We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

    38 Things For People Who Wish Pets Came With Instruction Manuals

    Because they can be a lot of work.

    1. A colorful scratcher board to help keep their claws trimmed and maintained. You'd much rather have them scratching this than your living room accent chair. And it's shaped so that it contours to your cat's natural stretching and flexing.

    a reviewers cat resting on the scratcher

    2. A pair of dog nail trimmers with a comfy non-slip grip that'll help you keep steady during the nail trimming, so there will be fewer chances of painful accidents that hurt doggy. There's a backing on the trimmers as well, so you clip just the right amount.

    someone tripping a dog's nails with the trimmers

    3. Or a nail file board if your dog is like most dogs and hates to get their nails trimmed. This will not only act as an emery board for your canine, but it'll also save your furniture and floors if your dog likes to scratch.

    4. A portable paw cleaner so your puppy can have all the summer fun playing outside without leaving traces of it all over the house or your car.

    5. A chew toy set in case you're looking for dog toys, but make it fashion. The bundle includes three great toys that'll be a hit during your next trip to the park: triangle tug, twist toss, and bolt bite.

    6. An elevated food bowl perfect for flat-faced pets like pugs. It has a removable dishwasher-safe silicone insert and an open front that promotes better posture and reduced neck strain while eating, which can lead to better digestion and less gas, too. You can also opt for the bowl with an insert that helps to slow down those speedy eaters.

    a reviewer photo of a pug eating from the elevated food bowl

    7. A dog car harness to provide tangle-free comfort for your canine companion. It can be removed easily and used as a leash, making it easy to go from the car to a walk around the block.

    a medium dog strapped with the harness in the backseat of a car

    8. A pineapple bird toy, because your feathered friend gets stressed out too. Perfect for lovebirds, parrots, parakeets, finches, cockatoos, cockatiels, canaries, budgies, macaws, and more — this toy will keep your bird entertained, relieve stress, and provide them with mental stimulation. And you can add snacks in between the spaces to encourage your birdie to forage.

    9. These extra-thick poop bags, so you don't have to worry about tears or leaks. They're made from a plant-based starch blend and are thicker than other brands = more durability for ~larger loads~. They're also super cute, if you look for that sort of thing in a poop bag.

    10. And a poop bag dispenser with a flashlight that'll help you easily find your pet's ~release~ when it's dark outside. Plus you have an added safety tool during night walks.

    11. A liquid tartar remover to take the hassle out of keeping up with your pet's dental hygiene. This formula helps to treat bad breath in both cats and dogs, while reducing plaque and tarter buildup and helping promote healthy gums. 

    Reviewer photo of their dog's much whiter teeth after using the liquid tartar remover
    Reviewer showing their dog's white teeth and healthy gums

    Promising review: "My dog's molars were turning black, and he had a ton of buildup on his canines. In the photo (above), just imagine everywhere you see slight yellow, instead covered in black and brown gunk and hard plaque. His gums were beginning to look inflamed. And, of course, his breath could kill a horse. After one week of constant use (a cap full for every bowl of water), you could see an obvious difference in tooth color. I was blown away. (Why can’t human mouthwash do such a good job on our teeth?) After three weeks, his molars were almost completely clean. After a couple months of use, the plaque on his canines was soft enough to brush some of it off, which was totally impossible before. Plaque covered the canine approximately 70%. Obviously that's no longer the case. IDK what insane solvent this is made of, but it keeps his gross mouth clean as a whistle. Now I don’t have to worry about my picky princess mutt losing his teeth because he can’t be bothered to chew anything." —BaconPancakes

    Get it from Amazon for $7.15.

    12. A leakproof dog water bottle you can clip onto your leash, so you and doggy can stay hydrated during your workout sessions. And yes, this is the same one you saw on TikTok.

    13. A hands-free dog leash that'll make it easier for you and your furry friend to enjoy your afternoon stroll. Reviewers say dogs can't pull on the leash, and it gives them more mobility while out and about. It's also a great option for dog walkers in wheelchairs.

    14. A pair of waterproof pet leggings as seen on Shark Tank, so your furry friend can be protected from dirt and germs during their afternoon stroll. Or snag a pair of indoor leggings to give them more support while trotting across your hardwood floors.

    a dog wearing the waterproof pet leggings

    15. A top-entry litter box ideal for preventing litter tracking, keeping the litter in the box, and keeping other pets out.

    16. Or a self-cleaning litter box that'll automatically rake the solid waste your pet leaves behind. It even has a sensor that can tell when your pet is still inside of the litter box. The waste trap is covered, reducing odor and keeping the waste out of sight.

    Reviewer photo of the purple domed litter box with two kittens

    17. A pet hair remover to collect all the fur that's left on your couch, bed, and armchair like little piles of buried treasure.

    18. A stash of rice pops made of 100% edible rice and corn that are basically Cheetos puffs for critters. They're a good must-have to help wear down the teeth on your tiny pets.

    19. A Furbo camera for pet owners who want help keeping an eye on their pet while they're gone at work or out running errands. You can monitor your pet from your smart device, and toss your pet a treat to give them a little reminder that you're not too far away.

    20. A fruit tart pet bed that your pet will be incredibly ~grape-ful~ for when looking for something cozy to curl up in, which can help anxious pets feel more secure. 

    BuzzFeed editor's photo of their cat sitting in the fruit tart bed
    Mallory Mower / BuzzFeed

    Check out my colleage's review of the fruit tart bed for more deets and some seriously cute photos of her cats enjoying it.

    Promising review: "My kitten loves this bed. Along with looking cute, it is incredibly soft. The fruit gives extra support for her to lie on, and she loves to play with the fruit. The lemon and kiwi are her favorite to play with. It doubles as a bed and some toys. She took to this bed immediately, and she often won't leave it. It's also pretty flexible, so I can put it in her carrier for vet visits so she'll feel comfortable. Everyone I show this bed to thinks it's the cutest thing ever, and I'm so glad to have found this." —Casandra B

    Get it from Amazon for $32.99.

    21. A critter pod, because tiny pets like their privacy sometimes too. This hideout allows your rat, hamster, or other mini animal to nest, burrow, or just hang out.

    a mouse inside the critter pod hanging in a cage

    22. A pack of matatabi chew sticks that your kitty will not only enjoy because they're fun and delicious, but they'll also help to improve their dental health. It's also a good catnip alternative.

    cat chewing on the stick

    23. A year-round paw protection cream to protect against the scorching concrete and simmering sandy beaches. Made with vitamin E and beeswax, the cream acts as a barrier or invisible boot for your pet's paws. Just apply a little to your pet's paw pads and in between their toes before heading out. 

    Promising review: "I live in Florida, where the pavement gets very hot in the summer. I started to notice my dog’s pads getting chapped and rough. Whenever I would touch them, he would recoil, which made me think they were bothering him. I ordered Mushers because I hate when my hands are dry, and I couldn’t stand to think my baby might be uncomfortable or even in pain! It was actually difficult to apply at first because my dog's paws were so rough. After the first application, I noticed a difference in the texture of his paws. Not just immediately after application, but the following day as well. When I went to apply the next day, I noticed it was significantly easier to apply because my dog’s paws were significantly softer. With every subsequent application, I noticed my dog’s paws were softer and less rough. After five days of application, they feel like a baby’s butt! Definitely recommend and will be repurchasing. This has become part of my pup’s routine." —Lexi Berger

    Get it from Amazon for $14.99.

    24. A collapsible dog bowl you can store in your bag easily and pop up when you reach your destination to keep your pet hydrated. If your weekend schedule includes lying out in the local park, this will make for a great addition to your pet's to-go bag. 

    The bowl
    Amazon

    Promising review: "I love this bowl!! It's lightweight. You could shove it in your pocket. It has a loop for hanging or attaching it. I've used it a few times on walks and around the house. My dog loves to drink from it. It holds more than her collapsible dog bowl. Today I leak-tested it. I filled it with cold water, so at first it did have some moisture under and around the bottom. After two hours, several dog slurps, and the water warming, there is no moisture, and the bottom is dry. Just noticed it was sitting in direct sunlight, so I temp-tested. The water inside is still very cool. This is a great buy!!" —baduffy

    Get it from Amazon for $5.58.

    25. A Wobble Wag Giggle ball with an internal noisemaker and six pockets to keep your pet entertained when you don't have the energy to play or need to keep them distracted so that you can get some work done. 

    Promising review: "Wow!! This hasn't been out of the box 10 minutes, and my little Shih-Poo is exhausted!! She loves squeaky toys, but she usually has the squeaker out in 5–10 minutes, and she gets upset because they don't make noise anymore. I was looking on Amazon for some dog toys, and I was watching the video about this ball, and she heard the noise and started barking and looking all over for it. That's when I knew I had to try it with her. Now she can get some exercise that I can not personally help her with (I'm disabled)." —hill 1000

    Get it from Amazon for $11.99.

    26. A portable shower attachment that'll attach to a water bottle and act as a shower, which will come in handy on days when your outdoor adventures take a somewhat messy turn. 

    The product
    Amazon

    Promising review: "We have three Aussies who find mud in drought. Worked great on any bottle we tried it with. A gallon milk jug is my favorite. Also terrific for muddy or overheated children!" —J. W. Ramsden

    Get it from Amazon for $10.95.

    27. A set of pet stairs ideal for puppies, small dogs, or cats to get up and down from high surfaces with ease. Reviewers suggest using treats to help the pets get the hang of going up and down.

    28. A bag of fluffy, shredded substrate so your snake can slither around, nesting and burrowing the same way they would out in the wild.

    The substrate, which is light-colored and fluffy

    29. A no-zip pet stroller to make it easier to chauffeur your high-maintenance pet around while you stroll through the local flea market. There's even an elevated paw rest, so your pup can get a nice view of the hometown happenings.

    a person walking their dog in the no zip pet stroller and the dog inside is a small dog

    30. A bottle of stain and odor remover to keep your carpets and couches looking and smelling fresh, even after potty accidents. The formula is gentle and chlorine-free, so it is safe to use around your pets and children and won't harm your furniture.

    the stain remover bottle and a carpet with a clean spot surrounded by a dirty area to show how effective the remover is

    31. A small turtle tank, because it's practically a studio apartment for a baby turtle. It has everything your shelled friend would want — room to eat; a place to bask, explore, and swim. It's OK to be jealous that their place looks cooler than your apartment.

    32. An elevated dog bed with a canopy so your pupper can enjoy a good lounge during the family barbecue and not overheat outside. You can use it on your patio or use it indoors to give your pet another ~hangout~ where they can have some alone time.

    33. A roomy doggie travel bag, because pets need an everyday bag too. This backpack comes with two food carriers, a placemat, and two silicone collapsible bowls. It's large enough to store all of your little rascal's essentials with room to spare for a few of yours too.

    a diagram that shows the features of the dog backpack

    34. A doggie doorbell to help your pet communicate when it's time for them to go potty. Instead of scratching or barking at the door, they can ring the doorbell to let you know they gotta go.

    Dog using its nose to push a yellow disc on the doorbell

    35. A pants-shaped catnip tunnel toy so your cat can have fun crinkling, exploring, and hiding away when they get tired of people. With actual pockets and catnip sewn into the linings, there's definitely a ~party in these pants~.

    Reviewer photo of their cat lying in the leg of pants

    36. A brain teaser toy for rabbits, chinchillas, guinea pigs, and other small pets to keep their brain stimulated, which keeps your pet healthy and alert. When they figure out the brain teaser, they get rewarded with a treat.

    Reviewer photo of a chinchilla moving cups to find treats hidden underneath

    37. A Pet House candle, because even though you have a pet, you don't want people to know you have one by the smell of your place. (Why did no one tell you owning a pet would be so...stinky?) These candles are designed specifically to get rid of that odor and burn for up to 60 hours. 

    My colleague swears by these; read her Pet House candle review to learn more.

    Promising review: "I used to be a candle addict before my son was diagnosed with asthma. Since then I only buy candles made with 100% soy wax. We adopted our first family dog a few weeks ago, and even though we keep her clean, the smell in the house has changed. I LOVE this candle. I love that my son hasn’t had a flare with his asthma from the candle. I love that my house doesn’t smell like dog, even the day after I’ve used it. I’m planning to buy A LOT more scents from this brand." —Megan

    Get it from Amazon for $21.99 (available in single, double, or value packs and a variety of scents).

    38. A special shelf just begging to be added to your wall decor. This shelf is aesthetically pleasing for both you and your pet, and it gives kitty a place to go when they want to hang out, but just not with you.

    Cat sitting on Vista perch shelf

    Your pets when you tell them they've got goodies coming: