Valentine’s Day is a big deal in the United States, with people planning on spending nearly $26 billion in 2024. While a significant other might account for the bulk of this, pet owners also open their wallets for their animal companions on this day of love. You may have been hard-pressed to find appropriate gifts for your dog years ago. However, manufacturers have responded to our changing attitudes with a vast array of themed gifts.
This guide provides a small sampling of what’s available. You’ll find anything from toys to treats to clothing, and we’ve included reviews of some of our favorites with details to help you choose the perfect gift for your beloved pooch.
The 10 Best Valentine Gifts for Dogs
1. Frisco Valentine My First Valentine’s Bone – Best Overall
Type: | Plush toy |
Materials: | Polyester |
Features: | Squeaker |
The Frisco Valentine My First Valentine’s Bone is simply adorable. It’s an ideal gift for a puppy celebrating their first holiday, but it’s so cute we would have no problem giving it to an older pet. The plush toy is 10.5 inches long, making it appropriate for dogs of all sizes. While you can’t put it in the washer, you can spot-clean it. The product is durable and can handle a lot of playtime, making it our pick for the best overall Valentine’s gift for dogs.
2. Frisco Love Letters Dog & Cat Bandana – Best Value
Type: | Clothing |
Materials: | Polyester |
Features: | N/A |
The Frisco Love Letters Dog & Cat Bandana is an excellent way to celebrate the holiday, especially for those with pets who like to feel a little fancy. It comes in two sizes to fit most pets, and the design is cute and appropriate for the holiday, although we could see it as a part of the rotation year-round. The product is well-made and is an excellent value, which makes it our choice for the best Valentine’s gift for dogs for the money.
3. Goody Box Valentine’s Dog Toys & Treats – Premium Choice
Type: | Plush toys and treats |
Materials: | Polyester |
Features: | Squeaker toys and treats |
The Goody Box Valentine’s Dog Toys & Treats box offers a fun way to lavish your pup with a premium gift to celebrate the holiday. It includes two toys and three types of treats to make the special day last, all of which are Valentine-themed. The treats include beef and chicken, and the toys are plush with squeakers to grab your pup’s attention. The box consists of quality products, making it a good value for the price.
4. Frisco Valentine Heart Squeaky Dog Toy – Best for Puppies
Type: | Plush toy |
Materials: | Polyester |
Features: | Squeaker, crinkle |
The Frisco Valentine Heart Squeaky Dog Toy is holiday-themed with an odd twist: It isn’t the usual shape you may expect. Instead, it is an anatomical shape. Nonetheless, it has a cute face with the obligatory Cupid’s arrows. It has a squeaker and crinkle material to get your puppy’s attention. Often, these features prolong the fun by encouraging playtime. Better yet, it’s well-made and may last for the long haul.
5. KONG Wobbler Dog Toy
Type: | Interactive |
Materials: | Nylon |
Features: | Training, interactive |
The KONG Wobbler Dog Toy is a favorite among dog owners. It’s virtually indestructible, and it offers a way to provide welcome enrichment for your pet. While it’s not a true Valentine’s toy, we’re drawn by the red color, which fits the holiday. Plus, it’s one of the most popular dog toys out there. It comes in two sizes, making it appropriate for pets of all shapes and sizes, and it’s also dishwasher-safe.
6. Frisco Valentine Box of Chocolates
Type: | Plush, interactive toy |
Materials: | Polyester |
Features: | Squeaker |
The Frisco Valentine’s Box of Chocolates is adorable and even makes us a little hungry. The subject matter is clearly appropriate for the holiday, and the fake chocolates are really the only safe way for your pup to enjoy this sweet. It’s also a puzzle toy, which is a great way to keep your pet mentally stimulated. It’s a well-made product, although chewers will put the hurt on this toy without supervision.
7. Milk-Bone Sweetheart Snacks
Type: | Treat |
Materials: | N/A |
Features: | N/A |
Milk-Bone Sweetheart Snacks are a healthy treat that is chock full of nutrients. This USA-made product celebrates the holiday in a cute way through the use of Valentine’s Day colors, and each one has a saying reminiscent of candy hearts. Each treat contains only 5 calories and includes 12 essential vitamins and minerals, and they are appropriate for breeds of all sizes. We love this canine riff on a holiday classic.
8. Best Friends by Sheri, The Original Calming Shag Fur Donut
Type: | Bed |
Materials: | Plush, fiberfill |
Features: | Calming |
We can’t think of a better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with our pampered pooch than the Best Friends by Sheri, The Original Calming Shag Fur Donut. The bed provides a relaxing place for your pup to curl up in and stay warm while they snooze. You can get one in dusty rose or cotton candy to stay with the holiday theme as well. The product is machine-washable to extend its life, which makes it even more enticing.
9. Native Pup Valentine’s Day Heart Dog Collar
Type: | Collar |
Materials: | Nylon |
Features: | Quick-release buckle |
The Native Pup Valentine’s Day Heart Dog Collar is another fun twist on candy hearts. This one includes cute holiday messages, but it also has a quick-release buckle and a metal D-ring. It comes in three sizes and is adjustable to fit most pets. It’s also affordably priced for a holiday item, and the collar is durable and is sure to provide years of wear.
10. Huxley & Kent Valentine’s Day Dog Toy
Type: | Plush toy |
Materials: | Polyester |
Features: | Squeaker, crinkle |
The Huxley & Kent Valentine’s Day Dog Toy is a fun riff on Valentine’s Day with a quintessential indulgence of the day: chocolate-covered strawberries. The product is well-made, and it comes in two sizes so that all pups can enjoy it. It’s also one of the few that we found that is machine washable. That can extend the life of the toy, especially if it gets a lot of use during playtime. Better yet, the squeaker and crinkle are sure to keep your pet engaged.
Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Valentine’s Gift for Dogs
We love treating our pets, and it certainly doesn’t have to be a holiday to do so. However, you’ll find many ways to celebrate with a variety of products that commemorate the special feeling of Valentine’s Day. After all, caregivers often view their animal companions as family members, so you can include your pup in the festivities the same as you would celebrate Valentine’s Day with your significant other or kids.
The good news is that you’ll find themed gifts of just about any type, whether it be toys, clothing, or treats. The downside is they are sometimes more expensive because of the short window of opportunity for marketers to sell these goods. Nevertheless, they make us smile.
Things to consider when choosing a gift include the following:
- Type
- Materials
- Features
Type
You’ll find themed gifts in just about any product category. Of course, toys are a best seller. We like the sense of humor manufacturers bring into the mix whenever it comes to holiday gifts, though. We’ve seen items resembling iconic images like candy hearts and Cupid. We’ve also found products that recognize both sides of a love story: the good and the bad. On the contrary, people who view their pets as children will appreciate the pet mom themes.
Clothing is another big item. They include various items, from collars to bandanas to t-shirts. Pet owners who want matching pieces will find ensembles of matching harnesses and leashes. Again, manufacturers are keen to tickle pet owners’ funny bones with humorous sayings and cute designs.
You’ll see a vast selection of treats with appropriate themes as well. Many resemble classic Valentine’s treats, yet will taste just as good to your pet year-round.
Materials
The materials vary with the product type. Those for toys include synthetic fabrics like polyester. That can keep them affordable while making them durable. You’ll also find items made with natural materials like cotton. Many toys are hand-washable. However, they aren’t indestructible. Most manufacturers are careful to state as much in the product descriptions. We recommend inspecting them frequently for wear as your pet plays with them.
You’ll find ingredient lists with treats as required by FDA regulations. Some products may contain red food dyes to stick with the holiday theme, and we suggest giving these snacks to your dog outside to protect your carpet and furniture.
Features
Many toys have squeakers, which get your pet’s attention even if they get on your nerves after a while. Many manufacturers reinforce these areas to prevent dogs from removing them. That’s another reason for inspecting your pup’s toys. One feature we like is interactive toys. They challenge your dog mentally to provide enrichment. However, the selling point of many of these products is often the design rather than the extras.
In Conclusion
After completing our reviews, the Frisco Valentine My First Valentine’s Bone captured our hearts with its cute design and loving message, making it our best overall choice. The Frisco Love Letters Dog & Cat Bandana is an adorable way to celebrate the holiday with your canine BFF, all for an affordable price. It’s simple yet grabs your attention. However, all the gifts on this list are likely to be something your pet loves, so you really can’t go wrong with any of them.
Featured Image Credit: Kristina Igumnova26, Shutterstock
Contents
- The 10 Best Valentine Gifts for Dogs
- 1. Frisco Valentine My First Valentine’s Bone – Best Overall
- 2. Frisco Love Letters Dog & Cat Bandana – Best Value
- 3. Goody Box Valentine’s Dog Toys & Treats – Premium Choice
- 4. Frisco Valentine Heart Squeaky Dog Toy – Best for Puppies
- 5. KONG Wobbler Dog Toy
- 6. Frisco Valentine Box of Chocolates
- 7. Milk-Bone Sweetheart Snacks
- 8. Best Friends by Sheri, The Original Calming Shag Fur Donut
- 9. Native Pup Valentine’s Day Heart Dog Collar
- 10. Huxley & Kent Valentine’s Day Dog Toy
- Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Valentine’s Gift for Dogs
- In Conclusion