Culture
12 Pet Products You Didn't Know You Needed
Pet lovers know that being a pet parent is just as fulfilling as being a human parent. And we all share the same desire to spoil our babies rotten—after all, what’s the point of having a pet if you don’t pamper it? That’s why why we’ve rounded up these 12 products that every pet owner needs. From techy food bowls to easy-to-clean litter boxes to adorable doggy diapers, we’ve got you covered with everything you never knew you (and your pet) needed.
We’re talking major time savers, mess avoiders, and happy-pet-noise makers. The products range in price from dirt cheap to splurge-y, so you can pick and choose what suits your lifestyle and budget best. But if you ask us, they’re all worth a purchase. Check ‘em out and add ‘em to your cart (we know, we’re sorry for fueling your online shopping habit). Just remember, if your furry friends could talk, they would thank you big time.
Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge
Price: $49.95
Who’s it for: Cats
Why we love it: Cats are all about two things: Scratching and snoozing. This snazzy combo offers both. Your cat can claw all it wants on the high-quality cardboard exterior and then nap on top or inside of the structure (without getting any cat hair on the furniture). It’s a win-win for everyone.
Bucket Booster Pet Seat
Price: $69.64
Who’s it for: Dogs
Why we love it: This booster seat buckles into the backseat of your car and has two (count ‘em, two!) adjustable security leashes so you can clip in your pooch for added safety. The booster seat keeps pups contained as well as elevated, so you can see them better in your rearview mirror—and so they can see out the window.
Washable Dog Diapers
Price: $16.99
Who’s it for: Puppies and older, incontinent dogs
Why we love it: No more running around cleaning pee off the floor or accidentally stepping in it. These diapers machine washable and have durable, fur-resistant fasteners that keep them in place (and feeling comfy).
Paw Plunger
Price: $19.99
Who’s it for: Dogs
Why we love it: This may be the smartest thing ever invented. It cleans your pet’s dirty paws so your home doesn’t become a giant mud puddle. Just add warm water to the plunger and dunk one paw at a time. Built-in bristles will scrub the paw clean in seconds. Why didn’t we think of this ourselves?
Reversible Pet Sling Carrier
Price: $17.99
Who’s it for: Puppies up to 12 pounds
Why we love it: We’ve seen the puppy backpacks and the traditional pet carriers, but we haven’t seen this. It’s a cozy sling for carrying your pooch and it’s reversible and machine washable. This sling is perfect for anytime you’re out and about but not necessarily trying to stop and smell every single thing.
Dog and Horse Sunscreen
Price: $16
Who’s it for: Dogs and horses
Why we love it: You’ve probably never considered this, but your pet can get sun damage, just like you. And trust us, pet sunburns hurt just as much as human ones. With this easy spray sunscreen, you’re protecting your dog (or horse) from harmful UV rays as well as painful burns and malignant skin tumors.
Self-Cleaning Roll n' Clean Litter Box
Price: $49.88
Who’s it for: Cats
Why we love it: All you have to do is fill the box with litter, wait for your cat to do its business, and then roll the box upside down. Roll the litter box back, and all the clean litter is returned to the bottom while the waste gets trapped in a compartment. Open the magic compartment drawer and voilà, the poop is ready to be dumped. No scooping required!
Furbo Dog Camera
Price: $194
Who’s it for: Dog owners
Why we love it: If you hate leaving your pet, you’ll literally never have to with this gadget. It’s a dog camera and an interactive treat dispenser. It allows you to video chat with your pup as well as play games from a distance—you control the treat-dispensing trigger. The whole thing is controlled via a handy smartphone app.
Paw Soother Balm for Dogs
Price: $19.95
Who’s it for: Dogs
Why we love it: Just as us humans get dry, cracked skin, dog paws do, too. This natural balm is our go-to for soothing chapped, raw paws year-round. It’s packaged like a deodorant stick, so it’s easy to rub on and mess free.
Automatic Dog and Cat Feeder
Price: $152.95
Who’s it for: Cats
Why we love it: With this wifi-enabled automatic pet feeder, you can feed your pets from anywhere using an app. Dispense up to 12 pre-measured meals at scheduled times throughout the day. You choose how much to feed your pet and you can even get alerts when they’re eating.
Dog Life Jacket
Price: $24.99
Who’s it for: Dogs
Why we love it: Considering taking your dog for a swim? Unless it’s a kiddy pool or your dog is an expert swimmer, wearing a life jacket will give you and your dog peace of mind. This one comes with heavy duty rescue handles for pulling your pooch out of the water and has a variety of buckles and clips to make sure that it fits just right.
Automatic Cheese Cat Toy
Price: $23.95
Who’s it for: Cats
Why we love it: This funky block of “cheese” will entertain your cat all day. Two little yellow mice spontaneously pop out of holes on either side of the wedge. It’s battery operated and, once powered on, will remain active for 10-15 minutes before automatically shutting off (one less thing you have to remember to turn off). You can also enable a ‘play-while-you’re-away’ function that will turn on the toy randomly during the day for your cat to enjoy.
