What Should I Get Someone With a New Puppy?

The best gifts for someone with a new puppy are the things they'll use every single day: a slow feeder sized for the puppy, something to lick or chew that can go in the freezer, and a simple sniffing game for mealtime. New puppy owners get a lot of plush toys. What they usually run out of is patience at dinner time, when a tiny dog inhales breakfast in seconds and then looks for trouble.

Below is the list we'd hand a friend who just brought a puppy home, plus what to skip and how to pick the right size.

What does a new puppy owner actually need?

Most new owners already have the basics on day one: food, a crate, a leash and a bed. The gaps show up in week two or three. Puppies eat fast, get bored fast and chew whatever is nearby. Gifts that help with those three things get used. Gifts that don't end up in a basket.

• Mealtime: a bowl that slows a speedy eater down and gives the puppy something to figure out.
• Quiet time: something to lick during crate time, baths or nail trims.
• Brain work: a sniffing or rolling toy that turns part of the daily food into a game.

9 useful new puppy gift ideas

1. A slow feeder in the right size. For small and medium breeds, the Puzzle Feeder Junior keeps dinner from turning into a race. For a big-breed puppy who will grow fast, the Puzzle Feeder Wave has 3 modular parts and 4 modes, so it can start easy and get harder as the dog learns.
2. A lick bowl. The Licker Junior holds wet food, plain yogurt or soaked kibble. Freeze it and it lasts longer. New owners love it for crate training and bath time.
3. A treat-rolling toy. The Tumbler M lets kibble out a few pieces at a time as the puppy pushes it around. It also works as a stocking stuffer.
4. A snuffle mat. Scatter part of a meal in it and let the nose do the work. The Grass Snuffle Mat has 336 leaves to hide food in.
5. A ready-made bundle. If you'd rather not choose, the Puzzle Feeder bundles pair a bowl with an insert or toy, so the gift is done in one box.
6. Enzyme cleaner. Not glamorous. Every new puppy owner will thank you.
7. A gift card for a puppy class. Training help in the first months is worth a lot.
8. Extra poop bags and a holder. They go faster than anyone expects.
9. A dinner they don't have to cook. Seriously. The first weeks with a puppy are tiring.

Which size slow feeder should I get for a puppy?

Buy for the dog the puppy will be in a few months, not just today. Here's a quick guide:

Puppy	Good fit	Why
Toy and small breeds	Junior + Licker Junior	Smaller bowl, shorter ridges, easy to reach
Medium breeds	Junior or Junior Bundle (Junior + Tumbler M)	Room for a full meal plus a rolling toy for snacks
Large and giant breeds	Wave or Swirl	Holds bigger meals; the Wave can be made harder as the dog grows
Not sure yet	Gift card or the buying guide	Let the owner pick once they know the adult size

What should I skip?

• Toys with small parts that a chewing puppy can pull off.
• Rawhide and very hard chews unless the owner's vet has said they're fine for their puppy.
• Clothes in the wrong size. Puppies grow out of everything in weeks.
• Treats with xylitol or anything you haven't checked the label on.

How do I make a slow feeder gift easy for a puppy to learn?

Tell the new owner to start on the easiest setting. On day one, put the food on top of the ridges so the puppy wins quickly. After a few meals, push the kibble down between the ridges. When the puppy finishes easily, switch to a harder mode. Always supervise with any new bowl or toy, and pick it up if the puppy starts chewing the bowl instead of eating from it.

Gift checklist

• Do I know roughly how big the puppy will get?
• Will they use it every day?
• Is it easy to clean? (The Wave comes apart into 3 parts and is top-rack dishwasher safe.)
• Can it go in the freezer for longer quiet time?
• Does it ship in time? Free US shipping on orders over $40, Canada over $60 CAD.

FAQ

Can puppies use slow feeders?

Yes, most puppies take to them quickly, especially if you start on an easy setting. If your puppy has a health condition or a special diet, ask your vet first.

What's a good cheap gift for a new puppy owner?

A treat toy like the Tumbler M ($19.99) or a Snuffle Mat Insert ($9.99) is useful and small enough for a stocking.

Can I freeze food in a lick bowl for a puppy?

Yes. Spread wet food or plain yogurt, freeze it, and hand it over during crate time or grooming. Check that any ingredient is dog-safe first.

What's the best gift for a big-breed puppy?

A bowl they won't outgrow. The Wave holds a full adult meal and has 4 modes, so you can make it harder over time.

Is a puzzle feeder a good Christmas gift for a dog?

It's one the dog uses every day, which is more than most toys can say. Pair it with a lick insert for the full set.

The short version

Skip the fifth squeaky toy. Give the new puppy owner something that makes dinner slower, quiet time easier and mealtime more fun. If you want 10% off, use code PZFDNEW10 at checkout.

Not sure which bowl fits their dog? Read Which Puzzle Feeder is right for my dog?