Gifts for Dog Grandparents Who Spoil Their Granddog Rotten

You can tell your parents have become dog grandparents when the house rules quietly change. The dog that was "never allowed on the couch" now has a blanket on it. Grandpa keeps treats in his coat pocket, and Grandma has a babysitting calendar. If you are shopping for gifts for dog grandparents, the best ones do what a school photo on the fridge always did: they put the grandkid in their home. Here, the grandkid has four legs. Below are ideas for Christmas, birthdays and Mother's or Father's Day, starting with a custom pet portrait rug of the granddog.

Put the granddog in their living room

Grandparents have always kept the grandkids' pictures around the house. A rug with the granddog's face does the same job, at the height where the granddog will actually lie on it during visits. Here is how one went from phone photo to finished rug.

We turn a photo into a portrait in our hand-drawn art style, made with digital tools and reviewed by our team, then print it on a soft, plush round rug with a non-slip backing for wood, tile and laminate floors. You can add the dog's name or a second line of text. Banks's family chose "Our Golden Banks" all around the border.

Why it works as a gift for dog grandma and grandpa:

• It is a picture they use every day. No wall space needed, and it does not join the pile of frames on the piano.
• The granddog gets its own spot. When the dog visits, it already has a place by Grandpa's chair.
• It is easy to care for. Vacuum regularly and spot clean with cool water and mild soap.

More gifts for dog grandparents

A portrait is one great choice among many. Here are 12 more ideas, grouped by what they do.

Keepsakes with the granddog

2. A photo book of the granddog's year. Collect the best shots from your phone: the first snow, the stolen sock, the nap on Grandpa's lap. Print it as a hardcover book they can pass around at dinner.

3. A framed print. One great photo, printed large and framed properly. If you have a shot of the dog with them, even better.

4. A custom ornament. An ornament with the granddog's photo or name is a natural Christmas gift for dog grandparents, and it comes out every December.

5. A digital photo frame. Many models let you send new photos from your phone, so a fresh granddog picture can show up in their living room any day. Pick one with a simple setup if your parents are not big on apps.

For when the granddog visits

6. A spare bed at Grandma's house. So you do not have to pack one every time. A washable cover helps, since visiting dogs bring the outdoors in with them.

7. A set of bowls and a mat. Stable, non-tip bowls and a mat to catch the splashes keep their kitchen floor happy.

8. A treat jar of their own. A jar with the dog's name on it, filled with treats you have already approved. It gives the spoiling a little structure. A little.

9. A leash hook by the door. A wall hook or small rack for the leash, the bags and the towel for muddy paws, so everything is where they need it when the dog arrives.

Experiences together

10. A photo session with grandparents and dog. Book a photographer who works with pets for an hour in a park. Family photos with the granddog are rare, and they usually end up framed.

11. A dog-friendly day trip. A beach, a walking trail, a patio lunch somewhere that welcomes dogs. Plan the pace around everyone, two legs and four.

Small extras

12. A card "from the dog." Write it in the dog's voice and sign it with a paw print. It costs almost nothing and is often the part they keep.

13. A coupon for babysitting, reversed. Offer a weekend where you do the dog-sitting duty for them, or a "walk with the granddog" date every month. Time is a gift too.

For more holiday ideas, see our guide to Christmas gifts for pet owners. If the granddog just arrived, our list of gifts for new puppy owners helps too.

Practical tips when the gift is for older parents

A rug for your parents' home is a slightly different choice than one for your own. A few things to keep in mind:

• Non-slip backing. The rug has a non-slip backing for wood, tile and laminate floors. Lay it flat on a clean, dry floor.
• Placement matters. As with any rug, put it where people do not have to step over its edge in a rush. If someone in the house uses a walker or is unsteady on their feet, choose a spot beside a chair or bed rather than a busy walkway.
• Soft to the touch. The plush surface is pleasant for bare feet, and for a granddog who lies on it.
• Easy care. Vacuum regularly, spot clean with cool water and mild soap, and air-dry flat. No bleach, no ironing, no hot dryer.

Where it goes	Suggested size	Price
By the front door or beside the bed	24 in (61 cm)	$69
Next to Grandpa's reading chair	32 in (81 cm)	$85
In the living room, for big granddogs	40 in (102 cm)	$99

Not sure which one? Our pet rug size guide compares the three sizes side by side.

How to order it as a surprise

This is the easy part: it is your dog, so you already have the photos. Pick one where the dog looks straight at the camera, with both eyes visible, in daylight and without flash. Our photo guide shows what works best.

Then think about the words. A name alone is classic, but a second line makes it theirs:

• "Grandma's Boy" or "Grandpa's Girl"
• "Biscuit, Nana's favorite"
• "Grandpa's walking buddy"
• "Our Golden Banks" style, with the name all around the border (just ask in the note)

1. Upload the photoChoose a size and a design, and add the name or a second line.
2. Get a free previewWe email you the artwork within 24 hours.
3. Ask for changesRevisions are unlimited and free. Nothing is made until you approve it.
4. We make and ship itIn the US, it takes 3 to 5 days to make plus 5 to 7 days of free tracked shipping.

Questions

What do you get dog grandparents who have everything?

A gift "from the dog." Grandparents who have everything rarely have a portrait of their granddog. A portrait rug, a photo book or a photo session with the dog all fit, and a card written in the dog's voice makes any of them better.

Can I add two granddogs to one rug?

Yes. Mention both pets in the special request note when you order, and we will put them on one rug. See two pets on one rug for examples.

Is a rug safe for older people?

The rug has a non-slip backing for wood, tile and laminate floors. Lay it flat on a clean, dry floor, and, as with any rug, keep it out of busy walkways if someone in the home is unsteady on their feet.

What should I write on it?

The dog's name, plus an optional second line such as "Grandma's Boy" or "Grandpa's walking buddy." You can also ask for the name all around the border.

When should I order for Christmas?

You get a preview within 24 hours, and the rug arrives about 1.5 weeks after you approve it in the US. Order early in December to leave time for changes.

Make a rug of the granddog