We hope you love our recommendations! While every product is independently chosen by our editors, BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You can read more about how our affiliate partnerships work in our Editorial Standards & Ethics Guide.

Caret Right

· Posted on May 14, 2026

20 Problem-Solving Products From Petco You’ll Wish You’d Had Years Earlier

Being a pet parent is 90% unconditional love and 10% wondering why your house suddenly smells like a swamp and your sofa looks like it lost a fight with a lawnmower.

by Samantha Rumore BuzzFeed Contributor

I have been writing for the BuzzFeed Shopping team since 2020, covering the best home decor, fashion, and pet products for every budget (I live in Connecticut with my two rescue pittie mixes, who have happily tried and tested nearly every pet item I've written about).

Facebook

Pinterest

1. A pack of super soft small pet bedding made from reclaimed fiber that locks away odors for up to 10 days. It gives your hamster a cozy place to burrow while saving your nostrils from the inevitable scent of a tiny roommate who doesn't understand personal hygiene.

Petco

Promising review: "Go-to bedding, with six hamsters and a rabbit, I’ve found this is the most economical option available in stores. Not as soft/fluffy as other brands, but it gets the job done. I usually use this as the main part of the enclosure and put Aspen underneath and a layer of softer bedding on top. Holds tunnels pretty well." —Djingle and Butters

Price: $8+ (originally $9.99+; available in three sizes)

2. A window perch that uses heavy-duty suction cups to create a front-row seat for the local bird drama. It’s the perfect way to satisfy your cat's curiosity without letting them take over your entire dining room table.

Petco

Promising review: "Easy to assemble. My almost 17-pound boy loves it as well as my 11-pound boys. Although it is a hammock style, the bed doesn’t have a lot of “give” so it feels secure when the cat lays on it. Suction cups stay in place really well. Awesome purchase!!" —KSH

Price: $35.42 (originally $39.99)

3. A pack of No-Hide chews for the pup who needs a long-lasting snack without the digestive drama of traditional rawhide. These treats are the perfect way to distract your dog from the fact that you’re eating a sandwich they aren't invited to share.

Samantha Rumore

Promising review: "So excited to have chosen these Earth Animal No-Hide Chicken Recipe Dog Chews in the store. I gave her the first one about half an hour ago, and she is still enjoying it. So glad to have something last this long. I'm glad for the peace and quiet while my German Shepherd mix is occupied. Will definitely keep in stock!" —Mswed

Price: $10.49+ (originally $12.99+; available in two sizes)

4. A cute-as-a-daisy cat scratching post that serves as a much-needed peace treaty between your feline friend and your expensive upholstery. It adds a pop of floral decor to your living room while giving your cat a designated spot to work on their deadly manicure.

Petco

Promising review: "What really sets this scratching post apart are the fun extras: a toy track base and those crinkly flower petals. My cat was instantly curious and entertained, batting at the toys and inspecting the flowers right away. It’s adorable to watch and seems to hold her attention much more than a plain post would. The size is compact enough to fit in smaller spaces but sturdy enough that it doesn’t tip over during play. It’s also a great way to brighten up the room with a cheerful, floral touch that doesn’t look out of place in my living area." —llLocaMamill

Price: $29.99 

5. A cage-attachable bird bath equipped with a rubber rim to keep the splashing where it belongs. This clever accessory ensures your parakeet gets their spa day without turning the surrounding floor into a literal splash zone.

Petco

Promising review: "It’s a perfect size for my parakeets to flap around and have a nice bath! People say it’s too big but it’s a perfect! It’s good quality. If it doesn’t fit your cage metal to twist the latch just use pliers to stretch the metal cage bars a little like I had to than it will fit perfectly!" —Allie1996

Price: $8.16 (originally $13.99; colors vary and will be chosen for you)

6. An interactive battery-powered cat toy that features three different speed modes to keep your indoor tiger occupied for hours. This gadget is a total lifesaver for those moments when you need to jump on a Zoom call without a cat tail swatting your camera.

Petco

Promising review: "I bought this on New Year's Eve, and my 14-year-old cat LOVES this toy. She will try to get our attention so that we can turn it on for her. She has dragged it around the apartment and would try to play with it even if it's off." —Izzy and Iroh

Price: $26.92 (originally $38.99)

7. A bag of aquarium sand designed to support healthy bacteria and make your fish tank look like a high-end underwater resort. It helps break down waste more effectively than chunky gravel, meaning you spend less time scrubbing and more time watching your fish thrive.

Petco

Promising review: "Looks beautiful in betta tank, was easy to work with. Make sure you rinse it in a bucket before putting it in the aquarium. Also have used with loaches and they love it." —Jacq2024

Price: $9.99+ (available in two sizes and three colors)

8. A 24/7 cat water fountain that uses a triple-flow setting to entice even the pickiest drinkers. It keeps water moving and filtered so your cat can stop screaming at you to turn on the kitchen faucet every time they get thirsty.

Petco

Promising reviews: "Purchased this fountain as a replacement for my Catitt Fountain that previously wore out. It is the exact same fountain. My cat and I both love the gentle stream of water, and she missed it for the few days it took to get a replacement. I also love the water level feature that I can see at a glance, and don't have to constantly open it to check the water level. Will be getting another one to have “on hand” for when this new one wears out. It might only be about four months, but one must remember it is circulating water 24/7. Highly recommend this fountain." —Cat lover182

"I got this for my 16-year-old cat a few weeks ago, and she LOVES IT! I wasn’t sure if she would use it or not, or how long it would take her to get used to it. To my surprise, the second I had it set up, she was using it. I see her use it all the time, and I can tell she’s drinking quite a bit out of it daily. I would highly recommend this to any cat owner, but especially for senior cats. It’s important to make sure they’re hydrated, and this product is fun for them and gives them clean water. Would give a million stars if I could." —Breezymae

Price: $27.99 (originally $32.99)

9. A multi-level cat tree to provide the ultimate vertical real estate for a pet who lives to look down on everyone. With built-in scratching posts and cozy cubbies, it effectively contains the chaos to one corner of the room.

Petco

Promising review: "Just ordered this cat tree. This will be the third time I've ordered this Armakat cat tree! My three cats play and sleep on it. The upper levels and play house are at the right height for the cats to look out my windows. They love it!" —Blondle the original

Price: $140.71 (originally $198)

10. A splurge-worthy automatic self-cleaning litter box that connects to an app to track your cat's bathroom habits and weight. It is a major investment that pays off every single time you realize you don't have to go on a treasure hunt for poop with a plastic scoop.

Petco

Promising review: "Love this litter box! First off it’s so cute the little wooden legs don’t make it look super clunky like other automatic litter boxes. I set my cleaning timer to seven minutes and it’s great! Super amazing product and aesthetically pleasing. You can't smell anything!" —AmySV

Price: $389.99 (originally $499.99; available in black and white)

11. A calming fuzzy donut bed designed with raised edges to help anxious pets feel safe and tucked in. It’s basically a giant, wearable hug that might actually get your dog to stop trying to sleep on your face.

Petco

Promising review: "I have three dogs and eight cats. I bought two small bags and one large. They are always occupied. The animals love them." —Betty H.

Price: $24.99+ (originally $30.99+; available in three sizes)

12. A stuffed toy with a realistic heartbeat to mimic the comfort of a littermate. It is a genuine miracle worker for crate training puppies who otherwise think the world is ending the second you turn off the lights.

Petco

Promising review: "After three nights of a new puppy crying all night, missing its siblings, a friend suggested Snuggle Puppy. It has a little beating heart and a warming pad. The same night I got one he slept the whole night through. It was a miracle. Our puppy really chews on him, but no rips or tears!" —Mendenhall

Price: $39.95 (originally $44.99)

13. An exciting tunnel and bed in one that creates a circular racetrack for the 3 a.m. zoomies. When they finally tire themselves out, they can just collapse into the plush center for a well-earned nap.

Petco

Promising review: "I have three of these tunnel/circle toys. You zip two together to make them a “donut” and in the center it has a round fleecy bed you can zipper on. You can also leave them unzipped and they’re just two straight tunnels. But it’s much more fun as a circle. And it’s actually large enough in every way for large adult cats to play in! I’m so tired of toys, beds, etc that are pretty much for kittens or very small older cats. But this thing is very large and my 12+ pound guy can fit in it just great with room to turn around inside the circle! There’s two large hole entrances for cats to get in and out of the circle. Great investment for ALL size cats!" —Jooliedawn

Price: $36.79 (originally $40.99)

14. A set of soft foam stairs to give small or senior dogs a dignified way to reach the big bed. These steps prevent joint-jarring jumps and save your back from having to act as a personal elevator all day long.

Petco

Promising review: "I bought these foam stairs for my 13-year-old dog, since our couch is very high and we have wooden floors, which can be slippery. When I received my order, I must admit, I was sweetly surprised by the quality of this item. They are very well made, and they appear to be quite durable. The foam is firm, and I love that you can take the cover off to wash it. I wasn't sure if my dog would use them, but after placing her on the stairs, she understood the concept and has been using them ever since! I no longer have to worry about her injuring herself when she is getting up and off from our couch! I am beyond thrilled with this item and would highly recommend it!" —Stephanie PG

Price: $69.99

15. A self-grooming brush that mounts to any corner so your cat can handle their own spa treatments. It collects loose fur before it ends up on your black leggings, which is the kind of initiative we love to see.

Petco

Promising review: "My boys have a specific wall corner they love to rub on and I thought this would spruce up their enjoyment. It did it's job. They love this thing. It's well made and the bristles aren't too rough or pointy for them. They're flexible and bend when they put all of their weight into it. Overall, it's a good product and I might get more to put different places for them since they don't have to go on a corner to work, which is a nice plus." —Autumn

Price: $5.99

16. A gentle leader harness with a bungee cord leash combo that makes taking your cat outside significantly less stressful. The bungee cord absorbs the shock of sudden lunges while the secure fit keeps your tiny escape artist from vanishing into the bushes.

Petco

The rubber stopper also helps adjust the leash and guide their shoulders so there's no pressure on their throat or tugging at their neck.

Promising reviews: "I have had my PetSafe harness for three years now, and it is AWESOME! I had spent $$$ searching for an escape-proof harness for my outdoor-loving cat. I just stumbled upon this harness because it came with a bungee leash, which I was only interested in. The harness looked similar to a couple of other worthless harnesses I had purchased previously. Boy, was I wrong!!!!! When the harness is adjusted correctly to the cat's body, it is 100% escape proof. I never worry about my cat escaping like Houdini anymore." —FinnFiona

"Probably the harness that my cat can squirm out of the least. It feels pretty comfortable and secure. I like that it'll tighten a bit if my cat pulls on it, which she does if she darts off in a direction that's too fast for me to follow when she's chasing something or running away. Fits her really well in terms of sizing. Got a medium, and I measured around her girth as it said. She's a pretty small cat, less than 10 pounds for sure. I also really like the dusty rose color." —TamTamTam

Price: $15+ (originally $17.99+; available in three sizes and three colors)

17. A water additive to tackle plaque and stinky breath just by being added to their bowl. It’s the ultimate hack for anyone who has a dog with rank breath but lacks the courage to stick a toothbrush in their mouth.

Petco

Promising review: "I’ve been using this for my dog’s water daily, and I’m already noticing fresher breath. He drinks it with no hesitation, and it’s super easy to use. I love that it supports both dental and gut health." —Dawn

Price: $15.99+ (originally $18.99+; available in two sizes)

18. An aquarium strip thermometer that sticks right to the glass for an instant temperature reading. It’s a cheap and foolproof way to make sure you aren't accidentally turning your fish tank into a lukewarm soup. 

Petco

Promising review: "I love these things. I don't set up an aquarium without sticking one to the outside. They are the perfect way to tell the temperature in a split second. I love that they are smaller and can easily be placed on the side of the tank so as not to be an eyesore. Will definitely buy more for every fish tank I set up." —Converse Cutie

Price: $3.99

19. A pack of Pill Pockets to turn a stressful medical routine into a delicious chicken-flavored secret. These are essentially the only way to get a stubborn dog to swallow a pill without them spitting it across the room three seconds later.

Petco

Promising review: "Love this product! Trying to feed a 100-pound 10-year-old dog a pill twice a day is not an easy task. These make it so easy! She gets up right away when she hears the bag. She thinks it's a treat and loves the flavor." —Gabby

Price: $8.40+ (originally $10.99+; available in four pack sizes)

20. A dog door that slides right into your existing patio track without requiring any power tools or permanent damage (renter-friendly!) It grants your pet total freedom and saves you from being their personal doorman every 15 minutes.

Petco

Promising review: "It only took two days for both our adult and puppy Chihuahuas to regularly use the doggie door. A few treats and the puppy figured it out. This door is very convenient, as our Chihuahuas can now go in and out at their leisure. No more 'accidents' due to not noticing their need to go out. Awesome! Be sure to purchase the correct size for your dog. If the door is a bit too tall for your existing door, simply remove the upper panel, and it will fit." —Lovemychihuahuas

Price: $189.97+ (originally $190.99+; available in four sizes)

Want to see even *more* of our recommendations for pet owners? Try these:

* Pet Strollers For Taking Your Pets On The Go

* Excellent Products From Petco That Honestly Each Deserve A Trophy

* Subscription Boxes That'll Make Your Pet Think It's Constantly Their Birthday

* Owning These 28 Helpful Pet Products Will Earn You Two Paws Up

* If You, Like Me, Are Entirely Obsessed With Your Pet, You’ll Have Zero Qualms About Spoiling Them With These 31 Products

Plus, finds from Chewy.

Why Trust BuzzFeed Shopping?

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.