during the stage that actually needs it.
If you know the breed or likely adult size, it is worth leaning the gift slightly toward that — a gift box for a puppy that will grow into a large breed can include slightly sturdier items than one for a breed that will stay small, even while everything included should still suit the puppy as they are right now.
A thoughtful extra for the new owner
New puppy owners are usually short on sleep and short on spare hands, so a genuinely useful practical extra — a bowl, a simple lead, or a comfortable bed suited to a small puppy — tends to land better than another toy, particularly if you know they have not yet bought the basics themselves.
A gift that is thoughtful about the specific puppy and household, rather than a generic assortment, is what actually gets remembered and used months later, long after the novelty of unwrapping it has worn off.
The gifts themselves
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Interactive Activity Ball Dog Toy with Cover
A bouncy activity ball in a tough zip-on cover that keeps dogs chasing, nudging and herding for hours.
From£23.99
Self-Moving Chew-Resistant Dog Ball
A USB-C rechargeable ball that moves on its own to keep dogs busy and active. Tough E-TPU construction stands up to chewing during supervised play, and the splash-resistant build suits indoor or outdoor use.
£15.99
Inflatable Herding Ball for Dogs with Pump
A large inflatable herding ball with pump that taps into your dog's chase instinct.
From£19.99
Remote-Controlled Jumping Ball Dog Toy
A self-rolling, light-up ball that jumps and rolls to keep dogs entertained. A paw-shaped remote sets three activity gears, so both small and large dogs can chase and play. Rechargeable and tough against chewing.
From£19.99
Inflatable Herding Ball for Dogs
A large inflatable ball too big for a dog to pick up, with a bite-resistant double-layer shell that slow-deflates if punctured, for high-drive chasing and nudging.
£23.99
Inflatable Herding Ball with Handles for Dogs
A large, tough inflatable herding ball that taps into your dog's natural chase-and-nudge instinct. Reinforced bite-resistant fabric and grab handles make it great for active outdoor play with medium and large breeds.
£29.99
Durables Toy Crocodile
The crocodile from Red Dingo's Durables line: solid hardware, hard-wearing materials and a five-year manufacturer guarantee, which is rare enough to be the reason to buy.
£20.49
Tuffy Junior Zoo Hippo
A junior-sized Tuffy hippo built in bonded layers with webbed, multi-row stitched seams, light enough for smaller dogs and puppies, that floats and is machine washable.
£18.99
No-Stuffing Crinkle Plush Dog Toy
A cuddly stuffing-free plush lion with built-in crinkle and dual squeakers to keep small and medium dogs entertained. Less mess if chewed open, and the soft body is machine washable for easy cleaning.
£10.99
Tuffy No Stuff Ultimate Ring Red Paw
Meet the Tuffy No Stuff Ultimate Ring Red Paw — one of the toughest dog toys we stock. Tuffy build their toys in multiple bonded layers with several rows of stitching and protective webbing on the seams, so they stand up to serious chewers far better than an ordinary plush. They float, and they’re machine washable (air dry).
£13.99
Chase Buddy Boredom Busting Dog Toy
A sturdy chase toy for dogs left alone for short spells, redirecting the energy that turns into barking, pacing and chewed skirting boards into active play.
£23.99
Foam Popcorn Ring Dog Tug Toy
A lightweight, springy ring tug toy made from soft ETPU popcorn foam. It floats, bounces and is easy to throw and catch, making it ideal for fetch, tug-of-war and active outdoor play.
From£7.99
Common questions
- What should I avoid putting in a puppy gift box?
- Avoid anything sized or built for an adult dog, small parts that could be a choking hazard, and any human food, since even foods that seem harmless can be unsuitable or genuinely toxic to dogs. When in doubt, choose items clearly labelled as suitable for puppies specifically.
- Is it better to buy a ready-made gift box or put one together myself?
- Both work well — a ready-made box saves time and is usually put together with a sensible mix already in mind, while assembling your own lets you tailor it exactly to a specific puppy's breed, size or the new owner's stated needs. Neither approach is inherently better.
- Should I include food in a puppy gift box?
- A small bag of treats is usually fine and well used, but avoid buying a full bag of complete puppy food unless you know exactly what the puppy is already being fed, since a sudden diet change can cause stomach upset. Treats are the safer, more flexible choice for a gift.
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Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.