Reviews

Your dog disappears into the woods during a hike. Your cat doesn’t come home for dinner. Fifteen minutes pass. Then thirty. You know how that feels. A pet GPS tracker won’t stop your pet from roaming. But it turns that thirty-minute panic into a ten-second check on your phone. We tested six models from the biggest names in 2025 — Fi, Tractive, Whistle, Link AKC, Cube, and Jiobit — to find out which ones actually work when you need them. ...

Dogs and cats don’t sweat the way we do. They pant, they find tile floors, they dig holes in the garden to reach cooler soil underneath. On a hot day, a good cooling mat gives them a relief spot they can use anytime. We put six pet cooling mats through their paces — pressure-activated gel mats, water-filled pads, and evaporative cooling mats — to find the ones that actually stay cool and hold up to claws, teeth, and daily use. ...

Dog poop bags live at the intersection of “boring necessity” and “I really need this one thing to not fail.” If the bag tears while you’re holding a warm load two blocks from the trash can, that’s a bad day. If it leaks through, it’s a worse one. If the roll keeps unspooling in your pocket mid-trail, you already know. We tested 6 poop bag brands — scented, unscented, compostable, extra-thick, and bulk rolls — to find the ones that hold up, stay closed, and don’t complicate your walk. ...

Cats need to hunt, pounce, and chase even if there’s nothing in the house to hunt. Without an outlet, that instinct turns into shredded furniture, knocked-over glasses, and midnight zoomies across your face. Interactive toys bridge the gap — they give your cat a way to act like a predator without treating your ankles like prey. I tested six interactive cat toys across three categories: automated toys (run on their own while you work), puzzle toys (mental stimulation), and interactive wands for actual playtime together. Some are brilliant, some are overpriced junk, and a few genuinely surprised me. ...

Guinea pigs are not hamsters. They need floor space, not height — these guys are ground-dwellers who need room to run popcorning laps across a wide, open area. A proper cage makes the difference between a bored, stressed guinea pig and one that wheeks at you every time the fridge opens. I tested 8 cages — budget starters, store-bought habitats, and full C&C custom builds. Some are genuinely worth the money. Others are basically hamster cages with misleading labels. ...

A good dog crate is more than a containment device. For most dogs, it becomes a den — a quiet, safe space they choose to retreat to when the house gets loud or they just want to be left alone. For you, it’s peace of mind: your dog stays out of trouble when you can’t watch them, potty training actually sticks, and road trips don’t involve a loose dog in the back seat. ...

There is no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” bird cage. A parakeet can get its head stuck between bars spaced an inch apart. A cockatiel can bend a cage made of thin wire in under a week. And a cage that’s perfectly sized for a conure will leave an African grey cramped and miserable. The right cage depends entirely on the bird. But a few things hold true across species. Bigger is always better. Horizontal bars let birds climb. And bar spacing has to match the bird’s head size, otherwise they squeeze through or get stuck. We tested six cages to find the ones worth buying. ...

An automatic pet feeder frees you from rigid feeding schedules, keeps portions consistent for weight management, and gives you peace of mind when you’re working late or away for the day. The right feeder dispenses exactly the right amount at exactly the right time, every time. But with options ranging from simple $30 gravity feeders to $200 WiFi-connected smart stations, choosing the right one takes some thought. We tested six of the best automatic pet feeders for cats and dogs, comparing capacity, scheduling features, power backup, and real-world reliability. ...

Cats are sleep connoisseurs. The average housecat logs 12–16 hours of sleep per day, and they have strong opinions about where those hours are spent. The wrong bed gets ignored. The right bed becomes a permanent installation. We tested 6 of the best cat beds in 2025 across four categories: covered caves for security-seekers, heated beds for cold climates, orthopedic loungers for senior cats, and window perches for sun-worshippers. Top 6 Cat Beds 1. K&H Thermo-Kitty — Best Heated Check Price on Amazon → The Thermo-Kitty uses a 4-watt heating pad that warms to your cat’s body temperature — it only heats when the cat is on it. Dual-thermostat safety means it won’t overheat, and the removable cover is machine-washable. For cats in cold basements, drafty apartments, or arthritis-prone seniors, this bed transforms winter. ...

Getting your cat into a carrier is hard enough. The carrier itself shouldn’t make it harder. The right carrier makes vet visits, road trips, and even air travel safer and less stressful for both of you. The wrong carrier is a wrestling match with a terrified animal, a security risk at the airport, and a source of anxiety that can linger for days after the trip ends. We tested six carriers across every category — soft-sided, hard-shell, backpack, and airline-approved models — so you can find the right one for your cat, your travel style, and your budget. ...