Christmas Gifts for Dogs: Ideas for an Aussie Summer Christmas

Your dog doesn't know it's Christmas. They know the house fills with people, the kitchen smells incredible and somebody keeps dropping prawns. A gift won't change their life, but the right one can make a long, hot, noisy day a lot more pleasant for everyone.

Australian Christmas comes with its own set of dog problems: 35-degree afternoons, a ham on every bench and a backyard full of cousins. This guide groups gift ideas by the kind of dog you live with. It also covers the Christmas foods to keep off their plate, because a trip to the emergency vet on Boxing Day makes for an expensive present.

The best Christmas gifts for dogs, by personality

Start with your dog, not the shop. A Labrador who lives for food and a Border Collie who lives for a job want very different things under the tree.

For the foodie: a treat hamper

Food-motivated dogs get the most out of an edible gift, and you get something that won't end up shredded across the lounge room by lunchtime. Look for single-ingredient treats made from Australian meat, so a new gift won't upset a stomach that's already dealing with stolen pavlova.

Our Birthday Box works as a Christmas gift too. It holds Chicken Tenders, Beef Liver, Kangaroo Jerky and a ten-pack of Pig Ears, so your dog gets to sample the whole range. For a dog with a favourite protein, the Roo & Chew Hamper and Chook & Chew Hamper each pair three packs of one protein with ten pig ears.

For the chewer: something to work on

Dogs who chew settle faster when they have a job. A long-lasting chew gives your dog something to do while you open presents, and it keeps them busy in their own corner when the house gets loud. Pig ears, thick jerky and a rubber toy stuffed with food all work well.

Pick a chew that suits your dog's size and chewing style, and stay in the room while they work on it. Our guide to long-lasting dog chews covers which chews are safe and which to skip.

For the heat-struck: something to keep cool

A thick-coated dog in a Southern Highlands winter is in heaven. The same dog on a humid December afternoon in Western Sydney is miserable. Cooling gifts earn their keep from the first week of summer:

• A cooling mat for the tiles or the back verandah.
• A clam-shell paddling pool from the hardware store, a cheap gift many dogs love.
• Frozen treats. Fill a rubber toy with a few torn pieces of jerky and some water or plain yoghurt, then freeze it overnight. Your dog gets a cold, slow snack on the hottest part of the day.

For the adventurer: kit for summer walks

Dogs who love the beach, the bush or a long weekend walk get a lot out of practical gear. A sturdy long lead for the beach, a collapsible water bowl for the car, or a treat pouch for training walks will all get used for years.

Walk early in summer. Bitumen and sand heat up fast, and they can burn paws by mid-morning. Press the back of your hand to the footpath for seven seconds. If you can't hold it there, it's too hot for your dog.

For the senior: comfort first

Older dogs value a soft bed and a quiet spot more than a new toy. An orthopaedic bed, a non-slip rug for slippery floors, or a gentle grooming session will all make an old dog's day. For treats, pick lean options and snap them into small pieces for worn teeth. Kangaroo Jerky suits many older dogs, as our guide to kangaroo treats explains.

For the busy brain: puzzles and games

Working breeds such as Kelpies, Border Collies and Australian Shepherds need a job, and Christmas Day rarely gives them one. A snuffle mat or a food puzzle turns a handful of treats into ten minutes of nose work. You can make your own by hiding pieces of treat inside a rolled-up towel or a cardboard box stuffed with scrunched paper.

Gifts for dog lovers

Shopping for the person rather than the dog? Most dog owners would rather receive something for their dog than another candle. A treat hamper addressed to their dog, with a card in the dog's name, lands well with almost everyone.

Other ideas that dog people appreciate:

• A voucher for a local groomer, dog walker or puppy school.
• A framed photo or a portrait of their dog.
• A donation in their dog's name to a local rescue group.
• A big bag of their dog's favourite treats, so they can skip a trip to the shops.

For a multi-dog household, the Big Paddock Hamper holds a 500 gram bag of each of our three proteins plus ten pig ears. It solves the "who gets what" argument before it starts.

Christmas foods to keep away from your dog

Vets across Australia see a rise in dogs with upset stomachs, pancreatitis and poisoning over the Christmas break. Most cases start with food from the table or the bin. Brief your guests before lunch, because the cousin who slips your dog a slice of ham means well.

Keep the bin lid shut and put leftovers away before you sit down for a rest. If your dog does eat something on this list, call your vet or the nearest emergency vet straight away. Don't wait for symptoms.

Safe Christmas treats your dog can share

Your dog can still join in. Set aside a few pieces of plain cooked turkey or chicken breast with no skin, gravy or bones. Add a little plain cooked pumpkin or a few green beans, and finish with their usual treats. Keep the total small, because a dog's stomach doesn't take holidays.

How to make Christmas Day easier for your dog

The best gift you can give your dog on the day costs nothing: a calm routine.

• Walk early. A long walk before guests arrive leaves your dog tired and settled.
• Set up a quiet room. Give your dog a bed, water and a long chew in a room away from the noise. Shy dogs and older dogs will thank you.
• Keep water and shade on hand. Check the water bowl every hour on a hot day, and make sure the backyard has shade all afternoon.
• Watch the gate. Visitors leave gates open. Check your dog's microchip details are current before the holidays.
• Keep wrapping and ribbon off the floor. Some dogs eat ribbon, and it can cause a blockage.

Christmas gift FAQs

What do you give a dog for Christmas?

Give a gift that suits your dog's personality. Food-motivated dogs love a treat hamper, chewers love a long-lasting chew, and working breeds love a food puzzle. In an Australian summer, cooling gifts such as a mat or a paddling pool get a lot of use.

What can keep a dog entertained for hours?

Long-lasting chews, a frozen stuffed toy and food puzzles keep most dogs busy for the longest. Rotate them so your dog doesn't get bored, and supervise chews.

What are good mentally stimulating toys for dogs?

Snuffle mats, treat-dispensing balls and puzzle feeders all make your dog use their nose and brain to earn food. Ten minutes of sniffing work can tire a dog as much as a walk.

Are Christmas dog treats safe?

Many are, but read the label. Some festive biscuits and "cookies" for dogs contain sugar, flour and colours your dog doesn't need. Single-ingredient meat treats make a safer choice, and they suit dogs with sensitive stomachs.

What should I do if my dog eats ham or Christmas pudding?

Call your vet or an emergency vet for advice straight away. Tell them what your dog ate, how much and when. Fatty food and dried fruit can both cause serious illness, and early treatment works best.

Order your dog's Christmas treats

Every Highland Hounds treat is air dried from a single Australian ingredient in small batches in Exeter, in the Southern Highlands. Pick up the Birthday Box for the dog who wants to try everything, or the Paddock Protein Mix for an everyday mix of chicken, kangaroo and beef. Bear, our Labrador, would like it noted that he has already written his list.

Shipping is a flat $9.99 Australia-wide, and our 30-Day Happiness Guarantee covers any treat your dog doesn't love.