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If there’s one thing we have learned here at Rover, it’s that our community of sitters, walkers, groomers, and pet parents of all stripes are utterly devoted to their pets. How do we know? Well, let’s just say you guys aren’t cheap when it comes to throwing down dough on your dogs and cats.
Every week we feature helpful and informative articles about products we’ve tested, reviewed, or researched, from the top puzzle toys to the coziest of dog beds to vacuum cleaners that actually pick up pet hair (spoiler alert: the Shark Rocket Handheld and the Miele Cat & Dog are the way to go). Then, we wait and see what content connects best with our readers based on purchase data about the items in those articles.
Reviewing 2019 numbers for this year, a few things jumped out. The first thing we noticed is that a handful of products we put to the test as part of our in-house product testing program were top sellers this year, so you can expect to see even more vetted, tested, and verified products in 2020. The idea is that this will save you valuable time and money, and get you back to the reason why you’re here in the first place: to learn how to live your best life with your pet.
Another trend we noticed last year was the volume and frequency at which pet parents buy; in 2019, Rover blog readers spent more on their pets than ever in the history of the blog. Way to show your love of pets, fur moms and dads! We tip our Dog Mom hat to you.
So, what was everyone putting in their carts in 2019? Read on to find out what pet products were our readers’ favorites in 2019.
Our Readers’ Favorite Pet Products of 2019
From puzzle toys to poop bags, here are the top most-purchased items from Rover’s shopping articles in 2019.
Time and again readers chose this interactive, wood-like puzzle toy that taps your dog’s problem-solving skills to maneuver the levers to reveal treats.
Made by the well-regarded line of Swedish puzzle toys, Nina Ottosson, it’s a great exercise in mental stimulation that keeps your dog curious and staves off boredom.
Since a new line of products launched on the Rover store in late November, this 11 oz. ceramic mug has been making its way into the kitchens of a certain demographic of 9-5 dog moms and dads who totally get it.
We tested various dog harnesses this year, and one of our favorites proved to be popular with readers, too. Our reviewer liked the quality, ease of use, and fit of this harness. If your dog is a puller, she found the harness worked better with the D-ring on the back. (There is the option of using two leashes, one clipped to the front and one clipped to the back, for extra control).
Who says poop bags aren’t glamorous? There’s certainly a popularity test happening here.
The popular Earth Rated brand (Rover HQ’s house doo-doo bag) was the clear winner on Chewy; on Amazon, readers preferred a 120 pack of BioDOGradable.
We’re just happy you’re cleaning up after your pet!
Shop Earth Rated on Chewy
Shop BioDOGgradable on Amazon
Just like us, readers went for this practical, waterproof, and chew-resistant dog bed.
For a hard-working dog bed, you want one like this, with durable features such as a sturdy, removable, easy-to-clean, and machine-washable cover.
Here’s more from our reviewer:
“Mable likes to dig in her beds, which has been a problem with dog beds because some are cheaply made and will easily rip. When she starting digging, the bed barely flinched. The stuffing of the bed is perfect and doesn’t clump up on one-side (which is common with other dog beds) so it definitely exceeded my expectations. This bed is perfect for inside, outside, the car, work—everywhere! This bed is so comfy that I could easily fall asleep on it myself.”
In 2019, readers were looking for a multi-purpose dog treat, something that could help their dog shed weight or be a quality, grain-free option while still being tasty. Consistently throughout the year, readers opted for the various recipes offered by Blue Buffalo.
Readers are always looking for healthy and affordable dog food options, and in 2019, this grain-free kibble, available at Chewy in a number of bag sizes, was a best seller.
As we expanded our blog coverage to include more content about cats, readers turned to this crunchy cat kibble, listed in our article about affordable, grain-free cat food, again and again in 2019.
It’s no secret: Dogs are cute in costumes. In 2019, the most popular canine costume choice was the tried-and-true lion’s mane, in black as well as golden brown.
Top Dog Sweater: Anything by Blueberry Pet
The same animals-in-costumes logic applies to sweaters and clothing: A dressed-up pet = always cute. This past year, be it a baby pink sweatshirt or fairisle Christmas sweater, readers liked the various styles offered by petwear brand, Blueberry Pet.
Shop Channel-Inspired Dog Ponchos Here
From peaceful unicorns to patterns featuring sloths or llamas, the trendy styles of Fitwarm pet pajamas kept readers’ pups cozy in 2019.
It was neck and neck for the top cat toy this year, but this scratcher/toy combo emerged as the winner, with the Cat Dancer interactive toy trailing at a very close second.
One of our tests this year took a handful of plush dog toys touted as “indestructible” to task (thankfully we had eager test dogs happy to oblidge)! Our tester liked how pumped her dog was to play with this particular stuffing-free toy that’s covered with super-strong faux sheepskin and has a squeaker, too.
Here’s more: “Enzo was jumping up and down for this toy, likely because it is hairy and reminded him of squirrels. I liked how the fabric seemed thicker, and the toy was compact and easy to throw around. Enzo was infatuated with it!”
Further Reading
For a look at more of our top content from 2019, check out the articles below.