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The Top Pet Products of 2020

The Top Pet Products of 2020

PEOPLE tested everything from toys to treats to find the best of the best for your cat or dog

By Morgan Smith and Kelli Bender

December 10, 2020 12:00 PM

Products in this story are independently selected and featured editorially. If you make a purchase using these links we may earn commission.

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Best Dog Bowl - Winner

Our testers praised YETI's "heavy-duty" Boomer Bowl with "sturdy" stainless steel sides and a nonslip bottom, calling it a "no-spill" solution for messier dogs who eat like "it is their last meal every day."

Buy it! Boomer Bowl, $40 and up; Yeti.com

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Best Dog Bowl - Runner Up

Wild One's "cool-looking, "easy to clean" stainless steel bowls won the hearts of pet parents who called them a "hit" with their canines.

Buy it! Stainless Steel Dog Bowl, $25; WildOne.com

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Best Treat-Dispensing Dog Toy - Winner

The "cute," "durable" Acornucopia toy dispenses treats or peanut butter slowly for pups to enjoy; our testers said its peanut scent keeps dogs interested long after the food is "cleaned out."

Buy it! Acornucopia, $14; Bark.com

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Best Treat-Dispensing Dog Toy - Runner Up

Dogs loved West Paw's "tough" Tux Treat Toy; our testers said its unique shape makes play "unpredictable and way more fun."

Buy it! Tux Treat Toy, $15.95; WestPaw.com

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Best Pet Bed - Winner

A hit with both cats and dogs, this "plush" round bed had pups getting "lost for hours." Cats loved the bed’s raised rim, which makes it "the perfect big nest" for naps.

Buy It! The Original Calming Donut Bed, $35 and up; BestFriendsBySheri.com

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Best Pet Bed - Cat Runner Up

Cats couldn't get enough of the self-heating technology on this "fluffy," "comfortable" mat, which is big enough to fit multiple kitties. As one tester said, "all of my cats cuddle on it on cold days."

Buy it! Aspen Pet Self-Warming Bolster Mat, $12 and up; Petmate.com

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Best Pet Bed - Dog Runner Up

La-Z-Boy's "posh," "plush" sofa bed quickly became pups' "favorite place to hang" and comfortably fits bigger dogs. Our canine testers also appreciated the bed's wide-rim, which provides "the perfect headrest for sleeping."

Buy it! La-Z-Boy's Tucker Sofa Bed, $120; Petmate.com

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Best Cat Wand Toy - Winner

Cats were "obsessed" with this toy’s feathers; testers also liked the telescopic handle, which adds variety to playtime. Said one tester: "Kept my cat’s attention for over five minutes—a rarity!"

Buy it! JW's Flutter-ee Feathers Telescopic Wand, $10; Petmate.com

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Best Cat Wand Toy - Runner Up

Cats had a blast swatting at the long, colorful ribbon on this wand; owners liked the "adorable design" and said it made playtime "easy and fun."

Buy it! Frisco Fabric Teaser Cat Toy, $3.62; Chewy.com

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Best Soft Cat Treats - Winner

All of our testers’ cats were "enthusiastic" about these soft treats — one tester reported hers was "galloping" across the room when the bag was opened.

Buy it! Meow Mix Irresistibles, $1.80; MeowMix.com

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Best Soft Cat Treats - Runner Up

These salmon-flavored snacks were popular with pet parents for its "small size" and "easy to reseal bag." Cats were "obsessed" with the savory flavor, too. Said one tester: "My cat will not stop bothering me for more of these!"

Buy it! Rachael Ray Nutrish Soft Spots™ Real Salmon Cat Treats, $21.48; Amazon.com

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Best Pet Grooming Tool - Winner

Cat and dog owners alike said they were "shocked" by how much extra fur the FURminator removed, with one adding that it blows other brushes "out of the water."

Buy it! The FURminator, $17.79 and up; Chewy.com, Walmart.com

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Best Pet Grooming Tool - Cat Runner Up

Catit's grooming kits come with all the tools needed to groom shorthair and longhair cats: combs, brushes, and clippers.

Buy it! Catit Grooming Kit, $40; Catit.com

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Best Pet Grooming Tool - Dog Runner Up

These non-slip gloves won over even the most skittish pups as they give a "nice massage feeling"; testers noted they worked great for dry-brushing pups but "really shine during bath time."

Buy it! HandsOn Gloves, $25; HandsOnGloves.com

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Best Cat Toy Under $5 - Winner

This catnip-filled avocado had some pets "drooling"
in happiness and was "an absolute hit" with kitties who, according to some owners, took a special liking to the toy’s "long dangly legs."

Buy it! Frisco Pet Dangly Avocado Buddy Toy, $4.98; Chewy.com

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Best Cat Toy Under $5 - Runner Up

Frisco's Plush Kicker Cat Toy provides endless entertainment for kitties! Our feline testers loved to cuddle, kick and attack this toy; some used it as a cozy pillow. Said one tester: "The crinkling noises also seem to add to the excitement."

Buy it! Frisco Plush Kicker Cat Toy, $4.98; Chewy.com

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Best Leash - Winner

This leash helped testers feel safe walking their dogs both night and day, thanks to the reflective strip and the traffic handle, which is ideal for controlling easily distracted dogs.

Buy it! Strolls Leash with Traffic Handle, $22.95; WestPaw.com

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Best Leash - Runner Up

Our testers raved about this "reliable," "pretty leash; they especially liked its length options and cushioned holder. Said one tester: "This leash is perfect!"

Buy it! Classic Leash, $15; WalkeePaws.com

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Best Crunchy Cat Treats - Winner

Testers loved that these treats are packed with quality ingredients like salmon oil and cranberries—and still have only two calories. And the taste had cats "circling" every time their owners "walked near the bag."

Buy it! Wellness Kittles, $3; WellnessPetFood.com

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Best Crunchy Cat Treats - Runner Up

Feline testers "kept meowing" at owners for more of these chicken-flavored treats; owners said their small size is great for "teaching tricks or enforcing good behavior!"

Buy it! Rachael Ray Nutrish Wheelies Real Chicken Cat Treats, $1.79; Target.com

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Best Pet Water Fountain - Winner

The "sleek" design of this fountain appealed to cats and dogs alike, and testers appreciated that it was "whisper quiet" and saved on refilling the water bowl every day.

Buy it! Creekside Ceramic Pet Fountain, $60; PetSafe.net

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Best Pet Water Fountain - Runner Up

The sound of the water was "very soothing," according to our testers, who also noted the fountain is "cute" and "easy to clean."

Buy it! Drinkwell Butterfly Pet Fountain, $24.95; PetSafe.net

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Best Catnip Toy - Winner

Kitties went "bananas" over this durable cotton toy stuffed with organically grown catnip. Testers called it "magic," reporting it left their pets "rolling all over the floor."

Buy it! Yeowww! Catnip Yellow Banana Cat Toy, $6; Chewy.com

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Best Catnip Toy - Runner Up

This yummy, colorful set is great for "batting, chewing and cuddling," according to our testers. Bonus: different shapes keep cats entertained for longer.

Buy it! Frisco Sushi Plush Cat Toy with Catnip, $6.48; Chewy.com

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Best Dog Biscuit Treats - Winner

We had dogs of all sizes try these crunchy snacks, which pleased "picky eaters" and their owners, who liked that meat is the first ingredient. One tester’s pup "couldn’t get enough" of the grain- free, oven-baked treats.

Buy it! Stella & Chewy's Raw Coated Biscuits, $7; StellaandChewys.com

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Best Dog Biscuit Treats - Runner Up

Pups couldn't get enough of these crunchy, peanut butter-flavored biscuits. "My dogs never ate peanut butter before, and ignored all peanut butter treats, but they loved these!" one tester said.

Buy it! Old Mother Hubbard Classic P-Nuttier Biscuits Baked Dog Treats, $5.47; Chewy.com

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Best Plush Dog Toy - Winner

Testers worried this 100% wool toy wouldn’t hold up to playful pooches, but quickly discovered it "withstands a ton of chewing, pulling, tugging and tossing." Some pups agreed the toy is "perfect" for tug-of-war or a quick game of fetch.

Buy it! Wooly Tug Toy, $22; Loo-Hoo.com

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Best Plush Dog Toy - Runner Up

This "chic" toy has its squeaker buried deep inside, a feature that appealed to both owners and pets alike. "Buffy the Buffalo (as my kids named him) is already a well-loved addition to the family!" one tester said.

Buy it! Big Sky Bison, $16.95; WestPaw.com

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Best Dog Harness - Winner

Testers said the adjustable, padded straps make this harness "very comfortable," even for dogs who normally hate wearing them. And one said the "aesthetically pleasing" look was an added bonus.

Buy it! Wild One Harness, $48; WildOne.com

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Best Dog Harness - Runner Up

This padded, reflective harness comes with a zippered pouch for treats and poop bags; testers gave it an "A" for its "high-quality," "secure" design.

Buy it! Walk-Along Outdoor Harness, $34.95; PetSafe.net

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Best Cat Scratcher - Winner

This angled cardboard scratcher is a "keeper" for our testers because it’s easy to assemble; comes with an enticing, attachable toy; and, as one said, keeps cats coming back "all the time" for another scratch.

Buy it! Fat Cat Big Mama’s Scratch ’N Play Ramp, $17; Petmate.com

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Best Cat Scratcher - Runner Up

Our feline testers loved scratching and swatting at the ball inside this toy. It's good for downtime, too: "my cat uses it as a pillow for naps!" one pet parent reported.

Buy it! Whisker City® Ball Track & Scratcher Cat Toy, $17; PetSmart.com

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Best Jerky Dog Treats - Winner

Testers found that these protein-packed beef and lamb treats keep dogs "looking for more." One said they helped "immensely" as a training incentive, while another added that they’re good to chew for canines who tend to "inhale treats."

Buy it! Nice Jerky Bites, $5; IandLoveandYou.com

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Best Jerky Dog Treats - Runner Up

Dogs "devoured" these meaty treats, which come in beef lung and chicken flavors. "The drool seemed to come on a lot faster every time my dog saw me reach for these!" one tester said.

Buy it! Bixbi Original Jerky Treats, $15; BixbiPet.com

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More

The Top Pet Products of 2020

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Best Dog Bowl - Winner

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Best Dog Bowl - Runner Up

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Best Treat-Dispensing Dog Toy - Winner

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Best Treat-Dispensing Dog Toy - Runner Up

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Best Pet Bed - Winner

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Best Pet Bed - Cat Runner Up

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Best Pet Bed - Dog Runner Up

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Best Cat Wand Toy - Winner

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Best Cat Wand Toy - Runner Up

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Best Soft Cat Treats - Winner

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Best Soft Cat Treats - Runner Up

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Best Pet Grooming Tool - Winner

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Best Pet Grooming Tool - Cat Runner Up

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Best Pet Grooming Tool - Dog Runner Up

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Best Cat Toy Under $5 - Winner

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Best Cat Toy Under $5 - Runner Up

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Best Leash - Winner

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Best Leash - Runner Up

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Best Crunchy Cat Treats - Winner

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Best Crunchy Cat Treats - Runner Up

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Best Pet Water Fountain - Winner

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Best Pet Water Fountain - Runner Up

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Best Catnip Toy - Winner

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Best Catnip Toy - Runner Up

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Best Dog Biscuit Treats - Winner

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Best Dog Biscuit Treats - Runner Up