Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Gift Guide for Dogs and Cats
Updated October 7, 2026
It’s not just children who enjoy receiving toys at Christmas. Our pets equally love and deserve to play. While playing is healthy for your pet’s mental and physical stimulation, it shouldn’t come at the cost of our planet. Approximately 634 million dog toys end up in US landfills per year. We need to do better.
With the holidays just around the corner, you might have already started thinking about gifts for the pets in your life. This year, we encourage you to go green with your gift-giving so that our planet benefits too.
We started The Kind Pet with a combined love for our pets and our planet. As much as we adore our furry friends, we also recognize the disastrous effect their toys, food, and waste have on our earth. We hope to reinforce the idea that we can love and adore our our pets without harming our planet.
The great thing is that it’s possible to give a thoughtful dog gift or cat gift without buying expensive or new items. From DIY to giving items new life through repurposing or shopping second hand, there are a lot of sustainable gift-giving alternatives out there.
Without further ado, here is our ultimate sustainable pet gift guide.
Buy Second Hand Gifts for Pets
Heading to the thrift shop is a fantastic way to shop second hand and give a pet toy a new home. Your pet won’t care whether it’s new or secondhand, so long as it’s fun to play with!
We highly encourage you to head to your local thrift shop and check out their selection of pet toys before purchasing something new. Fun fact, many second hand stores dedicatd exclusively to pet are popping up and we definitely recommend checking those out!
Also look for fun human toys that can be used for pets too like used tennis balls, pillows or blankets for bedding and materials you may need to make a DIY item below.
TIP: Watch out for products made with small parts that can easily break off and become choking hazards.
Make DIY Toy Gifts for Pets
Thankfully, making DIY cat or dog toys at home takes nothing more than a little time and effort. Many of them you can make with items already found in your house or in a thrift store near you. Here are some DIY ideas for you to try.
Sock Toy for Cats or Dogs
It’s easy to make a toy if you end up with one mismatched pair of socks or if your pet chews the toes off one sock. Simply cut a hole in the toe-side of a full length sock and stuff it with an empty toilet paper roll. Intead of using a plastic sqeaker, add dried beans, popcorn kernals or metal bells inside for some fun rattle-like sounds and then simply tie the end.
Braided Rope Toy for Dogs
The stack of T-shirts, overworn jeans or threadbare towels that you can no longer use can be repurposed to make a Rope Toy for your dog. They’re durable, fun, and a great way to save money and reduce your impact on the planet. Simply cut the material up into three even length strips, tie at one end, braid and then tie again at the other end. And voila! Pup's got a stocking stuffer waiting for them.
DIY Treat Ideas For Pets - Dogs and Cats
Pets love treats and unlike most humans, they don’t care how nice they look as long as they taste good! Here are some easy ideas you can make at home.
Peanut Butter Treat
To make this yummy treat, all you need is 1/2 cup each of peanut butter and oatmeal, 2 cups of flour and 2 eggs. Mix all ingredients together until combined, then add water until the dough is wet enough to be rolled out. Either cut into little squares or use a cookie cutter for fun shapes (more for your enjoyment than your pets!), bake them for around 20 minutes at 350 F.
Tuna and Catnip Treat
In a food processor, add 1 4oz can of tuna, 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp of dried catnip, and 1 egg. When a smooth dough develops, form the dough into 1/4-teaspoon-size balls and cook for about 15 minutes at 350 F.
When to Buy NEW Sustainable Pet Products
We strongly encourage you not to buy anything new for your pet this holiday (and we challenge you to do the same for the humans in your life too!), but if you are not a DIYer or can't find the time to visit the local thrift store, then buying something new for your furry loved one is absolutely ok. And we have a great selection of sustainable pet gift options so you won't feel any gift-giving guilt. From packaging to shipping, we only source products with eco-friendly values like being organic, zero waste, and plastic-free.
Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Gifts for Dogs or Cats or Both
First, let's dive into gifts that work for either cats or dogs or both. This is great if you have one or more of each at home - one gift will work for everyone.
Devil Fish Treat Strips (Single Protein)
We love that these Devil Fish Pet Treats fight over population of the invasive Devil fish. And your pets will love the taste of something new. Everytime you open the bag you'll be rewarded with some overjoyed, drooling furry faces.
Wool Flower Snuffle/Activy Play Mat
Handmade Wool Basket Bed
This Handmade Wool Bed is made with anti-microbial and odor-resistant sustainable wool. Your cat or dog will adore sleeping, hiding, or playing it. The perfect, cozy gift for the favorite pet in your life.
Sustainably Made Dog Gifts
Dog Toys
Natural Dog Toy Bundle
Packed with eco-friendly fun, this Boba & Vespa Natural Dog Toy Bundle includes a Hemp Dog Bone, Hemp Throw Toy and a 100% Organic Cotton Rope Toy, all made without toxic dyes or squeakers. The hemp bone is perfect for playtime and cuddles, the throw toy is fun for fetch and the cotton rope is ideal for tug-of-war and even flossing your dog’s teeth. A healthy choice for your pup and the planet, this bundle guarantees hours of sustainable fun!
BetterBone Nylon Free Dog Bones for Chewers of All Intensities
Do you have a dog at that loves to chew, but you're worried about what they're actually chewing up and swallowig? You have a right to worry. Nylon and plastic bones are easily found on pet store shelves, but they contain dangerous microplastics. You can read more about this in our guide on why nylon toys are best avoided.
We havea nylon-free, plastic-free solution, both you and your pup will be very happy about. BetterBone makes nylon-free dog chews using only two all-natural ingredients. They also come in multiple density/hardness options so there really is a perfect bone for every dog.
BetterBone Light - 25% softer than BetterBone Hard. Perfect for teething puppies, older dogs, and light chewers.
BetterBone Moderate - 15% softer than BetterBone Hard. Perfect for a more durable, yet gentler on teeth alternative, to nylon or hard animal bones.
BetterBone Hard - 2% harder than nylon chews, super durable and meant for tough, aggressive, and strong chewers. Get this for your super chewer.
Wool Dog Stick
Wool Hemp Dog Pull Toy
Dog Treats
Better Biscuit Treats with Peanut Butter
These Better Biscuit Treats are made with simple, all natural ingredients and a novel, allergy friendly protein, crickets! Did you know that cricket protein is more digestible than chicken and uses less water to produce? These treats are a sustainable choice your dogs will love!
Looking for more dog treat gift ideas? Shop our eco-responsible, sustainable Dog Treat collection.
Dog Beds
Upcycled Sustainable Pet Bed
Treat your pup to eco-friendly comfort with this Organic Dog Bed, made in the USA. Filled with 100% natural latex from sustainable rubber plantations, it’s dust mite resistant, temperature-regulating, and biodegradable. The durable hemp cover is antimicrobial and softens with each wash. No synthetic foams, no chemicals - just natural, supportive comfort for your dog. Plus, the modern, earthy tones will look great in your home!
Hemp Dog Bed Cover Only - Stuff It Yourself
No stuffing you say?! Why on earth not? With no stuffing, you can add your preferred filling for personalized comfort. For the lowest impact on the planet, we love to recommend stuffing with old or stained clothing and blankets from around the house or from your favorite thrift shop. Bonus - if it's stuffed with your old stuff, your pup's new bed will smell just like you, their favorite scent. What a treat!
This Hemp Dog Bed Cover is made from durable, eco-friendly 17 oz. organic hemp fabric, the perfect base for creating a custom dog bed with your own stuffing. The removable, zippered cover makes cleaning a breeze, while the non-toxic, chemical-free material ensures your pet’s safety. Available in multiple sizes and colors, it’s the versatile, stylish choice for pets of all sizes.
Make sure to check out full line of sustainable dog beds.Sustainably Made Cat Gifts
Cat Toys
Our Boba & Vespa cat toys are zero waste and plastic-free making them both safe for the planet and your cat. Perfect for cats of all sizes, each toy is crafted from organic materials like hemp, cotton, and catnip, ensuring safe, eco-friendly fun. Whether it's for thrashing, kicking, or swatting, these natural cat toys have everything your cat needs for endless entertainment. Squeaker-free and made in the USA, these are the perfect choice for a sustainable and engaging playtime experience!
Natural Cat Kicker Toy
Stingray Toy for Cats
Wool Cat Toys
Check out our entire collection of Non-Toxic Cat Toys.
Cat Treats
Silver Carp Fish for Cats
Treat your cat to a healthy, hypoallergenic snack with Silver Carp Fish - Hypoallergenic Cat Treats. Made from the invasive Asian carp species, these single-ingredient dehydrated treats are free from common allergens and chemicals found in other fish. Not only are they a nutritious option for cats with food sensitivities, but by choosing these treats, you’re also helping combat the overpopulation of this invasive species and supporting ecosystem preservation.
Cat Beds & Scratchers
We're not going to lie. Cats just have cuter bed options. There we said it. Sorry doggos! Enjoy browsing these super snuggly, fun non-toxic cat beds.
Cardboard Cat Pyramids
How stinkin cute, yet sophisticated are these modern cat hideaways? Not only are the designs quite chic, but these Kitty Kardboard pyramids are made in the USA with recycled cardboard. And we sure do love that!
Wool Cat Cave
Cardboard Cat Scratcher
Not only is this a cat scratcher, but many cats love to climb on and cuddle up on this cardboard cat scratcher made from recycled cardboard in the USA. We love the simple design and non-toxic, eco-friendly materials.
Looking for more ideas? Shop our full collection of Gifts for Dogs and Gifts for Cats.
So, what will you be giving your pet this holiday? Some extra belly scratches with a side of homemade treats? Or a DIY toy and a brand new bed? We can see the tail wagging and hear the purring already!
