Stocking fillers for dogs UK: small gifts that give them a job

A dog stocking doesn't need to be stuffed with treats. The best small gifts give your dog something to do on Boxing Day and in the weeks after. Here are small enrichment ideas grouped by type, plus the sizing and safety checks that matter more than the wrapping.

We don't rank products or print prices. Prices change a lot in the run-up to Christmas, so check the live price before you buy.

The quick rule for stocking fillers

Small gifts can be a bit too small. Any toy or chew needs to be too big to swallow for the dog it's going to. A tennis-ball-sized toy is fine for a terrier and risky for a Labrador. Always check the maker's size guide, and go up a size if your dog is between sizes.

Mini lick mats

Small lick mats fit in a stocking and get used year-round. The SodaPup eMat is one example of a smaller textured mat. Spread it with your dog's usual wet food or a little plain yoghurt, then freeze it if you want it to last longer. There are more fillings in how to use a lick mat. You can search Amazon UK for small lick mats for dogs (affiliate link, opens Amazon UK).

Treat balls and small dispensers

A treat ball turns some of their dinner kibble into a game they nose and bat around. The Starmark treat ball is a well-known design. Use it on a rug or in a hallway, where it won't vanish under the sofa every five seconds. Browse more in our treat dispensers category, or search Amazon UK for dog treat balls (affiliate link, opens Amazon UK).

Rubber treat toys

A rubber treat toy you can stuff is a stocking classic for good reason. A KONG Classic in the right size can be filled with wet food and frozen. Our stuffing guide takes you from easy fillings to frozen ones.

Snuffle toys and snuffle balls

Fleece snuffle balls and small snuffle toys are a compact way to give a sniffing game. They suit gentle foragers. Skip them for dogs that shred fabric. Read snuffle mats explained for how to introduce one, and search Amazon UK for dog snuffle balls (affiliate link, opens Amazon UK).

Chews

If you include a chew, choose one sized for the dog and suited to how they chew. Nylon chews like the Benebone Wishbone are designed for chewing rather than eating. Supervise the first sessions, and throw any chew away once it's worn down small enough to swallow. Our chew safety guide covers hardness, sizing and the warning signs.

Free and homemade fillers

You don't have to buy anything:

• A rolled "present": kibble rolled into an old tea towel and tied loosely, like the towel roll game.
• A scrunched-paper parcel: a few pieces of their food inside plain brown paper, no tape or ribbon, to unwrap under supervision.
• A frozen lick: their usual wet food frozen in a silicone mould or a lick mat.
• A "find it" voucher: ten minutes of scent games on Boxing Day. See scent work at home.

There are more ideas in DIY enrichment on a budget.

Christmas safety: what stays out of the stocking

• Chocolate, raisins, sultanas, grapes, mince pies and Christmas pudding.
• Anything with xylitol (sometimes listed as birch sugar).
• Cooked bones from the turkey.
• Ribbon, string, tinsel and small bells, which can be swallowed.
• Human selection boxes hung next to the dog's stocking. Hang the dog's stocking somewhere else, and keep human food gifts off the floor.

For the bigger picture, including larger gifts, see our Christmas gifts for dogs guide.

FAQ

What do you put in a dog's Christmas stocking? One or two small enrichment toys, such as a mini lick mat, a treat ball or a rubber treat toy, plus a little of their usual food or treats to use in them. Size everything for your dog.

Are rawhide chews OK as a stocking filler? Many owners avoid rawhide because pieces can be swallowed. If you're unsure which chews suit your dog, ask your vet and read our chew safety guide.

Can I give my dog a stocking from Christmas Eve? It's best to open it with them and supervise. Dogs can work out a wrapped stocking long before Christmas morning.

Wrapping up

Small, safe and useful beats big and edible. Size every item properly, use your dog's usual food in it, and keep festive foods and wrapping out of reach. This guide isn't veterinary advice.