If you’re searching for a dog or cat dad Father’s Day gift in NZ, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up 11 gifts for pet lovers that any dad (or grandad) can enjoy.
Father’s Day in NZ is the perfect time to gift wrap some new gadgets for dads and grandads. Of course this daddy-o day isn’t limited to people parents – pet parents count too! That’s one big reason why we think gifts for pet lovers are the ultimate Father’s Day present.
If you haven’t got anything planned (and even if you have), this article is filled with gifts you can keep and activities you can experience.
Check out the list below.
In this article
- When is Father’s Day in NZ?
- 1. Lunch and a coffee (mug)
- 2. Socks (quirky or classic)
- 3. A pet cam for Father’s Day (no more lonesome pets)
- 5. Hot dog tea infuser (to warm the heart)
- 6. A good book (is priceless)
- 7. A pet themed journal (to keep track of all Bella’s antics)
- 8. A colour-coded dog lead (for conscientious walks)
- 9. Cast iron door wedge (timeless)
- 10. Round up Father’s Day in NZ with a great card (and something inside)
- 11. Hassle-free pet insurance for Father’s Day
When is Father’s Day in NZ?
Depending where in the world you are, you’ll celebrate Father’s Day on a different page of the calendar.
Father’s Day in NZ happens on the first Sunday of every September.
This year (2025) it’s on Sunday, 7 September.
It’s a great time to celebrate fathers and forefathers together with family. This, of course, includes our pets. Now without further ado, on to the gift ideas!
1. Lunch and a coffee (mug)
Dads and grandads the world over are fans of a good coffee and brunch or lunch. Since we’re all about pet-friendly too, why not take dad/grandad to a cat café. You can share in some fine feline company while you’re there and, most times, the cats there are also up for adoption.
If dad/grandad have been hoping for a pet, perhaps this is an idea? Cat cafes tend to have kittens needing new homes. But there are also plenty of reasons for adopting an adult cat.
In keeping with coffee and croissants, we thought one of these Splosh coffee mugs would be the purrrfect Father’s Day gift. There’s a mug for a range of dog breeds – including French Bulldogs, Labradors and more. Get one from Mighty Ape.
2. Socks (quirky or classic)
We know … socks are the OBVIOUS gift. But seriously, no Father’s Day in NZ is complete without a new pair of socks. But let’s be sure to make this pair that much more special…
Some of our favourite socks are from Etsy for one reason: they can be personalised. Send in a snapshot of dad’s dog or cat and they print it on your socks! You can even choose from a range of styles (and materials such as lycra or cotton).
Here’s a small selection of our favourites:
- elegantly embroidered in grey, black or white
- bold, printed pet faces
- printed black and white (with pet’s name too)
3. A pet cam for Father’s Day (no more lonesome pets)
Dogs detest being alone for any length of time. A pet cam can help soften the experience by bringing you home, virtually. Pet technology like pet cams are designed to let you watch over your pet so you can check whether they’re safe and happy.
The HD cam usually comes equipped with night vision (great for evening commitments). On your end the cam is operated via an app on your smartphone. You can set up alerts for when your dog barks and it’s easy to calm them down by talking to them over the cam’s two-way microphone.
But wait there’s more! Many pet cams now come equipped with a treat dispenser. That means dad or grandad can give their pet a treat, remotely. Ahhh, the life.
Neat huh? A perfect Father’s Day gift for NZ dads and grandads who love their pets. Check out the review on this Furbo Dog Camera:
4. Weekend getaway (for people and pets)
What better way to say thank you to a cat or dog dad (or any dad for that matter) than by taking them away for the weekend? We’re partial to pet friendly destinations to satisfy two and four-legged guests.
New Zealand is a land of untold beauty, rivalled by nowhere on the planet. It’s a wonderful spot for all kinds of travelling with pets, so read some of our relevant blog posts to get the ideas flowing:
- A how-to of dog friendly camping
- Tips for travelling with your dog or cat
- Some of the best dog friendly beaches
- Pet safety at the beach, lake and river
- Pet friendly accommodation in Taupo
- 101 pet travel guide
Also check out these pet friendly Airbnb destinations, where you can choose from cycling, hiking, kayaking and swimming in a range of environments and award-winning getaway homes.
An away-from-home experience is one of those Father’s Day gifts guaranteed to make memories of a lifetime.
5. Hot dog tea infuser (to warm the heart)
Does your dad enjoy a cuppa? This quirky Hot Dog tea infuser from Ikoiko will combine his love of animals with his love of tea. He simply has to fill it with his favourite loose tea, perch it on his cup, then obediently wait for the tea to steep. Plus, it’s BPA and phthalate- free!
6. A good book (is priceless)
While most of us are caught between reading social media updates, WhatsApp messages and emails, nothing beats settling into a good book. Nestled between the pages, the worlds that unravel can go on furever! Now that’s what you call a good Father’s Day gift.
We’ve put together a holiday reading list for animal lovers with our top selection of pet-themed books. Many of them have been so successful they’re now movies too. You can always make a meal of it and treat the fam to an at-home film day too.
Oh and did we mention these too-cool magnetic cat-themed bookmarks for dad’s new book (meowser!)?
7. A pet themed journal (to keep track of all Bella’s antics)
This suave journal comes in a black cover with gold foil and is filled with heart-warmers. A journal for dads to write down all their dog’s quirks and diarise special moments, it’s a simply splendid dog dad gift.
Inside this journal are beautifully printed out places to paste photos. And lots of specially thought out questions to fill in on behalf of dogs. For example, “my favourite hooman” or “expensive things I’ve chewed”.
Get this dog’s life keepsake journal from Smack Bang.
8. A colour-coded dog lead (for conscientious walks)
One could argue that a lead is more for the pet than for the parent, but who’s to say? After all, the way your dog lead looks, feels and performs can make or break a great walk. Not to mention that NZ dog walking bylaws make it every dog owner’s legal responsibility to walk their pup on a lead.
Why not grab your dad a dog leash with meaning. Colour-coded dog lead use specific colours to signal information about the dog’s temperament, needs, or behaviour to other people – similar to a traffic-light system.
| Green | I’m happy to be around other dogs and people – feel free to say “Hi!”. |
| Orange | I’m not always comfortable around other dogs and people so please be cautious. |
| Red | I don’t feel comfortable socialising with unfamiliar dogs or people. Please give me my space. |
| Yellow | I am disabled and/or vulnerable in some way to interactions. Please give me space. |
To get one for your dad (or yourself), head over the the Department of Conservation’s Lead The Way Quiz. Not only will you be able to test how wildlife wise you are, but possibly learn something new about dogs and wildlife. Once you’ve finished the quiz, you’ll unlock a portal to purchase one of these very special leads.
And for more on leash use and etiquette, check out our guide to leashes and leads.
9. Cast iron door wedge (timeless)
Dads and grandads will love this made-to-last-furever door stop – especially if they love cats. It’s made of cast iron, so it can weather just about anything. In short, it’s one of the ultimate classy gifts for pet lovers that will mean a lot and add to the home décor.
10. Round up Father’s Day in NZ with a great card (and something inside)
What could be better paired with a gift for pet lovers than the perfect card? We love this one from The Good Pet Home.
P.s. Cat-loving moms are important, too! Our ‘Mother’s Day Presents For Cat Lovers‘ article also has some great ideas for you if you often struggle to pick the perfect gift.
11. Hassle-free pet insurance for Father’s Day
Why not make Father’s Day even more special by getting a pet plan for dad’s cat or dog? (And putting the pet insurance certificate in his card). This is of course a great gift for pet lovers – but more importantly – for pets!
Just imagine the wellbeing and peace of mind you’d be giving. Nothing beats the gift of love and safeguarding our loved ones is a big part of that. PLUS, we offer 1 MONTH FREE* cat insurance or dog insurance when upon sign-up.