DIY Gifts for Pets: 40+ ways to celebrate your favorite critters

An illustration of a Corgi wearing a bowtie, a white kitten in a red gift box, and a turtle with a small stack of gifts balanced on his shell.

When it comes to showing our pets just how much we love them, we don’t mind going all out. After all, our beloved besties bring us so much joy, we’ll find any excuse to celebrate (and snuggle) them.

If you can relate, then you’re in the right place. From budget-friendly cat party ideas to easy-to-make doggie toys, here are plenty of DIY pet gift ideas for every budget and all the occasions!

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DIY Gift Ideas for Pet Birthday or Gotcha Day  

Whether you’re celebrating their birthday or the day you brought them home, make this annual tradition more fun with special treats, party hats and more!

  • Personalized banner: It wouldn’t be a pet party without a banner. You can use your pet’s name, nickname or some other celebratory phrase of your choosing. Keep it simple with string and paper or get a little fancy with fabrics and paint.
  • Homemade treats: From birthday catnip to hay and pellet bunny birthday cakes, a homemade treat can be a good time. You can find special recipes for your pet using ingredients that are safe for your pet to digest with a simple internet search.
  • Aquarium/enclosure makeover: In this house, the reptiles have birthday parties! Give your fish or lizard a little home renovation surprise by sprucing up their enclosure with a handmade decoration or some flat rocks from outside. (But give them a good rinse first.)
  • Now playing: Does your pup like to watch nature videos? Maybe a squirrel cam is more their speed? Whatever the case, grab the popcorn because the real show is watching how much they love it. And if you just want to compile a bunch of cute videos and pics of the VIP (“Very Important Pet”), a red scarf or blanket just might make the perfect pet-size red carpet.
  • Birthday hat: Pets wearing cute little hats. Do we really need to say more? For long-term use, try finding a crochet or sewing pattern you like. Or, for a more temporary option, turn a piece of wrapping paper into a cone-shaped birthday hat like we did here. Don’t forget to snap a pic before they start wondering what’s on their cute little head.
  • Party time: If your kitty goes into zoomies when you grab the laser pointer, then why not throw a laser pointer party? Maybe your furry friend loves chasing bubbles. In that case, a bubble-blowing party is sure to be a good time for everyone!

DIY Gift Ideas for Your Pet at the Holidays or Christmas  

The joy our critters, creatures and companions bring us is the ultimate gift, but we can’t help spoiling them with a little extra sweetness, especially around the holidays. If you’re looking to spruce up the season for your pet, here are some ideas to try!

  • Make your pet an adorable costume. From bunnies in Christmas tree costumes to cats in Santa hats, a pet costume can be a fun way to bring them in on the festivities! Besides, who doesn’t love a dog wearing reindeer antlers? Turn your pet into a little elf at Christmastime or give them a role in your nativity scene. Costumes don’t need to be elaborate, either. If you don’t have a ton of time, simply dress them up in your favorite holiday colors!
  • Start a countdown your pet will love. At Christmas, gift your pet their very own Advent calendar filled with treats. Or shower them with goodies on each of the 12 Days of Christmas. If you’re eagerly awaiting a new year with your doggo, start a countdown the week before with all their favorite toys. If you reintroduce old toys as a surprise, have the countdown include some old favorites! The possibilities are endless.
  • Capture your pet in the moment. Snap a pic of them in the snow or stage an at-home holiday photo shoot. For a fun, creative project, have people paint or draw a portrait of your pet and then compare notes. When you’ve finished your masterpiece, don’t forget to frame it!
  • Create something fun just for your pet. If your pet needs a stocking, use this downloadable pattern to create a “Paw-some” Pet Stocking you can fill with goodies. You can even get out the arts and crafts supplies to make a unique ornament with your pet’s photo or paw print!

DIY Valentine Gift Ideas for Pets  

They take up such a big space in your heart, why not show them a little love on Valentine’s Day? After all, Sweetheart’s Day is better with a 4-legged sweetie. Here are some easy ideas to show ’em some love.

  • Reuse a heart-shaped chocolate box, fill it up with treats and watch them open their very own Valentine’s Day gift!
  • Cut flimsy cardboard into a pet valentine with a treat inside. You can even make your own vegetable paint for a little color. Just be sure to be mindful of materials that are safe for your specific pet.
  • Create a book or journal with a list of everything you love about your pet! Invite entries from guests or other family members to read to your pet. (Wait, you don’t read to your pet??)

10 Easy Pet Gift Ideas to Make with Kids  

When the littles want to get in on the pet party fun, it’s bound to be a zoomies-filled time for all. Try any of these simple gift ideas for pets that the whole family will enjoy!

  • Homemade cards: Turn it into a fun craft project and add sweet messages to read to your pet.
  • Hidden treats: Leave treats in all their favorite hiding spots!
  • Agility course: Get out the hamster wheel, tunnels and whatever else would make a fun obstacle course for your pet.
  • Nature walk: Take your dog on a fun nature walk to a place neither of you have explored.
  • Matching shirts: Because we all need a matching T-shirt with our pet. Don’t forget to snap a pic!
  • Pet fort: Grab the blankets, pillows and chairs for an easy activity the pets may or may not destroy.
  • Homemade treats: Find easy pet recipes online or use ingredients you already have that are safe for your pet. These were made by our photo stylist Nicole.
  • Pet mural. Paint or draw your very own pet mural on canvas or posterboard.
  • Movie montage. Have a movie screening of all the adorable, derpy and hilarious videos of your pet.
  • Cardboard creations. One person’s trash is a pet’s treasure, especially when it comes to cardboard boxes. From pet palaces to cardboard bunny cupcakes, cardboard can go a long way to keep your pet entertained.

DIY Gift Ideas for a New Pet  

When there’s a new furry friend in town, you bet we’re going to make a big deal about it. Whether it’s a new pet of your own or for the new pet of a friend, these are some unique ways to celebrate the occasion.

  • Welcome home banner. Get some butcher paper or tape together individual pages with letters drawn on them. Add cute little doodles and stickers!
  • A new, snuggly blankie. They’re gonna need a soft place to land…it’s all so new. And if they’re really young, a knitted or crocheted blanket that smells like you will help comfort them at night.
  • Personalized bowl. Yes, a plain-old bowl would do. But would it be as fun? 🤔 The answer is no. No, it would not.
  • Pet supply or pet store gift card. You could have fun turning this into a shopping spree and bring your pet along for the ride to pick out treats, toys or other must-haves.
  • Matching bandanas or shirts. The only thing cuter than a pet in an outfit is a human matching their pet’s outfit.
  • Engraved nametag. They need one for safety reasons anyway! You could stamp one yourself with a metal stamping kit or have one made.
  • Gift basket of treats and toys. Before bringing them home, put together a little welcome basket. This is a great gift idea for friends with new pets, too!
  • Donation to a local shelter in honor of the new pet. Adopting a pet is the kindest thing you can do for them. Donating in their honor to a pet who hasn’t yet found their forever home is the second kindest.
  • Bedazzled food and water dish. Break out the hot-glue gun and rhinestones! Bonus points if you spell their name out in crystals.
  • Hand-painted wooden or cardboard sign with their name to hang by their bed. Yes, you both know where their bed is anyway. No, they can’t read. That doesn’t mean it’s not still a cute idea. 🤭
  • Cute calendar. Think of it as their own little planner to keep track of grooming, vet appointments and flea medicine.
  • Feeling ambitious? These felt cat toys can be made with wool yarn and roving.

Budget-Friendly DIY Pet Gift Ideas  

While any of these ideas can work for multiple occasions, we wanted to throw in some super budget-friendly gift ideas that aren’t too elaborate. For a quick and fun pet gift, try any one of these clever ideas.

  • Cut off the toe ends of a cute (but old) pair of socks so your pet can have their own mini leg warmers.
  • Surprise them with their all-time favorite activity: going on a car ride. Whether you stop for a pup cup is up to you!
  • Add some crinkly paper to a soft fabric pouch held together with sewing tape. Dogs love a good crinkle noise.
  • Take an old towel and have a wrestling match with your dog.
  • If your dog likes puzzles, throw a bunch of treats in the towel, twist/knot it up and give it to your dog to “solve.”
  • Use old bow ties to make hair bows or charming collars for your cutie pie.
  • Turn a piece of foil into a ball for them to bat around.
  • Roll up a bunch of socks with a treat hidden inside for extended play time! (This works well for smaller pets, but if they’re bigger and/or known to eat socks, maybe try the towel. 🤣)
  • Tie a rope to their bed or pillow and take them on a little ride around the house!

 

No matter which direction you choose, these gifts are a great way to honor the special pets in our lives (and their owners). We hope you enjoy choosing and making your gift—as well as giving it!

 

Looking for more pet or gifting ideas? Here you go!