Browse links
US residents can opt out of "sales" of personal data.
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.
The best part is anyone with a pet can use 'em (and will probably love them too).
Promising review: "I foster kittens so I am always in need of new pet carriers. I have tried so many different brands but I keep coming back to this carrier because it really is the best. This is the second one I have purchased. I like that the sides are mesh so your pets can see you and have plenty of air flow. This keeps my little fur balls calmer during transport. I also have decided that I am only buying rectangular shaped carriers from now on. They don't collapse onto your pet and maintain their shape. I also have used this carrier for my puppies in the large size. They fit easily into it together and have enough room to sleep or play (until they get bigger that is)." —Britt
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in three sizes).
Promising review: "We have a number of cats, both our own and an endless cycle of ever-changing cats that we foster until adopted into new homes, so cat fur on our furniture is always a problem. This little vac REALLY does the job! There is an issue, mentioned by a prior reviewer, about how the air being expelled out the side can make fur and debris blow around before you can vacuum it up, but once you learn the direction in which to vacuum, it's not much of a real problem (and the learning curve is very quick). It gets our couch cleaner than any other vacuum we've used yet. Since we live in just 725 square feet (two adults and cats), storage of items is another issue that we always need to consider. This little vac fits perfectly into any small nook or cranny when not being used. I researched and read the reviews (every one) on Amazon before buying this. The reviews are correct — for the price and size, this little vacuum simply can't be beat!" —Cat Lover
Get it from Amazon for $38.10.
Rocco & Roxie is a family-owned small business named after the Magleby family's pets Rocco, a Labradoodle, and Roxie, a former shelter tabby cat. They make a variety of pet supplies, including cleaners, treats, grooming tools, accessories, and toys.
Promising review: "I currently have five dogs in my house. I do a lot of fostering and rescue, so my floors sometimes get the short end of the stick. I have laminate floors and throw rugs placed throughout the house and I don't know what possesses some of these dogs to go for the rugs when they vomit or have an accident, but they do. I repeatedly tell them that if they are going to have an accident in the house, please have it on the laminate floor so I can clean it up easily. No such luck for me. But alas, I found Rocco and Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator. This stuff takes out every stain and dissolves urine and feces remnants. It works on all fabrics and it has become a true lifesaver. (Both for me and the dogs). I added it to my 'Subscribe & Save' and have never looked back." —Anna Ashley
Get it from Amazon for $19.97 (or Subscribe & Save for $18.97/month).
Check out our in-depth review of Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator.
Promising review: "This is the best hot spot treatment I have ever used! I foster pugs who always seem to have skin irritations. When I was unable to get Sulfodene, which is the only product that worked, I tried this. After spraying one time, my dog stopped scratching himself immediately!!! This is the best product for hot spots I've ever used, and the spray makes it a lot easier to apply!" —Cathy
"I am a foster. I found this very helpful with a litter of 5-week-old kittens with ringworm on their faces. It was gentle enough for that area, though I applied with cotton buds to avoid their eyes and mouth." —Mary Washburn
Get it from Amazon for $16.99.
Promising review: "I foster dogs and was given these probiotics bites before so I thought I'd try this out. My recent foster dog was super itchy and came out of the shelter with bad skin and flea dermatitis. I give him one chew after breakfast and he loves it. He sometimes won't finish his breakfast, but he'll always go for a chew. His skin looks amazing now and I've noticed he's been scratching and chewing much less than before. His fur has completely grown back. A wholesome diet, TLC, and these supplements all helped!" —KB
Get it from Amazon for $26.97 (or Subscribe & Save for $24.27/month).
Promising review: "I rescued an older cat from the shelter and she has never been interested in toys. Not catnip mice, not kickers, not jingle balls, and only very rarely a laser pointer, which she's over within five minutes. This one had her engaged and actually playing like a kitten and every time I bring it out she perks up. I think it is mainly the fact that it bounces unpredictably and is above her head like a bird or a butterfly would be. When I fostered kittens, this was their favorite toy as well, and they would leave whatever they were doing to play with this toy. They'd even pull it out of the toy box and play with it by themselves, because there are little cardboard pieces on each end and enough spring that if one kitten played with end, the other end would bounce all around for the other kitten to play with. This is a fun and enriching way to play with cats who might be tired of floor-level play. Highly recommend. Would not recommend letting them play unattended, as there are wire hooks on the end to hold the cardboard pieces." —LeftyLeBrandt
Get it from Amazon for $1.73.
Promising review: "I foster a lot of bottle baby orphan kittens and so far they all have loved it! It's a bit loud but I muffled it by wrapping the sound mechanism in a piece of cloth cut from an old mattress pad. The sound device is easy to remove from the head and hook and loop closure so the toy can be tossed into the washer. The only downside is that it isn't big enough for an entire litter of kittens to lay on — at least that's what they tell me!" —AzFosterKatz
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
Promising review: "I foster puppies, many of which were weaned from their mothers too soon, and this stuffed puppy was a godsend. It only comes with one heat pack (which can last two to three days if you put it in a plastic baggie after each use), so make sure you’re prepared with more. But this is a great item for crate training a puppy." —Jessica R.
Get it from Amazon for $38.64+ (available in five colors).
Check out my coworker's Snuggle Puppy review for more deets!
Promising review: "IDK what it is about these ducks, but my oldest pupper is 2 and she tears EVERY toy up. To the point it explodes its stuffing everywhere. We have had this duck for over a month now, longest we have ever had a toy like this, and it’s still in one piece. She loves it! She carries it around and shakes it back and forth but doesn’t rip it apart. Her brother got jealous so we got him one too. Same thing! He adores it so much he sleeps with it. We also buy them for our foster puppies and they love them too!! I think this toy is catnip for dogs LOL." —MMcNair
Get it from Amazon for $5.72.
Promising review: "Bought one last year. Loved it so much that when we began fostering puppies, we bought three more for other parts of the house. We have German shepherds and Belgian Malinois and these gates do great for larger high-octane dogs and puppies." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
Promising review: "We have six permanent feline residents and fosters who pass through from time to time. I've had dozens of cats over decades of time. Litter has always been an issue until now. This stuff is incredible. No cloying perfumes, yet there are no kitty waste odors. The cats love it and prefer it to all other litters (really)! The stuff clumps tightly and doesn't stick to the litter pans. No dust. No tracking. I have never been able to recommend a litter until now, but I completely recommend this." —D. Sanders
Get a 40-pound bag from Amazon for $13.99.
Promising review: "I always put one in with our foster kittens because it's a 100% safe water source, encouraging drinking with no possibility of even the littlest kittens drowning. The kittens walk across it sometimes, and their paws get wet but it doesn't tip over. :-) Our grown cats absolutely love these too! They drink so much more water than they would otherwise. That does mean they also pee more, but with every pee clump I scoop out of the box I know their kidneys and other organs are functioning well, and they'll live longer, healthier lives. I've had water fountains for my indoor cats for 20+ years, and not a single cat has ever gotten a UTI. This fountain is very quiet. I wish it was silent, but I'm super sensitive to motor noise and it doesn't bother me as long as it's not in my bedroom when I'm trying to sleep. :-) Super easy assembly, no hassle lining up the pump and upper parts. Easy to clean. Filter works well, cheap to replace, and designed to prevent overflow if it clogs. Very high capacity means I don't have to fill it often. :-)" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $25.87+ (also available in blue).
Promising review: "I foster dogs and the four I have right now caught on within an hour. BRILLIANT! It saves my door from being scratched, or the baby from opening the door when I fail to lock it. I cannot give enough accolades." —Teresa Melinda Brummond
Get it from Amazon for $30.
Promising review: "Love this item so much that I bought two of them! I do foster and hospice care for up to four senior dogs at a time, and depending on the dogs' sizes and individual dietary needs, they can't always all eat the same food. These containers roll so easily so I can tuck them away in the corner of my laundry/ironing room, and everybody's food stays separate and fresh. As a bonus, the Blue Moon/Gray colour is very attractive, too :)" —AE Murphy
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in six colors).
Promising review: "We foster senior dogs, so taking pills is pretty standard around here. We’ve had our fair share of stubborn pill takers, and pill pockets are HEAVEN SENT! The capsule size is massive! I am able to fit six pills/capsules in one! I usually split one in half in the morning, throw three pills in it, roll it up, and repeat in the evening with the other half of the pocket. Seriously a game changer for even our most stubborn of fosters. Our current foster has very few teeth left, but is still able to gum these tasty 'treats' down. Love how smushy they are because I’m able to flatten them for him to take easier. 10/10!" —Jenny Schilz
Get 30 pockets from Amazon for $7.98 (or Subscribe & Save for $7.58/month; available in three sizes and other flavors).
Promising review: "If you have a dog, you need this now! I have two long-hair Chihuahuas and I also foster dogs. This has been a godsend. Cleaning up the yard takes minutes and it's so easy. I use mine only once a week, the night before trash pickup and I have more than enough room. When I did have a Westie for a few weeks, the bucket part did fill up pretty fast, so keep that in mind if you have huge dogs. Depending on your needs, this is an awesome product. I love that just regular plastic bags from the store work with it. Now I finally have use for them!" —Christina Allie
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
Promising review: "I foster dogs and these save my life. When training a new dog, it is great to have a backup when accidents happen. I also have a resident dog that is a wuss about going outside in the snow during the winter so she has more winter accidents." —NLA
Get 100 pads from Amazon for $23.49.
Promising review: "I read many reviews on this carpet 'broom' before deciding to take the plunge. I have a medium-hair mix who is my first dog ever to shed over and over. I normally have terriers who have very little shedding...but as a foster I take in any dog who needs a home before adoption. I used this exactly as another reviewer mentioned, 'quick short strokes' with the grain of the carpet. While the 'broom' itself does not collect the fur ON the bristles, it collects the fur in a pile for me to easily pick up and throw away (or out to the birds for nesting). With 10 small strokes on a just vacuumed carpet I was able to collect a large handful of fur. This is a keeper. :)" —3 Dog Family
Get it from Amazon for $12.44.
Check out my colleague's FURemover broom review for more oddly satisfying photos of all the hair this broom unearthed.
Promising review: "I have a newborn kitten I am fostering and traditional heating pads get too hot. This is absolutely perfect! The product is exactly as advertised and is high quality! I can’t comment on the chew-proofness since she is only 10 days old, but the warmth and temperature control are beyond amazing! Even my vet commented on how high quality and wonderfully it worked. I keep it at 120–125 and it warms evenly and constantly. Definitely a must-have!!" —Ashley
Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in four sizes).
Promising review: "Great quality. It originally housed a German shepherd mix we fostered, then was home to a convalescing duck, then to a rabbit we were babysitting while it's owners moved, then to a kitten who had 'the surgery' and needed to be calm for a few days. It is big enough for a large animal to lay comfortably and move a bit, or large enough for a small animal to have a food/water dish, a bed, and a litter box for temporary housing. It came with a divider panel too, so you could use it for two small dogs potentially, or for a puppy who will eventually be a big dog. And it folds up very easily to be flat and compact for storage. No regrets on this purchase." —J. Brun
Get it from Amazon for $38.99+ (available in five sizes and two styles)
Promising review: "My foster dog inhales food out of instinct from his years of neglect. Never knowing when he would get his next meal, he eats every meal like it’s his last. Before I was even finished filling up my other dogs bowls, his food would always be gone. I hardly even heard the dude crunch. After buying this slow feeder, I now see that he finishes his food well after I’ve had a chance to feed my other dogs and walk off. This product has worked tremendously and exceeded all of my expectations! I would recommend if your dog inhales food too." —Natalie
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes and four styles).
Promising review: "These have made a huge difference in the life of our senior dog with a bad back. He can move around much easier, and he seems in less pain than when we were using a basic glucosamine supplement. We put another one of our senior fosters on them and he also saw a huge turnaround, with less back pain and more ability to move around. Really appreciate these being available on Amazon, they are hard to find around here otherwise." —Kindle Customer
Get it from Amazon for $39 (or Subscribe & Save for $37.05/month).
This portable carpet cleaner will spray, brush, and suction up any stain, no adult supervision needed. It also comes with a hose and tool attachment if you'd prefer a more hands-on cleaning session.
Promising review: "What a great idea!! I have several spots around my house from many years of fostering cats; some are old and set in and others more fresh. I love that I can easily fill this and set it on the spot an go! I'm not sure the solution they sent with it (Bissell Spot and Oxy) are doing the trick so I will try other cleaners. But the machine itself is great! SUPER easy to fill and empty! No complicated latches; just grab and lift! Uses hot water from the faucet. One button for deep set stains, another for surface. Wish the 'spot' it cleans were bigger, but I'm sure it's adequate for most. Would definitely recommend!" —L. Pederson
Get it from Amazon for $185.39.
Promising review: "I foster cats and have a cat allergy, so this has saved me! It honestly works perfectly. You don't even have to use a lot to see the effectiveness. Will definitely buy from again." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $6.13 (or Subscribe & Save for $5.82/month)
Promising review: "We use these when we're fostering kittens. It's much easier to scrub them down that trying to wrangle them into a tub, and it emulates the grooming process of their mom. They still complain though, the wee stinkers!" —Laura Buller
Get 50 wipes from Amazon for $3.13 (or Subscribe & Save for $2.97/month).
Promising review: "I gave this to our foster dog to play with and she is in love with this thing! It's the strangest thing. She's so shy and timid, but for some reason has taken this thing on like it's her baby. I have to be incredibly careful when I pick it up to move it — I only do so when she's outside, and if it makes one 'squiggle' sound, she's fixated on getting back to it. We've had several dogs who really like this ball, but I just wanted to share one experience that I can't seem to parallel with any other toy. And we've tried a TON of other toys!" —Julieanne
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
Promising review: "This is my favorite medication to take care of yeast infections in cats that I foster or adopt from animal shelters. It takes care of the problem in just a couple of weeks to a month without any side effects. It is very easy to apply and soothes the ear. The price is very comparable to what you might find in a veterinary clinic." —Siamic
Get it from Amazon for $21.99.
Each litter box comes with a preportioned package of litter that you pour into the tray. It will start cleaning 20 minutes after it's detected that your cat has left the box. When the tray is full, simply remove it and dispose of it.
Promising review: "I absolutely love this! I now have three. It has made my life so much easier with five pets and the occasional foster kittens. Having crystal litter is a million times nicer; it cuts down on the smell, and weighs less because the liquid dries up. I love having the automatic litter box that keeps things constantly clean. I don't have to touch it, go through the hassle of sanitizing the litter boxes in our only bathroom, or have drying litter boxes laying around. Even though the refills seem like a bit of an expense, they're worth every penny for all the reasons above plus more. Highly recommend!!" —Anita Balough
Get it from Amazon for $149.95+ (available in three styles and two colors).
Promising review: "The dogs love it. I have two large breed and continual fosters. They love this ball and have had lots of fun with it since Christmas. Keep away is their favorite toy. After a month it is still holding up to my large dogs playing." —Ms Lisa
Get it from Amazon for $16.29 (originally $21.51; available in three sizes and six colors).
Promising review: "I love this. I have a foster dog that is an escape artist and hates being kenneled. I use this to check how she is doing and to talk to her when she is crying. It has relieved a lot of stress and allowed me to check on my dogs when I am not home. I also love being able to throw them treats and talk to them when I am gone and they are home with my boyfriend! I have and will recommend this to everyone I know with pets!!!" —Christi Carter
Get it from Amazon for $163.99.
Promising review: "This thing is basically the best ever. I have four rescue cats of my own and often I have a foster cat as well, so I get hair all over my stuff. This takes care of it quick and easy, and can be used on floors and jeans for super easy removal. My sister came over a few weeks ago and found it in my bedroom. She immediately grabbed it and asked all about it. I told her to give it a try (my current foster cat sleeps at the end of my bed and makes a huge mess), so she did a quick stripe through the worst of the fur and literally gasped. She is now obsessed and even talks to random strangers about it. She 'ChomChom'd' my entire bedroom because she found it so enthralling and fun and has had several of her friends purchase them. I've had mine since 2017 and it is still working as well as when I first bought it. I use it pretty quick and rough, so I am surprised it help up so well!!!" —Leena
Get it from Amazon for $24.95.
Promising review: "I was fostering a pit bull that had a really dry, crusty nose and I felt so bad for her. I bought this to see if it would help her and it made a dramatic difference within a few days. The drier parts started slowly peeling off as it gently softened to reveal a wonderfully healthy nose underneath. Would definitely buy again for her or any doggie with an uncomfortably dry nose!" —gabriela ruvalcaba
Get it from Amazon for $7.95 (or Subscribe & Save for $7.55/month).
Promising review: "I foster kittens for a rescue and no matter how often I clean the boxes, two or three times daily and general cleaning, I still have an odor in the room. I got this product out of desperation. It was a good size and weight for kitties bouncing around. I am truly shocked and enormously happy with how it works! My husband was at wits' end with his sensitive nose. He goes in there now and is astonished; no smell. We are getting another for the kitchen! The room is 10 feet by 10 feet, and I use it on the second setting. I also enjoy the night-light. Very helpful without disturbing sick sleepy babies recovering from illness." —victoria Mohagen
Get it from Amazon for $89.99 (available in two colors).
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.