PEOPLE Staffers' Pets Pick the New 'Must Have' Products That Made Them 'Happy' This Year

When it comes to what's best for pets, real-life cats and dogs know best. That's why we had the furry friends of PEOPLE staffers test dozens of new pet products to find out which ones are purrfect.

For 2024, PEOPLE's pets tested toys, treats, tech, and more, spending weeks gnawing, pawing, and napping on products to find the best for cats and dogs everywhere.

After weeks of testing, the literal animal experts picked their favorite products from 17 categories and the winners of PEOPLE's Pet Product Awards 2024.

Read on to find out which toy had cats "happy and energetic" and which treats caused dogs to act "out of control."

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(To see what testers chose last year, check out the winner's list from PEOPLE's Pet Product Awards 2023)

BEST LARGE PET BED

Ruggable Bolster Pet Bed

Fit for animals more than 50 lbs., this bed with a "clean look" won points for its soft machine-washable covers and attractive range of colors.

Buy it! $269, ruggable.com

BEST SMALL PET BED

Bedsure Pet Couch

Stylish and cozy, this bed — with a corduroy-fleece cover and foam filling — lured pets in for hours-long naps, and had pets fighting for a turn to sink into it.

Buy it! $40 and up, amazon.com

BEST AUTOMATIC PET FEEDER

Geeni PetConnect Feeder

Owners praised this feeder’s “easy setup process” and “flawless” functioning, which is controlled via a smartphone app.

Buy it! $90, petco.com

BEST PET CAMERA

Petcube 360 Wi-Fi Camera

This "unobtrusive” unit — with 8x zoom and two-way audio — delivered a “clear picture” at a great value.

Buy it! $53, chewy.com

BEST PET WATER FOUNTAIN

Petlibro Dockstream Smart Fountain

Convenient to refill and clean, the “whisper quiet” fountain removes fur and odors from its circulating water to provide a constant stream of fresh water for pets.

Buy it! $80, petlibro.com

BEST SLOW FEEDER

SuperFeedy 4-in-1 Slow Feeder

Pet parents noted that the elevated tray made it more accessible and comfortable for their dogs to slowly enjoy their meals —plus the pieces are all dishwasher-safe.

Buy it! $50, superfeedy.com

BEST JERKY DOG TREAT/MEAT STICK

West Paw Montana Beef Sticks

Made with humanely raised, grass-fed beef, the jerky was a "big hit" with our canine testers. "Obsessed" pups could smell and hear the package open from rooms away and came running for a taste.

Buy it! $30, westpaw.com

BEST MEAT-FREE DOG TREAT

WagWell Freeze-Dried Cheese Treats

Testers said these one-ingredient, “no-mess” snacks are a “must-have” for training and walks.

Buy it! $17, wagwellpet.com

BEST BISCUIT DOG TREAT

NUTRO Crunchy Treats with Real Apple

Even pet owners liked the “divine” apple smell of the nuggets, which pups "excitedly devoured."

Buy it! $7, chewy.com

BEST CRUNCHY CAT TREAT

BONKERS Purrpops

Made with freeze-dried chicken, the heart-shaped pops created "fun photo moments."

Buy it! $2 and up, petsmart.com

BEST PUREED CAT TREAT

Wellness Lickable Treats

Owners appreciated the “good ingredients,” while cats “loved” the flavors — like duck, chicken and tuna.

Buy it! $5, chewy.com

BEST GROOMING WIPES

Oh Norman Clean The Eff Up! Body Wipes

The large, unscented sheets get the dirty jobs done — from cleaning paws to a full bath. "It covers nose to tail," said a tester.

Buy it! $12, ohnorman.com

BEST DOG LEASH

Wild One 4-in-1 Rope Leash

The versatility and "sleek" look of this 4-in-1 leash got high marks from owners seeking “secure hands-free walks."

Buy it! $58, wildone.com

BEST DOG HARNESS

Ruffwear Hi & Light Harness

The reflective, lightweight material is ideal for travel and offered "peace of mind" on morning walks, said a tester.

Buy it! $40, ruffwear.com

BEST CAT TOY

ZippyClaws Birthday Party Pack

Even picky kitties engaged with the catnip plushies adorned with ribbons and bells. "My cats were crazy for them," said a staffer.

Buy it! $17 for 6, zippypaws.com

BEST DOG TOY

JW Wool-EE Ring

Made of "extremely durable" untreated wool, the ring proved ideal for countless rounds of tug-of-war, making it "a keeper," said one tester.

Buy it! $12, amazon.com

BEST DOG POOP BAGS AND DISPENSER

YOULY Waste Bag Dispenser

Dog owners called it the “perfect poop bag holder” because of its sturdy plastic clip and "no frills" but functional design.

Buy it! $5, petco.com

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