Everybody loves getting birthday gifts…and that includes our canine companions! 

Of course, there’s a good chance your doggo doesn’t even know when it’s their birthday. But, in our opinion, that’s an even better reason to make a big deal out of the day. And a growing number of pet parents agree. According to one report, nearly half of surveyed pet owners said they celebrate their pet’s birthday or adoption day.

There are plenty of ways to celebrate your dog’s special day — a party, photoshoot, birthday gift…or all three! And, these days, pet parents have loads of great choices to delight their birthday boy or girl. 

From yummy handmade birthday treats to subscription boxes, toys, and gear, the options are just about endless. 

Deciding what to choose and how to celebrate is getting increasingly complex. So here’s some help to ensure your birthday pup enjoys the best bday ever. 

Dog Birthday (and Gotcha Day!) Celebrations

If you’ve never thrown a dog birthday party or surprised your pet with a birthday present, there’s no need to feel bad. The trend seems to have developed relatively recently, perhaps driven in part by increased spending on pets overall, and within certain age groups.

According to one study, about 60 percent of pet parents between the ages of 30-44 bought their pets birthday or holiday gifts, while 92 percent of millennial pet parents reported the same in another survey.

There’s also the issue of not knowing a pet’s specific birth date, which is often the case among rescue dogs. In this scenario, you can always celebrate “Gotcha Day,” instead — the date you brought your new pup home.

Whatever your history with dog birthday celebrations, there’s no time like the present to start thinking about the best type of present or celebration for your birthday pup. Some pet parents go all out, inviting friends, family, and pals from the dog park to a birthday party. Others simply celebrate with an extra special birthday meal or treat. Whatever you choose, as long as you pile on the extra love and pats, your birthday furball is sure to feel extra special. 

Our Top Dog Birthday Gift Picks

If you’re looking for the ultimate dog birthday present, we’re here to help. We’ve done some in-depth research on gift options, prices, and reviews from pets and parents alike to bring you eight dog-approved gifts that are sure to make your pet’s birthday bash a hit! 

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the Vetstreet editorial team and do not reflect a direct endorsement by the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Our List 

10 Best Dog Birthday Gifts 

Choosing a birthday gift for your dog really is a whole lot of fun. From unique custom gifts featuring your very own pup to gourmet treats for your furry foodie, here are eight perfect gift ideas for your perfect doggo. 

Whether you’re celebrating your dog’s birthday or Gotcha Day, you’re sure to find something below to delight your dog. Our resident experts (and their humans) guarantee it!

Best Overall Dog Birthday Gift

Our Pick: Paint Your Life Custom Pet Portrait 

Buy at Paint Your Life

Sure, this may be more for the pet parent, but what better way to celebrate a precious pup than with a custom pet portrait? Paint Your Life makes it so easy, too! Just upload a pic of any dog, choose your medium and portrait style, and let the artist get to work! You can even select different backgrounds or combine multiple photographs to create a portrait of more than one dog or place a dog into another image. To ensure total accuracy and satisfaction, you’ll be prompted to approve the work at multiple stages throughout the process, and there are plenty of framing options available once your portrait is complete. The best part? The pet parent in your life will have a stunning painting of their pup to keep forever.

Highlights:

  • Hand-painted by actual artists 
  • Choose from a range mediums, styles, sizes, and other options
  • Framing available
  • Multi-step review/approval process
  • Quick turnaround time 

Things to Consider: 

  • Definitely on the pricier side

Best Dog Age Test Kit

Our Pick: Embark Dog Age Test

Buy at Embark

How much fun would it be to know your rescue or adopted dog’s age?! Surprise your gift recipient – or yourself – with this Embark Dog Age Test Kit. Everything you need is included in the box, which contains a swab tester to use inside your dog’s gums and mouth. That’s all it takes. Then, send the swab off in a prepaid box and wait (that’s the hardest part.) The Age Test from Embark will return a result within the range of 90 percent of the time. Now you’ll know how many candles to put on your doggo’s birthday cake. That’s something to sing about!

Highlights:

  • Easy-to-use test kit with simple instructions provided
  • Memorable gift that your recipient will thank you for
  • Your recipient will know their dog’s life stage so they can plan and enjoy
  • Gives you an idea of how long your dog has been on this planet
  • Results take about 4 to 5 weeks, so not very long

Things to Consider:

  • It isn’t 100 percent accurate, but 90 percent is pretty darned close.
  • A bit on the costly side

Best Dog Birthday Toy

Our Pick: ZippyPaws Birthday Toy Set

Buy at Amazaon

What’s an essential part of any dog’s birthday? A photoshoot of course! And this birthday-themed dog toy set is the perfect accessory for any birthday pup. Set up the cute plush cake slice and balloon toy, pop the dog birthday hat on your pup’s head, and then just snap away! You’ll have a perfect memory of your dog’s special day for the gram. A festive, non-food way to celebrate if the birthday pup has allergies, food sensitivities, or is simply trying to limit calorie-laden treats. The balloon toy contains a squeaker that makes it perfect for a fun play session after your dog has finished posing for their photoshoot!    

Highlights:

  • Choose from two colors 
  • Includes three toys 
  • Toys are well-made and durable 
  • Perfect for birthday photoshoots 

Things to Consider: 

  • Hat toy isn’t suitable for unsupervised play as it contains elastic 
  • Hat may be too small for large breed dogs 

Best Dog Birthday Box

Our Pick: BarkBox Monthly Subscription Box

Buy at BarkBox
Buy at Amazon

For the birthday gift that keeps on giving, this monthly subscription box is a wonderful way to make sure that your dog never runs out of treats or toys — even when it’s no longer their birthday! Each monthly box includes two toys, two bags of treats, and a long-lasting chew. The themed toys are made from high-quality materials with an interactive design. From chew toys to rope pulls, soft plushies, balls, and squeaky toys, half the fun will be opening this box with your dog every month to see what fun is inside! If your dog has allergies or specific dietary restrictions, BarkBox offers specific treats with these pups in mind. (Just note, you’ll need to contact their customer service team directly to request these.)   

We also love that you can gift BarkBox one time or as many times as you want with a recurring subscription — and you can even order it through Amazon!

Highlights:

  • Choose from boxes designed for small, medium, or large dogs 
  • Each box is created around a specific theme 
  • Treats made using all-natural ingredients 
  • High quality with thousands of positive reviews 

Things to Consider: 

  • On the pricier end of the scale (though you’re getting multiple gifts, not just one)
  • Price is the same for small dogs as it is for large 

Best Dog Birthday Gift for Heavy Chewers

Our Pick: BarkBox Super Chewer Monthly Subscription Box

Buy at BarkBox
Buy at Amazon

The perfect gift for the canine who craves a good chew session? A BarkBox Super Chewer monthly subscription box, of course! Just like the original BarkBox, the Super Chewer box offers a completely customizable experience, allowing you to choose from a variety of themes and tailor your boxes to your pup’s needs and personality, including allergy-safe options. Each box includes two seriously tough toys and two full-size bags of treats for tons of chomp-happy fun. Choose from a 6- or 12-month subscription and let the chewing commence!

Highlights

  • Designed for dogs that love to chew
  • Each monthly box includes two heavy-duty toys and two bags of treats
  • First box arrives within five days
  • Allergy-safe and diet-conscious treats available

Things to Consider

  • As BarkBox says, “no toy is indestructible,” so there’s a chance it may not hold up to the the heaviest of chewers
  • Higher price point

Best Dog Birthday Treats 

Our Pick:  HoundsomeDogBakery Decorated Dog Treats    

Buy at Etsy

What better way to celebrate your dog’s birthday than with a selection of delicious, personalized treats? Each birthday box contains nine yummy biscuits, featuring a range of designs including candles, bones, balloons, cupcakes, and presents. The biscuits and icing are made from a blend of dog-friendly, natural ingredients (all listed within the seller’s description) but if your dog has any allergies or sensitivities, it’s always worth checking these carefully. These treats get “paws-up” from thousands of dogs (and their pet parents),  with lots of positive reviews to check out before placing your order.       

Highlights:

  • Choose from a range of designs and colors  
  • Carefully packaged to minimize breakage and crumbling during delivery 
  • Box contains nine biscuits 
  • Shelf life of one month 

Things to Consider: 

  • Not the best option for dogs with allergies, sensitivities, or specialized diets

Best Dog Birthday Bandana Gift

Our Pick: Personalization Mall Dog Bandana  

Buy at Personalization Mall

When it’s your dog’s birthday, cute photos are obligatory! Make those photos even more adorable by treating your dog to this sweet “first birthday” bandana. The design features colorful sprinkles and adorable cupcake, plus it can be personalized with your dog’s name for an extra special touch. If it’s not your dog’s first birthday, Personalization Mall also offers plenty of other birthday-worthy bandana options, which can all be customized with your dog’s name for a birthday they (and you) will never forget.

Highlights:

  • Choose from two colors and three sizes 
  • Great value for money 
  • Machine washable 
  • Can be personalized 

Things to Consider: 

  • Even the small size may be too big for small breed puppies
  • Some pups may chew the ends of the bandana 

Best Dog’s First Birthday Gift

Our Pick: KONG Plush Play Pack Dog Toys    

Buy at Walmart

Puppies love to play, so this gift pack featuring a selection of fun new toys makes a great gift for your pup’s first birthday! The KONG brand is known for high-quality, durable designs that are created to satisfy a dog’s natural instincts. With four different toys to choose from, your pup can squeak, chase, chew, or thrash to their heart’s content.

Highlights:

  • Contains four toys 
  • High-quality 
  • Tons of bouncing, rolling, squeaking fun
  • Good value for money 

Things to Consider: 

  • Best for light/moderate chewers

Best Dog DNA Test Kit

Our Pick: Embark dog DNA Test

Buy at Embark

One of the best gifts you can give a pet parent is the gift of peace of mind. Dog moms and dads want their pets to live the healthiest, longest life possible. Choose one of three DNA tests from a company founded by scientists with products developed by veterinarians: Embark. Choose from the breed ID test, the breed and health test, or the breed and health test two-pack. Each kit includes a breed breakdown and confirmation, ancestry and geographic origin, relative finder, and support from genetic specialists.

Highlights:

  • These tests were developed by veterinarians with 99 percent breed ancestry accuracy
  • Easy-to-use test kit requires swabbing your dog’s mouth
  • Includes over 250 genetic health risks with the breed and health kit only
  • Pet parents can talk to their veterinarian if any health risks are revealed for proper planning and screening if need be
  • Ideal for mixed breed dogs to determine their breed mix
  • Receive results within two to four weeks

Things to Consider:

  • Price is higher for complete health testing

Best Personalized Dog Birthday Gift

Our Pick: Custom Pet Gifts Personalized Fleece Blanket 

Buy at Custom Pet Gifts

If you and your dog love to snuggle up on the couch together, then a blanket is essential to keep you both feeling cozy on those colder nights. Upgrade your boring, regular blanket and wish your dog happy birthday by treating them (and yourself!) to this plush, personalized throw. Choose a size and color, send a photo of your dog, and you’ll receive a gorgeous soft blanket with a stylized image of your pup’s face — larger than life of course! For a little extra, you can have an image printed with multiple pets, or even a human face too!   

Highlights:

  • Choose from three sizes and eight colors 
  • Lots of positive reviews 
  • Washable 
  • Fast delivery 

Things to Consider: 

  • Expensive 
  • Not many neutral colors to choose from 

How to Choose the Perfect Dog Birthday Gift 

With so many dog gifts to choose from, how do you find the perfect one for your pup? Here are some tips to guide you to the best birthday gift for your dog.

If you’re buying food items like treats, it’s important to make sure they don’t contain any ingredients that your dog is allergic to. Any manufacturer will be able to let you know what ingredients they use, or if they offer low-allergy options. 

In terms of price, you can find gifts to suit all budgets! From a pack of birthday-themed toys to one-of-a-kind artwork, you’ll always be able to find the perfect option. If you are choosing personalized gifts like custom artwork or themed treats though, check out the reviews from previous customers, and read any instructions from the seller carefully before purchase, as most customized gifts are not returnable or refundable.    

When buying for your own dog, you know what they love best! If buying for a friend and their pet, you might want to avoid food or toys and go for a personalized book, piece of art, or a gift voucher they can redeem later. Whatever gift you choose, making memories of a fun birthday with your dog is just one of the great things about being a pet parent. So make it count!