WHO KNOWS BEST WHICH products not only meet the needs of pet parents but also help pet stores thrive? Retailers! That’s why when we decided to launch a contest that celebrates the top products in the pet industry, we knew retailers had to decide the winners. After all, they attend trade and distributor shows, build relationships with brands, and experience first-hand which products sell — and sell again when customers come back for more.

In our inaugural year, retailers voted in 35 product categories, with voting kicking off in our May-Jun issue and winners announced on petsplusmag.com just before SUPERZOO. We wanted to give attendees the opportunity to check out the top picks in person — and they did exactly that. Here you’ll find the list of winners again, this time with a rave each from retailers as to why the winning product earns their business.

Congrats to the winners! And big thanks to those who voted. As we always say, PETS+ wouldn’t exist without our partner brands and readers.

DOG and CAT

BEDS
Cuddle Bed, Tall Tails

“When this round, fluffy style of bed first became fashionable, we tried a couple of alternative brands for color variation. Tall Tails, hands down, makes the sturdiest, most supportive version of this style of bed. Plus, it machine washes and dries like a dream. They always sell out!” — Jennifer Flanagan, Pacific NW Pets Sherwood, Sherwood, WA

COLLARS, HARNESSES, LEASHES & TAGS
Techla, MyFamily USA

“We held off on getting a My Family machine for years due to the high cost, and opted for tags that customers could order and have shipped directly to their homes. Boy, was that a mistake. With the old brands, we sold maybe two to four tags per month, but with MyFamily, since receiving our first order in September of 2024, we have averaged more than 26 tags sold per month at a better than 60% average margin. Our machine was fully paid off by May 2026. The machine is easy to use, the tag styles are highly appealing to customers, and the customer service from our rep, Brandi, has been top notch.” — Shane Somerville, Paddywack, Mill Creek, WA

SUPPLEMENTS (NON-CBD & HEMP)
MycoDog Clarity, MycoDog

“MycoDog Clarity sells so well and works great for our customers with older pups. Carter Easler did a great job with the Senior Dog Study — it really helps to sell the product.” — Michele Jaime, Fetch & Friskers Pet Shop & Barkery, Boerne, TX

CBD & HEMP
Suzie’s Crunchin’ Chicken Chips, Suzie’s CBD Treats

“Customers frequently come in for calming treats to help anxious dogs, or they’re looking for relief for their old dog’s stiffness. We recommend Suzie’s for both. The ingredients are high quality, and customers see a difference in their dog’s behavior and comfort. It’s an easy brand to sell, and we do sell a lot of it. With the Chicken Chips, the only ingredient is chicken, and each chip has 3 mg of CBD. Suzie’s is independent, of great quality, and it works — that is why we reorder every week.” — Heather Miller, Just For Pets, York, PA

COMPLETE & BALANCED FROZEN FOOD (INCLUDES RAW & GENTLY COOKED)
Smallbatch Raw Frozen Dog Food, Smallbatch Pets

“I recommended this to a customer whose dogs are highly sensitive to many ingredients and easily get an upset stomach. They flipped over the duck sliders! She loves the ease and clean ingredient panel. It’s now a staple in her house, and her dogs couldn’t be happier.” — Kim McCulla, Whiskers & Wags Pet Boutique, Chelsea, AL

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DENTAL
Tooth & Gum Wipes, earthbath

“We love earthbath products, especially all the wipes. The new (to us) Tooth & Gum wipes are a great addition, as most of our customers like the convenience of using a wipe over having to brush their dog’s teeth. The great thing about these wipes is the smaller package, so they’re less likely to dry out if you forget to use them for a few days. I use many of their products daily for my seniors as they’re less invasive for them with their sensitive teeth.” — April Wright, The Dog and Cat, Essex Jct & Stowe, VT

COMPLETE & BALANCED SHELF-STABLE FOOD (INCLUDES FREEZE DRIED, DEHYDRATED, GENTLY COOKED, AIR DRIED & COLD PRESSED FOODS)
Smallbatch Freeze-Dried Sliders for Dogs, Smallbatch Pets

“Smallbatch has proven to be a favorite with my customers time and again. No synthetics, organic produce and cleanly sourced. My dogs are raw fed and get a variety of brands in a raw diet. During travel or dog show days, the freeze-dried has always been a hit.” — Jennifer Wilburn, ShakaPaw Pet Market, Sandpoint, ID

ENRICHMENT TOYS & MATS
Divine Lotus — Challenge Level 3, PawzNDogz

“The Divine Lotus snuffle mat by PawzNDogz is an excellent product! Its design, with its variety of textures, is a sensory jackpot for any dog, plus the suction cup on the back holds it in place so the dog doesn’t get frustrated with it moving all over. The durability of this mat is top notch as well. When washed and dried as directed, it will last for years!” — Heidi La Cosse, Canine Enrichment Center, Grafton, WI

FLEA & TICK
Wondercide Flea & Tick for Pets and Home Sprays, Wondercide

“Wondercide works amazingly well! We recommend customers use it on themselves and their pets, and customers buy it!” — Amy Kenkel, Leaps & Bones, South Windsor, CT

GROOMING
Oatmeal & Aloe Itch Relief Shampoo & Conditioner, earthbath

“I love and use all earthbath products on my five dogs. Their shampoos are awesome. Paragon, sulfate, alcohol and soap free, leaving no residue behind in my dogs’ fur. Their fur feels soft and clean after every bath, and it’s soothing on their skin. It’s also ‘cruelty free.’ I’ve tried many other brands, but in my personal opinion, nothing compares to earthbath. It’s easy to sell as I share my own experience with it.” — Denise Strong, Pawz on Main, Cottonwood, AZ

BOWLS, DISHES, FEEDERS & FOUNTAINS
Clover Foraging Mat,Tall Tails

“We love the Tall Tails Clover Foraging Mat! We even use it with one of our own dogs, a Lab. Since Labs are such chow-hounds, we have tried various ways to slow her down at mealtime. The soft silicone is safe for her to work around while foraging; we can combine kibble and wet food on the mat, and it’s easily washable; and the suction cups on the bottom work very well to keep it in place on our tile floor. We have also used two of the mats connected side by side, with kibble on one mat and wet food on the other mat, to change things up for our dog.” — Amy Schiek, Lucky Dogs, Skaneateles, NY

TRAVEL & OUTDOORS
Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed, Sleepypod

“I really like the round design for safety reasons. The round shape is naturally smoother in case of ejection from a vehicle — it will just roll, compared to bouncing erratically like a rectangle, with less potential for severe damage. Also the dome shape is naturally stronger since pressure is pushed to the entire shape instead of one side or a corner. Plus most cats enjoy a round bed. It creates that natural nesting feeling.” — Keith Henline, Asheville Pet Supply, Asheville, NC

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TOPPERS & BROTHS
Smallbatch SuperBoosters Freeze-Dried Bites, Smallbatch Pets

“I love Smallbatch Super Boosters! While our store focuses on frozen raw, lightly cooked and freeze-dried diets for dogs and cats, I know that not all pet parents can or are comfortable feeding their pets that way. Super Boosters can help bridge that gap by providing excellent supplemental nutrition using whole foods, organic produce and probiotics. Super Boosters make great toppers for any diet as well as excellent treats! The size and shape also makes them a perfect choice for many of the treat-dispensing toys on the market.” — Beth Kidd, Dogs By Design, Irwin, PA

DOG

COMPLETE & BALANCED KIBBLE
GoodGut Wild-Caught Salmon Recipe

“This is the first kibble to include probiotic-infused freeze-dried cheese. This certainly makes GoodGut stand out. In addition, Open Farm/GoodGut has chosen to partner with a well-known human brand of kefir, Lifeway, that many customers recognize. With so much focus on our pet’s microbiome, probiotics in pet food has become something customers are seeking out, and GoodGut is an easy choice for customers seeking ethically sourced kibble and with a probiotic punch.” — Claudia Loomis, CB Pet Market, Washington, NJ

EDIBLE CHEWS, BONES & BODY PARTS
Raw Frozen Bones, Tucker’s Raw

“We sell a lot of the toy-breed size bones by Tucker’s. They are such a great dental treat for smaller dogs.” — Victoria Park, Park Pet Supply, Atlanta, GA

WASTE PRODUCTS
Backyard Bags, The Original Poop Bags

“I never thought I’d get this excited about a poop bag, but here we are. Backyard Bags are seriously genius. One big bag, a built-in glove, and you can tackle the whole yard without carrying around 14 little bags of you know what. We love finding products for the shop that actually make life with pets easier, and this one definitely earned its spot on our shelves.” — Danielle Wilson, Bath & Biscuits, Granville, OH

TOYS
Chandler Chicken, Fluff & Tuff

“We love Fluff & Tuff toys, and it’s always exciting when a new one comes out. Chandler is adorable, and we’ve sold out of them each time we’ve ordered.” — Victoria Park, Park Pet Supply, Atlanta, GA

TREATS
Smallbatch Single Ingredient Freeze-Dried Heart Treats, Smallbatch Pets

“I love Smallbatch’s commitment to ethical, pasture-raised sourcing and that they are free of synthetic vitamins. We, as companion animal advocates, should care about the quality of life of the source animals, too. Smallbatch shares this value, and the result is a highly nutritious, highly palatable treat that customers can feel good about feeding to their pets. The single-ingredient and novel protein options are great for pets with dietary restrictions. The small piece size makes these great training treats! Smallbatch is an excellent, consistent product.” — Tamie Waugh, Cobber’s Pet Pantry, Enumclaw, WA

CAT

COMPLETE & BALANCED KIBBLE
Fussie Cat Premium Market Fresh Dry Food, Pets Global Inc.

“We love Fussie Cat dry kibble — and so do the cats! With a variety of protein options, it makes protein rotation a breeze while also giving pet parents flexibility when navigating protein sensitivities. Plus, it’s incredibly palatable, making it a hit even with those notoriously ‘fussie’ felines! And don’t forget the perfect pairing: this kibble with Fussie Cat’s wet food line! The Goat Milk recipes are a customer favorite and consistently one of our top sellers.” — Alison Schwartz, All Pets Considered, Greensboro, NC

COMPLETE & BALANCED WET FOOD
Gently Cooked Fresh Food for Cats, Smalls

“Smalls has been by far our best-selling gently cooked for cats. We’ll essentially bring in anything the company comes out with — the palatability is unbeatable.” — Jennifer Flanagan, Pacific NW Pets, Sherwood, OR

Editor’s note: We had a tie in the Litter, Litter Boxes & Accessories category, with the two winning brands having both marked their territory when voting closed.

LITTER, LITTER BOXES & ACCESSORIES
ökocat Original Premium Wood Clumping Cat Litter, ökocat

“The customers who buy this from us were psyched when they saw we carry it. And since we are in a progressive location, we highly appreciate the brand’s recyclable packaging.” — Adina Silberstein, Queenie’s Pets, Philadelphia, PA

LITTER, LITTER BOXES & ACCESSORIES
Dofu Cat Cat Litter, Dofu Cat

“I appreciate that Dofu has always offered different and unique ways of partnering with us, and asks what they can do to support us and help build the brand. I love that the litter is eco-friendly, plant based and uses upcycled food-grade ingredients. It’s low-tracking and dust-free, and the packaging looks great on the shelf.” — Jennifer Larsen, Firehouse Pet Shop, Wenatchee, WA

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TOYS & SCRATCHERS
Chi-CAT-a Banana, Yeowww! Catnip

“My kitty literally rolls around on the paperwork in Yeowww! shipments. And she loves her banana! Her reaction gives me first-hand experience and confidence to recommend it.” — Kim McCulla, Whiskers & Wags Pet Boutique, Chelsea, AL

TREATS
Licks for Cats, Smalls

“Our experience with the Smalls Licks was exactly what we needed for our store cat, Luna. She ended up passing away in July at 14 years old, but in the last years her favorite treat was a Smalls lickable. Regardless of how she felt that day, you could always count on her to come to you for her snack! Our customer cats like the texture, and the customers like the price points.” — Eric Mack, Purrrfect Bark, Columbus, NC

PET

Editor’s note: We had a tie in the Apparel category, with the two winning brands still neck to neck (pun intended) when voting closed.

APPAREL

Stretch Fleece, Goldpaw

“We have carried these fleece sweaters for several years and sell a lot of them. The sizes are extensive, and the stretch guarantees a fit for every dog. Non-toxic materials make it even better.” — Victoria Park, Park Pet Supply, Atlanta, GA

APPAREL

Double Sided Tie & Snap Dog Bandana, Dog Bandana Co.

“Really nice bandanas at an affordable price. Customers love the different themes, and owner Haley Clark is so helpful and available. I used her bandanas to create an award for a specialty dog show, with club logo patches placed on each for a bandana giveaway. They were a hit.” — Jennifer Wilburn, ShakaPaw Pet Market, Sandpoint, ID

EMERGING BRANDS (AVAILABLE WHOLESALE IN THE LAST 36 MONTHS)
Raw Frozen Cat Food, Rad Cat by Tucker’s

“This is a much anticipated cat food!” When the original Rad Cat closed, “our customers were so very sad. When Tucker’s announced its rebirth, we jumped on placing an order. The coolest thing about the food is that it can be served raw or gently cooked! Options! The gently cooked cat food category is growing rapidly, and cats are loving it.” — Alison Chandler, Noble Beast, Phoenix, AZ

HOME CLEANING & ODOR CONTROL
Pet House Candle Display, Pet House by One Fur All

“Our team absolutely loves Pet House! We carry their candles, wax melts, room sprays and car fresheners, and they’ve become consistent sellers in our store. We especially appreciate that they’re made with pets in mind and offer a cleaner option for fragrance in a pet-focused environment. We even use the products in our own store, so our customers get to experience the scents firsthand. The fragrance selection is incredible — there really is something for everyone without that overwhelming, artificial smell. We’ve tried other brands and have even stocked a few over the years, but we always come back to Pet House. For us, nothing else has compared in quality, fragrance selection, and the confidence we feel recommending them to our pet-loving customers.” — Megan Ames, Bark & Luv, Chandler, AZ

HOLIDAY-THEMED PRODUCTS
Gingerbread Soft & Chewy Dog Treats, Lord Jameson

“Lord Jameson is one of our top-selling brands and one of our personal favorites! We share many of Lord Jameson’s values and mission, including being a woman-owned and -founded business. The gingerbread dog treats are a holiday staple on our shelves every year, and they sell faster and faster each holiday season! The packaging is festive and eye-catching, while the treats themselves are fun, unique and perfectly suited for the holiday season. The size and design of the packaging also make them a great gift option, and we have customers who come back specifically looking for these treats every year. We love them and are excited to bring them back for the holidays!” — McKenna Burzimati, Roxie’s Barkery & Boutique, North Adams, MA

HEALTH & HYGIENE (INCLUDES EYES, EARS, NOSE, BUTT & PAWS)
Hot Spot & Wound Care Ointment, Silver Honey

“Silver Honey has been such a great find to offer in my store. So many times I recommend it, and customers are thrilled with the results. Really a nice product.” — Jennifer Wilburn, ShakaPaw Pet Market, Sandpoint, ID

BEYOND DOG & CAT

AQUATIC
Tank Pals, K2 Concepts Incorporated

Retailers were excited to learn more about this new-to-market product through our contest. The colorful line improves fresh and saltwater aquarium water quality with three characters for 60 days. Clarence the Clarifier Fish minimizes cloudy water and controls ammonia levels. Sandy the Bio-Support Starfish combats algae growth, reducing levels of nitrates and phosphates. And Cletus the Water Conditioning Clam eliminates harmful chlorine and chloramines from tap water.

BIRD
Kaytee NutriDelight Pet Bird Food, Central Garden & Pet

“This food has been a favorite for many of our clients’ pet birds. Its unique softer texture appeals even to those who struggle to transition from all-seed diets. We have received so many wonderful reviews on it from clients who have struggled to enrich their bird’s diet. Clients are highly familiar with the Kaytee brand, and that recognition plus the high-quality unique food source moves it easily off the shelf. — Sal Salafia, Exotic Pet Birds Inc, Henrietta, NY

REPTILE
ZYMOX ZYLAFEN Topical Spray, ZYMOX/Pet King Brands

“Finding products that are not only safe but also effective can be difficult in this category. We find Zylafen very useful for minor cuts and scrapes, but where we have seen it make the biggest difference is with reptiles experiencing impacted shed. We have seen reptiles who have been neglected make fantastic recoveries with regular use of Zylafen. We love being able to offer such an effective, reliable product from a company we have trusted for years!” — Carlee Reiman, Tropic Waters Pet Center, Eau Claire, WI

FARM, FEED & EQUINE
Honest to Goodness Upcycled Horse Treats, W.F. Young Inc.

“With so many horse treats on the market, these immediately stood out to us with just nine ingredients — something our customers are increasingly mindful of. They’re also easy to break apart for training or riding, and surprisingly, the banana flavor has been a huge hit with the horses!” — Josh Miller, Pittsboro Feed, Pittsboro, NC

SMALL ANIMAL
ZYMOX Small Animal & Exotic Topical Spray, ZYMOX/Pet King Brands

“Working with small animals, we know what a challenge it can be to find topical products that are both trustworthy and safe for them. Being that most small animals spend time cleaning themselves, we really appreciate that this spray is easy to use and nontoxic. It aids well in healing surface-level cuts and abrasions, all while not causing potential side effects if it’s ingested.” — Carlee Reiman, Tropic Waters Pet Center, Eau Claire, WI

RETAILER SUPPORT

TECH & SOFTWARE
PetStack by FieldStack, FieldStack

Still in beta, voters chose this soon-to-be-released system as the top pick because of its promise to unify POS, real-time inventory, eCommerce, loyalty, reporting, and a services hub for scheduling and booking appointments. Perfect for indie pet stores on the rise.

POP DISPLAYS
POP/Recycled Plastic Display Rack, Tuesday’s Natural Dog Company

“We’ve used this display for a couple of years now. It helps us tell the story about the recycling of the product tags. Customers are impressed that a fixture can be made from recycled tags. Plus it displays product nicely for us and helps us sell.” — Patrick Schiek, Lucky Dogs, Skaneateles, NY