Secret Santa gifts for dogs
A Secret Santa for dogs works best with something small, sturdy and genuinely usable rather than anything fussy or breed-specific, since you rarely know the exact size or taste of the dog you have drawn. A festive treat, a simple toy, or a Christmas bandana all land well without needing any inside knowledge of the dog wearing or eating it.
What actually works as a Secret Santa gift
Treats are the safest bet in any dog Secret Santa, because almost every dog eats and almost every owner is happy to receive something their dog will enjoy without needing to guess a size. A festive-themed treat pack reads as a proper gift rather than an afterthought, without costing much or requiring you to know anything about the dog beyond that they are, in fact, a dog.
A simple toy is the next safest choice, provided you go for something mid-sized and durable rather than anything with small parts that would suit only a particular dog's size or chewing style. A Christmas bandana or collar accessory works well too, since most are adjustable and photograph nicely for the group chat on the day. A pack of two or three smaller items rather than one single gift also tends to go down well, since it feels a bit more generous without pushing the budget much further.
What to avoid
Skip anything sized for a specific breed unless you already know exactly which dog you have drawn, since a toy or bed built for a small dog is either useless or a choking risk for a bigger one, and vice versa. The same goes for anything that needs fitting, like a coat or harness, which is very easy to get wrong without a specific dog and specific measurements in mind.
Keep the value modest and the wrapping simple. A Secret Santa is meant to be a bit of fun on the day rather than a serious present, and a £5 to £10 budget usually buys a genuinely nice treat pack or toy without anyone overthinking it.
The gifts themselves
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
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
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
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
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
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
Forthglade Grain Free Soft Bites Fresh Breath Treats 8pk
Chicken soft dog treats with parsley and peppermint oil for fresh breath
£2.45
Chase Buddy Boredom-Busting Dog Toy
An interactive chase toy that gives a restless dog somewhere to put its pursuit instinct, providing mental and physical exercise indoors or in the garden.
£14.99
Pedigree Dentastix Light Dog
Pedigree DentaStix Light dental chews across small, medium and large sizes
From£2.35
Dentalife Dental Oral Care Dog Chicken Chews
DENTALIFE chicken dental chews with medium-dog and large-dog variants
£1.65
Forthglade Soft Bite Grain Free Joints & Bones Treats
Grain-free salmon dog treats with salmon oil, glucosamine and chondroitin
£2.45
Common questions
- What is a good budget for a dog Secret Santa gift?
- Around £5 to £10 is typical for this kind of exchange, and it is easy to find a decent treat pack, toy or festive accessory in that range without needing to spend more to make it feel like a proper gift.
- Is a toy or a treat the safer Secret Santa choice?
- Treats are generally the safer option, since almost every dog eats and there is no sizing to get wrong. A toy works well too as long as you choose something mid-sized and sturdy rather than anything built for a specific breed or size of dog.
- Should I ask what the dog is called before buying a gift?
- It is a nice touch if the group allows it, since a name on a bandana or tag makes the gift feel more personal, but it is not essential. A well-chosen treat or toy works perfectly well without any personalisation at all.
- Can I give a Secret Santa gift to a dog with allergies?
- If you know the dog has a food sensitivity, it is worth checking the ingredients on any treat before wrapping it, or choosing a toy or accessory instead to avoid the guesswork entirely. When in doubt, a non-food gift sidesteps the issue completely.
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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.