We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A real grass potty pad for the apartment dwellers who don't look forward to that seemingly one mile walk from your front door to the apartment's designated doggy park. This pad is 100% real grass, giving it a more natural feel to your pup — and it's extra-absorbent, soaking in liquids and odors to keep your balcony space clean.
Fresh Patch is also known for being on Shark Tank!
Promising review: "I live in an apartment building at the top of a hill in San Francisco so Fresh Patch is a great resolve for those tired, lazy nights when I look at my dog like "Dude, it's so cold outside, right?" I put it on my deck and at first my pup, actually named Dude, plopped on it like his own mini park. Well, at least he had a lil oasis in our urban jungle. Then the next day he sniffed around and proceeded to pee on it and I was so thrilled. Also it's easy to transport in the box and leave the grass patch in the bottom half since it has a wax coating. I kept the top cover and it'll be so easy to toss the whole thing." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $29.95+ (available in five sizes).
2. An automatic ball launcher because Mickey is begging for some playtime but you just came home from an eight-hour shift. This ball launcher lets you choose between three different distances, and you can power it with batteries *or* plug it in. With enough practice, your pup might even be able to learn how to put the ball right into the launcher so you can sit back and relax while they do allll the work.
Promising review: "I am thoroughly pleased with this machine. My morkie lives for this thing. We use it to exhaust her so that she’s more mellow at night. Works like a charm. The machine throws well and is a breeze to use. Distance is good. The reviews that say it throws shorter distance when the balls are wet are correct. But this thing operates on the principle of friction so it is going to slip when the balls are wet. Solution? Switch to a dry ball. I usually sit with three balls in my lap and a towel. When one gets wet, I switch to another and dry the wet one. We can go for upwards of an hour til my dog is tired. It is 100% worth the money." —Lisa
Get it from Amazon for $99.99+ (available in the mini and max size).
3. An automatic chicken coop door if you find yourself questioning if you closed the coop up at night but are too lazy to actually go check. This coop door offers a timer function that can be set to open and close at certain times each day, or a light-sensitive mode that is programmed to open and close at specific times based on the amount of daylight.
Promising review: "Looked at a lot of auto doors. I chose this for the metal door aspect. Works like a charm, was only 20 minutes to install. The remote works fine but I'm lazy and like using the auto dawn and dusk setting. My chickens are safe and happy. I would absolutely buy it again!" —Jacob Gaylor
Get it from Amazon for $129.99.
4. A dental care water additive, aka the easiest way to get your pet's teeth and gums clean. Just add a capful to your fur baby's water bowl or fountain and bask in the glory or not having to wrestle with pet toothbrush and toothpaste.
Oxyfresh is a small business based in Idaho that creates non-toxic dental care products just for pets.
Some reviewers noted that this product potentially gives sensitive pups some stomach issues, so it's recommended to work up from a half dose starting out and speak with a vet before use.
Promising reviews: "So I have no clue about flavor or taste but I'm only assuming it flavorless as it does not have a smell to it. My dog had to get 11 teeth removed at one point because her teeth were were so bad. I got this because to be honest I'm too lazy to brush her teeth. I've been using this in her water for over a year and have noticed her teeth have stayed white with the use of this product. Her breath is still stinky but not as bad as prior to using this additive." —MWilliams
"We have two dogs and one cat. Our dogs drink from a 2.5 gallon continuous water bowl and our cat drinks from a one liter continuous water bowl. I was leery about putting this product in water that will sit for a few days but so far it's been amazing! No issues at all with the dogs or cat water. Our great Pyr was having issues with her teeth and buildup so the vet recommended this stuff and it's been amazing! Will absolutely buy again and again!" —anngie beaudoin
Get it from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in three sizes).
5. A aquarium water clarifier that makes your tank water crystal clear without doing much of anything. Add the solution to the tank water and with hours the product clumps floating particles into large clusters that can easily be removed by the aquarium filter.
Promising review: "I do not typically write reviews but this review I felt compelled to write! I have been battling “cloudy tank” syndrome since I decided fish would be an “easy pet” for my kids 6 months ago. I have closely monitored nitrate levels, added charcoal, changed filters, lost about $50 worth of fish trying to make their habitat friendly (even though they seemed to love a cloudy tank)! I put a smidge of this into our very cloudy tank at 8 p.m. and by 11 p.m. I had this picture to share!! Great product and will last what will feel like forever since we use only a minimal amount for the 20-gallon tank we have!" —SJIborra
Get it from Amazon for $4.98+ (available in three sizes).
6. A grinding stone if you're anything like me and struggle to hold your bunny in one spot long enough to trim their nails. This stone is made of natural lava rock so your small critters can naturally file their nails and teeth without you having to intervene.
Promising review: "I like these blocks a lot. Water bottle drips on this all the time with no indentation, no water marks. There's no added dyes or anything which is really nice. You can easily set this on a wood ledge (needs to be stable, of course) and they're pretty easy to wipe down with some vinegar water if needed. My rats have very nice nails since I got them, perfectly filed on the front and back. I put both their water bottle and a ledge above it (makes them get on their hind legs to reach the other ledge, getting the back nails). My rats aren't chewing on them though. I might need to make it higher for them to feel comfortable with gnawing at it. Give them other things like chew sticks and some seeds they have to chew through like pumpkin seeds so they might not find it necessary." —Mindy
Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in a single pack and a double pack).
7. A feeding tracker because you'd rather be sitting on your couch eating fruit snacks than spending more time than necessary trying to remember if Fluffy ate twice today. This easy-to-mount chart can stick to your wall or fridge with either the included magnets or adhesive stickers. Use the slide button to keep up with your fur baby's meal times, taking out the guesswork on even the busiest mornings.
Some reviewers even use this to keep track of their pet's (and sometimes even their own) medications.
Promising review: "Our cat is really good at waking us up separately and begging for wet food more than once in the morning. Not anymore! Also helps avoid the 'HAVE YOU FED THE CAT YET CAUSE HE WOULDN'T SHUT UP!' screaming match from across the house :)" — Katie Kerke
Get it from Amazon for $9.45 (available in silver and black).
8. A pack of calming chews to help soothe your cat because you don't have the time or energy to chase them around the house with carrier in hand because they just *know* they're headed to the vet.
9. An automatic laser pointer ideal for when you don't have the time to keep your cat entertained while you're busy working from home. When turned on, the laser rotates in a circular pattern across the floor or walls and automatically turns off after 15 minutes.
Promising review: "I noticed when my cat plays he does it physically for about three mins and then lays down, but if I try to stop making the toys move, he's back up meowing for me to make them move again. This solves that problem SO well. The minute it comes on he's on it and having the time of his life, then when he starts to get over it, he perches somewhere and just watches it continue to dance for him lol. I finally get some peace when I don't have the time to actually play with him. It's literally perfect." —Jessica
Get it on Amazon for $16.99.
10. A self-groomer cat toy because sometimes your cat wants all the face scratches but your hands are too busy trying to reach to the bottom of a Pringles jar. Just mount the brush on a corner and watch your cat enjoy a quick scratch session whenever they feel like it, while the brush catches loose hair in the process.
Promising review: "I bought it hoping my elderly cat would stop pestering me constantly to brush him. It was the best money ever spent. He took to it immediately and spent 10 minutes after I installed it just brushing himself. He loves it and is happy, so I’m happy." —allison
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
11. An automatic feeder made to schedule meal times, perfect for when you don't feel like getting out of bed for those super early breakfast wake-up calls. This also features a 10-second recording function that can play your voice saying "It's time for munch munch" to encourage your cat to eat even when you're not home.
Promising review: "Once I figured out the portion size amounts, it only took Ollie 24 hours to realize I wasn't adding food to his dish! It works perfectly and no more 4:45 wake-up calls!" —Michael McCaffrey
Get it from Amazon for $69.99 (available in three colors and two sizes).
12. A ChomChom hair roller that help you spend less time cleaning up cat hair so you can have more time to binge watch the entire season of Love Is Blind. Unlike a normal lint roller, the ChomChom does not contain sticky adhesive, which means it can be be used over and over again.
Promising review: "Where has this been all my life!! We have one long-haired cat and three dogs — suffice it to say, shedded hair is a big problem on every cloth-like surface in our home. No more vacuuming the couches and chairs like wild when you have this around. This picks up hair quickly and easily when used correctly (fast back and forth motion). I will never not have this in our house!" —Shelby Cipolla
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
13. A self-cleaning crystal litter box that will blow your mind (not your nose). You won't have to scoop, clean, or refill for weeks — talk about a win! And unlike traditional litter that just soaks up the funk, your home will actually stay smelling fresh and clean.
This litter box includes a 16-pound bag of ScoopFree Premium Crystal Litter.
Promising review: "I don't know if other cat owners have had a similar issue or if I’m just being obsessive, but I’ve never been able to find a good litter box for my two cats. But alas, my search is over. This litter box is amazing!! I sometimes get lazy when it comes to cleaning the litter box daily, and this solves that perfectly. TIP: to get my cats used to a new litter box, I sprinkled some of their original litter into the new litter, and made the box do a clean so that it distributed the original litter evenly. Don’t use too much though, this machine definitely won’t work with clumping litter." —Kaselyn Ondrias
Get it from Amazon for $199.95.
14. A Litter Genie — the ultimate waste disposal system to combat lingering unpleasant smells. To use, simply scoop clumps from the litter box and drop them into the pail, then pull the handle to seal in the contents. The pail can hold up to two week's worth of liter from a single-cat household, making it perfect for when you rather not walk what feels like half a mile just to go to the trash chute.
Promising review: "I live on the second floor of an apartment building and I have a 3-year-old son. My cat's litter box is in the living room. I clean the litter box daily and was finding it difficult to take it down to the first floor trashcan daily because I couldn't leave my son alone or was too exhausted after he went to sleep to do so. If I put it in my regular trashcan, it of course smelled up the entire room. I use this daily to get rid of the litter and don't smell a thing. I even asked guests if they smell anything, and I've heard that they can't smell anything at all. I think it works better than my Diaper Genie did. Highly recommend!" —M
Get it on Amazon for $18.99.
15. A Shark robot vacuum with the power to take care of all pet hair and dirt that gets tracked around your home so you don't have to. This robot vacuum features home mapping, which means it learns the layout of your spaces and knows to avoid crashing into your kitchen island for example. And if you hate emptying vacuum bins (who doesn't?) you'll love the self-emptying feature.
Promising review: "This is our second Shark robotic cleaner and this one is great. We have two shedding dogs, three cats, a toddler, and an 8-year-old. Lots of hair and crumbs and Daddy Shark gets it all! We have it timed to run early in the morning so we start with fresh floors every day. The suction is super (picked up a pairs of my reading glasses) and it returns to base to empty if it fills during the run and then continues to clean every inch. It took a few days for it to map out the rooms, but it covers every inch. Under the sofa, tables and beds, the Shark gets it all. You need to pick up small toys, etc. before it runs. Our first Shark cleaner is now cleaning the gym and playroom downstairs. I’m sure someday they will be able to climb stairs! It was pricey but worth every cent especially cleaning all the dogs' fur!"—Joey P.
Get it from Amazon for $409+ (available in a 45-day capacity and a 60-day capacity).
16. A Petmate gravity waterer made to prolong the amount of time in between filling up the water bowl. This is expesically handy for those hot summer months when you're too busy melting to get up every 20 minutes to change the water bowl.
This waterer is made of BPA-free material with Microban protection that helps prevent the growth of stains and odor-causing bacteria. It could also pair well with this waterproof cushioned mat to keep water off your floor!
Promising review: "This has been a fantastic addition to our home. This BPA-free waterer ensures my cats and dogs always have access to fresh, clean water, without any need for batteries or electrical outlets. The included charcoal filter is a great feature, helping to remove impurities and improve the taste of the water. It's also easy to clean and refill, thanks to its wide-mouth bottle design and removable bowl. It's an excellent investment for any pet owner seeking a hassle-free hydration solution for their furry friends. Highly recommended!" —Mr Pat
Get it from Amazon for $13.77+ (available in four sizes and four colors).
17. A quick-drying shammy towel that will cut your pet's dry time in half. This micro-fiber material absorbs two times more than a basic towel, making it super efficient to get bathtime over with because the amount of energy it took just to give the bath will have you out of commission for the next few days.
It is machine washable and recommended to be air dried.
Promising review: "This was a gift for my sister's 75-lb. golden retriever who loves to play and roll around in the mud and puddles. She loves being rubbed and dried off with this shammy. It does a great job getting rid of the mud and drying off her thick fur. We love how we can put our hands in the pockets and rub her all over with this item." —LaLise F.
Get it from Amazon for $20.77 (available in three colors).
18. A pet door to let your pup go in and out to potty or run around as they please, so you don't have to get out of bed to let them out, perfect for those 2 a.m. potty breaks.
Promising review: "Best then I brought for the dogs since living in an apartment/townhouse. They can now go onto the patio without me having to let them out. Fairly easy to install if you have a drill!" —Apartment Life
Get it from Amazon for $164+ (available in five sizes, and three styles and colors).
19. An LED collar so that Biscuit can get his midnight zoomies out but is still visible so you can avoid the 20 minutes hide and seek when it's time to bring them in. This collar is water resistant, USB rechargeable, and provides 360 visibility.
You can also pair with a light-up leash!
Promising review: "I have two black dogs and live on acreage on a dirt road. One tiny 10-lb blind mutt, one black lab. These light up collars live near our door and go on the dogs any time they go outside when it’s dark. Even if they’re wearing another collar. I can lose the 10-lb dog behind a tree in the middle of the day, imagine how easy he is to lose at night! Plus, it gets cold here and I get lazy and many times they go out alone. I always put the little dog’s collar on flashing mode. The blinking red collar was especially helpful when the Amazon driver showed up unexpectedly late one night. These have worked better than other options we’ve tried. Easier to put on and take off, easier to turn on and off as well. Just hold down the button for a second or so. We’ve used them for two years now and had no issues. We charge overnight when they die, but the charge seems to last for ages. Seriously, one of my favorite products ever. Now, if I could track my dog as well in the daytime, that would be great." —Happymomcm
Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in sizes XS–L and 10 colors).
20. A lick mat that suctions right to your shower wall and is made to distract your pooch with peanut butter long enough to make bath time a breeze. You may have muster up the energy to *give* the bath but not enough to keep putting them back in the tub every time they hop out. With this, just smear on a savory treat and while they're licking away, sneak in a quick scrub.
Freeze before use so it takes Gizmo longer to lick up all the peanut butter goodness. And you can get the cool 2-in-1 sprayer + scrubber shown in the picture here!
Promising review: "Tried this with our lab puppy when I needed to sweep and vacuum the floors. This kept her busy for a while so I could clean in peace! I filled it with peanut butter and placed it on the refrigerator door. She loves it! Also used this when we had company to keep her busy so she wouldn't be such a pest." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $10.95.
21. A teeny-tiny ball because your little bunnies and ferret needs enrichment too...just not from you though because you are doing something else. They'll be aimlessly hopping in and tossing bright colorful balls.
Promising review: "This is perfect for my ferret, Loki. I couldn't find engaging ferret toys at the big box stores, but at Chewy, there is a huge selection at a great price. I can't wait to see my boy bouncing through the balls!" —LokisKeeper
Get it from Chewy for $36.99.
22. A subscription to Barkbox to bring all the toys and treats right to your doorstep without having to make frequent trips to Petco. This subscription service is also customizable so if your pup has certain health concerns you can tailor it to your needs.
Each box comes with at least two toys, two bags of all-natural treats, and a surprise activities and games.
Get it from BarkBox for $19+/month plus shipping.
Read about all the different dog subscription services.
23. A Pet House candle that actually covers up and eliminates those stinky dog smells so that you don't have to go on a cleaning montage 40 minutes before guests come over.
Read our review of this candle here.
One Fur All is a small business that specializes in home fragrances for pet owners.
Promising review: "I have multiple dogs in the house and am always concerned that it smells like that to visitors, even cleaning every day. I have used other candles and melts that add a pleasant smell to the underlying odor, but this candle is the best. I have been able to leave the house for hours and when I first open the door, on my return, I don't smell dog. We recently had a house full of people (many of them pet parents) over for Christmas dinner and one person actually commented, 'Your house smells really nice. How do you keep the dog smell out?' I laughed and told them I was just wondering if the candles were working. I guess I got the best answer." —LLL Texas
Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in 42 scents).
24. A Tile Mate you can attach to your pet's collar so they can enjoy their outdoor freedom without you having to send out a search party when they went a little further than you expected.
This device connects to an app on your phone. You can see where it is on a map or make it start making noise so you can find it if you're nearby.
Promising review: "I use it for my cat when we let her in the backyard. Sometimes she wanders off into the neighbor's yard but she has learned that when her collar starts singing that I’m looking for her. Keep in mind though that if you’re using this for an animal, you have to be in range of the tile to find it (which I’ve noticed is about 20 feet or so)." —Ctesta
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
25. A multisurface pet stain and odor eliminator for the time Peanut had an accident but you were too pooped to clean it up. Apply this spray to the stain and let sit, and after one hour vacuum to reveal your spotless carpet — like it never even happened.
Rocco & Roxie is a family-run small business that makes pet-friendly cleaning products, health and wellness products, and treats . Check out BuzzFeed's full write-up on Rocco & Roxie stain remover.
Promising review: "This is magic! These pics were taken over the course of about 35 minutes. These are year old stains! I’m sold." —Joshua Hurston Hall
Get it from Amazon for $19.97 (or $18.97 with the Subscribe & Save option).
26. A splurge-worthy automatic pet dryer— bathing Gizmo was half the battle and quite frankly you rather not chase a wet fur ball with a towel around your house. This dryer is powered by a bottom-up airflow that dries every nook and cranny from their armpit to their tiny toes. It also comes with an adjustable temperature feature and a built in system to make sure kitty (or pup) is always get a constant flow of fresh air to breathe.
Promising review: "I have three long haired cats (two Persians and a Himalayan) and the process of washing and drying them all was really taxing. Getting this dryer was life saver! It’s really simple to use, has a small footprint and a spacious interior. My 13lb Persian fits just fine. The vents on the side open inward so you can comfort you kitty if they are stress (super helpful) pulse when you place the cushion inside and open the side vents it doubles up as a bed! I love this thing and I would highly recommend it to anyone!" —hannah
Get it from Amazon for $599.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.