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    27 Things You Should Keep Handy Because Having Pets Can Be Stressful (Even Though We Love Them)

    A hotspot hydrogel, paw protection cream, teeth cleaning treats, and so much more.

    1. A bag of rawhide kabobs that'll def keep them busy for hours on end. They're wrapped in chicken, duck, and chicken liver for a savory treat they'll drool over.

    owner giving dogs rawhide kabobs
    rawhide kabobs

    Promising review: "I finally had to put these kebab treats on automatic delivery because my mini Aussiedoodle thinks he has to have one every single day. Actually he would like to have two or three or more a day, but I limit him to one because of the calories. I honestly believe having this treat is the highlight of his day." —Retro Patty

    Get 36 treats from Amazon for $14.98.

    2. Greenies Pill Pockets to give your pup their meds but disguised in a yummy treat they'll gobble right up.

    greenies pill pockets
    dog eating pill pocket

    Promising review: "Before the Greenie pills, we could not get our doodle to take her pills. She would always eat around them if we put them in her food bowl or in a different treat, and we were constantly finding them discarded on the floor. Now we have no problem getting her to take them every day, and she looks forward to them! I can fit two pills into one treat, and you can seal them so that your pup can’t tell there are pills inside. She gobbles them right up! They smell like peanut butter, and are really soft/fresh." —Lexi Sponseller

    Get 30 pockets from Amazon for $7.98 (available in larger bags).

    3. A hard floor cleaner so you can remove tough accident stains without damaging your delicate floors. It safely works to remove new and deep-set stains and odors from sealed wood, linoleum, vinyl, concrete, and ceramic tile.

    Promising review: "Owning two older dogs and frequently fostering dogs, I have particular life experience cleaning up after dog accidents in the home. One of the most difficult urine messes is when they tinkle on hardwood floors. A dog peed in a corner of my living room, which of course has parquet wooden floor tiles, and which, of course, I did not notice until a day or two later when the pee had already soaked into the wood parquet tiles, causing swelling and deep odor. Thankfully, I found Nature's Miracle specifically designed for hardwood floors. I was skeptical that it would work as well as the reviews noted, but it truly worked better than any other brand of urine cleaner that I have tried. It managed to effectively clean the stain, and eliminate the odor, even though the mess wasn't discovered right away." —HelloReese

    Get it from Amazon for $12.99.

    4. Or a bottle of pet stain and odor remover perfect for fabrics like upholstery, clothes, and bedding that may have been subjected to an array of stains and gross odors. This mist is truly the heavyweight champion of resolving even the most dreaded of accidents — vomit (yuck).

    pet stain and odor remover spray
    Amazon

    Promising review: "Works amazingly! I bought a house that was 'as is' and one of the bedroom's sub floor was destroyed by pet stains. I used two gallons of this stuff, rolled it on with a paint roller, and let sit with windows open for 24 hours twice, and the horrendous smell was GONE! I couldn't believe it. It even seemed to lighten up the stains. I was so relieved because I thought I was going to have to pull up those floors and have them replaced and I simply just did not have that in my budget." —Aquasue1

    Get it from Amazon for $13.79.

    5. A bag of leak-proof training pads in case the weather is prohibiting them from "going" outside and you want to protect your kitchen floors in the process.

    Promising review: "I've tried a number of puppy pads since I have a small toy dog and am pleased to report that these do a good job of absorbing urine and are affordably priced. They are not the thickest pad I have bought but they do not leak. More important than thickness to me is how the pad curbs the flow of urine. Some are thicker pads but the urine spreads out too much and it will reach the dog's paws before she is done. The Amazon pads inhibit the spreading better, which for me is a big plus. Highly recommended." —Buffy

    Get a pack of 100 of the regular pads from Amazon for $23.56.

    6. CBD cat treats made with chicken and tuna that may help ease their anxiety. You can also give them a crumble and sprinkle them on top of their meals.

    cat eating cbd bites
    Suzie's CBD Treats

    Suzie's CBD Treats is a family-owned small business. 

    Promising review: "We've had behavioral issues with our cat for the past few years. We started giving her CBD and she hasn't had any accidents in the house since we started about a month ago!" —Brianne F.

    Get them from Suzie's CBD Treats for $15.95 (they also have a version for dogs too)!

    7. A package of paw wipes so you can gently wipe off their paws after doing their business outside. No one wants those yucky germs tracked all through the house or in your bed for that matter.

    dog's paws getting cleaned with wipes
    oatmeal scented wipes
    Amazon

    Promising review: "These are perfect for my pit bull. She loves to get her paws dirty and these are the perfect size for her. The smell isn’t overpowering either, it’s very pleasant. I would definitely recommend them over baby wipes or other dog wipes I’ve tried!" —Hannah

    Get 120 wipes from Amazon for $11.95 (available in three scents).

    8. A set of poop bags that are completely leak-proof. You'll wanna keep these handy on all the walks with your pooch pal. (These are my holy grail).

    reviewer holding roll of poop bags
    reviewer holding bag

    Promising review: "Best poop bags out there! I’m in love with these bags; they are great! I have nothing to complain about. This is my first dog and I wanted to make sure I was doing everything right so even the poop bags mattered to me. I’ve tried other biodegradable poop bags and nothing, I mean nothing, compares to these bags. I find other bags to be too thin and my nails cut through them. Not these! These are the perfect thickness! If you're debating, don’t! They're awesome and 100% the best poop bags for my pup and my cat's litter! GET THEM IF YOU HAVE A PET!!" —Sally T.

    Get a pack of 18 rolls (270 bags) for $13.99.

    9. An alcohol-free, deodorizing doggie paw-fume if you can't quite give them a bath right now but need them to smell a bit better than they currently do.

    A bottle that reads
    Pardo Naturals

    It's available in two different scents: orange guava and lavender lemongrass. 

    Pardo Naturals is a Black woman-owned business known for their natural body, hair, and home products made with chemical-free ingredients. If you're looking for more natural pet products, be sure to check out the Doggie Shampoo Bar, Deodorizing Carpet Powder, and Moisturizing Paw and Nose Lotion Bar.

    Get it from Pardo Naturals for $16.99 (available in two scents).

    10. Bissell stain-lifting pads for tackling tough, hard-to-remove surface splatters and smears like pet pee, mud, and doody stains that may not be super new. Simply place the pad on the affected area, stomp on the pad, and then leave it for 30 minutes. Once you peel it off the floor, your stain should have magically lifted — hallelujah!

    reviewer image of pads after cleaning floors
    model using stomp pad on carpet

    Promising review: "OMG I am SO HAPPY that they are making these again. They are the absolute best. Nothing comes close! I even called and wrote to Bissell twice when they discontinued this item asking them to bring it back. Then I bought all I could from Amazon and on eBay. Now they are back! I have an older dog who sometimes has accidents and NOTHING works as well and as easily as these. Some people say they are small but I say they are perfect! In fact, because they are relatively expensive, I cut these into small pieces and use just what I need. If you rub the pad into the carpet it will completely remove the stain. Stomp on it and leave it there. The stain will be gone. I seal the bag with a bulldog clip to keep the remaining pads moist." —kscoco

    Get a pack of 20 from Amazon for $24.99

    11. training toy you can coat with your pup's fave snack and then pop on the side of their crate to help get them more familiar with it. I had one of these when I first got my puppy and it helped tremendously.

    training aid being placed in dog crate
    gif of dog licking peanut butter off training aid

    When I first got my puppy he we went ballistic any time I had to put him in his crate. I started filling this toy with peanut butter and freezing it so the next time I had to leave the house (and he sadly had to go in his crate), I'd be prepared for when it was time to place him in. This keeps them very occupied for a while and really eases them into getting familiar with their crate.

    Promising review: "We bought this chew toys as an add-on with our Revol crate. It fits perfectly between the bars so that our little chewer can't pull the toy into the crate and make a mess. We use ordinary peanut butter and it keeps the little heathen entertained and not stressed when she has been crated. The clear plastic cover is super helpful for when we freeze the treat now that Ava is teething. I would highly recommend." —Michael D.

    Get it from Amazon for $34 (available in four colors). 

    12. A bag of premium clumping litter because when it comes time to scoop out their litter box, you want to make sure it's as easy as possible. *Plus* it has great odor control!

    Promising review: "This product solved our cats’ behavioral issues. Our two rescue cats started to pee and poo outside the litter box shortly after I switched the previous litter to pine-based litter. I didn’t know what caused our cats to misbehave and thought they might be ill and had our vet check them. After making sure that there weren’t health problems, I added a smaller litter box, moved them to different spots, etc., but continued to find pee and poo outside the litter boxes. Then about four months ago, I switched to this litter. Not only did it significantly reduce the odor, but we haven’t found accidents on the floor since, either! All of us humans and cats alike appreciate this product very much." —Japi

    Get a 40-pound bag from Amazon for $19.99.

    13. And a cat litter deodorizer to keep the box smelling fresh longer. Just a sprinkle on top of a fresh litter (and reapplications between cleanings) can diminish future yucky smells and extend the life of your litter.

    cat little deodorizer
    cat litter deodorizer
    Chewy

    Promising review: "I’ve tried so many litter deodorizers in the five years I’ve had my cat but nothing works quite like this! And you don’t need much, which is the best part. Glitch enjoys going into a stink-free litter box too. Your cat will thank you." —Savannah

    Get it from Amazon for $11.97 or Chewy for $29.97 (for a four-pack).

    14. An allergy supplement for the pups who have v sensitive skin and could use a dose of probiotics for better immunity. These also help improve digestion if they tend to get a bit backed up when it comes to going number two.

    Reviewer before and after photos showing the allergy supplements helped treat their dog's bald patches
    Before photo of a dog with a red, irritated belly
    Same reviewer's dog after taking the allergy supplements, which calmed the dog's skin and made it less red

    I recently started giving these to my dog after kennel cough had been going around my apartment complex (via the dog park). I wanted to improve his immunity against that and also common allergies like pollen. So far so good — I'm unsure if his health can be linked to these treats but I feel so much better giving them to him (one each day at breakfast).

    Promising review: "Absolutely the best product. It saved my itchy golden doodle! We tried changing food, Benadryl, medicated shampoo, fish oil, everything you can imagine... nothing worked long-term. He was itching his face so badly he would make himself bleed. Had sores and scabs all over his face and neck. I bought these because they had good reviews and I was desperate. It changed his life! He no longer scratches AT ALL! His coat looks great and all of his sores are healed. He’s the happiest he’s been which makes me a very happy momma. He is also very picky and never eats treats... he eats these every time so that’s an added bonus!" —Darcie Nation

    Get it from Amazon for $25.97+ (available in three flavors).

    15. A pack of paw protection cream you'll want to keep handy through the change of each season so they can stay safe against super hot sidewalks or salted streets. It has vitamin E so their paw pads stay extra moisturized.

    Promising review: "My dog has extremely dry and cracked paws, so rough she gets stuck to the carpet. I've tried just about everything, all failed for various reasons. This product works. I was only able to do one paw the first time, she fought me like a demon. Next time she let me do all four with little fuss, she likes the result. I followed everyone's lead and put it on right before walks. I've noticed that she wants to run and jump more, and genuinely is happy with her feet. One downside is because it softens the pads you have to be careful where they step; she picked up a thorny branch where before the treatment it wouldn't penetrate. Fair trade in my opinion; now we can play and snuggle without her scratching me up. Bottom line: love it, the dog loves it, good value little goes a long ways.Peggy

    Get it from Amazon for $15.99.

    16. And this pet-safe cream for your cat's paws since their toe beans need some hydration too. It's non-sticky and non-greasy!

    Cat's paw pads that are dry and cracked
    The same cat's paws looking smooth and moisturized

    Promising review: "We have a cat with VERY bad allergies. He is very sensitive and dislikes foams, creams...pretty much anything. But his skin gets dry and itchy. I just started using this cream and love the fact that it is quickly absorbed into his skin, so that he does not lick it. Many other creams have a scent he does not like and tries to constantly clean himself. Not this one. I highly recommend it!" —Chippy

    Get it from Amazon for $14.30.

    17. A pack of matatabi chew sticks in case your furry feline despises catnip and needs something else to keep them busy. These also help with dental hygeine so they're a win-win.

    cat chewing on the stick
    Amazon

    Meowy Janes is a wonderfully named small business based in New Egypt, New Jersey. It specializes in catnip and catnip alternatives.

    BuzzFeed editor Chelsea Stuart gives them a big thumbs up:

    "I recently tried some of these out with my cats and they were a hit! TBH they've never really been super into catnip — they'll play with it but they don't go wild — so I was excited to see they were into these. They bat them around, rub their faces all over them, and ultimately, when they're done, hide them under a chair or in their cat condo so they can come back to them later."

    Promising review: "I have two young Siamese mix cats that chew wires, shoes, wooden spoons. These chew sticks are perfect for them. They sniff the sticks, rub on them, and then start chewing. My two cats that are over 10 years old just rub on them but don't enjoy chewing them. If you have a very active cat that does destructive chewing, these are a great substitute." —JEM4612

    Get them from Amazon for $9.97.

    18. A pack of Burt's Bees cat wipes to help rid their coat of dander (and your home for that matter). Using these will help keep your cat's coat silky smooth with their aloe vera and oatmeal formula. These are also great if your kitty gets extra itchy often.

    Promising review: "Our son was having a lot of dander on his back near the base of his tail. We kept up the brushing but it wasn't going away. Looking at the reviews I decided to go for the dander wipes. Well I have used it twice and was blown away. His dander is pretty much all gone now. Plus his hair seems shinier and silkier after his brushing and using the wipes. Not to mention our baby boy looks just like the cat on the packaging. All around I will continue to buy these and use once a week or twice every two weeks to keep up his beautiful orange coat. Thanks Burt's Bees!" —Tom Cincotta

    Get 100 wipes from Amazon for $11.98.

    19. A hotspot hydrogel for cats and dogs featuring aloe and algin for soothing hotspots (aka those red patches that are caused by excessive licking), skin cuts, burns, or just irritated skin.

    hotspot hydrogel bottle
    person applying hydrogel to dog paw
    Skout's Honor

    Skout's Honor is a small-business based in California.

    Promising review: "This has really helped. My one dog had been chewing in one spot so badly that it gotten very red and irritated. After a few days of using this, the spot has healed." —Elena M. 

    Get it from Amazon for $17.59 or Skout's Honor for $19.99.

    20. Aesthetically pleasing catnip kitties will fawn all over. It's non-GMO, organically grown, and hand-harvested in the US. This'll keep them busy and ~zen-ed~ out.

    cat buzz
    catbuzz
    Pettobox / Etsy

    Pettobox is a family-owned small business that is based in Santa Clara, California.

    Promising review: "Fantastic catnip! My boys Roary and Wylie love it. The packaging is out of this world. I am a repeat customer and I and my boys recommend this product." —Ginny

    Get it from Pettobox on Etsy for $11.65.

    21. An ear treatment in case they're prone to ear infections and need to keep their cute little floppies clean. A few of these drops in each ear will help prevent buildup and inflammation as well as work to reduce fungal and bacterial infections. Their ears are so cute, so let's keep them that way.

    Promising review: "My dog has had chronic ear infections for years now. Every other month or so she’d get an infection and $200 later we’d have meds from the vet who confirmed what we already knew. I finally decided to give an unprescribed treatment a try and it worked AMAZINGLY. Followed the instructions for a week, and her ear is completely healed! Much easier to pay $20 as opposed to $200 when you get the same results! I highly recommend." —Fromal16

    Get it from Amazon for $23.79.

    22. An eye rinse if your pup tends to get stains around their eyes (which is very prominent in smaller dog breeds and those with lighter coats).

    Promising review: "I have two Shih Tzus. They had watery eyes and a little tear staining, but this eye solution has worked wonderfully. One drop in their eyes every morning after I’ve cleaned them. At one point I stopped doing it for awhile, and my male ended up with a stye, so back to every day." —CG

    Get it from Amazon for $5.59.

    23. An antibacterial toothpaste to get their breath in check and keep their chompers from getting filled with plaque. This is safe to swallow so you don't have to worry!

    Reviewer photo of their dog's teeth, which are yellow and have a black ring around the gum
    Same reviewer's photo of their dog's teeth, which are much whiter now

    Promising review: "We were excellent dog parents. Then we had a baby and became good dog parents. One of the things we let slide was daily toothbrushing. At best it became once a week, but honestly it was more like once a month. Then I took a good look in my cocker spaniel mix’s mouth and was alarmed. Fully convinced we needed to have a full dental cleaning, I set out to do what I could in the mean time. I purchased this toothpaste and an Oral-B electric toothbrush. Eight days of twice daily brushing and a year of partial tooth care neglect is basically reversed. Buy it. Use it. Your dog (and vet) will thank you!" —Nick J.

    Get it from Amazon for $10.38 (available in three flavors).

    24. A waterless cat bath because outdoor cats can sometimes, well, stank. To get them smelling like new without having to put them in the bath (which we know bath time can = scratches up your arms) this leave-in foam will do the trick.

    Reviewer photo of their black cat with wet fur after using the cleanser
    Reviewer photo of their cat looking fluffy and clean after using the spray

    Promising review: "A beautiful female stray adopted us a few years ago. Against my husbands wishes we brought her in our home and she is now a loving part of our family. Since she is indoor/outdoor (she loves her outdoor time still — we hate it!) she gets stinky. Usually I wash her down with a cloth. But this last time she had an odor that was just horrid. You literally could smell her across the room. We tried a few things and nothing worked. Ordered this foam and I am not going to say she 'liked it' but she did smell better. She is extremely particular about where you can touch and where you can't, so having myself and my daughters rubbing her with foam wasn't her best experience! Using this is going to be her only bathing options from now on. Would definitely recommend!" —Lisa Valentino

    Get it from Amazon for $9.49.

    25. Greenies dental chews if you want to keep them busy and also give their teeth a good cleaning in the process.

    Ali giving treat to her dog
    Ali Faccenda / BuzzFeed

    I give these to my dog Frank and he really likes them! I want to make sure I'm giving him something that'll help with teeth health since he would certainly hate me if I even attempted to brush his teeth with a toothbrush. These keep his breath smelling nice and he likes the taste! 

    Promising review: "I have little dogs and I worry about their dental health (little dogs are more prone to dental decay). I brush my dog's teeth and I use PetzLife oral gel. My vet also recommended dental chews. It turns out my dogs love Greenies! I give one every night. It makes a good reward for teeth brushing because obviously I don't want to give regular treats afterward. I trust my vet so I'm hopeful this helps keep their teeth nice and white." —A Customer

    Get a bag of 11 on Amazon for $4.98 (available in larger quantities). 

    26. Pumpkin maple dog cookies that are a great source of vitamin B and fiber to assist with immunity and creating a healthy metabolism. Their list of tasty ingredients like cinnamon, pumpkin, and Vermont maple syrup make these treats sound good enough for humans...

    dog with noochie treats bag
    Because Animals

    Because Animals is a small business whose mission is to create sustainable and nutritious products for dogs and cats. Click here to learn more. 

    Promising review: "My dog instantly was interested in these. Usually he’s a little skeptical of new treats. I’m sure it was because they smelled delicious! For me, I love the food quality ingredients." —Marisa G.

    Get a bag from Amazon or Because Animals for $12.

    27. A beef food topper for turning any meal of theirs into a delectable dish. This is great for pups that are easily distracted or picky eaters.

    beef food topper
    Scout & Zoe's

    Scout & Zoe's is a small business whose mission is to create treats with a variety of proteins with human-grade ingredients. The owner, Cindy, initially created the brand out of necessity for her dog Zoe who had allergies to a large variety of proteins found in common treats.

    Get it from Scout & Zoe's for $11

    The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.