7 pet-safe holiday gifts under $50 to spoil your dogs, cats and even hamsters this Christmas

Spread some holiday cheer with budget-friendly toys your pets will love, keeping them active and content.

PUBLISHED 8 HOURS AGO

(L) Tabby cat plays at the Christmas tree, (R) Different multicolored pet care accessories. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) Kseniya Ovchinnikova, (R) Nataliia Tymofieieva)

A loving and comfortable home seems more than enough for a pet to live a happy life. But don’t mistake their outward contentment for inner fulfilment, as pets require sufficient physical and mental stimulation to encourage positive behaviors and strengthen their bond with their owners. Pet toys serve as enrichment and a great outlet for dogs and cats to burn excess energy through playing, running, jumping, and adding to their overall well-being. When deprived of toys or any stimulation, pets may develop destructive behaviors linked to boredom. Some owners may worry about the price tags that accompany a pet-safe toy ideal for their furry friend, but here’s a curated list of 7 pet toys under $50 that make perfect holiday gifts to spoil your pets this Christmas.

A woman holding her cat and standing near a Christmas tree (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Kaboompics.com) — A woman holding her cat and standing near a Christmas tree. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Kaboompics.com)

1. Brightkins Calming Rainbow Treat Puzzle & Lick Mats

Dog Pulling His Toy. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Josh Sorenson)

Festive seasons call for lots of treats. Investing in a colorful enrichment puzzle or food bowl would serve as the perfect gift for your dog. This toy is especially useful for anxious pups or fast eaters, keeping their minds calm and engaged while adding joy to their daily routine. The toy has 28 hidden compartments and two removable lick mats, ensuring your dog stays occupied during the cold winter months. The Brightkins Calming Rainbow Treat Puzzle & Lick Mat is available on Amazon for only $21.49.

2. Snuggle Puppy with Calming Heartbeat

Black and White Dog Biting a Seahorse Toy. (Representative Image Source: Pexels |Karola G) — Black and White Dog Biting a Seahorse Toy. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Karola G)

Dogs love some serious cuddling. While owners can’t always be around, this toy makes a comforting stand-in. The Snuggle Puppy dog toy comes with a removable heat pack and a real-feel heartbeat that provides a constant source of comfort for dogs. It is a one-size-fits-all solution for gentle or playful dogs and significantly reduces barking, whining, and nighttime anxiety, acting as a sleep aid. The toy also proves helpful during crate training. Available on Amazon for $39.95, the Snuggle Puppy with Calming Heartbeat is a cozy must-have for Christmas.

3. Toothbrush Dog Chew Toy

A Dog Lying on Its Bed. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Mathew Coulton)

What’s better than a chewy toy that serves more purposes than one, and at a pocket-friendly price tag? The Toothbrush Dog Chew Toy by Cerisurio helps maintain your puppy’s oral health and keeps teeth strong. Its unique design with tiny bristles is appropriate for a dog’s chewing, acts as a toothbrush, and also helps relieve psychological stress with its durable material. The dishwasher-safe toy can be made more enriching by stuffing it with kibble, peanut butter, or snacks. The product is available on Amazon for $11.98.

4. Interactive Cat Toy

Tabby Kittens on Floral Comforter. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Pixabay)

Tabby Kittens on a Floral Comforter. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Pixabay)

The Interactive Cat Toy is an electronic concealed motion cat toy by Sofolor that is available on Amazon for $29.98. It consists of a cat mat and a moving feather wand that serves as an enrichment for the feline. The fluffy feathers can move randomly under the mat, encouraging a cat’s natural instincts to explore, pounce, and release energy. The toy is double-layered and equipped with a standby mode and speed modes of fast, slow, and interactive.

5. KONG Kickeroo Swirl Cat Toy

Festive Black Cat in Christmas Themed Setting. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Noora AL) — Festive Black Cat in Christmas-Themed Setting. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Noora AL)

The Kong Kickeroo Swirl Cat toy is a plush toy filled with pet-safe catnip and a crinkle sound feature, ideal for indoor cats. The price of a 1-Pack Kickeroo toy is $14.99 and seems to be a hit among cat owners. The long shape of the pet toy promotes full-body wrestling and hind paw kicking, while the crinkle sound adds excitement to keep the cats engaged. A cat is bound to chase the fluttery tail and also cuddle the toy when needed.

6. Frisco Unicorn Small Pet Cave

Representative image of a boy holding his pet guinea pig in hands (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Irina Shpiller) — Representative image of a boy holding his pet guinea pig in his hands (Image Source: Getty Images | Irina Shpiller)

This toy deserves a cute-aggression trigger warning. The Frisco Unicron Small Pet Cave would easily serve as an equally adorable space for your little hamster. Shaped like a tiny cave, the pet product is adorned with a unicorn horn and plush fur to offer comfort and become the perfect retreat for small pets or hamsters. It is available for $30.33 on Chewy. The entrance allows the pet to peek out and lounge in the snuggly cave. Christmas would never look so much better for a hamster in a unicorn pet hideout.

7. Kaytee Critter Cruiser Pet Powered Exercise Car

Hamster in a wheel. (Representative Image Source: Unsplash |
Matt Bero) — Hamster in a wheel. (Representative Image Source: Unsplash | Matt Bero)

While Christmas may seem like the ideal time to laze around, make sure your hamster is getting in the daily miles. The Kaytee Critter Cruiser Pet Powered Exercise Car is a pet-powered exercise tool for hamsters and gerbils that may act as a resourceful holding area while owners get other work done around the house. The pet toy operates on three modes: stationary, mobile, and on a Hamtrac. The exercise wheel is available on Amazon for only $24.56.