Are you looking for the perfect gift for a dog or dog lover, but you’re on a budget? Don’t fret. I’ve found some creative and affordable gift options, each one costing $25 or less.

1. App gift card

There are a few types of apps that every dog owner should have on their phone: first aid, vet locator, etc. Then there are apps just for fun! Either type can be purchased using an iTunes (for Apple product users) or an Amazon Appstore (for those who use Android devices) gift card. Along with the gift card, include a list of suggested apps.

Here are a few I recommend:

• Pet First Aid by the American Red Cross — Offers basic dog and cat first aid info.
• Veterinarians by ActiveGuru — Helps you locate the closest vet.
• Pet Poison Help by Pet Poison Helpline — Identifies common dog and cat poisons and their symptoms, and gives you immediate access to the poison helpline.
• Pet Phone by bebaronco — Tracks your dog’s vet visits, allergies, medicine, etc.
• Walk for a Dog by WoofTrax — Sponsors donate money to the animal shelter or rescue of your choosing when you log your walks.

$25 or less online at iTunes and Amazon Appstore or at any brick-and-mortar store that sells gift cards

2. Dog subscription box

There are a number of subscription boxes out there that deliver pet products each month, and at least two offer one-month gifting options that cost less than $25: Pet Gift Box and PetBox. This special treat will be a hit with the recipients and their humans.

$9.95 to $19.95 at PetBox and $24.99 at Pet Gift Box

3. Personalized dog necklace from Else Jewelry

Etsy seller Else Jewelry makes adorable custom puppy necklaces. Order one with the owner or pet’s initial stamped on the cute dog charm.

$24.99 at Else Jewelry

4. Fun dog tag from Dog Tag Art

What about jewelry for your dog? Dog Tag Art has you covered. You can get pre-made or custom designs, all of which come on a recycled-steel dog tag with a polymer coating. Art tends to lean toward the fun and sassy, and the back of the tag allows you to include up to four lines of contact information.

$12.99 at Dog Tag Art

5. Fleece throw from Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores

A no-sew fleece throw is a perfect gift for both dog and owner. My pup adores the fleece throw he received from his grandma last year and happily cuddles up in it when he goes to bed. There are a number of different pattern options including dog prints like the one above.

$9.99 at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores

6. Homemade drinking glasses

Homemade presents are affordable and heartfelt. I’ve made dog-silhouette glasses to give as gifts, and the recipients loved them. Head to your local dollar store and find a set of glassware you like. Search online for silhouettes of the dog breeds the gift recipients have, and then print them out in the size you want for the glass. Tape the printout to the inside of the glass, and then use a glass paint pen to outline and then fill in the silhouette. Follow the instructions on the paint pen to set the design. You will be proud of your one-of-a-kind gift.

$25 or less, depending on the pens and glasses you choose

7. Beer that helps animals from Weyerbacher Brewing Company

Dogs shouldn’t drink beer, but their humans should if they enjoy the adult beverage! If there’s a dog-loving beer drinker on your holiday shopping list, give a six-pack of a beer that helps animal rescue groups. Weyerbacher Brewing Company donates a portion of the proceeds from its Last Chance IPA  to local animal-rescue groups. It has donated more than $67,000 to 20-plus groups. As an East Coast craft brewery, finding a six-pack on your own locally may take some work, but you can go online to find local stores that carry the beer. The Last Chance IPA website also sells dog-centric items, including a dog collar with a built-in bottle opener.

$12 for a six-pack of Last Chance IPA at local stores

8. Extra-special dog treats

When I want to give my pup something special, I head to the all-natural chews isle at my local pet store. As a dog sitter, I can tell you there are two choices that almost all pups go crazy for:

• Pizzle or bully sticks — An all-natural, protein-packed alternative to rawhide. It takes a normal dog time to get through a good-size pizzle stick. It takes my pup about five minutes. Pizzle sticks can be high in calories, so it’s a “special” treat for my pups.
• Antlers — If you’re a little sensitive about giving your dog “that” part of a bull (I had a co-worker who refused to let his pup eat them once he learned what body part they were made of), then you can opt for an item on the other end of an animal: the antlers. Antlers you purchase in pet stores are naturally shed from deer, elk, and moose. If your pup has never tried an antler before, I suggest getting one that is split. It’s easier to get the yummy goodness out of those. If your dog isn’t interested at first, slap some peanut butter on one end. Once he figures it out, he will be busy for hours!

These treats are also great choices if you want the fun of watching a dog tear into holiday wrapping paper to get to the tasty treat inside! As with any dog chew, make sure the pet will be supervised while they work on them.

$25 or less, depending on the treats and where you shop

9. Doggie calling cards

Do you know a super-social dog? One that hits the parks and is the belle of the ball? Then she needs a doggie calling card. They’re like the calling cards of centuries past but better — because they’re for pups! The card can have the dog’s name and contact information, including any social media sites. A pup, or the pup’s human, can hand out cards to those she gets along with well to schedule future play dates and other fun dog activities.

You can purchase business-style cards a number of places, but Vistaprint is a great online source and has a ton of dog-themed designs available.

Prices vary depending on quantity and where you shop, but getting a pack for less than $25 is easily doable

10. Dog-themed gift sets from Dog Is Good

Dog Is Good’s company mission is “Deliver Dogvergnugen (the joy you feel in the presence of Dog).” Beyond delivering joy, the company does work with dozens of charities and is aligned with specific “charity partners.” All of its items are great and can be mixed and matched to build your own gift set around clever sayings with matching illustrations, such as:

• “It’s all fun and games until someone ends up in a cone.”
• “What happens at the dog park … stays at the dog park.”
• “I like big mutts and I cannot lie.”

$3.50 to $12 for a variety of items at Dog Is Good

Share your gift suggestions!

Found any great gifts for dogs and their owners that cost less than $25? Share the bounty in the comments!

Read more holiday gift guides on Dogster:

• 11 Games and Gadget Gifts for Techie Dog Lovers
• 8 Hanukkah Gifts for Dogs and Dog Lovers
• 10 Holiday Gifts for Dogs and Owners Who Love the Outdoors
• 10 Thoughtful Holiday Gifts for New Dog Owners
• 9 Holiday Gifts for Dog Guys
• 10 Unique Holiday Gifts for Dog Lovers on Etsy

About the author: Wendy Newell is a former VP of Sales turned Grade A Dog Sitter. After years of stress, she decided to leave the world of “always be closing” to one of tail wags and licks. Wendy’s new career keeps her busy hiking, being a dog chauffeur, picking up poo, sacrificing her bed, and other fur-filled activities. Wendy and her dog, Riggins, take their always-changing pack of pups on adventures throughout the Los Angeles area, where they live together in a cozy, happy home. You can learn more about Wendy, Riggins, and their adventures on Facebook and Instagram.