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. ...
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. ...