27 Chewy Essentials For People In Their Pet Parent Era

Buzz Feed

09-05-2025

A refillable dog treat dispenser toy you can fill with homemade snacks or premade Pupsicle Pops because this will keep your doggo occupied while you sit through your Zoom meetings.
Promising review: "Our Lab mix has always suffered from anxiety, fear, aggression with strangers, and breaks in routine. We ordered this product after seeing several ads on our social media. He LOVES it, and so do we! Super easy to clean and refill, long-lasting, and the treat refills don't smell bad like other dog treats! Our sweet boy recently began to lose mobility in his rear end and gets super upset when he is unable to get around independently; this gives him the comfort he needs to just relax and lie down while enjoying a treat!" —Elizabeth Price: $19.99+ (available in three sizes)
A chic cactus scratching post so pretty it looks like a piece of decor rather than a way for your kitty to get their energy out.
Promising review: "I'm happy I got this scratching post. I needed a scratching post that my big orange cat wouldn't pull over when he used it. Not only is the tall cactus a good size for him, but the base is wide (and heavy) enough that it stays standing when he uses it. Putting the pieces together was easy. It only took a few minutes. As a bonus, while most scratching posts are ugly, this one is not. I wish more cat furniture was this cute and not embarrassing to have out on display in my house." —jenmbPrice: $31.99+ (available in three sizes and two styles)
A jar of Zesty Paws Aller-Immune Bites packed with wild-caught Alaskan salmon and probiotics to help keep your pup's immune support, seasonal allergies, and more in tip-top shape.
Promising review: "My dog Charlie scratches and chews all over himself almost constantly. Since putting him on this chew daily, his symptoms have greatly reduced. He has only been using the product for a week, and every day shows improvement. I'm hoping in a few days, he'll be symptom-free. Furthermore, he thinks he's getting a daily treat and is so excited when I offer him his daily dose. I highly recommend Aller-Immune Bites!" —CharliePrice: $4.97+ (available in three flavors and six quantities)
An engaging jumbler ball if your dog has seemingly endless energy (but you don't). This will surely tire him out and give you a second to just ~chill out.~
Promising review: "Toy is an entertaining, nice squeaker. Our German shepherd plays with this for hours. The toy is challenging to pick up and carry. All of which helps our high energy German shepherd burn off energy." —TracyPrice: $14.99+ (originally $15.99, available in two sizes)
An orthopedic cat and dog bed with a removable, machine-washable cover and a wraparound bolster your furry friends will absolutely love snuggling up in.
Promising review: "I bought the XL bed for my 55-pound husky mix. My dog prefers the bolster-style bed for prime cuddling sessions. The quality is top-notch. The center is extremely soft, and the structure of the bed is rigid enough to support my pup all day without feeling like plastic. Overall, this bed exceeded all my needs. He now has a bed in every room, and this one is by far his favorite." —DoYouHaveChangeForADollarPrice: $63.99+ (available in sizes three sizes and two colors)
A sliding sushi-themed puzzle for the dog who is super restless and gets bored easily. This will keep them occupied long enough for you to maybe even get some work done of your own!
Promising review: "Our dog quickly figured out how to get treats out of this puzzle toy, but it is so handy because he loves it, and it calms him and occupies him whenever we leave. Love this!" —LinmarpiePrice: $16.95
A cat harness with extra-strong Velcro made from a comfortable cotton if your kitty is an explorer and wants to go out with you and see the whole wide world!
Promising review: "My 20-week-old kitten and I love this harness. It is very well made, attractive, easy to put on, and very secure. He would wear it all day if I let him!" —LyndaPrice: $26.95+ (available in sizes XS–XL and in seven colors)
A nonskid slow-feeder bowl because your puppy may be known to scarf down the food a little too fast and accidentally make themselves sick.
Promising review: "Our Zoey was a fast eater. By fast, I mean her food was gone in less than a minute. As she aged, we noticed her vomiting and belching more, in part because she was eating so fast. Once we purchased this bowl, it forced her to slow down. It was perfect for our needs. She is enjoying her food, has stopped belching after eating, and we have not had any vomiting issues." —RobynPrice: $5.96+ (originally $9.99+, available in two sizes)
A package of Greenies Pill Pocket treats so giving your dog their meds doesn't have to be a traumatic experience for either of you. I give these to my Chiweenie, and she loves them!
A lot of reviewers compliment these pill pockets for picky dogs and cats that haven't responded as well to other brands. Promising review: "Two of my dogs require medication on a daily basis. There is no way I can manually try to force these meds. I tried another reputable brand of pill pockets, and they worked for a couple of days until my dogs realized that there were pills in them, so I decided to try Greenies Pill Pockets. First of all, the consistency of the pocket was easy to form over the pill. Then came the test of flavor. My dogs love breakfast and dinnertime now that they get the Greenie treat. They don't even blink. I love these!" —CiscoPrice: $8.96+ (originally $10.99+; available in four flavors, four quantities, and two capsule sizes)
A hip health and joint-function supplement fortified with glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM if your doggy has arthritis and needs a little pain relief.
Promising review: "My almost 6-year-old longhaired dachshund has had mild arthritis since she was a baby. I noticed she was having difficulty ambulating. She could no longer go upstairs with me, nor could she step up/off small curbs while walking. I knew this product worked in humans and thought I would try it with my pup. Wow! In one week, she's climbing stairs, jumping on/off curbs, and able to walk further. I give her two soft chews, and they work beautifully. Very affordable at Chewy. I will continue to keep my baby on this product." —MinniePrice: $24.97+ (originally $33.30, available in two styles and four quantities)
A practically indestructible Kong chew toy you can fill with your dog's favorite treat so they can get all their energy out and enjoy a lil' snack at the same time.
Promising review: "Being on the market like forever just might be the proof dog owners need to actually buy this toy. It comes in all dog sizes and has a lot of potential. For my rescue dog, it doesn't need to be stuffed with treats or peanut butter (too fattening). She loves it for the erratic bouncing action. A regular ball bores the heck out of her. Plus, she's exercising more muscle groups, trying to grab a hold of it. And the Kong is about as indestructible as they come. Buy it once and wait 'til the end of days before it wears out." —StephenPrice: $7.99+ (originally $8.99, available in six sizes)
A level-two difficulty Hide N Slide puzzle perfect for the pup who has little to no experience with puzzles. This is a great way to introduce your dog to the world of puzzling!
Promising review: "Love this! You put either kibble or bits of treats in the holes and slide over the cover. It gives my dog a challenge to find and eat the treat, and it takes her a bit of time to get all the holes emptied, yet it is very doable for them to figure it out. They move the slider cover with their nose, and I like the stimulation it gives them." —Nora Price: $17.94+ (originally $24.99, available in two colors)
A spot flea treatment for cats so your outdoor kitty can stay protected from fleas and ticks when they're out and about exploring.
Promising review: "Fleas became a big problem this spring for the indoor-outdoor cat that adopted me. Unable to get him to a vet, I had to rely on over-the-counter Rx. Chewy helped me out when the first product was a bust. With Advantage, the cat stopped scratching almost immediately, and my sanity returned. It's been three weeks now, and I still see no fleas." —FurMom14Price: $33.58+ (available in three weights and five doses)
An artfully designed elevated cat bed so your cat's furniture doesn't clash with the very well-curated decor you have in your home.
Promising review: "All three of our cats love this bed. We have more than enough cat furniture, but I purchased this because I thought the materials would be kinder to the longhairs' fur. Carpeted cat beds tend to mat their fur. This bed does not, as the materials are soft and smooth. This little bed is well made and sturdy, and the cushion is machine washable in cold water and air dry. I would purchase this again, as it is a quality product." —FoldMom Price: $39.99
A parrot chew toy that's made of wooden blocks and cotton rope, featuring different shapes and colors. This thing is just as vivid and unique as your bird!
Promising review: "Couldn't wait to sink my beak into this colorful toy. I wish my mother would have ordered me two of them. I'm an African grey parrot and love to chew and destroy things." —JacksonPrice: $12.90
A Sherpa pet carrier bag with mesh panels and a spring wire frame that's approved by most airlines, so your companion can travel in comfort. I have one of these for my dog, and she loves cuddling in it even when we're not traveling!
It also works great for transporting other small pets, like hedgehogs, chinchillas, and bearded dragons!Promising review: "Such an improvement over the large plastic carriers I used to use. Both my cats love these bags and will hang out in them and nap in them if I leave them out after a trip. I think they're just the right size for them to feel cozy and safe. The two entry points are really handy, too. I love that they fold flat for storage, too, since my apartment is pretty small. Would highly recommend!" —KatePrice: $39.99+ (originally $143.99, available in two sizes and two colors)
A Fluker's ceramic heat bulb reviewers say does an amazing job of keeping their scaled reptilian friends nice 'n' warm. Since it doesn't emit light, it's ideal to use as a nighttime heat source, especially during the colder months.
Promising review: "This item has changed everything for my bearded dragon. He's a much happier, healthier lizard. The climate is so important for these little guys, and my other bulbs just weren't doing the job. But this does. Very pleased." —PeytonGannonPrice: $22.53 (originally $31, available in three wattages)
A flavored tooth-cleaning chew toy if your dog has stinky breath and you want to trick them into taking care of their own teeth, so you don't have to brush them yourself.
Promising review: "My dog has been chewing on the Hartz dog bones that are bacon flavored for the last five years and has perfect teeth. Stopped her from chewing on my shoes when she was younger, too. Still keeps her busy at 7 years old. :) " —Glucas1211Price: $7.97 (available in five sizes and assorted colors chosen by Chewy)
An automatic multi-pet feeder for the felines in your life who never seem to stop meowing for food. This will ensure that your cats do not overeat — or under-eat. Plus, you can schedule exactly when it releases food, so your cats won't get annoyed at a late mealtime.
Promising review: "I originally bought a single bowl version of this and was very happy with it. The only problem was that the more dominant cats would eat all of the food every time, and the others would get little, if any. I bought this two-bowl feeder to keep downstairs and moved the other one upstairs. I timed the meals to drop at the same time so everyone gets fed. This has been a lifesaver for feeding our cats because three of them simply cannot free feed responsibly. Everyone is now back to a healthy weight and I also don't have to worry when I go on overnight trips. The battery backup works great!" —MeghanPrice: $89.99
A set of carpeted pet stairs because some of the shorter doggies may have trouble getting up and down off the couch or bed.
Promising review: "I bought this step for one of our cats who can no longer jump up on the bed due to age, and it works like a charm. He took to it right away and is one happy kitty! These steps are well constructed and sturdy." —ShaundaPrice: $59.99 (available in two sizes and two colors)
A pair of cat nail covers if you love your kitty more than anything in the whole world, but you also love your furniture and don't want them to absolutely destroy it with their scratches.
A silicone food bowl mat for the furry friend who makes a huge mess anytime they eat, and you want to make cleanup a little easier.
Promising review: "Both of my cats like to pick up their wet food nuggets and drop them several inches away from the bowl before picking them back up and eating them. I tried wider bowls to relieve whisker tension, but they still dragged the moist morsels away like it was freshly snagged prey. This mat is large enough that they can't drag it too far away and get my floors messy. Perfect solution. I don't put it in the dishwasher, but clean up is still super easy with a soapy paper towel, then quick rinse." —DaniPrice: $18.99+ (available in two sizes and two colors)
A container of calming chicken-flavored hemp treats that are perfect for the doggy who gets panicked when traveling or during thunderstorms.
Promising review: "My Great Dane calms down and remains calm to the point of falling asleep. One piece does the trick with her, but two really knock her out. She is just over 100 pounds. You get a lot of treats in one container, so don't balk at the price. Yes, sometimes thunder or the garbage truck makes her bark or wake, but she rarely even gets off the couch if she has had one or two of these. Worth every penny in my book." —MJBoyer8118Price: $32.99+ (available in three sizes and two flavors)
An aquarium filter for removing ammonia and nitrates from your tank, so all your aquatic buddies can stay happy and healthy.
Promising review: "We used two other filter systems before buying this one, and it did the trick for us! Crystal clear water." —TrishPrice: $103.94 (originally $108.39)
A litter-trapping mat with a soft top layer that has holes to let litter fall through and a bottom layer that traps it for easy cleanup, since, for some reason, your feline friend is intent on throwing their litter around like it's confetti and you're the one left to clean it up.
Promising review: "This mat has totally solved the litter-tracking problem. Would recommend! Easy to empty and clean, too." —MikiPrice: $15.99 (originally $21.41)
A stain-and-odor remover I absolutely swear by when my senior dog has the occasional accident. This stuff has 100% saved my carpet from smelling like a urinal.
Promising review: "We have a dog and three cats. The dog sleeps in the front hallway, and the cats romp up and down the stairs to the second floor. Recently, one of the cats (none of them will admit guilt or accuse one of the others) peed on the stair carpeting and left a terrible smell behind. We tried the usual cleaning tricks, and nothing worked. We finally had to rip up the whole carpet (it was really old anyway) and found that the urine had seeped into the hardwood underneath. Tried cleaning with wood soap, and vinegar, and the usual ... still stinky. Bought this, sprayed it once, and the smell is gone. Even the grownup kids, who, tbh, are kind of judgmental about cat pee smells in our house, came over for dinner last week and said they couldn't smell ANYTHING any more. Total victory." —CarlaPrice: $18.84 (originally $19.99)
And finally, a Zesty Paws Itch-Soother dog shampoo that's packed with aloe vera, oatmeal, and vitamin E to help your pooch with dry, flaky skin.
Promising review: "We used to use a popular name brand for our dog's shampoo. She never had any skin issues until last winter, when she got super flaky. We switched her to this shampoo and started giving her skin vitamins. This shampoo really helps moisturize her skin without leaving a weird odor, and a little goes a long way during bath time. It was definitely a great purchase!" —mm13Price: $30.94+ (also available in a two-pack)