Buy a Christmas gift for the way the dog plays and sleeps. A soft novelty toy may suit a dog that carries toys gently, but it is a poor choice for one that tears them apart. Choose for the dog receiving it, rather than the photo on the packet.
If the present is for someone else’s dog, ask what they already use and what gets destroyed. A familiar size label or a festive design cannot answer those questions. You can keep the present a surprise without guessing about the animal.
What to buy a dog that destroys toys
Consider a rubber or rope toy suited to the dog’s play, without treating either material as a promise it cannot break. A tough label alone tells you less than the construction and how the dog uses it. Compare dog toys for dogs that shred plush before choosing another soft present.
What to buy a dog that ignores toys
A dog that enjoys working for food may prefer a lick mat or slow feeder to another squeaky toy. The online Eat & Drink range lists both, while the advice on why your dog ignores most of their toys covers the wider play-style question. Check with the owner before buying food-based enrichment for someone else’s dog.
Can you buy a dog coat without knowing the size?
A coat is a poor surprise if you cannot get the dog’s measurements. The guide on how to fit a dog coat covers back length, chest and neck, so do not choose from a letter size or back length alone. Check the particular coat’s sizing instructions rather than assuming a larger size will fit.
Should you buy a dog bed as a present?
A bed is worth considering when you know where and how the dog already rests. Check which style suits the way your dog sleeps before choosing one for its looks. For someone else’s dog, ask the owner before committing to a bed and read the return conditions before buying.
What not to buy a dog for Christmas
RSPCA Australia’s household dangers guidance names several Christmas hazards. Keep these away from the dog, including while presents are wrapped and waiting to be opened.
For the toy itself, RSPCA Australia’s playtime guidance says to supervise play and remove a toy if it starts falling apart. It also recommends regular checks for wear. A Christmas design does not change those precautions. Unwrap the gift yourself and remove the ribbon and string before offering the toy.
- Tinsel, ribbon and string: swallowing them can cause gut blockages that need surgery. Keep decorated presents out of reach. If a pet swallows string, the RSPCA says to take them to a vet clinic immediately.
- Cooked bones: they can splinter and cause serious internal damage or blockages. Do not assume raw bones are a safe alternative: the RSPCA’s feeding guidance also warns about broken teeth, blockages and bacteria.
- Chocolate and festive food: the RSPCA names chocolate, Christmas cake and pudding, alcohol, fatty or spicy food, and sweets containing the sugar substitute xylitol. Keep them out of reach, including food inside wrapped gifts.
- Christmas tree needles: these can irritate the gut if eaten. A tree is a decoration to keep the dog away from, rather than another plaything.
- Batteries: swallowing or chewing them, or contact with leaked chemicals, can be dangerous. Keep battery-powered novelty presents away from the dog. If you think a battery has been swallowed, contact a vet immediately.
When should you buy a Christmas present for a dog?
Order online with time to spare. The shop’s published shipping-policy page gives no dispatch time or Christmas order cut-off. Without a dispatch time, you cannot work out a reliable order-by date. Leave time for the order to be prepared as well as delivered.
Buying in person avoids waiting for that parcel, but you still need to shop during opening hours. The store at 93 Upper Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe is open Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 5:30 pm. It is closed on Sundays and public holidays. Check before making a special trip near Christmas rather than assuming extra holiday hours.
Keep the receipt or proof of purchase with the present. The shop’s online return policy allows 30 days after receipt to request a return. Items must be unworn or unused, with tags and original packaging. Buying well ahead of Christmas means that window may run out before the gift is opened.
Contact the shop first to request a return; sending an item back without doing so is not accepted under its policy. The policy excludes sale items and gift cards, along with categories such as food, treats and personalised items. These are the shop’s voluntary return terms. The ACCC explains that store policies cannot remove consumer rights when a product is faulty.
Frequently asked questions
Is a plush toy ever a suitable Christmas gift?
It can suit a gentle carrier. It is a poor bet if the dog pulls soft toys apart. Watch how the dog plays with it, and take it away if it begins to break up, as the RSPCA advises.
What can I buy for a dog I do not live with?
Ask the owner what the dog uses and enjoys. A coat or bed needs information you may not have. A food-based present also deserves a check with the owner, rather than assuming it suits every dog.
Can I leave a Christmas stocking toy with a dog alone?
The RSPCA advises supervising pets when they play with toys. Taking off the wrapping is only the first step; it does not establish that the toy can be left with the dog. Remove it if play starts pulling it apart.
What if the present is the wrong size?
Check the return policy before removing tags or using it. The published online window starts when the item is received, not on Christmas Day. Contact the shop to request a return rather than posting it back unannounced.
Is tinsel a real risk to dogs?
Yes. The RSPCA warns about swallowed tinsel, ribbon and string causing serious gut problems. Keep them away from the dog while wrapping, storing and opening gifts, rather than relying on the wrapping to stay intact.
Choose the gift before choosing the wrapping
Browse the Seasonal collection for Christmas lines, then choose according to the dog. Festive plush is one option for a gentle carrier; a shredding dog needs a different choice.
If you want help choosing, describe how the dog uses toys when you visit Belvedere’s Pet Supplies. A photo of a toy they have worn out can help explain the sort of play you mean. You can get in touch before visiting if you want to ask about a particular item.
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