The Best Custom Gifts Featuring Your Pet’s Face
Let’s be honest, pet owners will put their animal’s face on almost anything.
Mugs? Absolutely. Socks? Of course. A giant blanket covered with 37 pictures of a slightly confused Chihuahua? Take our money.
Custom pet gifts turn an ordinary present into something personal, funny and occasionally a little ridiculous. Whether you’re shopping for a devoted dog mom, proud cat dad or someone whose camera roll is basically a pet documentary, there are plenty of options.
Here are some of the best custom gifts featuring a pet’s face, and a few places where you can find them.
Custom Pet Portraits
A custom portrait is one of the most popular pet gifts, but that doesn’t mean it has to be serious.
Artists can turn a favorite photograph into a watercolor, cartoon, pencil sketch or royal painting. A grumpy cat can become a queen wearing a velvet robe. A bulldog can become a decorated military general. A golden retriever can become a sea captain who clearly has no idea how boats work.
Crown & Paw specializes in custom portraits created from pet photos, including designs that dress pets as royalty, historical figures and other colorful characters. West & Willow is another option for cleaner, more contemporary portrait styles.
For an even wider selection, Etsy has work from independent artists offering everything from realistic paintings to wild cartoon designs. Just check the artist’s reviews, turnaround time and photo requirements before ordering.
Pet Face Socks
Custom pet socks are perfect for anyone who has ever thought, “My ankles need more pictures of my cat.”
Upload a photo, choose a background and suddenly your pet’s face is repeated across an entire pair of socks. Add hearts, paw prints, tacos or holiday decorations, depending on how much dignity you’re willing to sacrifice.
Etsy has a large selection from different sellers, including printed and embroidered options. Cuddle Clones, Mod Paws and PupSocks also offer socks personalized with a pet photo or illustrated face.
These make great stocking stuffers, birthday gifts or presents for coworkers who have already shown you 600 pictures of their cat.
Personalized Pet Mugs
A custom mug is useful, personal and perfect for people who need coffee before dealing with their pet’s morning demands.
Shutterfly allows shoppers to add pet photos, text and colors to personalized mugs. West & Willow offers mugs featuring illustrated pet portraits, while Cuddle Clones also has custom pet art mugs.
For maximum comedy, choose the least flattering photo available. Perfect portraits are nice, but a dog sneezing halfway through a picture is unforgettable.
Custom Pet Blankets
A personalized blanket is cozy, sentimental and slightly alarming to guests who weren’t expecting your cat’s face to cover the entire couch.
Blankets can feature one large photograph, a repeating face pattern or a collage of favorite moments. You might include pictures of your dog sleeping, begging, wearing a birthday hat and looking guilty about something that hasn’t been discovered yet.
PupSocks offers blankets with repeating custom face designs, while Monogram Online has options built around a larger pet photograph. Shutterfly also carries personalized photo blankets and pet-themed home decor.
These blankets are especially thoughtful for college students, travelers or family members who spend time away from their loved ones. They can also become meaningful memorial gifts when paired with a pet’s name or a short message such as “Forever Loved.”
Pet Face Pillows
Custom pillows range from tasteful home decor to giant cushions shaped like a pet’s head.
A pillow featuring a cat’s dramatic side-eye can become the household’s official “judgment pillow.” A life-size dog pillow can surprise visitors and possibly confuse the actual dog.
Cuddle Clones sells personalized pillows created from pet photos, along with other custom products designed to resemble individual animals. Etsy is another good place to look for printed cushions and pillows cut into the shape of a pet (albeit a little on the cheaper looking end).
The best pillow photos usually have a clear outline and an unobstructed view of the animal. Avoid pictures where half the dog is hidden behind the couch, unless you want a custom pillow shaped like half a dog.
Personalized Phone Cases
A pet phone case lets someone carry their favorite animal everywhere, even though they were already going to show strangers pet pictures anyway.
Designs can feature one large image, several photos or a repeating pattern. A rabbit could be surrounded by carrots. A serious-looking dog could appear against a simple background. A cat could be displayed making several different disappointed expressions.
Zazzle carries customizable pet photo phone cases for a range of devices, with options to add names, text, colors and collages. And they’re pretty cheap too.
Before ordering, double-check the exact phone model. Nothing ruins a personalized gift faster than discovering it fits a phone the recipient stopped using three years ago.
Custom Air Fresheners
A custom pet air freshener lets your furry friend ride along in the car without leaving hair on those beautiful leather seats.
These car air fresheners can be printed with a pet’s face, name or funniest expression. Imagine checking the rearview mirror and seeing your golden retriever grinning back at you, or your cat silently judging your parallel parking.
For small quantities, you can’t beat Photo Air Fresheners, which lets you easily design your own air freshener and have it shipped in a matter of days. For a bulk custom air freshener order to hand out to friends and family, go with an industry leader like CustomAirFresheners.net. Not only do they offer tons of scent options, but can also design the air freshener in the shape of your pet.
For the best result, use a clear, close-up photo with the pet’s entire head visible. A funny expression is encouraged. A blurry picture of your dog running through the yard may produce an air freshener that looks less like a beloved pet and more like a mysterious woodland creature.
You can even try to match the scent to the animal’s personality. A calm cat might get lavender, an outdoorsy dog might get pine, and a pet with a history of stealing food probably deserves something called “Fresh Bacon”, although that may only encourage them.
Custom Clothing
T-shirts, sweatshirts, pajamas and hats can all be decorated with a pet’s face.
Some options are subtle, such as a small embroidered portrait on a sweatshirt. Others involve a giant cat face covering the entire front of a shirt. Both approaches are valid, but only one is appropriate for most staff meetings.
Custom pajamas covered with a pet’s face are perfect for the kid you just sent off to college. A comfortable reminder around the dorms of their favorite furry friend back home.
Etsy is a good place to look for independent designers offering custom embroidered and printed clothing. West & Willow also carries personalized pet apparel and accessories alongside its portrait products.
Personalized Pet Jewelry
For something more sentimental, custom jewelry can feature a pet’s portrait, name, silhouette, paw print or nose print.
A small engraved necklace is subtle enough for everyday wear, while a photo pendant makes the pet more recognizable. Jewelry can also be a thoughtful memorial gift for someone who has lost an animal companion.
Etsy has a broad selection of personalized pet necklaces, bracelets and engraved portrait pendants from independent sellers. Other specialty jewelry shops can create pieces using a pet photograph or even an impression of its nose or paw.
Because quality can vary between sellers, check the materials, dimensions, customer photos and engraving details before buying.
Pick a Photo With Personality
No matter what you order, the photo matters.
Choose a clear, well-lit image that shows the pet’s face, ears and general shape. Natural light usually works better than a dark photo taken from across the room.
Most importantly, choose a picture that captures personality. A crooked grin, dramatic stare or tongue hanging sideways can make the finished product much more entertaining.
Custom pet gifts can be funny, stylish, sentimental or completely over the top. A portrait can decorate someone’s home. A blanket can help them feel close to a pet they miss. An air freshener can make the morning commute more entertaining. A pair of face-covered socks can make everyone at the holiday party just a little uncomfortable.
And really, isn’t that what gift-giving is all about?
