Human Interest Animals Pets 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 By Kelli Bender Kelli Bender Kelli Bender is the Pets Editor at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2013. Her work has previously appeared on MTV, The Frisky, Vice, and Best Friends Magazine. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on December 11, 2023 02:51PM EST 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 The 19 Best Dog Bowls of 2024, Tested by Real People and Their Dogs 11 of 17 WINNER: BEST LEASH 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. 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 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 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 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 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 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. Close