If you want to see real-life angels on earth, look no further than those who open their homes to foster furry friends. Yet, only eight percent of households do it, according to the American Pet Products Association. Fostering has a ton of positive benefits for both humans and animals, from helping adopters see the best in a potential pet to simply bringing a little more joy inside your four walls.
The products below are foster favorites in every conceivable pet category — from toys and treats to slickers and scoopers (you know what you’re scooping). Sure, you could go walk the aisles at PetSmart and make a wild guess about what’s good and what isn’t. Orrrr, you could read through this list, snag some tried-and-true options and have them at your doorstep in two days. (Prime is for the pets, too.) I know what I’m doing — no barks or purrs about it.
Here’s The Scoop
Poop happens; a book titled “Everybody Poops” from 1977 told us so. This pooper scooper is great for cleaning up waste from all sizes of dogs in all types of spaces from grass to dirt to gravel. This comes with a rake, spade and tray to make quick work of things without needing to stretch, kneel or bend down.
A Tall Drink Of Water
I’ve seen plenty to-go water bottles for pups over the years but this is the first time I’ve seen a portable water bottle that also has a built-in food container. (I mean, who doesn’t like snacks on the road?) This comes in 10- and 19-ounce sizes and multiple colors for the fashionable Fido or feline. It has a built-in filter and a handy sling rope to carry it by.
Wipe Out
Pets get into everything, don’t they? (That’s probably why the pup above is looking guilty.) These thick, plant-based grooming wipes can be used on the paws, body and bum to eliminate eye boogers, dirt and, ahem, other things. Gentle and cruelty-free, you can feel good about this purchase, which helps support animal shelters, rescue and non-profit organizations.
Raise Your (Stained) Glass
Losing a pet is one of the hardest things you’ll ever go through. Memorializing them might take some time but this stained glass suncatcher is a lovely tribute option. Available in three colors, each piece is actual glass, not wood, acrylic or painted, and finished with copper foil and soldered. Whether you’re honoring your own pet or looking for a gift for a fellow pet lover, you can’t go wrong here.
Save Me A Seat
Is your dog a slobber monster? If so, you need one of these front seat pet covers that shield your investment from scratches, dirt, liquids and more. These covers are designed to universally fit every car, truck or SUV’s front seats with side flaps for maximum protection. These install in as little as 60 seconds and can be wiped clean with a cloth or vacuumed for a quick refresh.
Smile, You’re On Camera
I’ve always wondered what pets do when we leave our homes. Thankfully, technology has evolved to the point we no longer have to wonder. This pet cam has 360-degree pan/tilt, two-way audio, night vision, a motion tracking alarm and 24/7 recording capabilities. The best part is that it costs less than $50 and is compatible with an app on your smartphone.
Stick Together
Rawhide is bad for dogs but these single-ingredient collagen treats are a worthwhile alternative. Made from tasty beef collagen, these dental treats not only taste great (so they say) but they’re nutrient-dense and help keep man’s BFF’s teeth clean. Collagen is a great food for humans and pets, known to promote moisture retention, muscle regeneration and flexibility and mobility.
Precious Cargo
Prefer to keep your furry friends in the backseat? This generously-sized dog hammock with side flaps protects your rear seats as well as your car doors but can also be used as a cargo liner. Completely waterproof and wear-proof, it has a whopping four layers of fabric to keep mud, liquid, hair and other messes on top and not seeping into your seats.
Don’t Be A Bully
I don’t want to get all the way into it but bully sticks come from a pretty, um, unusual place and dogs seem to love them. (Seriously, Google it. It’s kind of gross.) These rawhide bully slices are drenched in bully stick gravy and packed with flavors but no weird chemicals or preservatives. These treats are easily digestible and will keep your pup occupied for a while.
Can You Ear Me?
Just like humans, dogs have ears (duh) that need to be taken care of. These dog ear cleaner wipes put a stop to ear itching and infections with soothing ingredients like aloe and eucalyptus. This pack of 100 does everything from reducing foul ear odor to reducing wax build-up to removing debris in and around the ear. Nearly 50,000 reviews can’t be wrong.
Brush With Greatness
I already know you came to this list with one thing in mind: Stopping your ever-shedding dog from depositing its fur all over your furniture. This self-cleaning slicker brush is billed as the “ultimate dog brush” for shedding hair and fur, whether you have a dog, cat, rabbit or something else. Cleaning is as simple as a push of a button.
Have A Ball
Do dogs ever get tired? I’ve seen some who will literally chase a ball a thousand times in a row, with no regard for your time or physical well-being. This interactive ball toy takes you out of the equation with two modes of play: irregular running and crazy bouncing. Rechargeable, this toy works for up to four hours continuously so you can get other stuff done.
Get To Grooming
When one brush won’t do, a double-sided de-matting tool is your next go-to. The nine-teeth side is used for smooth de-matting while the 17-teeth side is great for quick coat thinning and de-shedding. Both feature rounded teeth that protect your pet’s skin. You’ll appreciate the easy-grip handle and you’ll even get a free “paw tag” for your pet’s collar.
Out Of Print
Is there anything cuter than a little paw print? This keepsake paw print maker lets you capture your furry friends’ paw prints for a variety of arts and crafts. You’ll get a clean-touch pet ink pad and two sizes of imprint cards. It’s the perfect keepsake gift for new members of your household, remembrance projects and more. And, it’ll only set you back $6.
Snack Time
Put your pup in the best possible position with dental treats made from free-range and grass-fed cattle. These collagen sticks have glucosamine and chondroitin for a tummy-friendly treat that’s also great for improved motion and flexibility, a problem many dogs experience as they age. They’re also great for removing tartar and plaque build-up on teeth, a great supplement to occasional brushing.
Out Of The Gate
Gates have two purposes — keeping things in and keeping things out. This top-of-stairs quick-release gate can do both, keeping pets (and kids) out of areas where you don’t want them and in the areas where you do. This secures firmly to your wall with the included mounting hardware and can be easily opened with one-handed operation of the lever.
Fit Like A Glove
Some pets don’t like the feel of a brush but most pets love to be petted — except cats. These pet grooming gloves offer gentle de-shedding for both short- and long-hair cats, dogs and horses that mimic the action of petting. The size of these gloves ensures a large coverage area in a shorter amount of time. Plus? No more fur on your sofa.
Bed And Board
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Cats are divas. Sorry, I can’t take credit for that; it’s just science. This is the cat bed to end all cat beds with a lookout window and a heated interior. The zip-together design also ensures they have all the privacy they want while snoozing. My only question: Why aren’t they making these in human sizes? I’ll take two.
Clean As A Whistle
Pet stains are among the worst you can have in your house. They’re practically impossible to clean up and seem to always pop back up. Angry Orange has developed a stain remover spray that has a pleasing citrus scent that destroys “gifts” and smells and can be used on all types of surfaces. Pet urine, feces and vomit are no match for this enzyme cleaner.
A Breath Of Fresh Air
No matter how OCD you are about cleaning, there are just some things you can’t do. This quiet air purifier works in the background to remove 99 percent of dust, smoke, odors, pollen and pet hair in a matter of minutes. This unit has an auto mode, is whisper-quiet and has a long-lasting filter that should take you through nearly a year’s worth of usage.
Like A Kid With New Toys
Finding just the right toys that your dog will play with for longer than 32 seconds can be a challenge. Why not just buy this 20-pack of toys (for roughly $1 apiece) and cut your losses? This set is packed with chew toys, rope toys, treat balls and — my personal favorite — squeaky toys. It’s a great set for puppies and small dogs, in particular.
Stop Allergy Attacks
By some estimates, pet allergies impact up to 20 percent of the world’s population … and that’s a lot. Eliminate your sneezing and itchy, watery eyes with Allerpet, a pet dander remover that binds to and removes those proteins to reduce or even eliminate allergy symptoms. You don’t have to worry about your pet’s safety with this product; it’s safe, non-irritating and non-toxic.
Treat Yo’ Self
Who wouldn’t love treats on demand? I know I would. This automatic pet feeder can be either a food feeder or a treat getter, but it’s also a great interactive dog toy thanks to the handy remote control. You can use this indoors or out, and it’s equipped with a stimulating sound each time your pup presses the button. Fido feeding himself? Now, I call that a win.
Bye-Bye, Odors
This looks like some high-tech swat team product and I suppose it is … if you’re serious about eliminating odors from your floors, clothing and home decor. This odor eliminator kit comes with an orange-scented spray and a “stain sniper” UV light that locates smells and destroys them on sight. No judgment from me if you go hunting through your house like you’re Samuel L. Jackson in “S.W.A.T.”
Launch Pad
I found your new favorite backyard toy … and I think your dog will love it, too. This ball launcher is an interactive fetch machine that launches tennis balls at a distance of up to 30 feet. Technically for use indoors or out, the distance can be adjusted based on the size of your dog, who can learn to use this all buy themselves.
Fountain Of Youth
They can feed themselves and throw their own balls … is this turning into a new Miley Cyrus song? Now, they can “water} themselves, too, with this ultra-large capacity pet fountain. There’s no basic tap water drinking going on here; this has dual filters for its nearly two-gallon capacity. Multiple pets? No problem. This unit is large enough for everyone to get a drink at the same time.
It’s In The Bag
Poop bags are a way of life if you have dogs but you don’t have to settle for the thin, cheap version at the dollar store. These bags are leakproof and extra-thick and even have a pleasing lavender scent to mask, well, you know. (There’s also an unscented option.) This purchase includes 270 bags, which should last you a decent amount of time.
All Eyes On Me
I always feel sorry for a dog when I see they have red, runny eyes or even eye boogers. This antiseptic eye wash removes mucus build-up and eliminates irritated eyes with an easy and mild formula. Remove foreign particles they pick up from their various outdoor (and indoor) adventures like pollen, dust and dirt. Chronic irritation, crusty eyes and infections, be gone!
Hot Under The Collar
Dog collars are a dime a dozen. They are metal ones, decorative ones and even nylon ones like this reflective version that have generated more than 40,000 positive reviews on Amazon. And, why not? The large is less than $9, with four other sizes to choose from, and there are enough colors to swap it out every day for nearly two weeks.
All Pooped Out
I apologize for all the poop talk in this list but hey, we’re talking about pets, right? Poop happens … sometimes too much. This anti-diarrhea liquid relieves symptoms of loose stool and gas, saving you cleaning time and, ultimately, your sanity. Administer this veterinarian-grade supplement every 12 hours directly or in their food to soothe their angry bellies and relieve their symptoms.
Get Your Glow On
If you walk your pup a lot in low-light situations like pre-dawn strolls or after-dark walks, you need this safety LED dog collar. USB rechargeable with two high-visibility glow strips, this collar will not only keep your pet safe but you as well. Choose from three light modes and two bright colors — neon orange and lime green. Each of the three sizes is less than $18.
All Well And Good
You take probiotics so why wouldn’t you give that same good stuff to your pet? These pre+probiotic supplements are chicken-flavored and can be added right to their food. But, the real positive here is all the great benefits: better production of natural antibodies, a stronger immune system, fewer urinary tract infections, less itching and even better breath. Man, with all of those benefits, I might start taking these myself.
Tag, You’re It
Pet microchipping has been around for a long time but not everybody wants to do something slightly invasive to their pet. This AirTag cat collar is a similar option for a lot less time and money (just $8!). Add an AirTag to this breakaway, reflective collar that comes in eight different collars and you’ll be able to track your pet right from your phone.
Train Of Thought
There aren’t many things in life that’ll test your patience more than trying to train a new puppy. This training starter kit is a good place to begin with a clicker, treat pouch, housetraining doorbells and ultrasonic whistle, all designed to help them learn basic commands, bark control and potty training. It’s a real sanity saver for just about $7.
The Cone Of Shame
I only just stopped laughing at this photo after seeing it for the first time a few days ago. This adjustable cat collar is a softer option than the traditional “cone of shame” that many pets are required to wear during a recovery period. Choose from an orange, strawberry, pineapple or watermelon; the design allows them to have an unobstructed line of sight and easy eating capabilities while they’re recuperating from their procedure.
The Inside Scoop
Perhaps you don’t need the world’s largest pooper scooper, especially if you don’t have a very large pet. This metal cat litter scoop has a deep shovel design perfect for sweeping a litter box clear of the little presents your feline friends leave behind. It has a rubber handle for comfort and great sifting capabilities so you aren’t tossing out perfectly good litter.
Calm Down
Listen, I have to wrap this list up because I’m getting jealous of some of these dog finds. That sentiment applies to this to this faux fur calming dog bed that looks like the perfect spot to snuggle. Choose from four sizes and 10 different colors. The real star of this bed is the raised edges, which help soothe a pet’s anxiety and helps them sleep more deeply.