When someone you care about loses a pet, it's hard to know what to say, and harder to know what to give. Flowers fade. A card feels small. What many people find comforting is something they can hold.
A plush in the same breed and color as the pet they lost isn't a replacement, and it isn't meant to be. It's a keepsake: something that sits on the bed or the chair where their dog or cat used to be, and something to hold on a bad day.
How to choose a memorial plush
- Match the breed and color as closely as you can. The details matter here. A black Lab and a yellow Lab are not the same dog to the person who loved one. If you're not sure, a quick photo from their social media helps.
- Go a little bigger than you'd expect. A 12 to 16-inch plush has real weight in your arms and feels like something to hold. Small plush can feel more like a toy.
- For a mixed breed, match the look. Pick the breed they most resembled in color, coat and ear shape. The person will recognize their pet in it.
- Keep the gift simple. A handwritten note with the pet's name and a favorite memory means more than anything we could put in the box.
Realistic dogs
These Douglas Cuddle Toys dogs are among the most lifelike plush we carry, with shaded, long-haired coats and a lap-filling size. Stock on these is limited.
- King the Golden Retriever, 16"
- Mandy the Yellow Lab, 16"
- Chester the Black Lab, 16"
- Cocoa the Chocolate Lab, 16"
- Mya the German Shepherd, 13"
- Ingrid the Corgi, 16"
- Spats the Black and Tan Dachshund, 16"
- Harold the Basset Hound, 16"
- Trevor the Bernese Mountain Dog, 16"
- Twister the Black Lab/Pit Bull Mix, 17"
We carry more than 40 breeds in a range of sizes. Browse them all on our dog breed stuffed animals page, or use our guide to finding a stuffed animal that looks like your dog.
Realistic cats
Cats get forgotten in a lot of pet-loss gift guides, but the grief is the same. These realistic Douglas cats range from lap-sized to about the size of a curled-up house cat.
- Tug the Black Cat, 15"
- Smokey the Gray Cat, 15"
- Zipper the Gray Tabby, 12"
- Puzzle the Calico Cat, 19"
- Kiki the Ragdoll Cat, 15"
- Juliette the Persian Cat, 15"
- Sebastian the Himalayan Cat, 15"
- Tashette the Bengal Cat, 12"
- Adele the Orange Stripe Cat, 9"
See all of our cat stuffed animals.
For a child who lost a pet
For kids, the loss of a family pet is often their first experience of grief. A plush that looks like the dog or cat gives them something to hold at bedtime and something to talk to. A slightly smaller, softer plush in the 8 to 12-inch range is easier for little arms. Our 8-inch Douglas dogs come in most popular breeds.
Ideas to pair with it
- A framed photo of the pet
- A note with the pet's name and a favorite story about them
- A donation to a local animal shelter in the pet's name
If you'd like help finding the closest match to a specific pet, email us with a description or a photo. We'll look through what we have and point you to the best fit. Shipping is free on every order.