All buying guides
Every guide we've published, grouped by category. Each one compares picks on the things that actually predict whether the product works, and says what each pick is not good for.
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Gift Guides & Deals
Furbo 360° vs Petcube Bites 2 Lite: Which Pet Camera Should You Buy?
Furbo 360° or Petcube Bites 2 Lite? View angle, treat tossing, night vision, subscriptions, and which pet camera suits dogs vs cats.
3 min read · Updated November 10, 2026
Black Friday & Cyber Monday Pet Deals 2026: What's Worth Buying
Our Black Friday 2026 pet watch list: 18 picks worth buying on sale, which deals to skip, and how to check an Amazon discount is real.
8 min read · Updated November 9, 2026
Best Gifts for Cats: 13 Christmas Ideas They'll Actually Use
Christmas gifts cats actually use: catnip toys, wand toys, a heated bed, a window perch and bigger gifts for cat lovers. 13 ideas.
7 min read · Updated November 1, 2026
Best Gifts for Dogs: 14 Christmas Ideas They'll Actually Use
Christmas gifts dogs actually use: stocking stuffers, puzzle toys, a treat-tossing camera and bigger upgrades for dog lovers. 14 ideas.
8 min read · Updated November 1, 2026Puppy Essentials
Australian Shepherd Gear Guide: The Grooming Kit, Toys, Harness, Crate and Bed an Aussie Actually Needs
What an Australian Shepherd needs: a grooming kit for a heavy double coat, fetch and puzzle toys, a front-clip harness, crate size and a solid-foam bed.
6 min read · Updated November 12, 2026
Large Breed Dog Gear: What Big Dogs Actually Need, With Breed-by-Breed Guides
What big dogs need, sized right: crate size by weight, bed foam thickness, harnesses, bloat-aware bowls and tough toys, plus 7 breed-by-breed guides.
4 min read · Updated November 12, 2026
Rottweiler Gear Guide: The Crate, Harness, Chew Toys, Bed and Bowl a Rottweiler Actually Needs
What a Rottweiler needs: a 42–48 inch crate, a harness for a powerful dog, chew toys for strong jaws, a thick orthopedic bed and a slow-feed bowl.
7 min read · Updated November 12, 2026
Siberian Husky Gear Guide: The Crate, Harness, Grooming Kit, Bed and Toys a Husky Actually Needs
What a Siberian Husky needs: a crate an escape artist can't beat, a front-clip harness, a coat-blow grooming kit, a cool firm bed and puzzle toys.
7 min read · Updated November 12, 2026
Bernese Mountain Dog Gear Guide: The Crate, Bed, Harness, Grooming Kit and Bowl a Berner Actually Needs
What a Bernese Mountain Dog needs: a 48-inch crate, a thick orthopedic bed, a harness for a strong puller, a heavy-coat grooming kit and a slow-feed bowl.
8 min read · Updated November 11, 2026
Best Crate for a German Shepherd Puppy (2026): What Size + 6 Picks
What size crate a German Shepherd puppy needs (42 or 48 in), why to use a divider, and 6 crates compared for a fast-growing pup.
6 min read · Updated November 10, 2026
German Shepherd Gear Guide: The Crate, Bed, Harness and Tools a GSD Actually Needs
Everything a German Shepherd owner needs in one place: crate size, a supportive bed, a no-pull harness, shedding tools and tough toys.
5 min read · Updated November 10, 2026
Golden Retriever Gear Guide: The Crate, Bed, Harness, Grooming Kit and Toys a Golden Actually Needs
Everything a Golden Retriever owner needs in one place: crate size, a supportive bed, a no-pull harness, the grooming kit for a feathered coat, and toys.
6 min read · Updated November 10, 2026
Labrador Retriever Gear Guide: The Crate, Bed, Harness, Bowl and Toys a Lab Actually Needs
Everything a Labrador owner needs in one place: crate size, a supportive bed, a no-pull harness, a slow-feeder bowl, shedding tools and fetch toys.
6 min read · Updated November 10, 2026
New Puppy Checklist (2026): 20 Essentials to Buy Before Day One
Everything to buy before bringing a puppy home, and what can wait: crate, bed, cleaning, toys, training and grooming. Free printable.
11 min read · Updated November 10, 2026Harnesses & Leashes
Best Harness for German Shepherds That Pull (2026): 5 Picks + Fit Guide
No-pull harnesses that fit a German Shepherd's deep chest, sizing for fast-growing puppies, and 5 picks compared.
6 min read · Updated November 3, 2026
Best Dog Harnesses for Small Breeds
No-pull, escape-resistant harnesses for small dogs: sizing for tiny chests, step-in vs overhead styles, and 7 picks compared.
9 min read · Updated August 29, 2026 Best No-Pull Harnesses for Large Dogs
Front-clip and dual-clip no-pull harnesses for big dogs compared: fit, control and durability. 7 picks, from budget to premium.
10 min read · Updated August 29, 2026Beds & Crate Pads
Best Orthopedic Dog Beds for Large & Senior Dogs
The best orthopedic dog beds for large and big dogs (50–150 lb) and seniors: foam thickness by weight, memory foam vs. fill, bolsters and washability.
9 min read · Updated November 11, 2026
Best Dog Beds for German Shepherds (2026): 7 Supportive Picks + Size Guide
Supportive beds for German Shepherds: orthopedic foam that holds a heavy dog, the right size, and 7 picks from budget to premium.
6 min read · Updated November 10, 2026
Best Waterproof Dog Beds: For Accidents, Wet Dogs and Senior Dogs
Waterproof dog beds for wet dogs, seniors and accidents: the difference between a waterproof liner, a waterproof cover and water-resistant, plus 5 picks.
5 min read · Updated November 10, 2026Carriers & Travel
Airline-Approved Pet Carriers That Fit Under the Seat
The best in-cabin pet carriers for flying: real under-seat sizes, airline rules, soft vs. hard-sided (which fits under the seat) and 7 picks compared.
9 min read · Updated November 10, 2026
Best Dog Car Seat Covers (2026): 5 Waterproof Hammocks & Covers Compared
Waterproof dog car seat covers and hammocks compared: fit, scratch resistance and seatbelt access. 5 picks, plus what keeps dogs safe.
5 min read · Updated November 10, 2026
Dog Crate Size Guide (2026): How to Measure + 5 Best Crates by Type
How to measure your dog for a crate, a size chart by weight and breed (18 to 54 in), and the best crate for each type of dog.
5 min read · Updated November 1, 2026Toys & Enrichment
Indestructible Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers (2026): 7 That Actually Last
Tough dog toys matched to chewing style (crusher, gnawer, shredder), why none are truly indestructible, and 7 picks that last.
6 min read · Updated November 10, 2026 KONG Classic (Red) vs KONG Extreme (Black): Which One Does Your Dog Need?
Red KONG Classic or black KONG Extreme? The difference in rubber, which chewers need the Extreme, how to pick the size, and how to make either last longer.
3 min read · Updated November 10, 2026Feeders & Fountains
Automatic Pet Feeders: Buying Guide
Automatic pet feeders compared: stainless steel vs ceramic bowls, rust and scratch resistance, dishwasher-safe parts, battery backup and jams. 7 picks.
12 min read · Updated November 11, 2026
Best Cat Water Fountains
Quiet, easy-to-clean cat water fountains compared: stainless vs ceramic vs plastic, filter costs and pump noise. 7 picks.
8 min read · Updated November 10, 2026
Elevated Dog Bowls for Large Breeds: Are They Safe? (Bloat Research)
Are raised dog bowls safe for large breeds? What the bloat research says, when a vet may recommend one, and which bowls to buy.
6 min read · Updated November 4, 2026Grooming Tools
Best Deshedding Tools for Double-Coated Dogs
Undercoat rakes vs deshedding blades vs slicker brushes for double-coated dogs, how to avoid coat damage, and 7 picks compared.
8 min read · Updated November 10, 2026
Dog Nail Clippers vs. Grinders: Which to Buy
Nail clippers or a grinder for your dog? Pros and cons of each, how to avoid the quick, and 7 picks compared.
8 min read · Updated November 10, 2026 FURminator vs Undercoat Rake: Which Deshedding Tool Is Right for Your Dog?
FURminator or undercoat rake? How each works, which is safer for the coat, which removes more hair, and which double-coated dogs suit each one.
4 min read · Updated November 10, 2026 German Shepherd Shedding (2026): Best Brushes, Rakes + a Routine That Works
German Shepherd shedding, handled: the undercoat rake, slicker and deshedding tool a Shepherd needs, plus a coat-blow routine.
9 min read · Updated November 5, 2026
Free tools
- Dog Crate Size Calculator — enter length, height or weight and get the right crate size, plus crates in that size.
- Pet Gear Finder — 4 quick questions, then guides and picks that fit your dog or cat.
- Compare picks — put up to 3 products from our guides side by side.
- Printable puppy checklist (PDF) — one page, before day one to week two.
- Puppy Cost Calculator — one-time, yearly and first-year costs, starting from the ASPCA's estimates.
- Dog Bed Size Calculator — size by length, sleeping style and weight, with foam advice for seniors and large breeds.
What's next
We publish new guides regularly. Coming up: dog crates for large breeds, puzzle feeders and slow bowls, chew-proof toys, and heated beds. Check back or use search to find a topic.