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Gift Ideas for Pets and Pet Parents

Writer: Katie A
Katie A
May 6
7 min read


Dog and cat in party hats, sitting by a gift with a candle. Colorful decor and balloons in background, creating a festive mood.

Finding the perfect gift for your pet—or a fellow pet parent—should feel fun, not overwhelming. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, gotcha day, holiday, or just want to spoil your dog or cat “just because,” there are so many thoughtful, high-quality options from small businesses. In this guide, I’m highlighting some of my favorite small businesses and trusted brands that offer unique pet gifts and convenient online ordering. From handmade treats and custom creations to carefully curated toys, accessories, and essentials, these are options I personally love because they combine quality, creativity, and convenience—so you can shop confidently and support businesses that truly care.


Barking Bad SStylish & Functional Gear for Everyday Life


Couple with dogs, mannequin dogs with bandanas, "Barking Bad" logo, colorful bandanas on rack, sign: "Bandana Special 2 for $25".

If you love finding gear that’s both cute and practical, Barking Bad is a must.

Their signature bandanas are hand-sewn from 100% cotton and feature a slide-on design (no tying, no slipping off), with over 300 designs to choose from—so there’s something for every dog’s personality.


They also carry durable, adventure-ready gear that’s actually made for real life—not just looks. When I stopped by their booth at the New Braunfels Farmers Market, I picked up their pet hair remover glove, and it’s been a game changer. Eddie sheds a lot, and now I can keep this in my car instead of constantly going through lint rollers. I also bought their carrier for Eddie.


A woman holds a black and white dog in a red bag indoors. She wears a white t-shirt. The room has colorful wall art and blue cushions.


Barking Bad is a service-disabled veteran-owned and woman-owned business, which makes supporting them even better.


New customers get 10% off first online purchase when you download the RECS 4 PETS app. 



Pleione Creative -Adorable, One-of-a-Kind Pet ID Tags


Pet ID tags and charm necklaces on pink and white checkered and beige backgrounds. Cute icons and "Pleione Creative" logo on yellow.

Pleione Creative makes some of the cutest pet ID tags I’ve seen—each design is colorful, fun, and completely unique.


They offer themed collections for holidays like Christmas and Halloween, along with everyday designs inspired by food, flowers, and playful patterns. It’s one of those shops where you’ll have a hard time choosing just one.


Smiling person holds up a star-shaped trinket with a boot charm. Background features a colorful landscape painting.

The brand was created by Kim, who left her software engineering career to pursue her passion for design. Her dog, Maple (the “Chief Bark Officer”), is the inspiration behind it all—and you can really feel that personality in every piece.

They also offer cute accessories for pet parents, which makes this a great gift option for both the pet and the owner.


New customers get 25% off first online purchase when you download the RECS 4 PETS app. 


Pet Portraits by Tiffany -Custom Watercolor Pet Portraits


Woman smiling, holding a small black and tan dog. Background has dog art, a jar of dog treats, and framed pictures. Warm, cheerful setting.

If you’re looking for something more meaningful, custom pet portraits make an incredible gift.

Watercolor painting of a dog named "Eddie" with black and white fur. Text "Eddie" vertically on the left. Soft, splashy background.

Tiffany Dnaka creates beautiful digital watercolor portraits that truly capture your pet’s personality. I ordered three—one for Eddie and two for my sister’s dogs—and they turned out even better than I expected.


Watercolor of a French Bulldog sitting. The dog has a curious expression, with a light gray and brown hue. Subtle splashes in background.

She works closely with you after you submit your photo to make sure every detail is right, which makes the final piece feel really personal.


Two French Bulldogs, one white and one black, face each other. The watercolor painting features a soft, neutral background.

These are perfect for birthdays, holidays, or memorial pieces—and a portion of her sales goes to rescue organizations, which adds an extra layer of purpose to each order.

New customers get 15% off your first order when you download the RECS 4 PETS app. 


Purrniture - Functional, Stylish Furniture for Cats


White cat with green eyes sits on a gray cat tree. Background includes a potted orchid and warm-colored wall, creating a cozy atmosphere.

For cat owners, Purrniture offers thoughtfully designed furniture that actually supports a cat’s natural behavior.


Each piece is made from repurposed wood and built to be sturdy, functional, and aesthetically pleasing—so it fits into your home while still giving your cat a space to scratch, play, and relax.


They also offer a 4-week “Catisfaction Guarantee”, which says a lot about their confidence in the product, and a trade-in program if your furniture starts to show wear over time.


It’s a great gift if you want something long-lasting that both the cat and the owner will appreciate.


New customers get 15% off all Purrniture when you download the RECS 4 PETS app. 



Collage of Ruff Town Rescue boutique, logo, dog sign, store interior, and pet treat packs. Text: Boutique & Spa, Treats with a Purpose.

Ruff Town Rescue Boutique and Spa is now open in downtown New Braunfels, right across from the Brauntex. Founded by Nancy Hierl, this business is built around the idea of “Pet Treats With a Purpose.”



Dog on a cushioned wicker bench, smiling with fur wing art behind. Text on wall: "Sometimes, angels come to us with four paws & a wet nose."

They offer a curated selection of healthy food, raw options, and premium single-ingredient treats like beef heart, chicken breast, silver carp, and beef chips. They have toys, accessories, supplements, treats, and soon to have a self-wash station and grooming.


New customers get 10% off your first purchase when you download the RECS 4 PETS app. 


Meal Pups (Fresh Dog Meals & Treats) - Custom Dog Cakes & Celebration Treats


Dog food collage with packaged meals, a decorated cake, doughnuts, soap, and balm. Central logo says "Meal Pups" with a happy dog.


Chef Bonnie makes custom dog-friendly cakes, including a 4-inch double-tiered cake ($40) and a 6-inch double-tiered cake ($50), which are perfect for birthdays or special occasions.


Frosted cake with caramel drizzle, surrounded by banana slices on a gold tray. Background is a brown box, creating a cozy feel.
Peanut butter banana cake I ordered for RECS 4 PETS Pet Parent Social

Created by Chef Bonnie—who has a background as a professional chef and education in food science—Meal Pups focuses on fresh, human-grade meals designed to support digestion, skin, and overall health. What started as a way to help her own dog has grown into a thoughtfully crafted brand for pet parents who want more than traditional kibble.


Meals are vacuum-sealed for freshness and can be stored in the fridge or freezer for weeks. They’re also very reasonably priced and can last a long time, especially when used as a topper for smaller dogs.




You can find Meal Pups at local pet-friendly events or order directly for pick-up or delivery (for a small fee) through Facebook or Instagram. For custom cakes, you can call or message on Instagram.


New customers get 10% off a custom doggie cake when you download the RECS 4 PETS app. 


Haus of Remy Upscale Boutique Pet Accessories & Gifts


Collage of Haus of Remy Dog Boutique. Features a storefront, dog in a basket, dog toys, and a mug. Highlights include "Pet Dogs. Shop Local."

Haus of Remy is a newly opened upscale pet boutique in downtown New Braunfels, just a block from the Chamber of Commerce—and it’s definitely a must-visit if you love unique pet finds.


This shop leans more lifestyle and boutique, with items like coconut water for dogs, dragonfruit treats, stylish toys, accessories, furniture, dog strollers, dog perfume, and even clothing for humans.


Dog-themed items on a table: plush dog toys, white bag, mug with text, and shirt reading "PET DOGS. SHOP LOCAL. REPEAT." Cozy mood.
All the things I bought on my first visit.

If you’re looking to spoil your pet (or yourself), this is the place.


New customers get 10% off your first purchase when you download the RECS 4 PETS app. 


Presley’s Pawstries - Homemade, Human-Grade Dog Treats


Fluffy white dog with a pink tongue out, surrounded by colorful dog cakes and treats on a vibrant pink background.

If you’re looking for simple, clean dog treats without unnecessary fillers, Presley’s Pawstries is a great local option.


Owner Ashley creates homemade, human-grade dog treats and cakes using three ingredients or fewer. Her focus is on keeping recipes clean and wholesome—especially as an alternative to many store-bought treats that rely on ingredients like yogurt chips, which often contain added sugar and oils that can upset a dog’s stomach.


Presley’s Pawstries offers both bagged treats that can be shipped nationwide and custom cake orders and cookie boxes for local delivery or meetup. You can order themed cookie boxes for birthdays, gotcha-days, holidays, or other special occasions, along with beautifully decorated pup cakes.


Box of dog treats shaped like paw and tennis ball. Text reads "RECS 4 PETS." Background is blue and includes a QR code labeled "Scan Me."
The custom cookies I ordered for the RECS 4 PETS Pet Parent Social. A dog thought the tennis ball was real and jumped at the box when I held it up!

Ashley’s background as a veterinary technician and her lifelong passion for animals are reflected in the quality of her products.


She is out of Buda, she can meet in San Marcos.


Snaggletooth Treats Small, Single-Ingredient Treats for Dogs & Cats



Smiling person with a dog and Snaggletooth treat bags against a pink backdrop. Various treat bags displayed on blue. Cheerful vibe.

Snaggletooth Treats creates freeze-dried, single-ingredient treats for dogs and cats, with options like chicken liver, beef liver, lamb liver, and duck liver. The small, easy-to-chew pieces are perfect for dogs like Eddie, who have limited teeth or dental sensitivities. Shipping was fast, and Eddie loved them immediately—making these a great low-calorie, high-quality option.


Four colorful bags of "Snaggletooth Teeny Tiny Treats" with lamb, beef, chicken, and duck liver varieties, displayed on a table.
I ordered all four flavors for Eddie.
A hand holds two beige pet treats. One treat is circled in yellow. A bag is visible in the blurred background.
Look how much smaller these treats are!

New customers get 10% off your first order when you download the RECS 4 PETS app. 



 Las Vegas Pet Treat Company Freeze-Dried & Dehydrated Treats


Dog treat packages with colorful designs on a green background, featuring a dog's face. Text reads "Las Vegas Pet Treat Co." and "Treats for Dogs & Cats."

Las Vegas Pet Treat Company offers dehydrated and freeze-dried treats made with human-grade ingredients. Eddie tried samples like chicken hearts and salmon and loved them all. They also offer a variety of options for dogs with sensitivities, including beef, pumpkin, dried yam, green beans, and salmon.


New customers get 20% off your first order when you download the RECS 4 PETS app. 


Doglicious Bakery Bites -m All-Natural Dog Treats for Sensitive Stomachs


Dog with treats, woman smiling in pink shirt holding dog snacks, and a display of Doglicious products. Pink background and banners.

Doglicious Bakery Bites are 100% natural treats made without artificial flavors, sugars, or preservatives, and use oat flour for sensitive stomachs. Eddie—who’s notoriously picky—loved the Apple Nutty Delights. As a senior with a few missing teeth, they were also easy to break apart, making them a great option for dogs who need softer treats.


New customers get 10% off your first order when you download the RECS 4 PETS app. 




Turquoise dog treat food truck with images of dogs, parked in a park. Menu displayed. Trees and grass in the background. Sunny day.


The Mobile Barkery, based in Huntington Beach, offers a wide variety of dog treats for different dietary needs, including gluten-free cookies, yogurts, and meat-based treats. You canr order online with free shipping on orders over $50.

I discovered them at Barks and Brews at the LA Arboretum, where Eddie loved their pup cup topped with bacon. He’s also a big fan of their pork heart and chicken treats.


New customers get 25% off your first order when you download the RECS 4 PETS app. 



Frequently Asked Questions: Ordering Pet Products Online


Can I order pet products online through RECS 4 PETS?

RECS 4 PETS does not process orders directly. Instead, the app and website connect you to trusted pet brands and small businesses where you can place orders through their own websites.


Are the online businesses vetted?

Yes. Every business featured on RECS 4 PETS is personally reviewed or researched for quality, transparency, and reliability—so you can feel confident in what you’re ordering for your pet.


Do I get discounts when ordering online?

Many businesses offer exclusive discount codes for RECS 4 PETS users. These codes are listed in the app and can be applied at checkout on the business’s website.


How do I use a RECS 4 PETS discount code?

Simply copy the code from the app and enter it during checkout on the business’s website. Each business may have slightly different instructions, which are included in their profile.


Do these businesses ship nationwide?

Some online businesses ship across the U.S., while others may be local or regional. Shipping details, costs, and delivery areas are provided on each business’s website.


What types of products can I order online?

You’ll find a wide variety of pet products, including:

  • Treats and food

  • Toys and enrichment items

  • Grooming supplies

  • Accessories like collars, bandanas, and travel gear

  • Specialty items like custom cakes or gifts


Are online orders safe and secure?

Yes. All transactions take place directly on the business’s website, which means payment security and order processing are handled by that business—not through RECS 4 PETS.


Can I return or exchange items I ordered?

Return and exchange policies vary by business. Be sure to check the specific company’s website for their policies before placing an order.


How long does shipping take?

Shipping times depend on the business and your location. Some items (like handmade treats or custom products) may take longer to prepare and ship.


Why order from small pet businesses instead of big retailers?

Ordering from small businesses helps support local entrepreneurs while often giving you access to higher-quality, more unique, and thoughtfully made products for your pet.



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CONTACT

katie@recs4pets.com

  • For app issues

  • If you are a small business owner interested in being featured on the app. 

  • If you know of any pet-friendly events to add to the pet calendar

 

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