PEOPLE's Pet Product Awards 2023: The New Pet Products that Sent Testers into a 'Tail-Wagging Frenzy'
PEOPLE staffers (and their cats and dogs!) tested dozens of pet products to find the best treats, toys and accessories
Courtesy Joelle Goldstein; Courtesy Eric Andersson
Lily the cat testing a pet bed (left) and Enzo the Chiweenie enjoying a dog toy (right)PEOPLE staffers' discerning dogs and cats spent hours playing with, sleeping in, and chewing on dozens of products in search of the best new pet treats, toys, and accessories. This fluffy panel of testers chose 10 products, with help from their humans, worthy of their paw of approval. (To see what testers chose last year, check out the winner's list from PEOPLE's Pet Product Awards 2022)
WINNER: BEST CAT TREAT
Catit
Catit Creamy Superfoods cat treatsCatit Creamy Superfoods Cat Treat
Made with ingredients like kale and quinoa, these squeezable treats with a "health factor" pleased owners and had felines "obsessed," said a tester.
Buy it! $2.69 for 4 servings, catit.us
TESTER PROFILE: EVIE
Courtesy Lori Popernik
Evie the catLori Popernik, an executive account director, says her playful tabby was an enthusiastic taste tester. Evie enjoyed the winning treats as a reward after a long day of watching fish TV on YouTube.
WINNER: BEST DOG TREAT
Blue Buffalo
Blue Buffalo Benebars with Chicken and Mixed BerriesBlue Buffalo BeneBars With Chicken & Mixed Berries
Pet owners raved that their pups "went wild" for these soft-baked treats made with natural ingredients. A staffer said the treats got her picky pooch "excited and out of bed" for a taste.
Buy it! $9.98, chewy.com
WINNER: BEST DOG TOY FOR $10 OR LESS
Joyhound
PetSmart's Joyhound Rip Roarin Tough Alien Dog ToyJoyhound Rip Roarin' Tough Alien Dog Toy
Staffers said this durable squeaker toy sent their pets into a "tail-wagging frenzy" and withstood the strong bites of big dogs who often "tear toys apart in 15 seconds."
Buy it! $9.99, petsmart.com
TESTER PROFILE: ALBUS
Courtesy Pamela Ogonowski
Albus the dogAlbus is a 7-year-old labradoodle who loved testing all products but especially adored trying out treats and squeaky toys, says owner Pam Ogonowski.
WINNER: BEST OVERALL DOG TOY
Tiny Tuff
Tiny Tuff Dog ToyHuxley & Kent Tiny Tuff Dog Toy
Available in 17 designs, these "adorable" plush toys — which are made for smaller dogs who love to chew — "lasted through hours of playtime all over the house," said a tester.
Buy it! $12.99, huxleyandkent.com
TESTER PROFILE: ENZO
Courtesy Eric Andersson
Enzo the ChiweenieThis 13-month-old Chiweenie (Chihuahua/dachshund mix) has endless energy that is perfect for testing toys, according to Enzo's owner, senior writer Eric Andersson. The pup also has the friendliest disposition and acts like the mini-mayor of his neighborhood.
WINNER: BEST CAT TOY
SmartyKat
SmartyKat Instincts Fly 'N Frenzy Extendable Wand Cat ToySmartyKat Instincts Fly 'N Frenzy Extendable Wand Cat Toy
Pet parents gave high marks for this toy's catnip-filled, "fluffy birdlike" tail that had cats "ready to play before the wand was even out of the packaging," said one staffer.
Buy it! $9.99, petco.com
TESTER PROFILE: MUSHU
Courtesy Jessica Bryan
Mushu the catThis tabby cat loves to play. His pet parent, associate director of photography Jessica Bryan, says he sits in the middle of the room every night and waits for his basket of toys to be pulled out. Mushu is partial to a good wand toy. The winning cat toy had him engaged and zig-zagging around the room.
WINNER: BEST PET BOWL
Owala
Owala Pet BowlOwala Pet Bowl
Pet owners were pleased that this "beautiful" bowl was scratch-resistant, "easy to clean," and had a rubber grip on the bottom to prevent spills.
Buy it! $27.99 and up, owalalife.com
WINNER: BEST LEASH
Shinola
Shinola Pet Nylon LeashShinola Pet Nylon Leash
Made of nylon webbing, the "sturdy and stylish" leash won over dogs and their owners with its "heavy-duty stitching" and lightweight feel.
Buy it! $70 and up, shinola.com
WINNER: BEST PET BED
Squishmallows
Jazwares Beula the Octopus Squishmallows Pet BedJazwares Beula the Octopus Squishmallows Pet Bed
Choosy pets with "plenty of unused beds" gravitated to this "soft" and "cozy" product with a nonskid bottom, said testers.
Buy it! $34.99 and up, amazon.com
TESTER PROFILE: LILY
Courtesy Joelle Goldstein
Lily the cat in the Jazwares Beula the Octopus Squishmallows Pet BedStaff editor Joelle Goldstein says her feline spent hours diligently testing cat beds with her brother Gizmo.
WINNER: BEST PET CARRIER
Frisco
Frisco Premium Airline Compliant Dog and Cat Quilted Carrier BagFrisco Premium Airline Compliant Dog and Cat Quilted Carrier Bag
The "fashionable" carrier impressed testers with its numerous "well-made" features, including a collapsible water bowl, ample pockets, and a "comfortable cushion."
Buy it! $40.49, chewy.com
TESTER PROFILE: MURRAY
Courtesy Marisa Sullivan
Murray the Cavapoo pupThe curious Cavapoo adored trying out new carriers, says news writer Marisa Sullivan, who adds that her dog is a huge fan of attention fan and isn't satisfied with a trip outside unless he gets stopped numerous times for scratches.
WINNER: BEST CAT SCRATCHER
Lesure Pet
Lesure Sisal Cat Scratching PostLesure Sisal Cat Scratching Post
Testers praised the unit’s attractive design and noted that their cats "adored" batting at the "impressively durable" ball toys.
Buy it! $19.99 and up, amazon.com
TESTER PROFILE: LEO
Courtesy Julie Jordan
Leo the catLeo is a lovebug who likes to snuggle and chase his tail when he isn't testing products, says editor at large Julie Jordan.
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