Pet gifts to avoid

We don't sell pet treats, toys or accessories - we make cards, pin badges and prints in the UK. Nothing below is us selling you a chew toy.

Most bad pet gifts come from good intentions: a big bag of treats, a squeaky plush for a power chewer, a collar in the wrong size.

Here's what causes problems most often, and the swap that keeps the thought without the trip to the vet.

Treats and food

• Avoid chocolate, grapes, raisins and anything with xylitol - all toxic, all common in hampers.
• Avoid rawhide, which swells and can block the gut. Swap for a natural single-ingredient chew.
• Avoid cooked bones, which splinter. Raw-feeding households will have their own rules anyway.
• Avoid enormous bags of treats for a dog on a weight plan. Swap for a small pack plus a lickmat.

Toys

• Avoid plush toys with plastic eyes, beads or chewable squeakers.
• Avoid string, ribbon and tinsel toys for cats - swallowed strands cause serious injuries.
• Avoid toys sized for a different dog; too small is a choking risk.
• Swap for a solid rubber stuffable toy, which fits nearly every household.

Kit and clothing

• Avoid collars and harnesses bought by guessing the size; get the measurement or skip it.
• Avoid fixed-buckle cat collars entirely - quick-release only.
• Avoid training tools like slip leads and prong collars; that's the owner's call, not a gift.
• Swap for size-free kit: a towel, treat pouch, travel bowl or blanket.

The big one: don't gift a pet

• Never give an animal as a surprise - it's a decade-long commitment, not a present.
• If someone genuinely wants a pet, gift the starter kit and go with them to choose.
• Same for goldfish, hamsters and 'starter' pets, which need as much setup as anything else.
• A sponsorship or shelter donation in their name gives the feeling without the commitment.

Browse all cards

How to write it so it lands

• Ask before you buy anything edible or wearable.
• Never surprise anyone with an animal.
• If unsure, the card plus a gift voucher is the safe answer.

Where to shop next

• Safe treats to give as a pet gift
• Dog toy gift ideas
• Cat toy gift ideas
• Dog accessory gift ideas
• Cat accessory gift ideas
• New pet gift ideas
• Pet safe birthday cake and treats
• Gotcha day ideas
• Pet guides
• All guides
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Pin badges

Frequently asked questions

Is rawhide bad for dogs?

It's a common cause of choking and gut blockages because it swells when chewed. Single-ingredient natural chews are the safer gift.

Can you give a pet as a present?

Please don't. Rehoming rates spike after Christmas for exactly this reason. Gift the setup and let them choose the animal themselves.

What if I don't know the pet at all?

Give something for the owner - a card, a print, a mug - and let them buy what the animal actually needs.