Gifts for Dog Lovers (and a Few for the Dog)

The best gifts for dog lovers suit the life they share with their dog: a bowl or bed for the dog, a useful bag or walk kit for the person. Start with what you know about their routine, then check any sizes before buying pet gear. Below are ideas for new puppy households, regular walkers and the dog who has quietly taken over the sofa.

National Pet Month runs through April into early May in the UK, but you don't need an occasion to bring something for a friend's new dog. You do need to resist choosing a harness because it matches their coat.

For the new puppy household

For someone with a new puppy, choose something they'll use every day and leave the size-sensitive purchases until you know the dog better. A new household tends to have plenty of opinions about names and rather fewer clean surfaces.

A bowl they can use straight away

The PAW Copper-Style Pet Bowl, 18cm is made from 304 stainless steel and works for food or water. Its copper colour is a finish, not the material, and embossed paw prints give it a little detail without turning dinner into a novelty display. It's a sensible choice if you know they need another dish; check the size of the one they already use if you're unsure.

A spare bag for the person carrying everything

The Dog's Life Basic Tote Bag is made from lightweight 4oz natural cotton and folds easily. Its bold dog illustration makes it a gift for the owner, while the bag itself can come along on shopping trips or walks. Put a note inside offering to take a puppy-sitting shift, if that's a promise you intend to keep.

If you know the new arrival well enough to choose equipment, ask what the household has bought already. A duplicate bowl is handy; a harness in the wrong size is a job for the returns pile.

For the person who is out walking in all weathers

A walker's gift should make leaving the house simpler, not add another thing to carry. Think about the usual route first: busy pavement, open park, or the short trip outside before anyone has properly woken up.

A compact lead for shorter walks

The Paw Pocket Pod Pet Lead in Green has 1.5m of retractable tape, a wrist strap and a metal clip, and is suitable for dogs up to 25kg. Its button holds or shortens the lead when the dog needs to be nearer. That makes it a more informed gift if you know the dog's size and how their person prefers to walk them; retractable leads won't suit every route or every walker.

A harness, if you know the measurements

For a small dog weighing 4 to 8kg, the PAW Step-in Dog Harness in Soft Pink has adjustable straps, reflective mesh details and a back lead ring. It also comes with a rose quartz paw charm. Rose quartz is traditionally associated with love and the bond between pets and their people, so the charm gives the gift a personal detail without asking the dog to appreciate symbolism. Check the dog's measurements and the owner's preferred harness style before choosing it.

A bag with a place for keys

If measurements are a mystery, the It's a Dog's Life Classic Tote Bag is the less complicated present. It's made from 10oz cotton, with a button closure, an inner pocket and a dog illustration. That pocket gives keys or a phone somewhere to go besides the bottom of the bag. Compared with the lighter Basic Tote, this is the one to choose for somebody who wants a bag for regular use rather than a fold-up spare.

For a no-cost extra, make the walker's kit from things you already have: an old towel by the door, spare gloves in a coat pocket and a designated place for the lead. It isn't glamorous. It does save a search for one missing glove while the dog waits.

For the dog who sleeps on the sofa anyway

For a sofa-sharing dog, a separate resting spot is worth considering only if its shape suits how that dog actually sleeps. A curled-up sleeper and a dog who stretches the length of the cushions need different amounts of room. The dog, regrettably, won't consult the living-room plan.

A covered bed for a small dog

The PAW Beige and Orange Tent Bed is a covered bed for cats and small dogs, approximately 58 x 58 x 48cm, with a padded inner cushion and wide arched entrance. Measure the dog's usual sleeping position before choosing it; being called a small dog doesn't tell you how much space they take up when sprawled out. The cushion can be removed through zipped compartments, and the cover can be washed at 30°C.

It arrives needing its frame assembled and its cushion plumped. Allow time for packing creases to settle, and give the dog a chance to investigate it without moving them off their familiar spot on day one.

A bowl for the dog who needs more room

The PAW Copper-Style Pet Bowl, 22cm has a broader, low shape than the 18cm option above. It's 304 stainless steel with a copper-style finish and embossed paw prints, and can hold food or water. If you're deciding between the two, look at the dog's current bowl and feeding setup rather than guessing from a breed name. This is a present that can earn its place even if the new bed loses the contest with the sofa.

Before you wrap a gift for a dog

The safest choice when you don't know the dog is a gift for their person. If you're buying something the dog will wear, eat from or sleep in, a little checking matters more than the surprise.

• Ask about fit. Check the dog's measurements and weight before choosing a harness or bed. Compare bowl sizes with one they already use.
• Ask about the walk. A lead has to suit both the dog's size and the routes their person takes. Let the owner choose if you're uncertain.
• Keep wrapping out of reach. Remove ribbon, tags and packaging before offering the gift to the dog, and supervise their first look at new gear.
• Give a practical extra. A handwritten offer to walk the dog or help with a muddy doorstep can be more welcome than another object.

Buying for somebody you barely know? Choose the tote, or ask one small question about their dog. Most dog people won't mind telling you how they spend their walks.

Finding the right one

Start with the owner if you're unsure of the dog's size or habits. If you know the dog well, measure first and pick the bowl, lead or bed that fits their routine. For a closer look at covered resting spots, browse our pet beds and tents; for walking gear, see our pet leads and harnesses.