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

pet awards
Lily the cat testing a pet bed (left) and Enzo the Chiweenie enjoying a dog toy (right). Photo:

Courtesy Joelle Goldstein; Courtesy Eric Andersson

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)

01 of 17

WINNER: BEST CAT TREAT

pet awards
Catit Creamy Superfoods cat treats.

Catit

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

02 of 17

TESTER PROFILE: EVIE

pet awards
Evie the cat.

Courtesy Lori Popernik

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.

03 of 17

WINNER: BEST DOG TREAT

pet awards
Blue Buffalo Benebars with Chicken and Mixed Berries.

Blue Buffalo

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

04 of 17

WINNER: BEST DOG TOY FOR $10 OR LESS

pet awards
PetSmart's Joyhound Rip Roarin Tough Alien Dog Toy.

Joyhound

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

05 of 17

TESTER PROFILE: ALBUS

pet awards
Albus the dog.

Courtesy Pamela Ogonowski

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.

06 of 17

WINNER: BEST OVERALL DOG TOY

pet awards
Tiny Tuff Dog Toy.

Tiny Tuff 

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

07 of 17

TESTER PROFILE: ENZO

Huxley & Kent Tiny Tuff Dog Toys: made with Diamond Mesh Interlining to make these high-quality, soft plush toys hold up to sharp teeth and tearing
Enzo the Chiweenie.

Courtesy Eric Andersson

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.

08 of 17

WINNER: BEST CAT TOY

pet awards
SmartyKat Instincts Fly 'N Frenzy Extendable Wand Cat Toy.

SmartyKat

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

09 of 17

TESTER PROFILE: MUSHU

pet awards
Mushu the cat.

Courtesy Jessica Bryan

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.

10 of 17

WINNER: BEST PET BOWL

pet awards
Owala Pet Bowl.

Owala

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

11 of 17

WINNER: BEST LEASH

pet awards
Shinola Pet Nylon Leash.

Shinola

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

12 of 17

WINNER: BEST PET BED

Jazwares Beula The Octopus Squishmallows Pet Bed: soft, snuggly, and built to last, finished with a non-skid bottom
Jazwares Beula the Octopus Squishmallows Pet Bed.

Squishmallows

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

13 of 17

TESTER PROFILE: LILY

Jazwares Beula The Octopus Squishmallows Pet Bed: soft, snuggly, and built to last, finished with a non-skid bottom
Lily the cat in the Jazwares Beula the Octopus Squishmallows Pet Bed.

Courtesy Joelle Goldstein

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

14 of 17

WINNER: BEST PET CARRIER

pet awards
Frisco Premium Airline Compliant Dog and Cat Quilted Carrier Bag.

Frisco

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

15 of 17

TESTER PROFILE: MURRAY

pet awards
Murray the Cavapoo pup.

Courtesy Marisa Sullivan

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.

16 of 17

WINNER: BEST CAT SCRATCHER

pet awards
Lesure Sisal Cat Scratching Post.

Lesure Pet

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

17 of 17

TESTER PROFILE: LEO

pet awards
Leo the cat.

Courtesy Julie Jordan

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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