The Best New Pet Products of 2022 Picked Out By the Cats and Dogs of PEOPLE

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Courtesy Rachel DeSantis, Courtesy Amanda Retotar

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Best Dog Bed

Courtesy Stephanie Petit

After testing dozens of products across 11 categories, the cats and dogs of PEOPLE staffers picked their favorite new cat anddog products. Read on to see what won the 2022 PEOPLE Pet Product Awards and to get expert tips on how to help your furry friend play more.

“Stylish” and “easy to wash.” this bolstered bed impressed pet parents with its lightweight, supportive structure that dogs liked “snuggling” in. Your dog will love it whether it’s inside hisdog crateor next to your bed.

02of 11Best Cat BedCatitCats “jumped in and curled up” on this “giant cloud” of a bed as soon as owners set it down.Buy it!Catit’s Fluffy Cat Bed, $39.99;Usa.catit.comExpert tip:Don’t fret if your pet doesn’t take to a new product or toy instantly. “That’s totally normal,” Dr. Annie Valuska, a principal pet behavior scientist at Purina, says. “Many pets need multiple exposures to something before they begin to like it.”

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Best Cat Bed

Catit

Cats “jumped in and curled up” on this “giant cloud” of a bed as soon as owners set it down.

Buy it!Catit’s Fluffy Cat Bed, $39.99;Usa.catit.com

Expert tip:Don’t fret if your pet doesn’t take to a new product or toy instantly. “That’s totally normal,” Dr. Annie Valuska, a principal pet behavior scientist at Purina, says. “Many pets need multiple exposures to something before they begin to like it.”

03of 11Best Dog Toy Under $10FriscoCurious dogs enjoyed exploring this “well-made” plush toy, which breaks apart into two “cute” squeaker-filled playthings.Buy it!Frisco’s Brunch Egg in Hole Dog Toy, $8.98;Chewy.comExpert tip:Watch your dog’s body language for signs they want to play with you. “A dog might paw you to solicit attention, or your dog might start bouncing around and maybe even bring you a toy,” Carley Faughn, Ph.D., CAAB, a senior strategist withBest Friends Animal Society, says of signals to look for.

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Best Dog Toy Under $10

Frisco

Curious dogs enjoyed exploring this “well-made” plush toy, which breaks apart into two “cute” squeaker-filled playthings.

Buy it!Frisco’s Brunch Egg in Hole Dog Toy, $8.98;Chewy.com

Expert tip:Watch your dog’s body language for signs they want to play with you. “A dog might paw you to solicit attention, or your dog might start bouncing around and maybe even bring you a toy,” Carley Faughn, Ph.D., CAAB, a senior strategist withBest Friends Animal Society, says of signals to look for.

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Best Durable Dog Toy

BARKSHOP

Dogs — especially large ones — were “obsessed” with this sturdy rubber toy that “holds up” to heavy chewing.

Buy it!BARK’s Pully, $15 and up;Barkshop.comandPetsmart.com

05of 11Best Overall Dog ToyZippy PawsOwners said this “unique” hide-and-seek plaything is “game within a toy” that clever canines can revel in “all day long.“Buy it!Zippy Paws' Zippy Burrow, $19.99;Zippypaws.comExpert tip:Puzzle toys like the Zippy Burrow can be enriching for many canines, according to Faughn. “As with any new toy, monitor your dog to ensure they are enjoying the game and not becoming frustrated,” she advises.

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Best Overall Dog Toy

Zippy Paws

Owners said this “unique” hide-and-seek plaything is “game within a toy” that clever canines can revel in “all day long.”

Buy it!Zippy Paws' Zippy Burrow, $19.99;Zippypaws.com

Expert tip:Puzzle toys like the Zippy Burrow can be enriching for many canines, according to Faughn. “As with any new toy, monitor your dog to ensure they are enjoying the game and not becoming frustrated,” she advises.

06of 11Best Catnip ToyCourtesy Jessica BryanThis “eye-catching” mat filled with organic catnip had cats “flopping around” in happiness and made a “supersoft” nap spot once playtime ended.Buy it!FUZZU’s Sweet Spot Refillable Catnip Mat, $15.99;Chewy.comandFuzzutoys.comExpert tip:Give cats space to test out a new toy. “Cats like to use their sense of smell to investigate new objects in their environment. Before you start using a new product with a cat, leave it out for them to sniff and check out on their own terms,” Samantha Bell, a cat expert with Best Friend Animal Society, says.

06of 11

Best Catnip Toy

Courtesy Jessica Bryan

This “eye-catching” mat filled with organic catnip had cats “flopping around” in happiness and made a “supersoft” nap spot once playtime ended.

Buy it!FUZZU’s Sweet Spot Refillable Catnip Mat, $15.99;Chewy.comandFuzzutoys.com

Expert tip:Give cats space to test out a new toy. “Cats like to use their sense of smell to investigate new objects in their environment. Before you start using a new product with a cat, leave it out for them to sniff and check out on their own terms,” Samantha Bell, a cat expert with Best Friend Animal Society, says.

07of 11Best Overall Cat Toytriple t studiosOwners said this eco-friendly 100% wool toy was a “crowd-pleaser” that made felines “light up” with excitement and play until they got tired.Buy it!The Tiniest Tiger’s Wool Felt Mouse Cat Toy, $9;Triple-t-studios.comExpert tip:Don’t be afraid to mix it up. “Offering a variety of toy types — some that roll, some that make noise, some they can bite, some big enough for them to hold and kick — and using a wand toy are great ways to figure out your cat’s preferred way to play,” Bell shares.

07of 11

Best Overall Cat Toy

triple t studios

Owners said this eco-friendly 100% wool toy was a “crowd-pleaser” that made felines “light up” with excitement and play until they got tired.

Buy it!The Tiniest Tiger’s Wool Felt Mouse Cat Toy, $9;Triple-t-studios.com

Expert tip:Don’t be afraid to mix it up. “Offering a variety of toy types — some that roll, some that make noise, some they can bite, some big enough for them to hold and kick — and using a wand toy are great ways to figure out your cat’s preferred way to play,” Bell shares.

08of 11Best Cat TreatVita KraftPet owners enjoyed hand-feeding their cats this lickable treat that had felines “running” to eat the snack straight from the pouch.Buy it!Vitakraft’s Lick ‘n’ Lap Creamy Cat Treat, $4 for five servings;Amazon.comExpert tip:Bringing movement to your cat’s toys can encourage play. “A toy lying on the ground is not as enticing as a toy stealthily moving past them,” Bell says. And don’t be afraid to “look silly” while playing with your feline.

08of 11

Best Cat Treat

Vita Kraft

Pet owners enjoyed hand-feeding their cats this lickable treat that had felines “running” to eat the snack straight from the pouch.

Buy it!Vitakraft’s Lick ‘n’ Lap Creamy Cat Treat, $4 for five servings;Amazon.com

Expert tip:Bringing movement to your cat’s toys can encourage play. “A toy lying on the ground is not as enticing as a toy stealthily moving past them,” Bell says. And don’t be afraid to “look silly” while playing with your feline.

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Best New Dog Treat

Petaluma

Buy it!Petaluma' Sweet Potato Jerky, $17.99;Feedpetaluma.com

Expert tip:Dr. Annie suggests dedicating daily time to playing with your pet to improve their “overall well-being.” And remember, always “keep it a positive experience.”

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Best Cat Scratcher

Pet owners liked this cardboard scratcher’s “quirky” design, while their cats appreciated having a new place to hide and play.

Expert tip:Bell suggests “marinating” your cat’s toys and scratchers in enticing pet-safe scents like catnip, valerian root, and silvervine.

11of 11Best Dog LeashCourtesy Kelly WynneThis “comfy” dog leash, made of nylon wrapped in neoprene, comes in a “beautiful” green with a chic poop-bag holder.Buy it!Archie & Alfred’s Everyday Dog Leash, $36;Archieandalfred.comFor more details on the best pet products of 2022, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.

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Best Dog Leash

Courtesy Kelly Wynne

This “comfy” dog leash, made of nylon wrapped in neoprene, comes in a “beautiful” green with a chic poop-bag holder.

Buy it!Archie & Alfred’s Everyday Dog Leash, $36;Archieandalfred.com

For more details on the best pet products of 2022, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.

source: people.com