Pets deserve holiday gifts, too! 13 picks for the pooch or cat in your life

This holiday season, it can be easy to forget the one member of your household who never gets angry with you, never talks back and is always ready for good cuddles, hugs and kisses — your pet.

Tons of great pet toys and tech are available to make your life easier and Fido’s life more rewarding. Even if you don’t have a pet of your own, show your friends and family that you care about everyone in their household by including a small gift for their furry companions.

Need a little inspiration? We’ve picked 13 pet-approved gift ideas any pet or pet owner would love to receive.

1. Everyone needs their own bed

K&H PET PRODUCTS Heated Pet Bed

Who doesn't like to snuggle around a warm fire? Not everyone has a fireplace, and our indoor pets can get cold in the winter months. If you want your pet to be nice and warm, consider buying this heated dog bed. It's soft, comfortable, machine washable and safe to use. It is controlled with a thermostat that warms your dog's average body temperature and uses low wattage to conserve energy.

Promising review: "For 3 years I've been trying to get my chihuahua out of my bed and off my couch to no avail. The first night we had this bed he slept the entire night in it and the unheated bed went unused as my other dog got in with him. Now its both their favorite place to be. Best purchase I've ever made!"

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$62.99 on Amazon.com

2. Never loose Fluffy again

Apple AirTag

Do you own a pet who likes to roam? Freedom isn't a bad thing, but there's always a chance one of your pets doesn't come home at night. Instead of worrying about them, locate them with the Apple AirTag. This tag can play a sound to help you locate your pet, and if they're out of range, you can find them using the app on your smartphone.

Promising review:" Got it for my cat. It's slightly on the big side ... but he's handling it well; no issues so far. It's not for pinpointing his location but gives me an idea of where he is in the neighborhood so I can call him if necessary. To minimize size, get a keychain holder with just the rim."

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$29.00 on Amazon.com

3. Secure the Apple AirTag

SWINCHO Airtag Dog Collar Holder

If you want to use AirTag to track your pets, this dog collar holder will keep the tag firmly in place. That means no matter how much your pet likes to play and roll around, the AirTag will remain on its collar. It is sweat-proof, scratch-resistant, made with eco-friendly liquid silicone and washable. It is also available in various colors so that you can add a little personality to your pet's collar.

Promising review: "So far so good with this. For over two different collars we had. I don’t keep it on all the time, [just] for when hiking or camping type trips. Just in case. AirTag fits in it perfectly. I think it sits close enough to the collar that you don’t have to worry about it snagging on anything."

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$8.98 on Amazon.com

4. Keep them on their toes

Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Dog Interactive Puzzle Toy

If pets don't receive enough mental stimulation, they can become destructive. This dog puzzle attracts your pet by hiding treats that can only be accessed if it can flip the compartment open or slide them up and down. This is also an excellent toy for dogs who struggle with anxiety or eat too quickly. To wash, clean with warm water and soap before using for the first time, then again between uses.

Promising review: "Loved this product! Kept the pup entertained for longer than other toys. Helped build up her confidence and coordination . We used training treats, dog biscuits and frozen water & fruit."

Buy Now

$14.95 on Amazon.com

5. Calmer bathing

Waterpik PPR-252 Pet Wand Pro Shower Sprayer Attachment

After a trip to the dog park, it can be difficult to get your dog clean again. This Waterpik shower attachment releases water in a comb-like spray that's perfect for washing shampoo from dense pet fur. It comes with an 8-foot hose adapter, suction cup hook and indoor shower diverter. Connect it to your indoor shower or outdoor hose.

Promising review: "Oh my gosh. This was so highly recommended by my neighbor that I bought two. One for me and one for my daughter. Great price. I am so happy with this item. I think I may buy a couple more for Xmas gifts."

Buy Now

$33.81 on Amazon.com

6. Keep an eye on your pets

Furbo Dog Camera

When you're at work, you might start to miss your fluffy friends at home. If only you could see them and talk to them 24/7! Well, actually, you can. This Furbo camera and night vision camera connects to your smartphone with 1080p HD quality. Look at your dog's habits when you're gone for the day, connect to toss a treat to your furry friend and get notifications when you hear barking. The camera includes a speaker so you can talk to your pet to calm them if they're reacting to something happening outside the window or even if it starts to display signs of anxiety.

Promising review: "Best pet related purchase I've made!!! Furbo sends your phone alerts when your dog is barking or when their are loud noises in your house- i.e. when your CO detector is going off! Saved my dog's life!"

Buy Now

$164.48 on Amazon.com

7. Fun for everyone

YOFUN Smart Interactive Cat Toy

If you're a cat owner, you know how adorable they are just existing. Now, with this YOFUN Smart cat toy, you can enjoy watching them as they play. The ball rotates itself, includes a spinning LED light and can be recharged for hours of fun. It stimulates the hunter instincts in your cat and gets them off the couch for a little exercise. Choose between the pink or white smart ball.

Promising review: "Both of my cats like to play with it a lot, and this ball rolls around my house without stuck in the [corner], it is a very good toy to entertain my cats, highly recommend it!"

Buy Now

$14.97 on Amazon.com

8. Don't forget the fish

Marineland Portrait Glass LED Aquarium Kit

Some people love their fish, but is a simple goldfish bowl enough? This 5-gallon aquarium comes with rounded corners and a clear glass canopy so that you can view your pet fish from any angle. Bright white LEDs create shimmering sunlight on the water, while the blue LEDs recreate a moonlit glow. The filtration unit is hidden from view, so whatever plants or aesthetic pieces you add will stand out more than an unsightly filter.

Promising review: "This is great! Got it home and set up in no time. The set up instructions leave a little open to interpretation, but once you're done it's perfect! Bob, my betta, and his friends have never been happier. Highly recommend if you're not prepared to commit to a huge tank, but want something big enough for a few species and plants. The added heater keeps it a perfect 78 degrees too."

Buy Now

$92.58 on Amazon.com

9. Great for puppies

SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy Heartbeat Stuffed Toy

When puppies are removed from their mothers too soon, they can struggle to stay calm and sleep alone at night. These heated heartbeat plushies help soothe puppies who cry at night or become destructive while the rest of the household is asleep. The plush is machine washable, has two modes for the simulated heartbeat and comes with disposable heat packs that can be warmed without a microwave.

Promising review: "My pup was separated from her mother way too early and has crazy separation anxiety. I opened this as soon as I got it and she instantaneously passed out on top of it. Already know it was a good purchase."

Buy Now

$39.93 on Amazon.com

10. Upgrade your dog's toys

Wickedbone Smart Bone

Everything seems to have a smart version these days, and dog bones are no different. These WickedBone smart bones can be programmed to attract your dog's attention. Use your smartphone to make it move around, vibrate and swerve around obstacles. It's a great way to keep your pets occupied without leaving the house. The bone has 12 built-in responses to different types of touch, so your dog will constantly be challenged.

Promising review: "I’ve never seen anything like the Wickedbone before. Finn loves it! He even demands to play with it when I get home. It is by far his favorite toy."

Buy Now

$69.99 on Amazon.com

11. Save the couch

HERTZKO Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush

As much as we all love our furry friends, none of us can claim to love all the fur that comes loose when we pet them or when they roll around. This HERTZKO self-cleaning brush is the perfect solution to all your pet fur woes. Remove mats and tangles from your pet's coat while extracting dander and loose hair. The bonus is most pets love that good scratch from the brush's metal bristles.

Promising review: "My cat was nervous about this brush at first, but ... [now] she absolutely loves it now. Really gets down into her fur coat and catches a lot of stray hair. The button that pops the bristles out and back makes a noise that startles my cat though, so I have to push it slowly or away from her."

Buy Now

$17.99 on Amazon.com

12. Take your friends everywhere

PETKIT Pet Backpack Carrier

Our pets want to see the world, but as we all know, the world can be a dangerous place for roaming animals. This ventilated pet backpack is the perfect solution for smaller pets. The pack has a large window to view the scenery around them, and the straps are padded for extra comfort while you carry them. This is also an excellent carrying case when you need to take your pet to the vet's office or transport them during a move.

Promising review: "A bit pricey but its actually worth every penny. I had to test the bag on myself before I place my cat inside. The fans works amazingly well, the light sets up the mood, the bag is also well ventilated and the screen is tinted for sunny days. Also, you need a power supply such as a power bank for the fan and light."

Buy Now

$69.99 on Amazon.com

13. Automate the dirty work

PetSafe ScoopFree Ultra Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box

Are you tired of cleaning up your cat's litter box? This PetSafe self-scooping kitty litter box is the perfect solution. Once it's set up, load it and leave it. Safety sensors stop the scooping rake if your cat is in the box and the waste gets covered, then trapped for easy removal.

Promising review: "Easy to set up and the cats like it!! The litter helps and lasts a long time. I’ve used this same brand/kind with a regular litter box and have four cats. The self-cleaning... now that’s the cats meow!!!"

Buy Now

$231.60 on Amazon.com

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