This page contains affiliate links. We earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Quick pick
- Stocking filler for almost any small dog: a KONG Classic in Small, stuffed and frozen the night before.
- Something to unwrap on Christmas morning: the Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel in Small, a plush log with squeaky squirrels to pull out.
- Keeping busy while lunch is on the table: a LickiMat Mini Playdate or a LickiMat Yoggie Pot, filled ahead and kept in the freezer.
- A first puzzle toy: the Nina Ottosson Dog Smart, a level 1 board with treats under nine sliding bones.
- For New Year's Eve: the LickiMat PRO Tuff Soother, set up in a quiet room before the fireworks start.
- A bath before the visitors arrive: Aloveen Oatmeal Shampoo, from an Australian brand.
What makes a good gift for a small dog
Most small dogs already own a basket of toys they ignore. The ones they come back to tend to involve food or a bit of hunting, and they are sized for a mouth that belongs to a 3 kg Maltese rather than a Labrador. Size matters for safety too. A toy that is too small can be swallowed, and one that is too big just gets pushed around the floor.
We have grouped the picks by what they do on the day. All of them are on Amazon Australia and were shipped by Amazon when we checked on 3 November 2026, which helps when you are buying in December and delivery times start to stretch. Order early in the month if you can.
Christmas in an Australian summer
Christmas here lands in the hottest part of the year. A frozen KONG or lick mat gives a small dog something calm to do inside while it is too hot for a walk. It will not cool your dog down in any real sense, so keep the basics in place: shade, water, a cool floor to lie on, and walks early or late. Our cooling mat guide covers the hot-day setup at home.
Visitors bring food that is risky for dogs. Chocolate is the one everyone knows. Christmas pudding and fruit cake are easier to forget, because the dried fruit can make dogs sick, and the same goes for sultanas in mince pies. Macadamias and onion stuffing are on the list too. So are cooked bones from the ham or turkey. Fatty ham trimmings can upset a small dog's stomach badly too. Ask guests not to slip anything under the table, and give your dog a stuffed toy in another room while everyone eats. If your dog does eat something it should not, ring your vet straight away.
New Year's Eve fireworks are hard on many small dogs. A lick mat can help some dogs settle, but it is a distraction, not a treatment. Shut the curtains, put on the TV or some music, and stay home with your dog if you can. Check that the microchip details and the tag on the collar are up to date, because shelters and councils often see more lost dogs after the fireworks. If your dog shakes, hides or tries to bolt every year, talk to your vet well before 31 December. Our calming products guide has more on noise.
Play and chew gifts
For chewing, rubber beats plush. For unwrapping and carrying around, plush wins. Supervise any new toy for the first few sessions and put it away once it starts to split.
KONG Classic Dog Toy, Natural Red Rubber, Small
The red rubber KONG is hollow, so you can pack it with soaked kibble, a little plain yoghurt or mashed pumpkin and freeze it overnight. The listing describes it for average chewers and says it is dishwasher safe. Its odd bounce also makes it a fetch toy on the lounge room floor.
Caveat: Check KONG's size guide against your dog. A 2 kg Chihuahua or a young toy-breed puppy may suit the X-Small better, and a puppy still teething may do better with the KONG Puppy in our puppy toys guide. It is shipped by Amazon and sold by Pattern Products AU.
Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Plush Dog Toy Puzzle, Small
A plush tree trunk with holes and small squeaky squirrels that you push inside. Your dog noses and paws them back out, which suits terriers and Dachshunds who like to dig and hunt. The listing says each squirrel has one squeaker, and the squirrels double as small fetch toys.
Caveat: Plush and squeakers are not for strong chewers. Put the toy away if your dog starts pulling out stuffing or squeakers. It is shipped and sold by Amazon AU.
Treat and enrichment gifts
These are the gifts to fill on Christmas Eve and keep in the freezer for when lunch goes on the table. Our lick mat guide has filling ideas and more options.
LickiMat Mini Classic Playdate (Orange)
LickiMat is an Australian brand. The Mini is listed at 15 x 15 cm, small enough to fit in the freezer door and in a bag for a trip to the in-laws. The listing says the Playdate pattern suits wet food, soaked kibble and frozen treats, and that it is microwave safe and freezer-friendly.
Caveat: It is not a chew toy, so pick it up once it is licked clean. The listing says to hand wash it. It is shipped by Amazon and sold by LickiMat Australia.
LickiMat Yoggie Pot
A rubber pot you smear on the inside and freeze. The licking takes longer than a flat mat because the food sits in the ribs of the pot. The listing says it can work as a full feeder for smaller dogs and lists dishwasher, freezer and microwave safe.
Caveat: Stay nearby the first few times so you can see how your dog handles it. It is shipped by Amazon and sold by LickiMat Australia.
Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Dog Smart, Level 1 Treat Puzzle
A round board with nine treat wells, each covered by a bone-shaped piece your dog nudges or lifts out of the way. The listing calls it a level 1 puzzle with one-step actions, which is a fair start for a small dog who has never done one. You sit with your dog for this one, so it is as much a gift for the owner as the dog.
Caveat: It is a supervised toy. Put it away after each game, because a bored dog may chew the bone pieces. It is shipped and sold by Amazon AU.
A calm-down gift for New Year's Eve
LickiMat PRO Tuff Soother
The PRO Tuff version of the Soother is a heavier-duty lick mat, so it suits a dog who has chewed the edge of a standard one. Spread it with something soft, freeze it, and bring it out in a quiet room when the visitors arrive or the fireworks start.
Caveat: Licking can help a dog settle, but it will not fix a real fear of fireworks. Talk to your vet if your dog panics. It is shipped by Amazon and sold by LickiMat Australia.
A pampering gift before the visitors arrive
This one suits an owner with a house full of guests on the way and a dog who has been rolling on the lawn. If the coat needs more than a wash, our brush guide covers brushes for different coat types.
Aloveen Oatmeal Shampoo, 250 ml
Aloveen is an Australian brand. The listing describes oatmeal extracts in an aloe vera gel base and says the shampoo is pH balanced. A 250 ml bottle goes a long way on a 5 kg dog.
Caveat: Shampoo will not fix a skin problem, so see your vet if the itching keeps up or the skin looks red. It is shipped and sold by Amazon AU.
How the seven gifts compare
| Gift | Type | Best moment | Supervise? |
|---|---|---|---|
| KONG Classic, Small | Rubber, stuffable | Christmas lunch, hot afternoons | At first, then check for wear |
| Hide A Squirrel, Small | Plush puzzle with squeakers | Christmas morning | Yes |
| LickiMat Mini Playdate | Flat lick mat, 15 x 15 cm | Travel and visits | Yes, not a chew toy |
| LickiMat Yoggie Pot | Rubber lick pot | Mealtimes with guests | At first |
| Nina Ottosson Dog Smart | Level 1 treat puzzle | A quiet game with you | Yes |
| LickiMat PRO Tuff Soother | Heavy-duty lick mat | New Year's Eve | Yes |
| Aloveen Oatmeal Shampoo | Shampoo, 250 ml | Bath day | No |
A new puppy for Christmas
If a puppy is coming home over the holidays, the gifts above can wait. The first week is about a bed, a pen or crate, a toilet spot and soft chew toys for teething. Our puppy essentials checklist covers the basics, the playpen guide helps you set up a safe corner away from the tree, and the puppy toys guide lists chews sized for a 1 to 3 kg puppy.
Gifts we would skip
- Christmas food from the table. Dog-safe treats in small amounts are fine. Leftover ham and pudding are not.
- Cheap plush toys with bells or glued-on eyes. Small parts come off quickly in a small dog's mouth.
- Santa suits and jumpers on a hot day. A small dog in a costume at 35 degrees is uncomfortable. If you want a photo, take it quickly and take the costume off.
- A harness or bed as a surprise. Both depend on measurements. Our harness guide shows how to measure, and a summer bed should be one your dog can lie on without overheating.
Frequently asked questions
What size KONG suits a small dog?
The Small suits many small breeds. For a toy breed under about 3 kg, or a young puppy, check KONG's size guide, as the X-Small may fit better.
Can I freeze a KONG or lick mat for a hot day?
Yes. Both the KONG listing and the LickiMat listings say they can go in the freezer. Use dog-safe food such as soaked kibble, plain yoghurt or pumpkin, and count it as part of the day's food.
Is a plush toy safe for a small dog?
It can be, with supervision. Take it away if your dog starts pulling out stuffing or squeakers.
How can I help my dog through New Year's Eve fireworks?
Stay home if you can, set up a quiet room with the curtains shut, and offer a lick mat or stuffed toy. Check the microchip details are current. If your dog panics every year, speak to your vet well before the night.
How we choose
For this guide we picked gifts from established brands and read the details and seller information on the seven Amazon Australia listings we link, on 3 November 2026. All seven were shipped by Amazon at the time. We have not tested these products ourselves, and we have not verified the claims on the listings. Stock and sellers change in December, so check each Amazon page before you buy.
This guide is research-based. We have not hands-on tested these products. We compare manufacturer and listing specifications and general guidance, and any pros, cons and picks are the Small Paw Guide editorial team's own assessment, not test results. We do not show prices or customer feedback, so check the current listing before you buy. See how we work and our affiliate disclosure. The review date for this guide is shown under its title.
If you only buy one thing, make it a KONG Classic or a LickiMat, fill it on Christmas Eve, and keep it in the freezer for the moment lunch goes on the table.
Keep reading
- Best Lick Mats and Enrichment for Small Dogs in Australia: More lick mats and pots, and how to prep and freeze them.
- Best Puppy Toys for Chewing in Australia: Chew toys for a puppy that is still teething.
- Best Calming Products for Anxious Dogs: Fireworks Night Plan: Ideas for a dog that struggles with fireworks or a busy house.
- Best Puppy Playpens for Small Dogs in Australia: Setting up a safe spot for a new Christmas puppy.
- Best Dog Brushes for Short-Haired Dogs in Australia: Picking a brush for your dog's coat type.
- Best Cooling Mats for Small Dogs in Australian Summer: Keeping a small dog comfortable through a hot Christmas.
More in this topic: gear and setup guides, or browse all guides.