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 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 $21.51 (available in three sizes and six colors).
2. 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 nuts! 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 $5.49.
3. A precious cat perch to give your feline friends a place to chill without ruining the vibe of your home decor. It has two bowl-shaped thrones with soft cushions, so they'll be extra cozy while they birdwatch in the window.
Promising review: "I’m so in love with this cat lounger. It has exceeded my expectations. The quality of materials makes this lounger worth every penny. The base and the cushions are so soft and luxurious; I’m very jealous. The wicker basket and rope towers are also well built and it took a few twists of the wrist to put it together. It’s nice to finally have a cat lounger that blends so nicely with our decor. It’s so unique." —Karrie R
Get it from Amazon for $139 (available in two sizes).
4. 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 will 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 $49.89+ (available in three sizes and seven colors).
5. A nail scratch pad that actually serves two purposes! Not only does it occupy 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 $42.25+ (originally $46.95; available in three materials and four styles).
6. 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 $35.95+ (available in five colors).
7. Or a purr pillow your kitty will surely thank you for when it's 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 $10.99+ (available in three styles and four colors).
8. A genius set of catnip-infused felted balls when you're desperate to entertain your rambunctious feline 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 $8.50+ (available in three tin 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 $11.17.
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 $8.99+ (available in four sizes and nine styles).
11. 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 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 $30.49+ (available in three colors).
12. 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 $2.65.
13. A challenging activity mat so your dog is never bored inside again! If your pup has destructive tendencies due to lack of stimulation, this might do the trick. Hide treats in the mat and they'll be occupied for quite some time!
DogNmat is a small business that makes the cutest snuffle mats and pooch accessories.
Promising review: "My lil' dog absolutely LOVES her snuffle mat. She was flipping, shaking, foraging, pawing it to get every treat. I had to help her get to some of the treats in some hiding places because I put the treats too deep in some places she couldn't get her nose to get it. I'll be ordering another one because another dog I take care of LOVES it too! Exceptional quality, vibrant colors, fun and mentally stimulating for my dog. Excellent customer service. Thank you so much!" —Chris Gray
Get it from DogNmat on Etsy for $27.50+ (available with or without personalization).
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 $9.99.
15. A pack of matatabi 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!
MeowyJanes is a wonderfully named small business based in New Egypt, New Jersey. It specializes in catnip and catnip alternatives.
Promising review: "I have two young Siamese mix cats that chew wires, shoes, and wooden spoons. These chew sticks are perfect for them. They sniff the sticks, run 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.
16. A Goughnuts chew ring strong enough to go against 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 NUTS 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 $28.95+ (available in four colors and four toughness levels).
17. A cat scratching post for keeping your kitty busy when their energy levels are especially high. Plus, it may even keep their claws 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 $22.99+ (available in three sizes).
18. A dog ball launcher that's as close to an outdoor activity as your four-legged pal can get when it's too cold for the real thing! You can even train them to drop the ball back in the launcher themselves so they'll have ongoing entertainment.
Promising reviews: "This review is on behalf of a mini Australian Shepherd who is, of course, 100% energy. Bought iFetch about a year ago for those long winter days like today when my beautiful fur-coated friend is stuck inside and going stir-crazy. And right now she is patiently staring at me waiting to play our game again. This is a great product, I've had no issues with it. We use Kong extra small balls and they work fine even if the outer fuzzy 'wrapper' has been chewed off by above sheepdog." —Sara
"Our dog loves his iFetch! We use ours indoors and once he figured out to put the ball in himself, he’s unstoppable!" —Patricia A. Williams
Get it from Amazon for $129.99+ (available in two sizes).
19. 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* perfect solution for your dog's boredom.
Check out our full Multipet yellow duck toy review for more deets!
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 $6.72+ (available in four styles).
20. A motion-activated laser toy because when your pet has a case of indoor zoomies, they'll have 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 nuts. She loves it and I love that it is rechargeable instead of using up batteries." —G Brodecky
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
21. 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 $2.99+ (available in four sizes and many styles).
22. A soft interactive snuffle mat that'll keep your pooch occupied while you shovel snow or tend to other winter 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.
23. A rolling cat kicker toy to take playtime to a whole new level. These contain organic catnip, silver vine, and valerian root, so your kitty will be kickin' and scratchin' for more.
Hoff-N-Paw Pet Toys is a small Etsy shop based in Chicago, Illinois.
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).
24. Or a three-tiered ball tower for cats who love chasing things around the house. They'll be so captivated by all the balls rolling around, they just might forget about the inanimate objects they usually wreak havoc on.
Promising review: "My kitty LOVES this toy, and hasn't lost interest in it since I introduced it two months ago. She was formerly an 'outdoor kitty', but transitioned to indoor life this winter. So, I needed something to keep her mind and energy level occupied, and this is doing a great job. The tower is fairly sturdy and isn't too noisy. The balls are a bit on the light side compared to a single-track unit I had ages ago, but that's actually a plus with this item. My gal has to 'work for it' a little, and that's keeping her interested during playtime. The four foam pads on the bottom side keep it from sliding around, and the hollow top is providing some extra play by dropping items down inside for her to fish out with her paws." —Mitchell M.
Get it from Amazon for $9.42 (also available in eight designs).
25. 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 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 $25.49 (available in four sizes and many styles).
26. A cat tunnel with three pathways so they have plenty of options when they decide it's time for a game of hide-and-seek. They may be out of sight when playing in their tunnel, but they're probably keeping an eye on you. 👀
Promising review: "I have never seen so much fun being had by my cat as I have with this tunnel. He is so fun to watch! We are very happy with this purchase and it is pretty enough to stay out in our living room. I love the gray and white pattern." —x1blais2x
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in eight colors).
27. An interactive cat toy if your kitty gets bored easily and needs constant mental stimulation to stay occupied. Watch their hunting instincts ~spring~ into action as they play with this toy!
Promising review: "My kitten plays with this for hours at a time. He loves the spinning ball and then gets distracted by the springing mouse as well. I like that he can have some entertainment when I am not home as well. Definitely his favorite toy." —AmCust
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in seven styles).
28. And 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 crazy 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).
Did somebody say new treats and toys?
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.