Thank you gifts for your dog walker or pet sitter

The best thank you gift for a dog walker or pet sitter is personal and a little bit useful. A handwritten card from you and your dog does more than most people expect. Pair it with something practical, or with a custom pet portrait from a photo of the dog they know so well, and it feels properly considered. Digital portraits start at $18.90 and prints at $79. Order by 4 December for a print before Christmas.

Key takeaways

• A card that names what they actually do for your pet matters most.
• Practical gifts suit people who are outside in all weather.
• A portrait of your dog suits a walker or sitter who has known them for a long time.
• Prints need ordering by 4 December. A digital portrait can arrive right up to Christmas.

Ideas they'll appreciate

Practical

• A coffee voucher for the café on their usual route.
• A good insulated drink bottle for long summer walks.
• Sunscreen and a decent cap, or a rain jacket for winter.
• A big bag of treats for all the dogs they look after.

Personal

• A digital portrait of your dog for $18.90, for their phone.
• A small print, A4 for $79, for someone who's been part of your dog's life for years.
• A card signed with a paw print and a few lines about what they mean to your household.

Money

Plenty of people give their walker or sitter a cash bonus or an extra week's pay at Christmas, on its own or with a card. That's entirely up to you.

What to write in the card

• "Thanks for every walk, rain or shine. Rosie thinks you're the best part of her day."
• "We go away knowing Max is happy. That's worth more than we can say."
• "From both of us, and the one who sheds on your car seats."

Other people who look after your pet

• Groomer: a card and treats, or a good review if they're a small business.
• Doggy daycare staff: something to share, like a box of chocolates for the team.
• Vet nurse or vet: a card, especially after a hard year.
• The neighbour who feeds the cat: a nice bottle of something and a portrait of the cat they've been feeding.

Timing for Christmas

Portraits usually land in your inbox within a few hours of ordering, and always within 1 to 2 business days. Prints arrive 5 to 7 business days after you approve them. See our guide to timing. For more ideas, see our gifts for dog lovers.

Frequently asked questions

Is it strange to give someone a portrait of my dog?

Not to someone who's walked them every week for years. Plenty of walkers and sitters grow very attached to the dogs they look after. If you're unsure, a digital portrait is a lower key way to share it.

What's the last day to order?

For a print before Christmas, 4 December for metro areas, and earlier for regional areas. The digital portrait comes by email, usually within a few hours, so it works right up to Christmas.

Can I include both my dogs?

Yes. Two pet portraits start at $23.90 digital and $98 printed, from separate photos.

Sources: Piri & Co product pages and FAQs, prices as at October 2026.