For many homeowners across the countryside, caring for pets is simply part of daily life. As a mature, professional housesitting couple, we see first-hand which products genuinely improve the wellbeing of dogs, cats, and rural living, and which are more trend than necessity.
2025 has brought an impressive wave of technology, wellness trends, and sustainable materials into the pet market, but not everything warrants space in the utility room. Below, we’ve organised the most popular pet products for the upcoming year into clear categories, offering an unbiased assessment and rating each one as either a Must-Have or Nice-to-Have, depending on how practical and beneficial they are for you and your pets.
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Leading Pet Tech & Gadgets
(Tech remains the fastest-growing sector in pet care, with safety and remote monitoring leading demand.)
Smart Dog GPS Collars
Rating: Must-Have
Particularly valuable in rural areas where recall varies and pheasants provide irresistible temptation. GPS collars allow real-time tracking and create virtual safety zones. For owners with acreage, working breeds, wanderers, or reactive dogs, this device offers real assurance.
Tractive Smart Dog Tracker
Reliable GPS tracking for countryside adventures, giving homeowners reassurance during off-lead walks. Ideal for dogs with selective recall and properties with open boundaries requiring dependable, real-time location awareness.
AI-Driven Pet Health Monitors
Rating: Nice-to-Have
These track movement, sleep, temperature variations, and potential early signs of health issues. Excellent for older pets or dogs recovering from illness. For most households, though, regular observation and routine vet checks remain sufficient.
Dog Health Monitor V3.0 - AI Smart Collar
An intelligent collar monitoring movement, rest, and early health changes, supporting proactive care for ageing or vulnerable dogs. A practical tool for owners prioritising long-term wellbeing.
Automatic Pet Feeders and Water Fountains
Rating: Must-Have
Automatic feeders support portion control; water fountains improve hydration — especially useful for cats, who tend to drink more from moving water. For homeowners who travel or work long days, these combine convenience with reliable routine.
PETKIT Automatic Cat Feeder with Camera
A reliable feeder ensuring consistent routines, with built-in camera access for reassurance when away. Perfect for maintaining stable meal times and monitoring indoor cats remotely.
Indoor Baby & Pet Monitors
Rating: Must-Have for anxious pets | Nice-to-Have for everyone else
Ideal for observing new rescue pets or monitoring behaviours such as separation anxiety. For confident, routine-bound pets, these devices remain more of a convenience than a necessity.
Imou Dual-Lens 2K+2K Indoor Security Camera
A clear, unobtrusive way to monitor pets and property, offering excellent visibility and peace of mind. Ideal for homeowners wanting discreet oversight while travelling.
Robotic Pet Toys & Ball Launchers
Rating: Nice-to-Have
Entertaining, but they do not replace proper exercise or engagement. Beneficial for high-energy breeds when used as a supplement to walks, rather than a replacement.
Migipaws cat toys, interactive automatic 7-hole-mouse MigiBox
A clever enrichment toy encouraging natural hunting instincts through unpredictable movements. Excellent stimulation for indoor cats needing engaging, independent play throughout the day.
Smart Laser Cat Toys
Rating: Nice-to-Have
Excellent for younger or indoor cats. However, traditional interactive play remains equally enriching and more controlled.
Interactive Cat Laser Toy
Thoughtfully designed toys that encourage active play and mental stimulation for cats of all ages. Ideal for maintaining routine enrichment and preventing indoor boredom.
LED Pet Collars
Rating: Must-Have
An inexpensive but vital safety accessory for evening walks, especially in winter months and on unlit country lanes.
MASBRILL Luminous Dog Collar
A bright, weather-resistant LED collar improving visibility during early morning or evening countryside walks. A simple, effective safety upgrade for dogs exploring dimly lit rural lanes.
Health, Comfort & Nutrition
Welfare-centred products continue to dominate pet parents shopping trolleys..
Orthopaedic or Climate-Controlled Pet Beds
Rating: Must-Have for senior pets; Nice-to-Have for the youngsters
Orthopaedic beds ease joint strain. Climate-controlled variants help brachycephalic breeds or dogs prone to overheating. A wise investment for older working breeds such as Labs, Spaniels, and Shepherds.
The Dog’s Bed Orthopaedic Memory Foam Dog Bed
Supportive, well-constructed bedding that eases joint pressure and improves rest, especially for senior or large-breed dogs. A practical choice for long-term comfort and recovery.
Wild Salmon Oil & Nutritional Supplements
Rating: Nice-to-Have (but beneficial)
Omega-rich supplements can aid mobility and skin health. Always consult your vet first, especially for pets with allergies or pancreatitis.
Pets Purest Scottish Salmon
A natural Omega-rich supplement supporting skin, coat, and mobility. A useful addition for dogs and cats needing extra nutritional support, particularly during seasonal changes.
Dental Chews & Toothpaste
Rating: Must-Have
Dental health remains one of the most overlooked issues we encounter while housesitting. Daily brushing makes the biggest difference; chews serve as a good supplementary tool.
JAYU PET Dental Gel
A gentle, effective dental gel supporting daily oral hygiene. Ideal for reducing plaque, improving breath, and maintaining long-term dental health without complicated routines.
Raw & Freeze-Dried Treats
Rating: Nice-to-Have
These offer high protein and minimal processing. However, raw feeding requires vigilance around hygiene and storage. Freeze-dried options are a safer middle ground.
Freeze Dried Treats
Lightweight, high-nutrition treats offering single-protein purity. Useful for training, enrichment toys, and pets with sensitive digestion needing simple, minimally processed rewards.
Eco-Friendly Grooming Products
Rating: Must-Have
Sustainable, low-irritant products reduce waste and are gentler on pets’ skin. A practical category where “green” often equals “better”.
Earth Rated 3-in-1 Deshedding Dog Shampoo and Conditioner
A practical grooming formula combining cleansing, conditioning, and deshedding in one. Beneficial for long-haired or rural-living dogs needing frequent, efficient coat care.
Petcare Tick & Flea Repellent
A straightforward preventive solution helping protect dogs from ticks and fleas, particularly valuable for countryside homes where long grass and wildlife increase exposure risk.
Everyday Essentials & Trending Accessories
Flea & Tick Collars
Rating: Must-Have
With UK winters becoming milder, year-round prevention is now advisable — especially for rural pets roaming fields and hedgerows.
Cat Collar Repellent Treatment
A low-fuss repellent collar providing everyday protection for outdoor cats. Useful for reducing flea and tick concerns in gardens, barns, and hedgerow environments.
No-Pull Harnesses & Hands-Free Leashes
Rating: Must-Have
A well-fitting harness protects the neck and shoulders from strain. Hands-free leashes work well for confident walkers but are less suitable for reactive dogs.
HALTI No Pull Harness
A practical training harness reducing pulling pressure and improving walk comfort. Ideal for energetic or strong dogs needing structured support without compromising control.
Super-Absorbent Microfibre Mats
Rating: Must-Have
A simple essential for countryside households. These save floors, rugs, and time after muddy walks.
Luxurious Pet Noodle Mat
A highly absorbent mat capturing mud and moisture after countryside walks. Perfect for protecting floors, reducing cleaning time, and supporting tidy routines in busy homes.
Durable Chew Toys
Rating: Must-Have
Essential for enrichment, especially if your dog spends time alone during working hours. Look for non-splintering, vet-approved materials.
Benebone Indestructible Dog Chew
A durable chew designed for determined dogs, offering long-lasting engagement. Useful for maintaining dental strength and providing safe, independent enrichment.
Poop Bags & Lint Removers (Eco versions)
Rating: Must-Have
Biodegradable bags reduce environmental impact. Lint removers help maintain a tidy home between hoovering sessions.
Reusable Pet Hair Remover Roller
A simple, effective tool lifting fur from furniture, bedding, and clothing. Particularly useful in multi-pet homes or during heavy seasonal shedding.
Catnip Toys & 3-in-1 Cat Tunnel Toys
Rating: Nice-to-Have
Brilliant for entertainment and stimulation, but not fundamental for all cats — especially older or more reserved ones.
6 Pack Catnip Mouse Toys
Lightweight toys encouraging instinctive play and gentle exercise. A useful addition for indoor cats needing varied enrichment and daily stimulation.
Pet Carriers & Backpacks
Rating: Nice-to-Have
Useful for trips to the vet, city travel, or transporting smaller dogs. Stylish “Instagram-ready” versions are generally more aesthetic than practical.
Cat Carrier Dog Backpack
A practical, ventilated carrier for small dogs or cats, offering hands-free transport for vet visits or gentle outdoor excursions. Designed with comfort and stability in mind.
GPS Dog Fences (Satellite-Based)
Rating: Nice-to-Have
Helpful if you live on open land without reliable physical boundaries. Should never replace proper fencing, livestock-safe boundaries, or responsible supervision.
Tractive Smart Dog Tracker
Reliable GPS tracking for countryside adventures, giving homeowners reassurance during off-lead walks. Ideal for dogs with selective recall and properties with open boundaries requiring dependable, real-time location awareness.
Top Subscription & Lifestyle Products
Customisable Subscription Boxes
Rating: Nice-to-Have
Convenient but often not cost-effective. A good option for busy owners who enjoy surprise items and regular treat rotations.
Pet Communication Buttons
Rating: Nice-to-Have
Entertaining and occasionally useful for training routines. Not essential for most households.
Puffer Jackets & Stylish Bandanas
Rating: Must-Have for short-haired and senior dogs; Nice-to-Have for everyone else
Functional coats protect from wind and wet weather. Fashion-only accessories fall firmly in the “fun but optional” category.
Padded Puffer Jacket For Dogs
A warm, weather-resistant jacket providing essential insulation during winter walks. Particularly useful for short-haired, senior, or low-body-fat breeds.
Portable Pet Massagers & Bath/Massage Brushes
Rating: Nice-to-Have
Helpful for anxious pets or those with joint stiffness. Not vital for the average dog or cat, but pleasant additions.
3 In1 Steamy Cat Brush
A steam-assisted grooming brush loosening knots and reducing shedding. Helpful for cats needing gentle coat maintenance without full bathing.
If you're reviewing your own pet equipment and wondering which items genuinely support your animals' wellbeing, consider starting with safety, comfort, and routine. And if you ever need someone reliable to look after your home and pets while you're away, we’re always here to offer steady, confidential care as a mature, professional housesitting couple.
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Add comment
Comments