Reviews

A good litter box is the difference between a happy cat and one that starts using your laundry basket. Cats are fastidiously clean animals, and when their litter box is too small, too dirty, or too hard to access, they’ll find somewhere else to go. We tested the best cat litter boxes available right now, from high-tech self-cleaning models to simple, affordable open pans, so you can find the setup that works for your cat and your home. ...

Cats scratch. They don’t do it to spite you or your sofa — it’s how they stretch, shed old claw sheaths, and mark what’s theirs. If you don’t give them something good to scratch, they’ll improvise. Usually on your favorite chair. Here are the best cat scratching posts you can buy right now, from tall sisal towers to wall-mounted space-savers and full-size cat trees that do a lot more than just scratch. ...

Cats are terrible at drinking water. They evolved from desert animals, so their thirst drive is weak — they often don’t bother with the water bowl until they’re already dehydrated. This is a big reason kidney disease and urinary tract problems are so common in older cats. A fountain helps because running water catches their attention. The sound, the movement — it flips some switch in their brain that a still bowl doesn’t. Plus the water stays cooler and fresher when it’s circulating through a filter. Here are the best cat water fountains right now, compared across capacity, filtration, noise, and how annoying they are to clean. ...

A collar is the one piece of gear your dog wears every single day. It holds their ID tags, it’s your grip point in an emergency, and it’s the thing you clip the leash to on every walk. A cheap collar frays at the edges, the buckle cracks, the D-ring bends, and one day you’re standing on the sidewalk holding a broken collar while your dog bolts down the street. A good collar is an investment in safety, durability, and your dog’s everyday comfort. But not every collar works for every dog. An adventure collar built for a trail-running Border Collie is overkill for a senior Chihuahua who never leaves the couch. A martingale collar that prevents a Greyhound from slipping free would be useless — and potentially dangerous — on a Bulldog who never pulls. Here are the best dog collars across every category — adventure, training, reflective, eco-friendly, personalized, and martingale — so you can find the right one for your dog’s size, activity level, and lifestyle. ...

A good harness protects your dog’s trachea and neck. Collars yank on the trachea and can cause serious injury to breeds prone to collapsing trachea. A well-fitted harness distributes pressure across the chest and shoulders, gives you better control, and makes walks safer for both of you. But not every harness works for every dog. A front-clip no-pull harness that works on a lunging Labrador might chafe a slender Greyhound. A padded back-clip harness for a casual stroller won’t do much for a determined puller. Here are the best harnesses, sorted by what they’re built to do — not what the package claims. ...

Dogs chew, chase, and puzzle-solve because it’s hardwired — not because they’re bored. The right toy channels those instincts into something healthy instead of shredded slippers and chewed table legs. But not every toy works for every dog. A squeaky plush that delights a gentle Shih Tzu is confetti in 30 seconds with a determined Pit Bull. Here are the toys that hold up, organized by what kind of player your dog actually is. ...

If you have a dog or cat, you have pet hair. It’s on your couch. It’s on your black pants. It’s somehow inside the refrigerator. A standard vacuum alone won’t solve the problem — you need dedicated pet hair removal tools that work on fabric, upholstery, and those impossible-to-reach crevices. We tested the most popular options across three categories: reusable rollers for daily quick fixes, handheld vacuums for furniture and cars, and grooming tools that stop shedding before it starts. Here’s what actually worked. ...

Big dogs put real weight on their joints. Labs, Shepherds, Goldens, Danes — they need more than a thin cushion on the floor. A bad bed makes hip dysplasia and arthritis worse. A good one spreads the pressure so your dog can actually rest. We tested and compared the best beds for dogs over 50 pounds, looking at support, durability, washability, and whether the thing holds up after a year of a 90-pound dog flopping onto it every night. ...

Your hamster’s cage is the one purchase that shapes nearly every hour of its life. A cage that’s too small, poorly ventilated, or impossible to clean leads to a stressed, unhealthy hamster. Here are the cages worth buying — from budget wire enclosures to glass terrariums — and what you actually need to know before picking one. What to Look for in a Hamster Cage Here’s what to look for before you buy. ...