PEOPLE Staffers' Pets Pick the New 'Must Have' Products That Made Them 'Happy' This Year
The cats and dogs of PEOPLE tested toys, treats, beds and more to find the best new products for PEOPLE's Pet Product Awards 2024
When it comes to what's best for pets, real-life cats and dogs know best. That's why we had the furry friends of PEOPLE staffers test dozens of new pet products to find out which ones are purrfect.
For 2024, PEOPLE's pets tested toys, treats, tech, and more, spending weeks gnawing, pawing, and napping on products to find the best for cats and dogs everywhere.
After weeks of testing, the literal animal experts picked their favorite products from 17 categories and the winners of PEOPLE's Pet Product Awards 2024.
Read on to find out which toy had cats "happy and energetic" and which treats caused dogs to act "out of control."
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(To see what testers chose last year, check out the winner's list from PEOPLE's Pet Product Awards 2023)
BEST LARGE PET BED
Ruggable Bolster Pet Bed
Fit for animals more than 50 lbs., this bed with a "clean look" won points for its soft machine-washable covers and attractive range of colors.
Buy it! $269, ruggable.com
BEST SMALL PET BED
Bedsure Pet Couch
Stylish and cozy, this bed — with a corduroy-fleece cover and foam filling — lured pets in for hours-long naps, and had pets fighting for a turn to sink into it.
Buy it! $40 and up, amazon.com
BEST AUTOMATIC PET FEEDER
Geeni PetConnect Feeder
Owners praised this feeder’s “easy setup process” and “flawless” functioning, which is controlled via a smartphone app.
Buy it! $90, petco.com
BEST PET CAMERA
Petcube 360 Wi-Fi Camera
This "unobtrusive” unit — with 8x zoom and two-way audio — delivered a “clear picture” at a great value.
Buy it! $53, chewy.com
BEST PET WATER FOUNTAIN
Petlibro Dockstream Smart Fountain
Convenient to refill and clean, the “whisper quiet” fountain removes fur and odors from its circulating water to provide a constant stream of fresh water for pets.
Buy it! $80, petlibro.com
BEST SLOW FEEDER
SuperFeedy 4-in-1 Slow Feeder
Pet parents noted that the elevated tray made it more accessible and comfortable for their dogs to slowly enjoy their meals —plus the pieces are all dishwasher-safe.
Buy it! $50, superfeedy.com
BEST JERKY DOG TREAT/MEAT STICK
West Paw Montana Beef Sticks
Made with humanely raised, grass-fed beef, the jerky was a "big hit" with our canine testers. "Obsessed" pups could smell and hear the package open from rooms away and came running for a taste.
Buy it! $30, westpaw.com
BEST MEAT-FREE DOG TREAT
WagWell Freeze-Dried Cheese Treats
Testers said these one-ingredient, “no-mess” snacks are a “must-have” for training and walks.
Buy it! $17, wagwellpet.com
BEST BISCUIT DOG TREAT
NUTRO Crunchy Treats with Real Apple
Even pet owners liked the “divine” apple smell of the nuggets, which pups "excitedly devoured."
Buy it! $7, chewy.com
BEST CRUNCHY CAT TREAT
BONKERS Purrpops
Made with freeze-dried chicken, the heart-shaped pops created "fun photo moments."
Buy it! $2 and up, petsmart.com
BEST PUREED CAT TREAT
Wellness Lickable Treats
Owners appreciated the “good ingredients,” while cats “loved” the flavors — like duck, chicken and tuna.
Buy it! $5, chewy.com
BEST GROOMING WIPES
Oh Norman Clean The Eff Up! Body Wipes
The large, unscented sheets get the dirty jobs done — from cleaning paws to a full bath. "It covers nose to tail," said a tester.
Buy it! $12, ohnorman.com
BEST DOG LEASH
Wild One 4-in-1 Rope Leash
The versatility and "sleek" look of this 4-in-1 leash got high marks from owners seeking “secure hands-free walks."
Buy it! $58, wildone.com
BEST DOG HARNESS
Ruffwear Hi & Light Harness
The reflective, lightweight material is ideal for travel and offered "peace of mind" on morning walks, said a tester.
Buy it! $40, ruffwear.com
BEST CAT TOY
ZippyClaws Birthday Party Pack
Even picky kitties engaged with the catnip plushies adorned with ribbons and bells. "My cats were crazy for them," said a staffer.
Buy it! $17 for 6, zippypaws.com
BEST DOG TOY
JW Wool-EE Ring
Made of "extremely durable" untreated wool, the ring proved ideal for countless rounds of tug-of-war, making it "a keeper," said one tester.
Buy it! $12, amazon.com
BEST DOG POOP BAGS AND DISPENSER
YOULY Waste Bag Dispenser
Dog owners called it the “perfect poop bag holder” because of its sturdy plastic clip and "no frills" but functional design.
Buy it! $5, petco.com
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