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    If You’re Feeling The Sting Of A Pricey Vet Visit, Take Comfort In These 29 Cheap Pet Products That’ll Stick Around For A Long Time

    These adorable, fuzzy freeloaders sure do cost a lot of coin.

    1. A swivel bin pooper scooper and rake so you can stay as far away from your dog's business as humanly possible. This long-handled bin can fit a whole yard's worth of poo and includes a rake that makes cleanup a contactless, near-effortless affair. 

    a model using the swivel bin and rake pooper scooper
    Amazon

    Promising review: "We bought one of these about six years ago and it finally broke, but it was sitting in the weather. I was surprised at how long it lasted. We bought another because it makes poop and plum pick up so much easier." —gerio

    Get it from Amazon for $14.72

    2. A cruelty-free pet ear cleanser that'll gently (but effectively) flush out built-up dirt to keep your furry friend's ears happy and healthy without a trip to the groomer. It'll be a nice change of pace when your dog's ears flip inside out and don't elicit gasps of horror.

    Promising review: "Used many different types of ear treatments. This one just seems to always work and do the trick. Even seems to clean and sanitize her ears between usage, or at least is the only brand that lets me go as long between usage. Also, the price is fantastic and lasts me a few months." —John 

    Get it from Amazon for $12.99.

    3. A grooming glove if your dog is afraid of a comb but loves a good pet sesh. This mitt will help de-shed (no matter your pet's coat type) and is super easy to clean — fur lifts away in one solid, satisfying sheet.

    a reviewer holding the blue glove which is full of white fur
    a reviewer using the glove to brush their corgi

    Promising review: "This is my second glove, my first one lasted eight years until the nubs finally wore down. My cat is VERY fluffy! Our routine is to brush before breakfast. My cat loves it. No matter if your hand is small or large, the glove has good Velcro to keep it on." —Carol

    Get it from Amazon for $7.99.

    4. A hecka durable duck chew toy for providing your adorable but destructive good doggo with a toy they can't shred to pieces just five minutes after receiving it. RIP to all the toys that came before.

    buzzfeed editor's dog next to three torn-apart toys captioned
    buzzfeed editor's french bulldog chewing the duck
    AnaMaria Glavan / BuzzFeed

    Promising review: "My dog destroys every stuffed animal he can get his teeth on within five minutes of contact. I never buy stuffed toys anymore so I don't have to constantly clean up the stuffing around my house. I bought this on a whim based on the reviews, but certainly didn't expect it to last. For some reason this duck is different — I'm not sure if it's the longer 'fur' or something else, but he has not even put a hole in it after a couple of weeks. I wouldn't say it's his new companion; he does greet me at the door, squeaking it in his mouth, and attempts to get us to chase him to try to retrieve it, but he has not tried to rip it open to remove the squeaker, as is his norm. I'm interested to see how long it will be around!" —charrob

    For more doggone details, check out our in-depth Multipet Duckworth dog toy review.

    Get it from Amazon for $7.99.

    5. A pet mess spray to eliminate new and old stains (and stank) on virtually any surface with just a quick spritz and a rinse, so you can forget that it ever happened. 

    a reviewer photo of a tan couch with a dark stain on the seat and text reading
    a reviewer photo of the same couch with the stain removed

    Promising review: "I love this product for several reasons. It leaves no residue and is certified safe, which is great. It's safe for pets and kids, removes stains and odors, and is color-safe. It's enzyme-activated, works on all surfaces, and the 32-oz. size lasts long. It's backed by a 100% guarantee and trusted by the Carpet & Rug Institute. It's perfect for cleaning up after our dog. I highly recommend it." —Tanis 

    Get it from Amazon for $19.97+ (available in two sizes).

    6. A nail grinder because you and your furniture are tired of getting scratched by your dog's overgrown nails. It's extra quiet, which is perfect for pooches who tend to get spooked by regular clippers.

    Promising review: "I've got one of those dogs who doesn't like his nails touched, and he's got a devoted owner who tried clipping his nails and cut one too short, which was traumatic for both of us! My dog gets horribly car sick and taking him anywhere in the car creates so much angst, but he has to have those nails trimmed. The groomer suggested this product, which she actually has and uses on her own dogs, and urged me to buy it and give it a try. I ordered and got it and then was scared to use it on him! But the company follow-up provided me with some helpful suggestions and a great amount of encouragement and there is a very happy ending to this story! So I absolutely recommend it." —jazziejay5

    Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in six colors).

    7. A plug-in multicat calming diffuser kit so you can restore harmony to your once peaceful feline domain. If you've recently welcomed a new cat to the household, or life adjustments have caused recent behavior changes, this drug-free solution mimics a mother cat’s natural nursing pheromones to help calm tensions and stimulate social contact. 

    the feliway diffuser plugged into a wall
    a pair of cats lounging back to back on a bed

    This starter kit gets you the diffuser head and one vial of Feliway; refills are also available on Amazon. Keep in mind that this shouldn't replace standard protocol for new cat introductions like keeping them separate for a while, doing smell introductions first, etc. 

    Promising review: "I can’t express enough how much this has changed mine and my cats' lives. Merging two households wasn’t easy on the cats. One male cat had a hard time moving into a new house with new pets. He had terrible behavior problems and would cause us and the other cats a lot of stress. We tried everything the vet suggested to reduce these incidents, but getting Feliway was the only thing that worked. He is a completely different cat now. He is calm and his outbursts rarely happen. He has become a couch cat and has turned into the sweetest boy. The other cats aren’t stressed anymore and neither are we. ... It has more of an effect on the male cats than the female. If you aren’t noticing a difference with one diffuser I would suggest getting a second. We couldn’t believe that this one product could fix everything, but it did...If your cats are having any behavior problems or stress please try this!" —Kristine Spencer

    Get it from Amazon for $23.36

    8. cord protector that'll defend chargers and power cables from your pet's razor-sharp nibbles without you having to watch their every move. 

    a chewed white cable and text
    Jenae Sitzes / BuzzFeed

    BuzzFeed editor Jenae Sitzes utilizes this defense with her own cats: 

    "I decided to finally give these cord protectors a go recently and can absolutely vouch for their effectiveness. One of my cats, Sneaky, is a notorious cord chewer and particularly loves going to town on the charging cable for his automatic water fountain — you can check out the damage above. I was getting to the point where I was afraid it'd stop working entirely, so I ordered these protectors in the 1/2-inch size. They snap on and off *so* easily — flexible enough for removal, but thick and durable enough that your kitty's teeth are no match against the thick wire loom. Sneaky pretty quickly realized he'd finally been defeated once he discovered these on his favorite chewing spots (I also applied a protector to my poor MacBook charging wire, which was another target), and I haven't seen him even attempting to chew anymore. 

    I like that these come in different colors as well as different lengths and sizes so you can order as much as you actually need. You just snip off as much as you need for a particular area, so I used a shorter piece for my water fountain cable and a much longer one for my MacBook charging cable to protect the whole area. I ordered the 1/2-inch diameter ones, but you could definitely go down to the 1/4-inch or even 1/8-inch sizes if you're only planning to cover a single thin cable so it's not quite as bulky as mine looks above. If you're planning to cover several cables at once, you'd want to stick with the bigger sizes."

    Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in 15 sizes and 3 colors).

    9. A patented pet hair remover if relentless shedding is taking over your home and you're tired of spending money on disposable lint rollers. This uses bristles, not sticky tape, to catch lint meaning you can clean and reuse it over and over and over again.

    a reviewer photo of a the ChomChom sitting on a black hoodie with the left covered in hair and the right free of hair
    a gif of a reviewer using the lint roller to pick up hair

    ChomChom Roller is a Massachusetts-based small biz creating an eco-friendly, reusable alternative to sticky lint rollers. 

    Promising reviews: "TikTok made me buy this and it is money well spent!! I’m convinced that my beagle sheds a full coat of hair and regrows it daily! I use this on my bed every single day and it blows my mind how well it works. Before this, I was going through four to five disposable sticky rollers a month and spending three times longer to remove dog hair. I am buying these for everyone in my family as Christmas gifts this year! ❤️" —tiff4short

    Get it from Amazon for $24.99.

    10. A convenient waterless pet shampoo for quickly freshening up your furry friend between regular baths. Simply spray it on, towel it off, and enjoy your dog's silky, shiny, freshly scented coat.

    Promising review: "I have tried various water shampoos and I haven’t been pleased with any. It does smell nice, but that wouldn’t matter if it was a nice scent but not really a shampoo. I have a Blenheim cavalier whose white fur is WHITE when she returns from the groomer. She has a habit of walking through mulch, dirt, etc., and it isn’t long before her white fur is beige. I love how I can give her a spritz, rub into her coat, dry, and brush. She’s then back to white. This is a great product." —SHOPPIN MOMMA

    Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in three sizes and in three scents). 

    11. An interactive dancing cat toy to help your feline friend work up a sweat without breaking one yourself. This simple toy is naturally springy, so a flick of the wrist is all you need to keep your cat entertained while you do the real work of marathoning Suits.

    a reviewer photo of a cat on its hind legs reaching for the toy
    a reviewer photo of the same cat jumping in the air as it reaches for the toy

    Promising review: "The first one lasted four years. All four inside cats like the toy. One loves it. She will stare at my daughter and tap the toy until it's picked up. She likes playing with it in the air but loves to chase it on the floor." —marat49

    Get it from Amazon for $3.99.

    12. An immunity-boosting allergy supplement because your dog's endless scratching could be seasonal allergies. Fortunately, these soft chews not only help with itchy allergic reactions and skin sensitivity, but also deliver a dose of probiotics and other nutrients to help support immune function, digestion, and promote healthy skin.

    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

    Promising review: "My dog really likes these and they do seem to ease his itching in the winter. Dog loves the flavor and begs for them. Great value for the price point. Definitely worth a try if you have a dog suffering from winter allergies." —Meghan 

    Get 90 chews from Amazon for $26.97 (available in five styles).

    13. A plush, self-warming pet bed so your perpetually cold chihuahua or picky kitty has a cozy spot to nap when you're not available to be their personal space heater. It's lined with a Mylar interior that reflects your pet's body heat for top-tier coziness without any electricity. 

    two cats in the red aspen self warming cat beds
    Jenae Sitzes / BuzzFeed

    Promising review: "My cat never liked any beds until this one. I did curl her up and lay her in it the first time. She balked and then the next day found it and slept. It's her go-to escape bed. It has lasted a long time, too. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. (Our dog leaves it alone, too. It's too small for a medium dog — perfect size for a medium-large cat.)" —C. Venable

    Get it from Amazon for $23.88

    14. A Wobble Wag Giggle ball with a battery-free internal noisemaker that'll keep your naturally curious pup engaged and entertained for long enough to successfully tire them out. 

    Promising review: "My dog uses this all the time. It’s so fun and enticing for him. It’s very durable and he has so much fun!! It’s lasted us a very long time and I believe will continue to be around for a long time!!" —Katie 

    Get it from Amazon for $14.97.

    15. A double-layer cat litter-trapping mat if you're tired of constantly getting litter stuck to your feet. The water-resistant mat features a honeycomb design that traps litter between layers so that you can dump it back into your bin later. 

    Promising review: "This litter mat is a lifesaver. I was facing a real issue with my two new kittens tracking litter EVERYWHERE so much so that I was considering switching from the litter that I love to something non-tracking because there were no good alternatives. Much research later, I come across this mat. I will say it was bigger and more square than I thought, but I think that is a good thing! It is so large and covers the area well. Now, the litter tracking is 99% contained! Best litter mat I have ever had!" —Rachel Ray

    Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in two sizes and in three colors). 

    16. A snout soother stick for when the weather (or your dog's incessant licking) results in a dry, cracked snoot in need of some TLC. This award-winning balm is packed with nourishing plant-based ingredients to help get their sniffer back in tip-top shape ASAP. 

    a reviewer photo of a dog with a dry, racked nose
    a reviewer photo of the same dog with their nose no longer looking dry and cracked

    Natural Dog Company is a small biz that specializes in vet-approved balms, supplements, and other wellness solutions for pups. This snout soother is organic and vegan!

    Promising review: "Well, I have never before been so shocked at the effectiveness of a product. Our 5-year-old Frenchie, Carol, had a nose that was so crusty, that it was sprouting these long strands of more crust. There was literally crust on crust on crust. The nose had strings of crust. This nose was so crusty and repulsive, it was almost beautiful. Her nose might have resembled the rarest, most exotic geode to be mined from the rarest mine in Guatemala. A friend recommended this snout soother for Carol's repulsive nose. I was worried she would just lick it all off and it wouldn't work. We never imagined she could have a regular, soft, moist nose again. Honestly, this product is some black magic stuff! Unbelievable results in three to five days. No one paid me to write this." —Brittany

    Get it from Amazon for $5.95.

    17. A leakproof dog water bottle to keep your active puppo hydrated when you're on the go without having to share your water bottle. The one-button locking mechanism lets you release water into the trough and re-capture what's left over so nothing goes to waste or spills in your bag. 

    aa reviewer photo of the water bottle with a button on the front and a blue spout-bowl hybrid
    a reviewer photo of someone using the bowl bottle to give water to a dog out on a walk

    The water bottle also includes a sling rope and carabiner for clipping onto a bag or belt loop.

    Promising review: "I love this item. Especially nice when I take my dog to the dog park. For some reason he doesn’t like drinking out of the communal dog bowl. The water flows into the cup area and back into the reservoir if the dog doesn’t drink it all...with a button to lock in the water. Perfect product." —J. Chevalier

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes and in four colors).

    18. A liquid tartar remover because your dog won't let you get within a foot of their mouth with a toothbrush. Add this to their water for sneaky oral hygiene benefits, less plaque buildup, and a swoon-inducing smile.

    Reviewer photo of their dog with yellow canine teeth
    The same dog's teeth looking bright and white

    Promising review: "Been using for about a month, and see the progress in my doggies' teeth. I change their water bowls every morning, and it only requires a tablespoon of Nylabone rinse. Lasts a long time. Stocked up on two more bottles. Still have not finished first. My dogs did not mind the taste from the start. That is important. Great product, at least for my four little ones." —doglover3

    Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in three sizes and two styles).

    19. Some leakproof poop bags so you're not left gagging every time your pup takes a dump. These are much thicker than your standard bags and contain odors like a champ.

    Promising review: "The quality of the bag is exactly what I was looking for. It's thick enough that once it's tied closed you can not smell what's inside it. The strength and quality of the bag was the most important aspect for me and these bags meet all of them. The bag doesn't rip easily, which is ideal for someone with long nails. The quantity you receive for the price is perfect and I like that they are biodegradable. Will definitely be buying all of my poop bags from them moving forward." —Amazon Customer

    Get a 120 bags from Amazon for $7.98+ (available in scented and unscented and larger multipacks).

    20. A purring cat toy designed for anxious kitties prone to frequent crying. The touch-activated plushie emits a hypnotic purr that reviewers say puts their cat straight to sleep. This is a great choice for kittens recently separated from their mom or a cat grieving the loss of a companion. 

    Reviewer photo of their adult cat snuggling with the toy
    Reviewer photo of their kitty snuggling with the toy

    Promising review: "Works like a charm! I recently found myself a cat mama of an abandoned week-old kitten. I bought this knowing she needed just something to cuddle up to in her bed. Turns out it basically hypnotizes her to sleep. She crawls to it, kneads it, and eventually her meows turn to silence. I wish the purring lasted longer but for $10 it is a lifesaver. She's pooped on it a couple of times so I've had to throw it in the washer and dryer minus the battery pack. It's held up great." —S Leytem

    Get it from Amazon for $10.99 (also available in a blue sloth style for $6.34).

    21. An interactive snuffle mat if your active doggo needs a bit of extra mental stimulation. Hide kibble or treats around the mat for a fun feeding game that encourages natural foraging skills and even folds up for easy travel.

    a reviewer photo of a dog sniffing out a toy in the mat
    a reviewer photo of the snuffle mat rolled up

    Promising review: "This mat is a dream come true. My puppy loves it! It turns a 15-second 'gobble it down' meal into a 15-minute hide-and-seek adventure. Just the sight of the mat gets him drooling. You can take your time and hide the food deep in the ruffles and pockets or quickly sprinkle the kibble about if you're in a hurry. Either way, it is a soothing-yet-problem-solving activity for meal time. It's also very durable. I've served over 100 puppy mealtimes in it and it's still in perfect condition. I highly recommend!!!" —mommy of 2

    Get it from Amazon for $33.99.

    22. A creamy paw butter that'll give your pup the pedicure they so obviously deserve. Apply this oatmeal-scented blend before and after walks to nourish dry, cracked pads (and snoots) and make all your dog park friends wonder how you got your pet's paws looking so good.

    Promising review: "Both of our large dogs (a pit bull and a husky) had rough paws, and the dogs were constantly licking them for relief. After a couple of applications of this, their paws are soft, and they aren’t licking anymore!" —Ashley Angeleri

    Get it from Amazon for $8.99.

    23. A pack of door pinch guards for your pet with a pesky habit of trapping themselves in rooms or screaming outside your bedroom door when they can't get in. 

    a reviewer photo of the pinch guard installed on a door near the knob
    a reviewer with a pinch guuard installed near the top of the door and their hand in the gap created

    Promising reviews: "I put the guard on the top of the door so that it would stay open more than an inch. I'm relieved that my pets will now not inadvertently get closed in the room. The guards seem like they will hold up and look exactly like the picture." —NK

    Get a four-pack from Amazon for $9.95

    24. A portable paw cleaner with silicone bristles you simply fill with water to gently scrub away dirt and mud, saving your carpet from another dirty dog disaster.

    Reviewer dipping their dog's paw in the cleaner
    Reviewer's before and after showing the portable cleaner removed all the red clay on their white dog's paw

    Promising review: "This is my second one...the first one lasted a long time but finally had to go. It got used daily and needed to retire. Easy to use, just make sure to keep it rinsed out and occasionally pull out the inside and wash it good...happy clean paws make a very happy dog mom...🐕‍🦺" —kat 

    Get it from Amazon for $15.29+ (available in three sizes and seven colors).

    25. Mess-free Himalayan yak cheese chews because they're grain-, gluten-, and lactose-free and designed to last a heck of a lot longer than standard rawhide and bully sticks. Finally, a toy that can keep up with all that gnawing! 

    a dog chewing on a yak chew
    a dog chewing on the yak cheese chew

    Promising review: "Tough treat for heavy chewers! Our AmStaff can finish a bully stick in minutes. We had to stop giving her bones because she’d gnaw them to shards! This is the first treat we’ve tried that lasted more than an hour. It’s been two days and she’s not even one-quarter of the way through! They do have a smell, but it’s not strong. It’s like a faint smokey smell. Our girl loves them! And I love that she’s no longer trying to eat my furniture!" —monster_mommy

    Get a pack of three small chews from Amazon for $10.40 (available in other pack sizes and chew sizes for larger dogs). 

    26. A suction licking pad you load up with a lick-able treat (peanut butter, yogurt, wet food, etc.) so your dog remains adequately distracted through bath times, nail trimming, unexpected firework displays, or even that important work call. 

    reviewer photo showing their dog looking at the Slow Treater with excitement
    reviewer photo showing their dog licking peanut butter out of the Slow Treater while in the shower

    Many reviewers suggest freezing this with the peanut butter on it first so that your pup has to really work at getting all that deliciousness out — which'll keep them occupied for a little longer so you can do what you need to do!

    Promising review: "Anyone who knows what it is like to try and wrestle a large dog into the bathtub for a shower will find this tool invaluable. My lovely boy hates to take a bath, which is weird because he loves swimming in any water he can find! What can I say dogs love peanut butter...and this mat worked wonders for me to bribe my big boy into the tub to get clean!" —Ejrunner

    Get it from Amazon for $11.99.

    27. An organic cat grass growing kit that can be a helpful distraction for cats who just love to try and poison themselves by gnawing your houseplants. This adorable grass isn't just cat-safe but contains loads of fiber that can aid digestion and help mitigate hairballs. 

    Cat chewing on cat grass in a white mug
    a cat nuzzling the cat grass in a window

    The Cat Ladies is a family-owned, California-based small business founded by a mother-daughter duo on a mission to create organic, non-toxic products for other passionate cat owners.

    When you're ready for more, refill kits are available! 

    Promising review: "This cat grass kit is easy to grow, easy to maintain, and the cat loves it. The kit comes with very clear instructions (thank you; I do not have a green thumb). The grass grew fast and lasted a long time with just one cat. I'm on the second refill now." —jhb

    Get it from Amazon for $19.94.

    28. A machine-washable car bench seat pet cover if you love taking your dog on outdoor adventures but hate the wet, muddy, and furry price your back seat pays every time. The next person who sees how clean your car is will probably go out and immediately buy one for themselves.

    a reviewer photo of the backseat of a car with the quilted cover on it
    a reviewer's large dog sitting on the cover in the back seat of a car

    It also comes with a seatbelt dog chain!

    Promising review: "Just bought a new car and needed something quick to take my dog to the vet. This fits perfectly and is durable enough for two large dogs." —Melissa LaCroix

    Get it from Amazon for $25.99.

    29. A pet-feeding tracker so your furry friend and their very cute feed-me eyes can't trick you and your housemates into accidentally feeding them way more than is necessary.

    This tracker comes equipped with magnets and self-adhesive backing for different mounting options.

    Promising review: "Awesome product! There are four of us who were working together to feed the dogs. It simplified everything because I no longer have to text to see if anyone had fed them every morning. Now I just to see if it's green and if not I feed them and indicate it, we all love it so much!" —Toni Deegan

    Get it from Amazon for $12.95 (available in six styles).

    Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.