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When words fail, sometimes a meaningful gift can say everything instead.

I'm a resident writer, cat mom, and obsessive online shopper who is passionate about quirky pet products, home decor, size-inclusive fashion, and, above all, perfumes.

One of the joys of life is the bond we as humans share with our pets, and when we lose them, those bonds don't just go away. And while it's not easy to know exactly what to say when a friend has to say goodbye to a beloved pet, a kind gift can go a long way during a tough time. So whether you're looking for a book to help a friend process their loss, a personalized garden stone for an outdoor memorial, or a piece of jewelry so that they can always keep their fur baby close, we've compiled some of the most meaningful gifts you can give to a friend in need. They'll appreciate it more than you could know. 

A custom pet portrait to turn a cherished photo of their pet into a physical, framed piece of art that's more than just decor — it's a memorial for their dearly departed best friend, too. 

To get started, hit "customize now" and you'll pick your frame material, select the number of pets, upload images of the pet(s), add in their name(s), choose a font, choose a background color, and choose between five dimensions. You'll also provide your email address for potential questions about your order. Also, you can get it without the frame if you want. Be sure to use high-res images for the best results. 

Haus and Hues is the small business behind these gorgeous custom portraits. 

Promising reviews: "I bought this portrait as a gift for my husband who recently said goodbye to his childhood cat. When I opened it today to set it up for him, I was moved to tears by how beautiful it was. It is the most gorgeous portrait of our beautiful, dearly missed angel. I can't thank this company enough for the amazing gift they gave us. Thank you." —Hannah Dobbin

"I was nervous to order this because I didn’t think it would turn out well but it turned out AMAZING! Everyone who’s seen it LOVES it and it is now the star piece of decor in our house! If you’re on the fence, just get it!" —Kelly

Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (or get a frameless one for $14.99).

A hand-painted watercolor portrait to express your deepest empathy when words just can't. This beautiful tribute is so much more personal and thoughtful than just a store-bought sympathy card — it'll immortalize their furry friend in a way that captures all those little quirks and charming details that made their pet who they were. 

Alex Yer Art is a New York-based small biz that makes beautiful watercolor galaxy-inspired pet portraits by hand. 

BuzzFeed Shopping editor Jenae Sitzes says, "I can't recommend this artist enough for pet portraits, as I've been fortunate to have not one but two (!!) art pieces commissioned from her, shown above. The first was a surprise from my sister-in-law after my dear kitty Maggie passed away, and the second was a piece I commissioned for my mom after our beloved family cat Jasper finally crossed over the Rainbow Bridge as well. The pieces are simply gorgeous in person, and the artist, Alex, is so friendly and communicative — you just send her a few good photos of the cat and explain what colors you want in the painting. Though many of her portraits have a more abstract galaxy background, she'll also add special touches from a specific photo if requested, like both of mine above."

Promising review: "This was a gift for someone who lost their dog and it was beyond perfect. Alex does an amazing job and I can’t recommend their work enough!" —Callie

Get it from Alex Yer Art on Etsy for $75+ (available in three sizes). 

A laser-engraved crystal ball with an included stand, which is a gorgeous but subtle option for anyone who had the privilege of loving, and therefore the hardship of losing, their best feline friend. This little sculpture can be displayed just about anywhere (like a nightstand, desk, or shelf), so whether they'd prefer to keep their grief private or don't mind creating a more public memorial, this is a gift they will cherish for years to come.

Promising review: "I bought this for a friend whose cat passed away. I will say it is quite small but the detail is beautiful and the stand is metal and very sturdy. Overall great quality and she loved it. I would definitely buy again." —Melissa

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in four styles). 

A heart-shaped keepsake box with a personalized, plexiglass lid and a beautiful wooden base, so they can keep their pet's fur in a safe and secure place (the lid has a strong magnetic closure) for years to come. You don't have to send the seller any fur, so there's no need to worry about it getting lost in transit or asking the bereaved to part with it. You'll also get a digital proof through Etsy messages to make sure that the box comes out just right. 

Luna Lottus is a small business specializing in pet loss products.

Jenae says, "I purchased this for myself after losing my beloved boy Sneaky, as I wanted a safe place to store some of his fur, and I didn't want to have to *mail* away that precious fur to be sealed inside, as is the case with some keepsake products. The seller sent me a mockup right away, and my order shipped literally the next day. The box was lovely and just as I expected it to be, and crucially, the magnets on the lid are strong enough that I don't worry about it coming apart accidentally and letting any fur loose. The personalized design on the lid is also a beautiful touch."

Promising review: This was the perfect piece to put my pup's fur in. It's beautiful and well-made. Thank you so much for making such a tough time a little easier. 🩷" —Annie

Get it from Luna Lottus on Etsy for $31.94+ (available in 10 material options for the memory box, three insert options, and nine design options).

A set of memorial wind chimes so they'll be sweetly reminded of their companion's presence every time the wind blows. This is perfect for remembering pets who loved laying in the sunlight or playing outside, and it even comes with a beautiful sympathy card that can offer some solace and support during an otherwise tough time. 

Promising reviews: "I purchased this wind chime as a gift for my sister after the passing of her dog. She absolutely loved it, she said it makes a beautiful sound. She placed it outside above her dog’s bed where he loved lounging in the sun." —Faith Wilkinson 

"Good quality, pretty loud and the message inside was so beautiful that it made me cry. So glad that I made this purchase. This company seems to really care about its consumers. I know that the message is standard and sent to everyone but the words really meant a lot to me as the passing of my furry best friend is still very fresh. I definitely recommend this as a gift to yourself or to someone who has lost a pet. If they love their pets, they'll definitely appreciate this lovely wind chime." —Frances Towery

Get it from Amazon for $24.98 (available in 14 styles). 

A crystal suncatcher that'll send beautiful (and almost angelic!) sparkles of light across the room, a symbolic way to remember the light their pet brought to their life. And even though the photos *are* gorgeous, reviewers say that they can't capture how beautiful this suncatcher truly is.

Promising review: "Someone gave me this after my dog passed away, and it was such a thoughtful gesture. It meant a lot to me during a really hard time. When my brother’s dog passed, I sent one to him, and it meant so much to him as well. In my opinion, it's even more meaningful than sending flowers." —Crystal J

A personalized pet bracelet with a custom photo and a nameplate charm. This sweet and dainty piece will remind them that their beloved baby is always with them, and that the bond between an animal and their human can truly never be broken. 

Be sure to send the seller a clear photo of the pet. 

North Jewelry Creation is a small business that specializes in delicate, personalized jewelry.

Promising review: "I love the bracelet, bought it for someone who just lost their fur baby and they loved it. Such a heartwarming gift." —Alejandra

Get it from North Jewelry Creation for $25.79 (available in gold or silver and with either a bone charm or a cat charm). 

A rainbow bridge bracelet made from polished stones and decorated with a simple but meaningful paw print charm. It comes packaged with a card, gift bag, and polishing cloth.

Promising review: "Got this as a gift for my sis-in-law after the loss of her first cat. She says she loves it, loves the color and the size, says it is just perfect. I loved how it came with a little bag and cloth and also a little card to write in! Wonderful gift" —Amazon Customer

A personalized rainbow bridge stone from Uncommon Goods that they can display in a memorial garden to pay tribute to their cat or dog with beautiful, full-color illustrations. It's fully customizable and quite easy to do so — just type their name, select the type of animal, the breed (there are even mixed breeds!) and color, add a message (like who they were loved by or what they loved to do), and the years they lived. 

Promising review: "Clearly the artist who put this together understands the bond between pets and pet owners. My children and I were devastated to lose our beloved rescue dog, Copperfield. What made his passing even more emotionally fraught was that it came months after we lost 'Copper's human father,' Jason, to an aggressive form of cancer. For Jason's last Father's Day in 2024, we showered him with gifts from Uncommon Goods, so it was an obvious choice to look here for a way to commemorate Copperfield's passing. We love the message that came with the garden stone, and we will treasure this memorial to our dog." —Ace in Mourning

The Pet Loss Companion, a grief guide written by experts. When loss hits, it can be really hard to process on your own — and most people don't have time to talk to a professional as often as they need or want to, which is why this book is such an invaluable gift. It answers questions they might have, provides comfort and support through clear (and concise, which is so important during grief) writing, and can help them move on while still honoring their dearly departed's memory.

Promising review: "When I lost my 18-year-old cat, Violet, I was at a loss as to how to deal with my feelings. This book, written by a psychologist and a social worker, was very helpful. The chapters are short, which I appreciated as my attention span was not great at the time. The book explains the emotions you will have / are having, and that you are not [imagining things]. It also offers practical tips and advice for dealing with people who don't understand that losing a pet is so terribly painful. I highly recommend this book for anyone dealing with the loss of a pet." —Jen Si

And The Rainbow Bridge: A Visit to Pet Paradise, a perfect gift for young readers who need a little help understanding and processing what happened to their family pet. This book uses humor to explain the concept of death through the popular Rainbow Bridge legend and can provide a little bit of developmentally appropriate comfort and clarity in a tough time.

Promising review: "The Rainbow Bridge: A Visit to Pet Paradise is a heartwarming and comforting book that serves as a wonderful resource for explaining the concept of death to children who have lost a beloved pet. The story follows a young boy who embarks on a journey to Pet Paradise, a place where pets go after they pass away. The book skillfully handles the delicate topic of death with sensitivity and compassion, offering solace to children in a way they can understand. The colorful illustrations beautifully complement the narrative, capturing the emotions and bringing the story to life. It is an excellent choice for anyone coping with the loss of a pet and provides an empathetic and gentle approach to discussing the subject with young readers. Overall, The Rainbow Bridge is a thoughtful and valuable book that offers comfort and understanding during a difficult time." —Naomi 

A personalized pet ring with the option to honor several pets — including birds, fish, chameleons, rabbits, cows, and pigs — and add delicate initial engraving for each pet. It's made of nontarnishing sterling silver, so you can be assured you're gifting not just a meaningful, but a quality piece of jewelry, too. 

Caitlyn Minimalist is a small business specializing in unique, personalized jewelry.

I personally own tons of jewelry from this shop and can attest to the quality of the sterling silver jewelry being top-notch. I have a ring I bought way back when CM was a teeny tiny shop that I've worn daily for almost seven years now, and it hasn't lost its shine at all. 

Promising review: "Love this ring! I recently lost my childhood dog that I had for the majority of [my life], and it’s a great way to remember her! I showed my mom and she was interested in one, definitely ordering her one." —Jocie

Get it from Caitlyn Minimalist on Etsy for $29.60+ (available in three finishes). 

From the same small biz as above, a matching personalized pet necklace that can pay tribute to up to three pets, so they can keep their fur babies close to their heart. 

Promising review: "Great personalized gift! My sister really loved the necklace in memory of her sweet Yorkie. 💜" —Snigdha

Get it from Caitlyn Minimalist on Etsy for $40+ (available in two finishes, with an engraving on one or both sides, and four lengths). 

A Willow Tree keepsake box that pays tribute to the bonds humans have with their dogs. It features a lid with a human and a dog embracing, and has room inside for small items, like tags or fur clippings, so their precious mementos can have a safe place to rest. 

Promising review: "A nice gift for a friend who had a dog pass away. A good keepsake depicting the closeness of her dog. Good quality and value for the money. Top is not hinged but the two pieces fit beautifully. Very sweet memento! Highly recommended!" —gr8ful4Amazon!

Get it from Amazon for $29.35 (available in four styles featuring dogs and one style featuring a horse). 

A personalized ceramic remembrance dish that's handmade with love — it features a stamped message that reads, "Always in our hearts" as well as the pup's name and a paw print. It can hold rings, small trinkets, or work as a catch-all. There is a version for cats, too.

Susabella is a small biz founded by artist Susan Shapiro in 2011. 

Promising review: "This gift made me cry and made the recipient cry! Thank you for reminding us on how Penny touched our lives!" —Leddee

Get it from Susabella on Etsy for $37.95 (available with a gift box for a small fee). 

A minimalist statuette that represents the love between a pup and their human and can be displayed without drawing a ton of attention to their grief, if that's something that they'd rather keep private. If it's too soon for a highly customized gift that might trigger more sadness than comfort, this is the perfect subtle – but still thoughtful — gift for them. 

Promising review: "I just received it today. I purchased it as a gift for my son-in-law and my daughter. A few days ago they had to put their dog down that they have had for seven years and it's been tough for them. They had the procedure done in their home, so I decided to gift them something to remember him by. It is bigger than I expected, so I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it was going be a very tiny figurine and I'm glad that it's not. It is beautifully made and I love the color and the feel. It came packaged nicely. I showed it to my fiancé, and even he says that he would love to receive something like that. I would definitely recommend this." —Ja'Nice Rivera

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in three colors). 

A worry stone set with howlite, tiger's eye, and amethyst, stones that are said to bring comfort, courage, and emotional balance during difficult times. The set comes in a gift-ready package with the three stones, a carrying pouch, and a sympathy card. 

Gill + Jill is a small business that specializes in meaningful gifts. 

Promising review: "I got these for my aunt. She lost her 14-year-old yellow Lab. The different stones in different colors are really great. She has one in her hand almost constantly. Great purchase." —Misty Allen

A memorial shadow box with everything you need to create a complete tribute. It comes with a collar holder, a paw print kit, a fur jar, a small sculpture, a wooden keychain, a sympathy card, a thoughtful ornament, two wooden tags to personalize, and a pen to write with.

Promising review: "This was a very nicely made tribute to our Bear. Everything we needed was included, and the personalization was well done. It is probably best for a small- to medium-size dog, as the collar of our extra-large dog was a bit hard to fit. However, we made it work, and we love it." —Carol

Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in three colors; custom sizing also available). 

A handcrafted LED rainbow bridge photo display, with a frame that works for both portrait and landscape photos, so even if you don't have a photo of the pet to insert before you gift this, they can use their own favorite pic of their little angel. The light is made from real fused glass that is actually rainbow-colored, not just painted — so this is perfect if you're looking for a gift that feels a little more luxe but still thoughtful.

It comes in gift-ready packaging with the display and a sympathy card. 

Promising review: "I don’t typically write reviews but this company really deserves all the amazing ratings. It’s easy to make a product, put in a box and sell it but they didn’t do that. To start, the product itself is beautiful, and the rainbow lights are a sight indeed — but what really got me are the poems, the letter of empathy, and the fact that some of their proceeds are donated as well. I kept the poem as it was beautiful and set up in the shelf where I created a little memorial for my boy. I highly recommend this product but also hope you don’t have to come across this anytime soon." —Vgarri90

A keepsake candle, a small but meaningful gesture that'll show them that you're thinking of them during their tough time. Once the candle burns down, there's a hidden crystal inside that symbolizes love and hope — a perfect metaphor for how time heals even the most painful wounds. 

Promising review: "Unfortunately I have gifted this twice recently. The family members really appreciated the candle. The card is pretty. Perfect sympathy gesture." —Single business woman

Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in three styles).

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Plus, options for anniversaries, BFFs, newborns (or new parents), wedding guests, bridal showers, and finds from The Disney Store, Etsy, Uncommon Goods, and Walmart.

Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: Our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.