Best Personalized Christmas Gifts for Dog and Cat Lovers

Why personalized pet gifts win at Christmas

Pet lovers already own plenty of gifts with a generic paw print on them. What they don't have is a gift featuring their dog or cat. Personalized pet gifts show you noticed what matters to them, and they tend to stay on display long after the holidays. They're also a great solution for the hard-to-shop-for people on your list: parents, in-laws, coworkers and that friend who says "I don't need anything."

All of the ideas below can be made with a custom portrait from Get Pet Art. Portraits are created from a photo of the pet, and you preview before ordering, so you know exactly what you're giving.

1. A Santa Paws or Holiday Sweater portrait

For a festive gift that gets an instant laugh, choose a seasonal design. Santa Paws shows the pet in a red suit and hat beside a glowing tree. The Holiday Sweater portrait wraps them in a cozy red and green knit with fairy lights behind. Both are part of our Christmas pet portraits collection.

Best format

A framed poster or small canvas makes it a centerpiece for holiday décor that comes out every year.

2. A pet portrait poster

A poster is a versatile personalized Christmas gift. It is easy to frame to match a room and can become part of a family's holiday display. Pick any style, from The King to the Watercolor portrait, and choose a 12x16 or 18x24 poster.

Great for

• Thoughtful family gifts and Secret Santa
• A pet's first Christmas
• A gentle memorial gift for someone who lost a pet this year

3. A royal or hero canvas for the wall

If you want a "wow" gift, a large canvas portrait is hard to beat. Royal designs like The Queen and hero designs like The General or The Astronaut are bold and funny, and they look impressive above a sofa or fireplace. Browse canvas pet portraits from 12x16 to 24x36 inches.

4. A Modern framed print for a favorite room

A personalized framed print is a gift they'll see daily. It's a natural fit for coworkers, teachers and anyone who loves their pet. The Modern portrait with the pet's name looks especially clean on a shelf or office wall. See framed pet portraits.

5. A digital portrait for holiday cards

Order the Digital Download and you'll receive a high-resolution file by email within 24 hours. It's perfect for printing holiday cards, setting as a phone wallpaper or sharing on social media. Digital is also the go-to option when you're running late: it's the one gift you can still order after the shipping deadline.

6. A two- or multi-pet family portrait

For households with more than one pet, a group portrait is a thoughtful touch. Upload a separate photo of each pet and choose 2, 3 or 4 pets. See two pet portraits and multi-pet portraits.

7. A framed memorial portrait

The holidays can be hard for someone who lost a pet this year. A memorial portrait with soft angel wings and a rainbow can be a deeply meaningful gift. Add a short, warm note using the free gift message in the cart. Our article on ways to memorialize a pet has more ideas.

How to get a good photo without spoiling the surprise

The trickiest part of a surprise pet gift is getting a photo. A few approaches:

• Check their social media for clear, close-up shots of the pet.
• Ask a partner, roommate or family member to send you one.
• Offer to pet-sit and take your own photos.

The best photo is a sharp close-up taken at eye level in daylight, with both ears in the frame. Our pet photo guide and the longer article on taking the perfect pet photo explain more.

Timing: when to order for Christmas

Every print is made on demand, which takes 2-5 business days, followed by 3-7 business days of US shipping. To be safe, order prints by the Christmas deadline shown in the banner at the top of our site. Carriers get busy in December, so earlier is always better. Digital downloads arrive by email within 24 hours, right up to Christmas Eve.

Gift ideas by recipient

For parents and grandparents

A framed royal or watercolor portrait of the family dog makes a heartfelt gift that grandparents will proudly hang. Consider a multi-pet portrait if the family has more than one animal.

For coworkers and teachers

Keep it simple and affordable: a digital portrait featuring their pet is personal without being over the top.

For your partner

Go big with a canvas of your shared pet as royalty or heroes, or order a two-pet portrait of your fur family. Add a private note in the free gift message.

For kids

Children love hero designs. The Superhero, The Astronaut and The Knight look fantastic in bedrooms and playrooms, and seeing their best friend as a hero is a joy.

For new pet parents

A framed portrait from a pet's first Christmas is a lovely keepsake that can join the holiday display every December for years.

Quick picks by budget

• Under $30: digital download.
• $40 to $70: 12x16 or 18x24 poster.
• $75 and up: canvas or framed print, and US shipping is free on orders over $75.

Ready to start? Browse personalized pet gifts or compare all portrait styles.