Pet Portrait Gifts

Pet portrait gifts: the standout present, and what to pair it with

A commissioned portrait of someone's dog or cat is the gift people keep on the wall for twenty years. It beats almost anything else at the same price.

Straight up: we don't paint pet portraits. We design and print cards, pin badges and prints in the UK — so this page is the honest guide to commissioning one elsewhere, plus the card and badge to give with it.

Below: what a portrait costs, how long to allow, what photo to send, and every pet gift guide we've written.

Commissioning one, without the stress

• Allow four to six weeks for a hand-painted portrait, longer before Christmas — artists book up from October.
• Send the best-lit photo you have, taken at the pet's eye level, not from above.
• Daylight beats flash every time; a window-lit photo is usually the one the artist asks for.
• Agree the crop and the background colour before work starts, not after.
• If time is short, a digital portrait printed at home is a genuine option — and you can wrap the printed proof.
• Give it with a card that explains it's coming, if the artwork won't land in time.

Every pet gift guide

• For dog dads. Guide: /blogs/news/fathers-day-gifts-from-the-dog
• For dog mums. Guide: /blogs/news/dog-mum-gifts-uk
• Including the dog in a wedding. Read: /blogs/news/include-dog-in-wedding-uk
• Thanking a dog walker. Read: /blogs/news/dog-walker-gift-ideas
• Dog-themed decor for the house. See: /blogs/news/dog-themed-home-decor
• For cat people. See: /blogs/news/gifts-for-cat-lovers

Where to shop next

• Shop all cards
• Shop pin badges
• Dog mum gifts
• Father's Day gifts from the dog
• Dog walker gift ideas
• Dog themed home decor
• All our products
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Gifts to make someone smile
• Thinking of you gifts

Frequently asked questions

Do you paint pet portraits?

No. We design and print greetings cards, pin badges and prints in the UK. Portraits are commissioned from independent artists — this page explains how to do that well.

How much does a pet portrait cost in the UK?

Digital portraits typically start around £30 to £60, and hand-painted originals commonly run £80 to £300 or more depending on size, medium and the artist.

How long should I allow?

Four to six weeks is a safe rule for hand-painted work, and longer in the run-up to Christmas. Digital portraits can be days.

What if it won't arrive in time?

Give a card saying it's being made, with the photo you sent tucked inside. It lands better than a rushed substitute gift.