Product Picks
We all want what is best for our pups, but after scrolling through a million search results, it's easy to lose track of what we were looking for in the first place. The products we share here are ones we've actually used and loved. Do we have a scientific testing process? Nope. But our dogs absolutely test the limits of every product we buy.
We'd love to hear about the products you and your fur babies can't live without. Drop us a note or hit us up on social media to let us know what we should be trying out!
None of these recommendations are sponsored, but for some, we may make a small commission if you purchase through our link. The prices listed below are accurate as of July 15, 2025, but have probably changed since.
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Outdoor Adventures
Get outside with your pup and touch (or sniff?) grass! We love exploring the world with our dogs, and these great products make it more fun.
For your escape artist
After Pepper chewed her ID tags off her collar (twice...), I went looking for an alternative to dangling, clanging tags. DOG iD's collars and leashes are rugged, colorful, and guaranteed for life. The metal ID plates on the collar are super secure, allowing plenty of room for phone numbers, addresses, and even a few words about your pup.
Available at DOG iD for $90.00.
Get out on the water
An amazing kayak! This is easily portable, inflates in minutes, and features drop-stitch construction, resulting in a rigid kayak with great speed and tracking. All that, AND it has a flat bottom and side walls for your and your dog's comfort. Luke and Scout (2 50-pound dogs) easily fit in the single kayak with me for many happy paddles.
Available at Amazon for $999.00.
For safety while traveling
Our pups are truly chaos agents, which means we need a safe and secure place for the dogs to hang out when we're traveling. This crate is durable, lightweight, and easy to pack for car trips. As a soft-sided crate, it is not impervious to chewing, but it has managed to survive Pepper's antics and emerge unscathed.
Available at Amazon for $42.88-118.99 (varies by size).
For even your strongest pullers
It might take a little training to get your dog used to this collar, but it's a game-changer for strong pullers. It attaches at the head, interrupting their pulling instincts and giving you way more control. Walking my wild-child Pepper is now a breeze! But fair warning: some people may mistake this for a muzzle and give you the side eye.
Available at Amazon for $16.99-19.99 (varies by size).
No pup left behind!
Jack was always a lap dog, but he also never wanted to be left behind. As he got older, our hikes became too much for him. In my search for a dog backpack, the Maxine One was the only one that looked remotely safe. It proved to be sturdy and easy to clean, and it kept our whole pack together no matter how far we roamed.
Available at Amazon for $110.
Stay safe on the water
Kayaking with my dogs is one of my favorite activities, but I'm embarrassed to admit how many times one or all of us has gone overboard. These life vests have turned those "oh, $@*!" moments into funny stories. They are easy to use, comfortable, and have convenient handles on the top to haul your pup back into the boat.
Available at Amazon for $20.51-29.54 (varies by size).
For better leash manners
This front-clip harness makes it easier to walk pull-happy pups, and it’s a game-changer for escape artists, too. Scout loses her mind over every squirrel (so… 100 times a walk), but despite her pretzel moves, she hasn’t slipped out once! This harness is also durable; mine is still in perfect condition after 12+ years of constant use.
Available at Amazon for $22.95.
Dog-Friendly Home
We can't imagine life without our dogs, but it would be nice if one glance (or sniff?) at our home didn't reveal that our pack rules the roost. We've found these products help make our home equally dog- and human-friendly.
You CAN have nice things
Whenever I buy furniture or décor, I usually have to consider the chances that the dogs will destroy it. I've had to throw out more than one rug in my day because of dog messes. Enter Ruggable: they offer washable rugs in every conceivable color and pattern that let dog owners enjoy cozy, stylish, and CLEAN rugs in every room.
Available at Ruggable (price varies by style & size).
Eradicate dog debris
I will always love a Dyson, but sometimes we want to shake it up a bit. This Teneco, with two interchangeable batteries, allows me to deep clean the whole house without stopping for a charge. This vac is very powerful (sometimes too powerful on low-pile rugs) and grabs all the hair and dirt my pups can leave behind.
Available at Amazon for $479.00.
Relax outside with your pup
When I was sprucing up the furniture on our back patio, I realized that I had provided many comfy places for humans to sit and forgotten about the dogs. For our pups with old, arthritic joints, that just didn't seem fair. The Coolaroo bed was a very affordable option, and it's held up well to multiple hot summers, wet springs, and erratic winters.
Available at Amazon for $18.52-34.55 (varies by size).
Like it never happened
Wouldn't it be nice if our dogs never got sick or had accidents? But that's not the reality with dogs. This portable carpet cleaner is the perfect tool to salvage your rug or couch from pet messes (...or human messes, not that I would know anything about that!). I shudder to think what my rugs would look like without my Bissell.
Available at Amazon for $159.99.
A bed that will last their lifetime
These Orvis beds are an investment, but they are made to last, providing your dog a lifetime of comfort and support. I first bought one of these beds 16 years ago when I adopted Luke, and that bed is still in use (with a new cover) in my living room. I bought a second bed for Scout 13 years ago, and she still sleeps in it every night.
Available from Orvis for $269-389 (price varies by size).
When the bed is out of reach
Whether it's due to their age or stature, every dog eventually needs a boost up to reach the coziest spot in your house. I'll admit that I bought these steps for Luke, who refused to use them. But Jack and Scout both used them in subsequent years. These steps are lightweight, affordable, and come with a machine-washable cover.
Available at Amazon for $29.99-69.99 (varies by size)
Feeding Fun
Some dogs will eat anything, anytime. Some dogs make their humans work for every bite they deign to eat. And some dogs have so much energy that we have to try to tire them out at every possible opportunity, including meals. We've had at least one of each type of dog over the years, and have amassed a tried-and-true set of tools to help make meal time a breeze.
Stretch out dinnertime
With a large chamber for food, this is a fun time for a long time. Your dog will be locked in as this toy, with its weighted bottom, bobs and scoots around the floor, dispensing a measly few pieces of kibble at a time. Pepper was so impatient, she started trying to chew the top off, so this one is best used under supervision.
Available at Amazon for $16.99-32.09 (varies by size).
Sip in style
You know you have a fancy water bottle (or ten). Why can't your dogs have one, too? These insulated, stainless steel bowls look great and may even keep your dog's water cooler longer. They clean up easily, with a non-skid base. With many colors and sizes to choose from, it is easy to find one to match your style.
Available at Amazon for $13.99-99.99 (varies by size).
A fun slow feeder
This combo toy/slow feeder/puzzle works great to slow Pepper down during meal times. It takes her two whole minutes to finish a meal, rather than 20 seconds! With three layers, it easily fits an entire meal. And it works great for pups who eat in their crates, since the puzzle doesn't need to be tossed or rolled around to access the food.
Available at Amazon for $12.96.
A favorite way to eat a snack
My dogs go nuts every time they see a Stuff-A-Ball chew toy because they know they're going to get something yummy. These Kongs are great for stuffing with your dog's favorites, and you can freeze them to make the treat last even longer. And if that's not enough, the ridges on the outside help to clean their teeth!
Available at Amazon for $8.99-10.99 (varies by size).
Turn meal time into play time
Watching Pepper toss this bouncy treat dispenser around the kitchen to get the last piece of kibble out is quite entertaining for me. This toy is easy for pet parents to fill up and makes meal time exciting. The only downside is that food scatters, which can (and did, for my crazy girls) cause resource guarding issues.
Available at Amazon for $11.99.
Keep your floor dry
No matter how fancy the water bowl, my dogs will manage to splash water all over the floor while drinking. This cute silicone mat (just look at the little paw print in the corner!) will help contain the flood and make clean up easy. Choose one of the many colors to coordinate with your bowl and decor.
Available at Amazon for $13.99-24.99 (varies by size).
Spin and slide for your dinner
Pepper is good at figuring out her puzzles, but this one still takes her a while to solve...and we both love the extra time she's engaged with her meal. And, despite her best efforts, she has not managed to break this puzzle yet! The only downside is that the kibble compartments are fairly small, so it may not fit an entire meal for a larger dog.
Available at Amazon for $13.99.
Non-Stop Pup Party
Dogs are basically money pits. As puppies, they need an endless supply of toys to distract them from chewing our shoes. As they grow, they ignore the very toys they once obsessed over, but we keep buying more because we're suckers for a tail wag. Here are some of our favorites.
For your destructive pups
If your dog is on a perpetual search and destroy mission, these chew toys may provide a temporary distraction. Pepper will always prefer to chew on one of her human's belongings - the more expensive the better - but these chew toys are an acceptable second choice. Just remember to supervise your dog with these!
Available at Amazon for $28.66.
If you want a laugh
Our trainer recommended this to help exercise our Pepper. This egg-shaped toy is designed to move erratically, keeping your dog entertained and on the move as they chase it around. Our pup eventually figured out how to catch the egg and carry it around the yard, which is fun for her and always makes us laugh.
Available at Amazon for $21.49.
A toy that lasts
Tuffy claims to make the world's "tuffest soft dog toy," and I think they might be right. I first bought this ring for Luke over 16 years ago, and it has survived through three puppies. Today, when Pepper's not asking me to throw this around the house for her to chase, she's trying her level best to destroy it, to no avail.
Available at Amazon for $26.05-30.98 per 2-pack.
Durable fetch fun
Pepper is not a frisbee dog, but she occasionally pretends to be one. She loves this toy, whether she's chasing it, proudly running around the yard with it clamped in her jaw, playing tug-of-war with it, or using it as a chew toy. I love this toy because, despite being left outside 24/7 in extreme weather for 9 months, it's still going strong.
Available at Amazon for $11.35-13.95 (varies by size).
A great distraction
Not sure about your dog, but Pepper gets bored fast with her chew toys. Rotating through this Benebone 4-pack keeps her interested...and away from my shoes. She's a serious chewer, so variety is the key to peace in our household. Remember to supervise your dog and inspect the toys regularly for damage!
Available at Amazon for $24.95-39.95 (varies by size).
Tough toys for chewers
There is no such thing as an indestructible dog toy. Puppies will always find a way. But these toys from Kong will give your pup a run for her money! Pepper has spent 9 months trying to destroy her fox and elephant Floppy Knots, and has yet to succeed. Better yet, these toys are stuffing-free, for a safer, less messy play time.
Available at Amazon for $13.99-15.74 (varies by toy).
Great for fetch and tug
This Kong Wubba is like three toys in one. The balls on one end make it it satisfyingly easy to throw around for a game of fetch. The trailing ribbons are tough and make for a great session of tug-of-war. And when you're not available to play, your pup can stay busy chewing on the rope ball. Durable, fun, and a total hit.
Available at Amazon for $10.99-16.99 (varies by size).
For your retriever...or not
Even without a DNA test, I knew that Pepper was not a retriever. Despite my best efforts, she's more likely to play keep-away with a ball than bring it back to me. But this ball thrower still comes in handy for waving dramatically as I chase Pepper around the yard (and occasionally picking up a slobbery ball without getting my hands gross).
Available at Amazon for $10.99.
Healthy & Happy Pups
We have no medical expertise, and we strongly urge you to consult your vet about your dog's specific health concerns before beginning any supplement or medication. That said, after years of trial and error, we have found some over-the-counter products that address wide-spread health concerns amongst dog owners, and want to share them with you.
What kind of dog ARE you???
No lie: EVERY time I took Pepper out in public as a puppy, someone would ask what breed she was. Sick of having no answer, I turned to Embark for help. Now I know! Pepper is a mix of five different breeds (if "supermutt" counts as a breed). Plus, Embark gives great health insights to talk over with your vet as you plan for your dog's care.
Available at Amazon for $118.00.
A health boost
There are several great fish oil supplements out there. I like this one in particular because it's from a reputable brand with third-party testing, uses minimal plastic (glass bottle, molded fiber and cardboard packaging), and allows me to customize the dose for each pet. By some magic, this oil has almost NO fishy smell, which is a major plus.
Available at Amazon for $39.91.
For better dog breath
I know, I know. I should brush my pups' teeth every day. But I just don't. So, I use a few other products to fill the gap. This water additive is accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (which my vet told me to look for) and is pretty cost-effective. I use other products for removing and preventing tartar, but this keeps dog breath at bay.
Available at Amazon for $22.99.
For cleaner teeth...part 2
These dental chews are a big hit in our house. Paired with the PlaqueOff Powder, these bones use sustainably harvested organic kelp as the active ingredient to reduce and prevent tartar. If you have pups of all sizes in your family, you can easily tear the larger bones in half for the small ones. We've achieved visible results with this system.
Available at Amazon for $18.49.
Ditch the cone of shame
After Scout's surgery, it was hilarious to watch her clumsy attempts to navigate the world wearing a cone around her neck...at first. This recovery suit was a lifesaver. It kept her incision site safe while still allowing her to move freely. Just learn from my experience, and don't forget to take it off before potty breaks!
Available at Amazon for $34.99.
For softer snuggles
I used to think the idea of conditioning a dog was ridiculous. Then, I tried it. Not only did conditioner soften my pup's hair, but it made brushing and de-shedding a breeze. This plastic-free, natural option from Ethique has the added bonus of being easy on the environment while also being easy on you and your pup.
Available at Amazon for $13.98.
For your anxious pup
Your mileage may vary, but this daily supplement has helped our Scout to maintain a tiny bit of her dignity during storms and fireworks. We're talking a 5/10 on the shiver-meter rather than a 9/10. We still use the vet-prescribed anti-anxiety meds for the really terrifying things (like vet visits), but this helps for the everyday scary stuff.
Available at Amazon for $33.99 for a 30-day supply.
For healthy joints
My vet recommended this brand many years ago to help with Luke's joint health. I've since given it to every dog I've had. Though I know some people have trouble getting their pups to eat them, my dogs seem to think they are treats. Personally, this supplement is well-worth the cost if it helps with quality of life as our dogs age.
Available at Amazon for $36.98 for 132 tablets.
For cleaner teeth...part 1
I am not great at remembering to brush my dogs' teeth. But I never forget to add this powder (made of organic, sustainably harvested kelp, of all things) to my dogs' meals. The powder helps to soften the plaque on their teeth, then the dental chews help whisk it away. Don't let the price freak you out; the jar lasts a really long time.
Available at Amazon for $27.99 - $99.00.
Help for your senior or injured pup
My Luke always hated stairs, but as he got older, stairs became impossible. He was way too big to carry in my arms, but this sling, featuring adjustable straps to fit both me and my dog, provided the perfect solution. Carrying a 50-pound dog will never be easy, but this sling at least made it safe and comfortable for all involved.
Available at Amazon for $38.98-45.99 (varies by size).
A plastic-free path to a clean pup
There are many great dog shampoos out there, but sometimes it seems like I'm going through a whole bottle each wash day. If you're looking to reduce the single-use plastic in your life, try this instead! It's effective, easy-to-use, made from natural ingredients, great-smelling, and each small bar lasts for multiple washes.
Available at Amazon for $12.99.