PEOPLE's Pet Product Awards 2023: The New Pet Products that Sent Testers into a 'Tail-Wagging Frenzy'

Kelli Bender

December 9, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.·5 min read

PEOPLE staffers (and their cats and dogs!) tested dozens of pet products to find the best treats, toys and accessories

<p>Courtesy Joelle Goldstein; Courtesy Eric Andersson</p> Lily the cat testing a pet bed (left) and Enzo the Chiweenie enjoying a dog toy (right) — 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 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

<p>Courtesy Lori Popernik</p> Evie the cat — Courtesy Lori Popernik
Evie the cat

Lori 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

<p>Blue Buffalo</p> Blue Buffalo Benebars with Chicken and Mixed Berries — Blue Buffalo
Blue Buffalo Benebars with Chicken and Mixed Berries

Blue 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 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

<p>Courtesy Pamela Ogonowski</p> Albus the dog — Courtesy Pamela Ogonowski
Albus the dog

Albus 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

<p>Tiny Tuff </p> Tiny Tuff Dog Toy — Tiny Tuff
Tiny Tuff Dog Toy

Huxley & 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

<p>Courtesy Eric Andersson</p> Enzo the Chiweenie — Courtesy Eric Andersson
Enzo the Chiweenie

This 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 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

<p>Courtesy Jessica Bryan</p> Mushu the cat — Courtesy Jessica Bryan
Mushu the cat

This 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 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 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

Jazwares 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

<p>Courtesy Joelle Goldstein</p> Lily the cat in the Jazwares Beula the Octopus Squishmallows Pet Bed — Courtesy Joelle Goldstein
Lily the cat in the Jazwares Beula the Octopus Squishmallows Pet Bed

Staff editor Joelle Goldstein says her feline spent hours diligently testing cat beds with her brother Gizmo.

WINNER: BEST PET CARRIER

Frisco 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

<p>Courtesy Marisa Sullivan</p> Murray the Cavapoo pup — Courtesy Marisa Sullivan
Murray the Cavapoo pup

The 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 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

<p>Courtesy Julie Jordan</p> Leo the cat — Courtesy Julie Jordan
Leo the cat

Leo 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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