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    Hey Fellow Pet Parents, Here Are 34 Of The Coolest Products I've Seen This Year

    This is a no-gatekeeping zone 🙅‍♀️

    1. A genius 360-degree view carrier that's also a car seat at the same time?? It comes with an easily installed frame that turns it into a booster seat so you can clip them in for safety while in the car. It's spacious, gives them a better view of what's going on, *and* the top opens all the way for easy access (a godsend if your pet goes into a carrier kicking and scratching). 

    a cat inside the carrier
    a dog inside the carrier with the top down

    It also looks like an actual baby carrier, which is beyond adorable. When you're ready to take them out of the car, you just unclip the carrier from the frame and take them out!

    I highly recommend watching this TikTok where one reviewer shows how it works!

    Promising reviews: "Let me start by saying my dogs are bossy in the car. They require sitting in the driver’s lap and are whiny when they don’t get their way. We needed an intervention. These little carriers are the best thing ever. They are sturdy, easy to assemble, and super cute. And even better, my dogs are actually quiet in them!! I don’t know how or why but I’ll take it. I’m so pleased with my purchase. I highly recommend." —CJones

    "I bought this for my cat's vet visits. The top opens a complete 180 degrees so I don't have to struggle to get him in the carrier like the older ones with the smaller opening. Now I just open the top lid, sit him in there and shut it. My cat can't scratch his way out of it either. The mesh on it is sturdy too. The carrier has two snaps on the top lid, a movable handle, and legs/a sturdy detachable metal base to attach to the bottom of the carrier to secure a seat belt if you wanted. I'm definitely ordering more of these for any future small pets I have." —ShopAholic

    Get it from Amazon for $69.98+ (available in nine styles). 

    2. A pack of recordable answer buzzers if you've ever wanted to know what your beloved fur babe is thinking — with these, you can teach them to "communicate" by associating basic recorded phrases with actions so they can ask to go potty or have a treat. Get ready for your heart to melt when they tell you, "I love you." 🥺

    Reviewer photo of four buttons on a piece of cardboard and they're labelled play, food, outside, and help
    A reviewer's German Shepard sitting beside the buttons

    See it in action on TikTok!

    These buzzers are super easy to use. Simply tap the red button on the side, record your sound (up to seven seconds long!), tap it again, and play it back. Done!

    Promising review: "We're using these to give my dog a voice. I've recorded 'potty outside,' 'water please,' and 'treat' into these buttons and put them around the house for her to use. Now, when she needs to use the restroom, she says 'potty outside.' When she comes back in, she goes straight to 'treat' and asks for her reward. When her bowl is empty, she lets me know by pushing 'water, please.' She is a 9-pound Chihuahua with arthritis in her front paw and has no problems pushing the buttons down to make them speak. Great purchase. I want to buy more and add more phrases. (Phrases like 'play,' 'car ride,' 'bedtime,' and 'cuddles!') I am 100% happy!" —Tye Rannosaurus

    Get a pack of four from Amazon for $15.40.

    3. A transparent bird house feeder that'll give indoor pets a front row seat to the action — and if you kinda consider your backyard birds your "pets" (like my mom does), they'll love it too! It has strong suction cups so you can easily attach it to a window, and it's sturdy enough to handle multiple birds at once without falling.

    two cats watching a bird in the house feeder
    a cat looking at a bird in the birdhouse

    The feed tray slides out, making it easy to refill and clean, and there's a divider so you can use two different types of feed at once to attract different varieties of birds! Some reviewers even decorated their bird house with little frills like moss, flowers, and twine, so you can give it as much flair as you like! 

    Note: If you find that your pets are scaring the birds away, one reviewer recommends applying reflective adhesive so the birds can't see in but your fur babes can see the full show. 

    Promising review: "This feeder sticks really well on the window. It even holds the plump squirrels that sneak into it. 😅 It was super easy to apply and adjust. Our cats absolutely love the close up action they get since we purchased reflective adhesive and put it on the inside of our window. Now the birds have no idea they’re even there and the cats are in disbelief they get to sit that close to the birds. Overall a great purchase, my family loves it!" —SRowe

    Get it from Amazon for $30.90.

    4. An outdoor play tent for cats, bunnies, hedgehogs, guinea pigs, and other small animals so they can lounge outside in the fresh air and sun instead of always just sadly watching through the window. It'll give them a 360-degree view with plenty of room while also keeping them safe and close by.

    two cats inside the tent next to a dog on the outside
    a cat walking in the tunnel leading from the play tent

    You can also fill it with their blankets, beds, and toys to really make it fun and cozy while they take in the fresh air. It comes with an attachable tunnel, as pictured on the right above.

    Get a closer look at it on TikTok!

    Promising review: "For you urbanites, this cat tent will bring years of great mirth and joy to your beloved feline friend! It's a myth that cats can just remain alone indoors as solitary creatures. This cat tent allows me to safely stimulate the psyche and spirit of my little family member. Birds have even landed on the tent and rabbits have grazed around it, and they are safe from her as well. A vet even walked past and commented, 'I wish everyone did this for their cat!' My cat didn't like it at first, scratching and meowing and trying to get out, but over time, with slow introduction, she came to love her tent. I would advise you keep a close watch though — loud diesel trucks or noisy kids can still scare your kitty and she may want to come inside for safety; errant dogs can be a genuine concern too! It's lightweight enough that apartment dwellers can carry it with them to a safe spot to let their cats play for a bit." —Yvonne DeMarino

    Get it from Amazon for $84.75 (also available in a "tower" style, and the tent and tunnel are available individually). 

    5. A truly game-changing microchip pet feeder designed to recognize your cat's microchip and open for them *only* — then close after they step away from eating. This is truly a lifesaver if you have multiple cats and want to keep them from eating each others' food, whether they're on different diets or you need to count calories for an overeater. 

    two cats eating at the feeders
    the feeder opening for a cat
    Jenae Sitzes / BuzzFeed

    I've had my microchip pet feeders from Sure Petcare for a couple of months now, and while it was a pricey investment, it's been worth every single penny and has alleviated a ton of stress around my cat's meals. One of my cats, Sneaky, always wants to eat his brother's food and has a tendency to be overweight. Separating them for meals just wasn't working — they would whine at the door and simply not eat enough unless they could eat side by side and have free access to food throughout the day — but I also couldn't be sure that my younger (and much smaller) cat, Chicho, was eating enough with Sneaky gobbling up part of his meals, too. When my vet started throwing around the word "diabetes" as a very real concern if Sneaky didn't start sticking to controlled diet every day, I knew I needed to finally cough up the money for microchip feeders — I mean, it'd be a drop in the bucket compared to the longterm cost of cat insulin. 

    Surprisingly, there aren't many great microchip feeder options out there, but after extensive research, I found that these particular feeders are widely considered to be the best option currently available — and they go in and out of stock pretty often as a result. Setup is ridiculously fast, the open-close function works beautifully, and my cats learned how to use them almost immediately. Finally, Sneaky can *only* eat what's in his feeder, which allows me to control his calorie intake and see exactly how much food he's eating daily — and I can be sure that Chicho is getting *enough* food, too. This is also a fantastic solution if you have cats on different diets due to health reasons, and if one of them starts eating way less for some reason, you'll know immediately and be able to report that to your vet. I also love that the feeder comes with both split and regular bowls — I use the split bowls to serve my cats both dry food and wet food at once!

    BTW, I have the basic microchip feeder (because it was the only option in stock), but there's also a Wi-Fi-enabled option that connects to the Sure Petcare app for monitoring eating habits, weighing food portions, and more. 

    Get it from Sure Petcare for $199 (feeder bowls available in four colors). 

    6. A mini pet hair remover for tackling that *deeply* embedded fur in pet beds, towers, sofa cushions, carpeted stairs, and anywhere else they spend a ton of time lounging. Each edge has a different teeth length + density, designed for different cleaning modes, like deep cleaning a spot vs. broad strokes across a wide area. It can help to work this over an area first before vacuuming if that fur is really stuck in there.  

    the triangle pet hair tool and fur collected on a cat tower
    a hand holding a wad of fur removed from their cat's bed

    See it in action on TikTok, where the reviewer uses it to clean dog fur off their car's upholstery.  

    Promising review: "OK, y'all, I normally do not write reviews. That being said, this thing is not a WANT but a NEED for anyone with long-haired animals! I saw it on TikTok and was like, 'Whatever, I’ll try it.' I have a husky and three cats. It normally takes me three HOURS to vacuum my couch and clean it. It took 15 MINUTES. I would rate it 1,000 stars if I could." —Cheyenne Cutsinger

    Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in five colors).

    7. An adorable stuffed duck (boasting 17,000+ 5-star ratings!) that might not look very tough, but reviewers say it's held up over months of energetic chewing and tugging. This is one you won't be throwing in the graveyard of toys that got destroyed in approximately 10 seconds.

    a dog sitting next to four of the duck toys in different colors
    a dog chewing on the orange duck toy

    Promising reviews: "This toy makes my boy so happy and I’ve bought it four times already. It squeaks so this adds to his excitement. It is slightly chew-proof but that depends on how aggressive your pooch is with toys. The first couple of these didn’t last long because he always wanted to chew it open to pull out the squeaker. This doesn’t happen anymore now though. The bright colors are really nice, too." —Antrinia

    Get it from Amazon for $7.24. You can find the mini version for small dogs here. The duck comes in multiple colors, and you'll receive one at random. 

    8. A TikTok-famous dog water bottle because your canine BFF shouldn't have to wait until they get back home to quench their thirst. It can clip onto their leash or your bag for taking clean water on long walks or road trips. 

    reviewer photo of pink dog water bottle, black dog in background
    a reviewer photo of someone using the bowl bottle to give water to a dog out on a walk

    Promising review: "This water bottle has been exactly what I needed for dog walks or longer rides. I've used it for several months before posting a review. It's not leaked and the attachments have not failed. I like that it came with an attachment that I can hook to a leash/bag as well as one that I can put around my wrist. Sometimes I toss it into a bag and it's never leaked. As pet owners know, water isn't always available when needed; this is no longer a worry for me. Super pleased at how this has worked for me and my boys." —Fastdogz

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in seven colors). 

    9. A whisker-friendly lick mat that'll slow down your fast eater who gobbles down their meals in a flash — and sometimes throws them up afterward. By prolonging their own meal, it can also keep them from chowing down on other cats' food!

    two of the green fish shaped lick mats covered in wet food
    a cat licking food off the mat

    The grooves on this feeder also help add enrichment to the meal, so it can help with fussy eaters / kitties who need encouragement to eat more. 

    Psst — Get a look at it on TikTok!

    Promising review: "We have three cats who are very fast eaters. One of them tends to snatch other cats' plates and gobble their food, we had another that ended up overeating to the point that she would vomit, and another who has cancer so when he gobbles his food quickly it makes him sick too. We felt bad for them until we found these. MIRACULOUS!!! These are simply amazing and we couldn't be happier! This has allowed us to feed the fast eaters and allow our other cats plenty of time to eat their food before the fast eaters come looking for more. This is a FABULOUS product! Thank you :)" —thomas moore

    Get a pack of two from Amazon for $16.95.

    10. Or an interactive cat toy — it can also help picky eaters slow down, but at the same time, it'll ~stimulate their brain~ as they try to solve the puzzle of getting treats or dry kibble out of the various-sized tubes in a natural pawing manner. For bored kitties who're always stealing household items (or sometimes literal trash) to play with, this'll provide some much-needed enrichment.

    two cats playing with the interactive feeder
    gif of a cat digging dry food out of the cat toy and eating it
    www.amazon.com, Jenae Sitzes / BuzzFeed

    See it on TikTok

    I purchased this feeder back in January because my youngest cat, Chicho, is a little ball of energy and needs regular mental stimulation or he'll whine and stare and me and whine some more (super fun while I'm trying to WFH). Thankfully, he LOVES this. I literally put his regular dry kibble in there, which he already has full access to in his food bowl in the kitchen, but for some reason, putting his paw in these tubes and digging them out one by one really does it for him. I only use it as a playtime toy when he needs attention and I can't give it to him, not as a regular feeding device, but plenty of reviewers said their kitties eat full meals from it (and finally *aren't* throwing up). If your cat is often bored and meowing for attention, I say give this a shot!

    Promising review: "If your cat is curious, inquisitive, or just always getting into things, this is an excellent choice of toy. It has 6 cups of various sizes and depths that you can fill with kibbles treats or small toys. The cat plucks them out with their paws to get the reward. I have a cat who is always stealing household items to play with, and this has been a great way for her to get out energy and put a curious brain to good use. Good value for money, simple to use, genuinely holds a cat's interest. A+" —TedJameson

    Get it from Amazon for $17.

    11. A stimulating activity mat for your bored pup so they don't find some other outlet for their energy (aka something to destroy). By hiding treats and kibble inside, you'll activate their ~hunting senses~ and provide an enriching activity for them — plus, watching them sniff around the mat will be endlessly entertaining. 

    Promising review: "My puppy LOVES this mat! He gets super excited whenever he sees it. He sometimes doesn't like to eat his kibbles in his bowl, but he has so much fun finding and eating kibbles when I hide them into this mat. I heard nose work is also good for reducing separation anxiety in dogs, so I give him this mat whenever I need to leave more than two hours. He deals with separation way better with this. I'm 100% satisfied!" —Bom

    Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in two sizes).

    12. A wheeled see-through pet carrier that'll give your curious feline a ~360-degree~ view while you're on a walk together — because why would you go anywhere without your bestie?

    Cat in a see through pink-accented wheeled carrier
    A cat in the green accented version

    It has 13 air holes and comes with two types of mats for putting inside (a fluffy cushion for the winter, a cooling pad for the summer), though you could always put their favorite blanket or pillow inside for comfort. It also has an extendable, adjustable handle and 360-degree spinning wheels. 

    Check out a TikTok of the pet carrier in action! 

    Vetreska is a small business that specializes in chic pet products for home and travel. 

    Promising review: "I got these for my cats. They are inside boys and when I use the harness in the fenced backyard they tend to eat grass. My ginger is a rotund 19 pounds but this contraption fits his extra large bod with room for him to turn around and check out the ladies." —andjas96

    Get it from Amazon for $99.99+ (available in four styles, including partially transparent or fully transparent). 

    13. A cleaning magnet because cleaning the fish tank is no one's favorite task, but it has to be done — and thankfully, this makes it *way* easier since you can move the scrubber around from the outside. No more algae buildup fogging up your aquarium, and it's also less disruptive to your fishies!

    Each cleaning magnet comes with one pad for glass aquariums and one pad for acrylic aquariums. 

    Promising review: "All the time I spent with a long-handled brush scaring my fish while I scrubbed away at the walls of the tank and never once did I think of making something like this. This is incredible! I used to let my tank get a lot dirtier than it should have been because cleaning it was such a messy, time-consuming chore. I saw this while I was looking for a tank to get my daughter's beta fish and it looked like such a good idea, I thought there couldn't be any harm in spending a few bucks to try it out. IT. WORKS. In less than five minutes, I had every surface of the tank scrubbed clean and I didn't have to get my hands in the tank, didn't have to scrub for half an hour with a sponge on a long handle, and didn't spill water all over the counter. The difference in just one pass was like night and day. Now a couple of hours later (giving the filter a chance to get rid of the stuff that ended up in the water) and the tank is crystal clear. It's so easy and quick, I'll end up cleaning more often and the tank won't end up the way it did before. I 100% recommend this." —Jack H

    Get it from Amazon for $9.65+ (available in four sizes).

    14. And a super effective fish tank light to illuminate your aquarium much better and help any live plants inside thrive. It has three light modes, five brightness levels, and timer settings so you can simulate natural light during the day, then transition it to a colorful neon at night. 

    the aquarium light at the top of a tank
    two of the color settings shown on a reviewer's aquarium

    Promising review: "I spent a LOT of time researching reasonably priced lights. I have used a couple of other lights on various tanks and this light is by far the best one I’ve used to date. I’m so happy I finally decided to make the purchase. No more shadowy dark corners, and my fish even seem happier too." —Heather B.

    Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in six sizes).

    15. An enzymatic dog toothpaste that'll help you keep your pup's dental hygiene under control (and improve that stinky breath you get a whiff of every time they lick your face). This can help you handle that scary built-up tartar on their teeth at home instead of shelling out for a professional cleaning — and many dogs love the taste too!

    reviewer showing two before photos of dog's teeth with tartar and two after photos showing them visibly whiter with less tartar
    closeup of a reviewer's dogs teeth looking super clean after using the toothpaste

    This no-rinse, non-foaming toothpaste comes in two yummy flavors that dogs will love (peanut butter or poultry!). For best results, it's recommended to brush their teeth at least 2–3 times per week.

    Promising reviews: "The dogs love this stuff. The picture attached is only after two weeks of use (brushing two times a day). The dogs love the flavor and actually think of tooth brushing as a treat now. I also put it in a chew toy for them to chew on to help brush their own teeth. We used children tooth brushes at first to help her gums adjust and now use an actual dog toothbrush." —Paisley

    "I thought I would never be able to remove the tartar on my dog’s teeth unless I go to the vet. But after brushing her teeth for 2–3 weeks, the thick and hard tartar began to fall off. The result is unbelievable." —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $6.89+ (available in two sizes and two flavors as well as a kit).

    16. And a squeaky chew toy toothbrush to disguise dental care as playtime, since the "spikes" will work to safely clean their chompers as they chew on it. Some reviewers even reported their pup had fresher-smelling breath afterward!

    a reviewer's boxer puppy holding the green cactus-shaped toy
    a reviewer holding the toy in front of their two dogs

    Promising review: "I am loving this new toothbrush toy for my lab. She’s a very aggressive chewer, but this has held up to her. She was so happy to find the squeak! She enjoys it so much that I have used it with other things as well...works good for supervised play with peanut butter also. I definitely recommend this product. It’s very durable and quite cute." —Amy Campbell

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three sizes for small, medium, and large dogs, plus a heavy-duty version).

    17. A bully stick holder so they can go to town on bully sticks without fear of possible choking. This clever device will hold the stick tight, even when it's chewed down to the bottom, and it'll add a little extra fun to the pastime, too. 

    a pup chewing on a bully stick in the pink holder
    gif of a reviewers dog using the bully stick holder

    There are several sizes to choose from based on the width of the chew sticks you give your pet: small (for treats 1/2 inch–3/4 inches), medium (5/8 inches–7/8 inches), and large (3/4 inches–1 1/8 inches).

    Promising review: "We recently got a new puppy who loves to chew on everything (the table, my shoes, our other dogs, etc.). Once we discovered bully sticks, we thought we were home free, but then I started reading about all these horror stories where dogs swallow the last few inches of the bully stick. Sure enough, a few days later, I see one of my other dogs coughing while frantically making chewing motions. I ran over and luckily managed to fish out the last bit of bully just before it went down his throat. If this could happen to my older dog with 13 years of chewing experience, I knew it was just a matter of time before the puppy did the same thing. These are the greatest invention ever! They are sturdy and grip the stick like nobody's business when used according to the directions. (You have to twist the stick, people. Pay attention to the directions!) There are no parts that break off, and the shape is fun for the dogs. Plus, they're light enough that the dogs can carry them around in their mouth. If you give your dog any kind of chew stick, I cannot recommend these enough. We have three BullyGrips at the moment (one small and two medium) but we have four dogs, so we'll probably get one more. These are half the price of the competition and work so much better. We'll never use anything else again." —Mikara

    Get it from Amazon for $16.95.

    18. Or Himalayan yak cheese chews made to outlast your dog's heavy gnawing — at least longer than standard rawhide and bully sticks. They're 100% all natural and free of lactose, gluten, and grains.

    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 1/4 of the way through! They do have a smell, but it’s not strong. It’s like a faint smoky 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 $11.48 (available in other pack sizes and in chew sizes for larger dogs). 

    19. A TikTok-viral pet massager because they love a good massage as much as you do, and this gadget's four 3D-rotating rollers will give them those good rubs and tingles better than you could manually. It's rechargeable, waterproof, has two speeds, and an ergonomic handle that pops up when you're ready to become your fur babe's personal masseuse. 

    If you look at just one TikTok mentioned in this post, let it be this one of a cat having their head massaged with this. 

    Promising reviews: "All three of my orange tabbies adore this! They come running when I call 'Massages!' They mostly love it on their head and around their necks — the favorite scratching places." —MaggieD

    "I’m very pleased with this product. Easy to hold and I use it for my dog. I tried it on myself first and found my hair did not tangle. So I tried it on my sheltie and again it didn’t seem to tangle. Very pleased and the dog loves it." —Glenda Wyatt

    Get it from Amazon for $30.99+ (available in three colors). 

    20. A cute, foldable litter box with a clever one-way design intended to help catch as much stray litter as possible. The cat enters through the front door, does their business, then exits by jumping through the top, which has small holes for the litter to fall back through into the box. Its collapsible design makes it handy for travel and storage!

    the pink litter box with a top exit
    cat chilling inside the grey litter box

    Promising reviews: "I have a cat who LOVES to get in the box and sling the litter clean across the room. I figured I'd give a top-entry box a chance. I like that this one has the one way door. It was good for training the cats to use the box. Finally my little one can't throw litter all over my house. It has also stopped the tracking, and an added bonus is how well it actually also helps with the smell when I go an extra day without scooping! It feels a little flimsy when you move it around, but the litter pan drawer-like feature has made cleaning the box much easier than my previous box. I'd definitely recommend!" —Eric Evans

    "I really like that this version of the litter box comes with a little brush to clean off litter on the top or on the inside seams/ledges. I also TRULY appreciate that it comes with two plastic strip covers to cover the holes that appear on the inside of the ledge when the whole box is put together. That way, it doesn't let litter collect in those holes. I will say that it was a little difficult trying to get the box slotted in tightly and I didn't want to put a lot of pressure fitting it in case it warped or broke." —Lili S.

    Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in three colors).

    21. A sleek donut tunnel cat bed designed to be the ultimate play zone, whether you have just one kitty or multiple fur balls running around. They can curl up on top of it in the "donut hole" or lounge / run around inside of it — it even comes with three small catnip toys you can toss inside. 

    a cat sitting inside the gray tunnel donut bed
    one cat on top of the gray tunnel bed, and the other inside the tunnel with its head poking out

    If they need a little encouragement to use it, try sprinkling some catnip on top.  The medium size of this bed is relatively small, appropriate for cats up to 7 pounds, so many people recommend getting the large. 

    Get a closer look at the adorable pink version on TikTok.

    Promising review: "The cats took to it immediately — no catnip needed. The cats love playing in it, on it, and around it; sometimes one of them will lay down and 'run' along the outside, setting it spinning. There's something about the bed that makes them playful; I think it's almost entirely responsible for the orange cat being much more active... Play sessions start here, but lead to chases around the house. While I hesitated over the price, this has certainly been my most successful cat purchase for some time. As long as you buy the large, it should provide lots of cat entertainment...and the humans of the house have been pretty entertained watching them!" —WorkerBee

    Get it from Amazon for $38.68+ (available in four colors and two sizes).

    22. swan fountain for cats with a fascination for drinking from the sink faucet, but who turn their nose up at other water sources. This'll entice them into staying hydrated the way they prefer — it might not be the kitchen sink, but it's the next best thing.

    See how it looks on TikTok!

    Promising review: "I saw someone get this for their cats on TikTok, so I thought I would try it out. My cats don't drink enough water, and I've tried moving their food and water to different spots. When I got this fountain though...everything changed. My girl cat is OBSESSED with it. We call it her best friend, because when she isn't drinking from it (or playing with it) she is sitting there just staring at it. It only gets loud if your cat likes the play with the water, which she doe. She grabs at it with her paw to drink, or puts her head under it and lets it fall into her mouth. She also drinks it like a normal animal occasionally. My boy cat on the other hand, at first was interested but when he got wet from the stream he was very angry with it. He does drink from it a lot now, but he's found a way to drink without getting his head wet. Moral of the story, they love it and they drink A LOT more water now, and it doubles as a play toy." —Peony

    Get it from Amazon for $37.48.

    23. A nail file board — because what if I told you your pooch can take charge of their own nail care? If they *hate* getting their nails trimmed, this is a great alternative, giving them an abrasive surface perfect for filing down those long nails that keep making click-clack sounds on your hard floors. 

    gif of a dog scratching on the scratchpad, then eating a treat
    before photo of a dog's overgrown nails, and an after photo of the same dog's nails looking much shorter and blunter after one scratchpad session
    ScratchPad for Dogs / Etsy

    Once you train them to use it using positive association, they'll be able to grind away at their own pace, completely stress-free!

    ScratchPad for Dogs is a small biz based in Atlanta.

    Promising review: "Love this scratch pad! We adopted our dog almost a year ago and he's been terrified of clippers and grinders since day one. We've never been able to maintain his nails due to his super reactive anxiety around nail care. That's all changed since we got the Scratch Pad a few weeks ago! He took to it right away and his nails have shown significant improvement in just a few sessions!" —Kira Armajani

    Get it from ScratchPad for Dogs on Etsy for $46.95+ (available in four styles and three grit levels).

    24. A bearded dragon harness with wings so you can take your lizard outside to play and enjoy the fresh air — plus, you can cosplay as Daenerys and Drogon next Halloween. 

    a lizard with the orange winged harness on
    a different lizard with the black winged harness on

    Promising review: "This was the perfect Halloween costume for our kindergarten class pet, Spike! I like that it has three different sized harnesses to choose from. We use it now to take him for walks around the school! He loves it!!" —Shana

    Get it from Amazon for $7.99.

    25. An Aspen self-warming bed if you're tired of buying beds that your pet simply ✨ ignores ✨ — this bed broke that years-long cycle for me and I've now bought *two* of them so each of my cats can have their own. Aside from just being irresistibly cozy and the perfect shape, this smartly designed bed uses their own body heat and reflects it so they have a toasty place to nap at all times — including when you're not home to cuddle them.

    two cats in the red aspen self warming cat beds
    a dog in the aspen self warming bed
    Jenae Sitzes / BuzzFeed, www.amazon.com

    This is THE pet bed, y'all. I can personally vouch for it for cats, though plenty of reviewers have shared pics of their adorable dogs curled up in it too (it comes in larger sizes)! Neither of my cats have ever really taken to a cat bed and much preferred to doze on their cat tree or curl up on a regular blanket — until I finally caved in and bought the Aspen self-warming bed a while back. IMMEDIATELY upon placing it on my couch, one of my cats crawled into it and happily began napping. As soon as he moved away, my other cat jumped in to take it for a test run as well — and immediately curled up as well. After about a week of them taking turns using it (literally, the cat *not* in the bed would lay next to it waiting for the other to leave — my polite boys 🥹), I realized I needed to buy a second one. They immediately took to that one as well, and now, they both have access to their favorite bed whenever they like! 

    Whenever I put my hand underneath them, I can definitely feel how warm they are underneath, so the bed's self-warming feature seems to work well. I think what they love most about it is the shape and how unbelievably cushy it is. And the sides of the bed are supportive enough for them to put their heads on, but still flexible enough for them to stretch out however they like. While the listing recommends this bed for cats under 10 pounds, larger cats will be just fine, as my older cat Sneaky is quite large (his affectionate nickname is "Chonky"), and he adores this bed. Most of all, I love knowing they won't be cold at night, especially when I'm away from home. Knowing I'll never have to waste money on another cat bed that sits unused is just the cherry on top. Highly recommend!!

    Get it from Amazon for $19.74+ (also available in larger sizes, a rectangular shape, and three colors).  

    26. An electronic fluttering butterfly toy that might tempt even the most disinterested of cats into energetic play. It simulates the realistic movements of butterflies, which they won't be able to resist swatting at, with the added feature of a track ball toy built in. 

    It's featured in this TikTok roundup! Note that it runs on four AA batteries (not included) *or* you can plug it into a power source. 

    Promising review: "This is hands-down the best electronic toy my cats have ever played with. Most toys they lose interest in because it's either underwhelming or overstimulating. The butterfly really does mimic an actual butterfly or any other flying insect, and the feather shooter is random and keeps them guessing! What's even cooler is the toy is designed to have one of the two parts activated at once, otherwise both going at the same time will cause the cat to lose interest. I love this product, and am very happy you can buy replacements on here as well! The butterfly and feathers are very durable, one my cats is just much more aggressive in his play time and the butterfly is his favorite (on or off)! Highly recommend rechargeable batteries if you go that route. The cord power option is awesome because the cord is not too short, yet not too long that they want to chew it. Highly HIGHLY recommend this product! Support small businesses!!" —Felicia

    Get it from Amazon for $32.39+ (available in four colors; refills for the butterflies are also available). 

    27. A Poop-Off cleaning spray capable of safely removing allll those droppings your feathered friend left around their cage, or your house. 😬 

    a reviewer holding a perch from their pet bird's cage covered in poop
    the same perch now clean after using the spray

    Of course, even if you're not a bird owner, you can use this outside if you have furniture that's covered in bird droppings!

    Promising review: "Absolutely love this cleaner. We have a macaw and the cage we built is wood and steel wire. Nothing was really getting the poop off of the wood but this did as soon as I sprayed it on. It cleaned it so effortlessly. Glad I went ahead and bought the gallon refill as well. We will be using this a lot." —Crystal

    "This product is a MUST-HAVE for all owners of pooping pets, ESPECIALLY carpeted apartment-dwelling parrot owners. It gets poop off EVERYTHING, has a very mild, unoffensive aroma, and a little goes a LONG way. I got this three months ago and use it DAILY, and still haven't put a dent in the bottle." —E.A.

    Get it from Amazon for $16.98.

    28. carpet scratch stopper in case your cat has a fixation on the carpet under your door, which isn't just waking you up at night — it's causing damage that might force you to kiss your security deposit goodbye if you rent. It slides right underneath your door so that when they go to scratch, their claws won't find anything to grip onto, eliminating the habit for good.

    a cat attempting to claw the carpet underneath a door but unable to because of the clear scratch stopper inserted underneath
    Amazon

    Check out how easy it is to set up in this TikTok!

    KittySmart is a small business that invented the CarPet Scratch Stopper so scratched carpet would never be a concern, hoping to reduce declawing in cats.

    Promising review: "My cats were DEMOLISHING the carpet under the door of my bedroom and the front door. Yes, both! I had literally tried EVERYTHING I could think of to get them to stop, and nothing worked. I was getting terrible sleep because I'd be woken up by the scratching. Well, my friends, the scratch stopper has done it! It worked instantly, and my cats have given up their scratching. I love this product!! This is the ONLY thing that has worked for me. I was so grateful to find it online, and it has worked like a charm. I highly, 100%, absolutely recommend this product. I have one for my front door and one for my bedroom, and you'd better believe I'll be buying more when I move again. I had a sizing issue and had to call Joanne (who is the creator), and she called me back the same day, addressed my concerns, and provided fantastic customer service. My stress load is reduced as well because my cats have stopped waking me up. If your cats are scratching at your carpet, order the carpet scratch stopper RIGHT NOW." —Vickie S.

    Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in five sizes).

    29. A car door protector if your pup loooves to stick their head out the window while you drive, taking in the fresh air and exciting views...but the scuffs and marks left on your door make you wince every time. This protects your rear doors from dirty paws and sharp nails so their travel fun is no longer at your expense. 

    the black protector on an interior car door side
    reviewer photo of their dog's paws on the protector

    Oh, and you'll still be able to lift and lower your car's windows normally. 

    Promising review: "Exceeded expectations in my 4Runner. Very satisfied customer. Bought this to protect the doors and especially the padded portions on the upper part of the rear doors on my 2006 4Runner. My 65-pound golden retriever puppy likes to put his paws on the door to look out, and his claws were creating permanent dents in the soft-touch plastic. Received in good condition, and the fabric is heavy duty. Secondarily, they match well in the gray interior. I was skeptical they would stay in place because the tabs that go in the window channels slid in easily and don't seem to 'lock' in the window channel. In use they work perfectly and don't move at all, even now that he is 65+ pounds. I am 100% happy with these after about a month of use, and they are holding up great with no signs of wear. Would buy again." —old john

    Get it from Amazon for $21.95+ (available in three colors, as well as in a pack with a seat cover). 

    30. A hanging, portable, multilevel cat condo perfect for apartment dwellers or any home where floor space is at a premium, but you still want your kitty to be able to climb. It's way less bulky than a regular cat tree and you can easily move it around, *and* your cat will love having more vertical areas to hang out in!

    a close up of a reviewer's cat in the cat condo
    The four-level cat condo, which has entrances/ peepholes on multiple floors, and attaches to the back of doors with built-in straps

    Promising reviews: "I purchased this because we live in a small home and our cat tree was taking up too much space in the living room. I am super happy with my purchase. I have three cats and they all go in it! In the photo [on the right] on the top is our 16-pound cat and it is holding him good! I was a bit worried when I saw how high it was off the ground but they jump into it easily! I love how much space it has saved me and how easy it was to assemble, it took me like three minutes. Really great material too. I think it is thicker than the canopy for my gazebo haha." —Ariel

    "I originally bought this 1.5 years ago because I wanted to give my kitty more space in our micro apartment and create a sort of ladder to the loft. It has since traveled around the country with the kitty and myself. It packs well during a move, is very simple to set up, and provides a nice, high, cozy place for her to watch the apartment from. I feel that this was the best thing I've gotten for her. I bought the small version because my kitty is small. At one point we lived with another, very large (16-pound) cat who had trouble fitting into the kitty condo and could only fit in the bottom floor." —Rae-O

    Get it from Amazon for $62.19+ (available in three sizes).

    31. An ergonomic sifting litter scoop because anything that improves the scooping process is *worth it* in my book, and this design is pretty dang neat. It has a high handle that keeps your hands far away from those gross clumps, tall sides to hold it all in, and — perhaps the coolest feature — a handy trap door for releasing the waste directly into your garbage at the press of a button. 

    hand using the green scoop to clean a litter box
    hand pressing the button that opens the bottom shoot
    Amazon

    Duke-N-Boots is a small biz specializing in products to make having a pet neater and easier. 

    Promising review: "This was delivered today and I scooped the box right after. This thing is phenomenal. It is ergonomic and easy to hold and use, so no getting your hands dirty. The bag doesn't fall into the trash because it's a precise slide from the scoop straight into the can. It's just the right size to sift out the good and dump the rest without it sliding through. The button is easy to use and snappy. It's got a really good-sized scoop and a plenty big enough shoot out the bottom. I think I'm in love with my new pooper-scooper hahahaha! I rarely write reviews but I had to write one for this lil' item! Must-have!" —Nicole Diddle

    Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in green or gray).

    32. A bottle of Burt's Bees dander-reducing spray if your precious feline bb has more flakes on their coat than a snowy day in Alaska. This contains nourishing colloidal oat flour and aloe vera for a deep-conditioning treatment that'll have you running your hand through their silky, shiny, dander-free coat in amazement. 

    Promising review: "I spray this on my cats' brushes and they both love it. It really picks up the dander from my one cat and helps a lot with any hotspots he has. There's marked improvement in both of their coats, definitely worth the purchase. I’m glad I bought two bottles." —doink

    Get it from Amazon for $7.47 (also available as wipes).

    33. A mini comb in case your pup is prone to tear stains, aka that goopy crusting and mucus buildup around their eyes. This stainless steel tool lets you safely groom around the area without hurting them so they look (and hopefully feel) much better!

    reviewer's dog looks at fine toothed comb with boogers in it
    boogers on napkin

    Promising review: "My cockapoo had tear staining as a pup but as an adult he just gets that goop in the corner of his inner eyes. Sometimes I don’t catch the goop fast enough and it hardens in his muzzle. Even when I do, the goop is slimy and difficult to remove even with dog wipes. This tool is a miracle! Small, light weight and a good value for the price. Just one comb through and I got the sticky wet goop. A few more comb throughs and I found eye gunk that was buried in his muzzle. Most importantly, this comb removed the debris without causing any discomfort to my pooch. In fact, he seemed to enjoy it! Just look at the pictures." —Joanna

    Get it from Amazon for $5.95.

    34. An ear treatment capable of soothing your poor pup or kitty's red, inflamed ears without having to coax them into taking oral meds (anyone who's ever tried knows the struggle). The gentle 1% hydrocortisone formula doesn't sting and relieves itching so you won't have to helplessly watch them pawing at their ears and whining anymore. It also helps protect against fungal and bacterial infections (and future expensive vet visits).

    Promising reviews: "Saved a ton of money for vet bills. This stuff works fantastic and my cat actually doesn't mind getting the drops. I followed the instructions and they did exactly as they said. After reading the reviews, I was sort of convinced but now I won't get anything else. Totally worth the money." —Debbie M

    "I bought this to help my dog’s ears and it’s the best on the market. Within days, her ears started clearing up and she stopped scratching her ears and shaking her head. Awesome product, well worth the money." —handheld

    Get it from Amazon for $23.79+ (also available in a larger size).

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