The best gifts for pets (and their parents)

Bringing your dog on a hike can be a fun and rewarding experience, but if you"re going to take them out into the great wide world, you should make sure they"re safe — particularly their paws. The Ruffwear Grip Trex boots keep puppy paws guarded on all types of terrain, making sure they"re well-protected against harmful debris and provide much-needed traction. 

Keep your pet mentally and physically active at the same time with the Pet Zone IQ ball. Designed as a toy and a problem-solving puzzle, your pet will learn how to get it to dispense treats as they continue to play with it. It"s compatible with most bite-sized treats, and encourages slower, healthier feeding habits. Best of all, it"s super simple to rinse and clean.

There"s nothing wrong with throwing your dog a birthday (or "gotcha day") party. If you know someone who feels a bit silly actually going through with it, though, this will give them a push. This Goody Box from Chewy includes six full-size products, including a festive bandana, a plush cupcake squeaky toy, cake-flavored treats, and more. (They make a similar box for kitties, too.)

A lot of pets view the bathtub as public enemy number one, which means bathing them can be a living nightmare. With the Bissell BarkBath, you can bathe your pet in any room of the house, or even while you"re traveling. The included hose cleans animals from the skin up and uses way less water than a bath (like, gallons less). Just beware of the vacuum-like noise it emits if you have an anxious pet. 

If you"re not drinking the tap water, your cat shouldn"t be either. With the Catit Flower Fountain, your feline friend will have continuous access to clean, filtered water. It even has three different flow settings for picky drinkers; plus, it just looks adorable.  

Tired of scooping cat poop ten times a day? This automatic litter box removes waste on its own, only needing to be emptied every few weeks. (When it"s full, just take the tray out, dump it, and put it back. Easy as pie.) It has great odor control — we know how bad cat pee can smell — and is well-protected against unwanted leaks.

Cat"s go absolutely nuts for teaser toys, so if you have a cat and don"t have one of these, you should change that. This teaser toy from Outward Hound has a strong nylon cord and comes with two attachments that rattle and squeak.

Help your loved one tote their little dog around in style and comfort. This Lands" End canvas bag has a firm, water-resistant base and an inside hook that attaches to the dog’s collar. Bonus: You can personalize the bag with their pet"s name for no additional cost. 

Pet parents with packed schedules will still be able to see what their furry friends are up to with the Petcube Bites 2 Lite, a smart pet camera with a treat dispenser. Its wide-angle 1080p HD lens features crisp night vision and 8x digital zoom for crystal-clear livestreams, and its built-in speaker comes with two-way audio for a quick "Who"s a good boy/girl?" throughout the day.

You"ll know where your pets are — and how they are — at all times with the Whistle GO Explore, a waterproof GPS tracker with a built-in night light and an impressive 20-day battery life. Attach it to your pet’s collar to monitor their location and health stats, then set and track fitness goals based on their age, weight, and breed. You"ll even get weekly wellness reports to review, so you can be sure your pet is on the right track. 

If your pet gets anxious and shaky from loud noises, vet visits, or just everyday life, the ThunderShirt may relieve them of some of that extra stress. This weighted, comfortable vest swaddles your pet and applies gentle pressure to help calm and soothe them whenever life gets to be a little too much. They come in a large variety of sizes and in styles for both cats and dogs.

Cats deserve a spa day once in a while, too. The Catit Wellness Center is bound to be your pet"s best friend. (Besides you, of course.) Its 360-degree relaxation station provides head, neck, face, and body massages for both small and large cats. Also built in: dual self-grooming brushes and even a catnip container. In other words, they"re never going to want to leave.

It"s OK to love your pet and also love your car — including the upholstery. Keep it safe from scratches and hard-to-remove pet fur with this seat cover from BarksBar. Not only will it keep your back seat mess-free, but it also acts as a comfy hammock that your furry companion can rest in while you chauffeur them all about town. It also has built-in pockets and is waterproof (you know, in case of accidents). 

We all know a certain proud puppy owner who would wear their dog"s face on a sweatshirt everyday if they could. Well, how about some socks, too? PupSocks can put up to four faces on a pair. All you have to do is provide a picture for the designer to work with. 

Staying late at work is already a bummer, but missing your pet"s feeding time is downright guilt-inducing. With the PetSafe Smart Feed, you"ll never miss chow time — just enable the device from your smartphone and dispense your pet"s food when it"s time to eat. You can also schedule feeding periods ahead of time and customize portions if need be. 

For when you don"t have time for an all-out puppy spa day, Dr. Cuddles" line of dog beauty products will help in a pinch. Their dry shampoo and breath spray are perfect for a quick freshening up, and this bundle puts them together in one box (along with Dr. Cuddles"s regular lathering shampoo).

Not all cats want to stay inside 24/7. If you and your feline friend are on the adventurous side, this roomy backpack will take the stress out of any excursion. It"s sturdy, well-ventilated, and has a fun little window that your cat can look out of when they"re feeling a little curious. 

There are plenty of dog-themed pillows out there, but how about some decor that"s a bit more personal? West & Willow puts a minimalist portrait of your adorable pup (or cat!) on a poster, which you can then personalize with different colors, fonts, and more.

Mud tracks: The bane of every dog owner"s existence. Make sure that dirt and grime stay outside and off of your new rug with the help of the Dexas MudBuster. Each time your pup enters the house, dip their paws in the MudBuster and voilà: clean paws (just add water and you"re set). It"s portable, too, so you can take it with you on trips to the park and whatnot, keeping your car clean as well.

When you start training your pet, it"s a good idea to have treats on hand for positive reinforcement. Instead of carrying around a sandwich bag, take your treats on the go in style with Wild One"s new cross-body treat pouch. It can hold essentials like your phone and wallet, too.

Come on, these are just too cute to resist. Give your pet the "just got home from the groomer" look with one of these adorable bandanas from Rocco & Roxie. From cats to dogs, both small and large, there"s a sick bandana waiting for them — now go make all the other pet parents jealous. 

All pet owners know about the toils of shedding (except for you fur-less pet parents out there; yes, we"re jealous). With this super affordable two-in-one pet glove, you"ll be able to groom your pet"s fur and remove loose hair using one side, and swipe away already-shedded hair from furniture using the other. Your pet is going to like it more than most grooming tools, too — it"s extremely gentle.

GoDog"s line of dragon plushies are a must-have for dog owners whose fur babies chew through toys at record speeds. They"re designed to take a heavy beating without tearing or fraying (and if they do happen to rip, they"re under-stuffed, so as to not cause a huge mess). Plus, each has a squeaker inside for extra fun times — a win-win for you and your pup.

Giving your dog a DNA test isn"t just about learning their breed, type, and variety — the real benefits come when you learn about all the potential health risks that their breed brings with them. And when you know all that information, you can prepare preventative measures with your vet so your furry friend can stay happy and healthy for as long as possible. Embark"s tests also let you find and connect with other dogs that share DNA with your pup. Family reunion time?

You spent all that cash on your luxurious mattress, so why not spread the wealth and get your dog a top-of-the-line bed? Casper"s dog bed combines pressure-relieving memory foam and durable support foam to keep your pup comfortable through the day and night, and features a super durable nylon cover that can withstand digging and scratching. The cover is machine-washable, too.