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 ~hilarious~ giggle ball your pup will be enthralled with for hours thanks to the fun giggling sound that'll capture their attention. The best part? No batteries or charging necessary!
Promising review: "My boxer absolutely loves this ball, this is the second one that I have purchased — the other one still works but she's had it two years and it's a bit chewed up. It lasts for a very long time with my aggressive chewer and keeps her entertained — I actually have to make her come inside from the patio. The sound it makes is so funny and I think that is what keeps her chasing it so much. I would definitely recommend for any medium or large dog breed." —Kristy J.
Get it from Amazon for $14.97.
2. Or a durable chew toy for pups who get aggressive with their toys, especially after being cooped up inside due to the cold! This sturdy toy will keep them entertained *and* withstand their tough chewing.
Promising review: "My 8-month-old hound dog with bionic jaws, who has destroyed $400 of toys in the three months since I rescued her, has not destroyed this. The rope even remains unshredded. We play with it in the park. She marches around with it in her mouth and plays tug with humans and canines. She also likes to play fetch with herself and this ball. And, like many dogs, she shakes her head back and forth quickly while holding the rope. The ball is too big for her mouth, but she tries to grab it. She is entertained and so am I!" —Mary G GTG Owner
Get it from Amazon for $24.27 (available in three sizes and six colors).
3. A self-groomer cat brush so your kitties can groom themselves and enjoy pets whenever they want — even if you're not around to provide them. You can even load it up with catnip if they need some convincing.
Promising review: "None of my cats like to play with toys and it was driving me [wild]! They have so much energy but would get bored with any toy within days. I tried rotating them and interactive toys, anything and everything for hours and at different times. There is nothing that has kept my cats busy like these grooming tools! I have literally never seen any of them sit and mess with something for more than a few minutes but my cats will rub on this for like 20 min at a time. 100% worth the money!" —Amazon Customer
P.S. Don't forget to add some catnip to your cart so you can make your cat an offer they can't refuse!
Get it from Amazon for $7.19.
4. A gorgeous wooden cat tree when you're looking for a way to fascinate your climbing feline without ruining your home's aesthetic. If your cat loves birdwatching from a window, I can promise you this is *the* ultimate way to their heart.
This is def a splurge purchase but I've had mine for about six months and have ~no regrets~ whatsoever. My high-energy cat has deemed this her safe place where she'll stare out the window birdwatching for hours and eventually give into a nap. It's also a huge help when she has the indoor zoomies and races around the house to burn off energy. She always comes right back to the cat tree to swat the pom-pom balls and go to town on the scratching posts! I personally appreciate that it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb and actually matches the aesthetic in my space without taking over the whole room. The quality is *chef's kiss* amazing, too.
Mau is a small biz founded by cat lovers who want to provide modern aesthetically pleasing cat furniture made from sustainable materials.
Promising review: "Wow! Not only is this the best looking cat tree, my two kittens jumped right up and started playing, and then napping, immediately. It’s really sturdy, too. One of my kittens is a Maine Coon, and it’s not wobbly like the carpeted trees you get at the pet store. Assembly instructions were the best I’ve ever used; everything was labeled and numbered, and it was helpful to watch the video first. All around, this is a high-quality product that works well and looks great while doing it!" —Paula Maroulis
Get it from Mau on Etsy or Amazon for $289 (available in three colors).
5. OR a multilevel cat condo if you need even more entertainment for your cats. Whether you have a kitten with tons of energy or you have several cats in the home, this is bound to keep 'em busy.
Promising review: " This is a great tower for my kitty, Pepper, who loves to climb. She entertains herself all day by running up and down the tree, hunting the hanging fluffballs on it. It allows me to give her vertical space compared to horizontal space as we have a very small apartment." —Isabel
Get it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in three sizes and nine colors).
6. A nail scratch pad, which actually serves two purposes! Not only does it entertain your dog with a positive reinforcement activity, but it also helps keep their nails trimmed to a reasonable length.
The ScratchPad is available in different levels of coarseness depending on your pup's needs. Every purchase comes with a step-by-step training guide to teach your dog to use the ScratchPad for both the front AND back feet!
ScratchPad For Dogs is a small business in Atlanta. The owner was inspired to create this product after having plenty of firsthand experience with a dog that hates nail trims.
Promising review: "Just as described. Only took about 15 minutes each to train two of my dogs to scratch on the pad with their front paws. It quickly became a game to them and they line up ready to scratch as soon as the board comes out of the closet. May not be as precise as a professional nail trim, but definitely allows us to go a longer time between trips to the groomers and is stress free for our pups." —Endeavour Toys
Get it from ScratchPad For Dogs on Etsy for $65.95 (available in three material options).
7. An adorable snuggle puppy stuffed toy for dogs who want extra love when they're anxious after being indoors too long. It has a "real feel" heartbeat, which is perfect for pups who need constant touch to feel content.
The "real feel" heartbeat has two modes: 24-hour continuous use or eight-hour use with automatic shut-off. It comes with AAA batteries and a one-time use heat pack.
Promising review: "Our Australian Shepherd loves this dog. The heartbeat is great but most of all she loves playing with it. Shaking and growling at it. It will keep her occupied for quite some time. In the beginning, we would put it in her crate and she would sleep with it. Now she drags it around and plays roughly with it.” —Andrew G
Get it from Amazon for $39.95 (available in five colors).
8. Or a purr pillow your fur baby will surely thank you for when they're snuggled up next to it. The gentle purring sound is soothing to anxious cats and will def help occupy high-energy kitties!
The touch-activated purr pillow is available as a purple kitty or a blue sloth. Petstages offers other soothing toys, including a glow-in-the-dark mouse that contains catnip.
Promising review: "Got a little baby kitten. He's very playful so I wanted to get him a toy to keep him occupied with something other than my ankles and legs...he absolutely loves it. He's been using it for a few months now. The purring effect is really cool, as soon as I turn it on it immediately catches his attention and even puts him to sleep sometimes." —Alfred
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in three styles and four colors).
9. An interactive treat puzzle so your doggo will have to work a little harder for their reward! This keeps them busy longer and also prevents them from gobbling up their treats in one fell swoop.
You can hide their favorite treats inside the flip-top compartments and liftable dog-bone shapes, all of which have tiny air holes on top so your doggo can smell that something is hiding underneath. You might have to show them how to access the compartments the first time they use it, but reviewers say most dogs get the hang of it very quickly!
Promising review: "My puppy Chabuddy loves this puzzle ... He uses his nose and paws to remove covers, flip open the lids, and slide the boxes to reveal more treats. I didn’t have to teach Chabuddy what to do with the puzzle. I just gave him a single peak under one lid to show him food was in fact accessible and his nose did the rest of the work." —Clementine
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
10. Or a slow feeder bowl to make mealtime even more exciting for your furry friend. It keeps their mind active by encouraging their foraging skills *and* occupies them for more than five seconds.
Promising review: "Our three-month-old Aussie puppy was wolfing down her food, so we thought it would be a good idea to see if there was anything that could help with that. So glad to have found this bowl! It made a huge difference, and it keeps her busy so I can get a few things done without being concerned if she is getting into something she shouldn't.🙂. Bowl is made of a very thick plastic and appears to be very sturdy. I got the large bowl so the kibbles were more spread out, giving her more "fun time" while eating. She really seems to enjoy the problem-solving stimulation." —Red in Keds
Get it from Amazon for $6.35+ (available in four sizes and nine styles).
11. An organic cat grass growing kit if you know the struggle of having a feline who's obsessed with your plants. Plus, if your cat is used to getting some backyard grass time, this is a nice replacement when it's just too dang chilly outside.
This kit comes with a rustic wood planter that'll look great in your home. It contains a blend of barley, rye, oat, and wheat seeds, so it's packed with vitamins and minerals that are good for your cat!
The Cat Ladies is a family-owned, southern California-based small business founded in 2015 by a mother-daughter duo who wanted to create unique, organic, nontoxic products for other passionate cat owners.
Promising review: "I have been a customer for about a year now, and ever since the first time when we gave her gentle pets while she ate the grass, she’s now developed a whole daily routine! She meows at us every morning, demanding that we come and sit with her and pet her while she munches happily on the grass. It’s become such an important part of her daily routine that we bought two of the planters so that she can always have fresh grass." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $28.90.
12. An automatic water fountain that'll motivate your cat to stay hydrated while simultaneously mesmerizing them for hours. If your cat lingers by the sink faucet waiting for a drink, try this!
Promising review: "My kitty is fascinated when we pour any type of liquid into a glass so I knew he would enjoy this fountain and sure enough, he does love it. Has a slight waterfall noise but not too loud and it's actually peaceful. Kitty stays hydrated and entertained. Cat mom approves too." —Anni Keny
Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in three colors).
13. An interactive cat toy for endless entertainment that both you and your cat will love. Watching them go after this thing will bring you joy and it'll help them stay active, so it's a win-win!
Promising review: "My two-year-old playful and energetic Maine coon is obsessed with this toy. He will chase it nonstop and begs for us to take it out of the cabinet. I’m so happy we found something to burn off some energy aside from climbing the TV and tormenting our senior cat. He’s very strong, so this toy needed replacing after a couple of months of hard play. I have no complaints. I’m just happy to have found something he loves." —Kelsey Heroux
Get it from Amazon for $3.90.
14. A time-consuming treat-dispensing ball if you need a toy that's guaranteed to keep your pet busy until it warms up outside. Pop some treats in the ball and watch their problem-solving skills shine as they work to retrieve them.
Promising review: "My dog is a fast eater. This toy keeps her busy for hours trying to get treats out of the ball. I put larger pieces of treats inside to slow down kibble from coming out of the ball. It's larger than others so it doesn't get stuck under furniture." —Lauren Howroyd
Get it from Amazon for $7.
15. A genius set of catnip-infused felted balls when you're desperate to entertain your rambunctious kitto on those *extremely* cold days. Simply return them to the tin to recharge with more catnip before the next play sesh.
Simply B Vermont is a small business located in Montpelier, Vermont that carries a huge selection of toys and accessories for both cats and dogs. You can also get dog bandanas, catnip alternatives,
Promising review: "My cat normally only likes toys with feathers and ribbons or catnip filled so I took a chance and ordered these for her. She is OBSESSED. She is like a little maniac running around chasing a little felt ball. I always hear crashing and it’s her throwing around the toy and running into things lol. So glad I purchased these and that she loves them so much!" —Kristina Meyer
Get it from Simply B Vermont on Etsy for $9.25+ (available in three tin colors).
16. A Goughnuts chew ring reviewers say is strong enough to go against even the most enthusiastic chewers. Your dog may become *obsessed* with trying to figure out why they can't destroy it, but at least they'll be occupied!
Promising review: "We have a mastiff/American bulldog/pitbull mix and he LOVES toys. So finding a toy that lasts more than 30 minutes is historically impossible. Finally, we found the Goughnut which he GOES [WILD] for. It's the first toy that has the right texture that our dog loves and he hasn't been able to tear it to shreds. He's fascinated with it and why he can't destroy it. It's able to keep him busy for several daily play sessions. Love it!" —Rowan W.
Get it from Amazon for $27.46+ (available in three colors and four toughness levels).
17. A rechargeable flopping fish toy if you want to keep everyone amused — four- and two-legged species alike. You'll love watching 'em tussle with this motion-activated toy so much, you may even forget about the cold weather's impending arrival.
Promising reviews: "Best cat toy. My cat absolutely loves this fish. Well worth the price to keep my cat entertained." —Joanne
"I bought two for my Frenchie and Chihuahua and they both stay entertained for a good while tossing and chewing on the little trout. The charge usually lasts about a week on a single charge." —Chef Raul Alberto Dominguez
Get it from Amazon for $10.39+ (available in seven styles).
18. A pack of all-natural matabi chew sticks because not all kitties are entertained by catnip. If your cat loves to chew on furniture legs and charger cables, these sticks will capture their attention!
Meowy Janes is a New Jersey-based small business that specializes in catnip alternatives. They work with sustainable, family-owned farms to source their natural products.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Chelsea Stuart gave these to her kitties: "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 cats, one special needs almost blind kitty, and one very lovey-dovey, very vocal kitty. The special needs kitty has not warmed up to these yet, but she usually needs extra time with new things. But my talkative kitty just loves them! I scraped off some bark as instructed, and she gnawed, tossed, chased and altogether enjoyed them." —Grace Cook
Get them from Meowy Janes on Etsy for $11.85 or Amazon for $11.21.
19. A cat scratching post for keeping those claws busy when their energy levels are especially high. Plus, it may even keep their paws off your couch for a change.
Promising review: "While I haven't gotten a chance to try the scratcher out personally, our cat loves it, and that's enough for me. Our surly and highly judgmental cat was gouging up the sofa and carpet until we got this excellent scratcher. I was impressed at how stable it is as our cat is not the most slender of creatures. But she hasn't knocked it over yet. The ball-on-a-string on top is a very clever feature as that was the first thing that got our cat's attention. Plus it's helping to keep her needle-like claws more manageable." —Alan
Get it from Amazon for $23.99 (available in two sizes).
20. A sweet but also tear-resistant stuffed duck your pup can literally grow up with thanks to its durability. If you've sworn off stuffed toys because they usually end up in pieces, this duck may be *the* perf solution for your dog's boredom.
Promising review: "Our 6-month-old lab puppy loves her Duckworth duck, carrying it around with her throughout the day, and even play fighting with it when she needs to expend some energy rather rambunctiously. So far, it has received quite a bit of active rough-house play and is holding up well." —Michael
Get it from Amazon for $7.90 OR check out the mini version for small dogs! The duck comes in multiple colors, and you'll receive one at random.
21. A motion-activated laser toy because when your pet has a case of indoor zoomies, they'll need something to chase around until they've tuckered themselves out!
Promising reviews: "Our cat loves it. Light is very bright at day or night. Great that there are multiple mounting options, wall, shelf, or window. Great to for busy lives when we need to leave our cat still have something to interact with." —Amazon Customer
"My dog loves lasers and we are getting two kittens, so I thought I would give this a try. When I received it, I got it out of the box and my dog went [wild]. She loves it and I love that it is rechargeable instead of using up batteries." —G Brodecky
Get it from Amazon for $19 (be sure to clip the $6 off coupon on the product page for this price).
22. A dog chew toy if they've been longing for the ultimate reward of outdoor adventures: a stick. Keep them occupied with this look-alike that's much safer than a real one that might splinter.
Promising review: "My bulldog loves these wooden chew toys. A few months ago she started acting up and eating the wood siding shingles off the house and part of our Jacuzzi deck. We would fix it and it would happen again. She had a lot of toys so we knew she was not just bored. I asked our dog trainer what to do and he suggested we give her sticks as toys since she seems to like chewing wood. We tried that, but the sticks would get broken or thrown away by the gardeners. So, when I came upon this real wood toy I had to try it. It is amazing! She loves it and she has not chewed any wood off the house since we got the first one about a month ago. I just came back to buy a second one so she can have her favorite toy inside the house too. She is so happy with it!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in four sizes and many styles).
23. A soft interactive snuffle mat to keep your pooch occupied while you rake leaves, shovel snow, or tend to other seasonal duties. Hide treats inside and they'll go to town searching for them.
Promising review: "My chiweenie absolutely loves this! He loves to dig and sniff around the kitchen floor so when I saw this I thought it would be a better way for him to release those canine desires. I feed him his dinner and breakfast in this somedays, it keeps him busy for about 30 minutes. He really seems to enjoy sniffing around the fake grass and digging at it for his food. He usually eats his entire bowl in under a minute so this is a great option also for those who have fast eaters! I am very happy I bought this item." —Erin
Get it from Amazon for $15.99.
24. Or an interactive dog toy when your hide-and-seek loving pup needs their fix. They'll be entertained for the foreseeable future as they try to find the squirrels in this tree trunk toy.
Six squeaky squirrels are included with the XL toy pictured above. The small, medium, and large size toys come with three squirrels. You can also purchase a three-pack of replacement squirrels as needed.
Promising review: "Absolutely amazing. Our Corgi puppy loves it and it keeps her well occupied. This is a great toy for a teething puppy and forces her to think. Definitely recommend." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in four sizes and many styles).
25. A rolling cat kicker toy that'll take playtime to a whole new level. These contain organic catnip, silver vine, and valerian root, so your kitty will be ~kicking~ and scratching for more.
Hoff-N-Paw Pet Toys is a small Etsy shop based in Chicago, Illinois.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Jenae Sitzes says: "Chicho loves letting out his play aggression on this toy, especially whenever I give it a fresh spray of catnip. He does more than just kick it though — he licks it, rubs his head on it, rolls around with it, and generally just hugs onto it for a while, like you can see in the gif above. Though he tends to prefer more interactive playtime with me involved, this toy keeps him busy whenever I don't have time to stop what I'm doing and toss his toys around for an hour. Also, all cat owners know how cheap and flimsy many cat toys are, so I've been trying to pick up more high-quality toys for my cats that'll last for years. With its handmade wooden and sisal make, this is definitely one of those toys. Also, there's a rattle inside for extra sensory stimulation!"
Promising review: "This cat toy is exactly as advertised. I have four cats and even the one old lady who doesn't care much for catnip loves playing with the scratcher! The lil' peanut was all over the envelope before we even got it open (and when her brother took a turn playing with the toy, she managed to cram herself almost completely into the envelope)." —Amy
Get it for Hoff-N-Paw Pet Toys on Etsy for $15.25+ (available in three sizes and four colors).
26. Or a three-tiered ball tower if your cat loves the thrill of a chase. They'll be so captivated by all the balls rolling around — they might just forget about the inanimate objects they usually torment.
I'll be honest, I didn't expect much when I bought this toy but I was pleasantly surprised when my cat took to it right away. She'll play with it when she's full of energy as well as when she wants some lazy playtime before bed. It comes with six balls – three solid colors and three with bells inside. I keep the three solid balls in the tower (she hasn't been able to knock any loose yet!) and the others on reserve for swatting around the house.
Promising review: "I recently rescued two domestic shorthair kittens and needed a variety of toys for them to play with and to keep them occupied. This toy is one of their favorites and they have endless amounts of fun with it, they’re so engaged whenever they start playing with the balls. I never want to take it away from them. This is definitely a great product for any current or would-be cat owners." —JayHawk
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in 14 colors/styles).
27. A tunnel bed so you can accomplish two of the most important goals: keeping your pet cozy *and* entertained. It's a perfect napping spot that'll also provide endless excitement with the tunnels for hiding and chasing their siblings around.
The middle of the tube has a plush cat bed in it, so they can also take cat naps there if they prefer to use the tunnel for play. You could also lay a blanket in the tunnel for added comfort!
Promising review: "My cats absolutely love this thing! When I was putting it together, my 20-pound tabby immediately went inside the tube, and did not come out for over an hour! It was easy to put together (even with a 20-pound cat inside lol). But, this entire thing set up is about 3 feet long. It is HUGE. Make sure you have room!! The material is surprisingly soft, outside and inside the tunnel. And the light coloring allows light to filter through, which my cats like (I had a black tunnel that neither of them would go into). My smaller 10-pound tabby (black nose) LOVES to run around the house, and now he has added running a few laps inside this tunnel to his run lol. Both cats play in this ALL THE TIME. Both on the inside chasing each other, or one on the inside and one outside batting at each other. They use the tunnel as a good napping spot, and also a spot to hide from the vacuum or guests they aren't sure of. This has gotten soooooo much use from both cats. I would highly recommend this!!" —Trebeca
Get it from Amazon for $34.80+ (available in four colors/patterns).
28. Finally, a classic Kong dog toy because sometimes all it takes is a treat to keep them busy and content. Stuff it with peanut butter or any other treat they love, and you'll instantly be crowned best pet parent!
Promising review: "My puppy goes [wild] for this. We fill it with peanut butter on our work days and it helps him not notice us leaving for the day. No whining, no separation anxiety! A must have!" —Mary K. Mclaughlin
Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in six sizes and as a two-pack).
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.