Shop by need

Know what you are looking for but not where to start? These sections are organised by job rather than by animal, each with a few pointers on choosing well. You can also shop by pet instead. Or browse makers A to Z on Shop by brand.

Walk & travel

Everything for getting out and about: leads, collars and harnesses, ID tags, carriers, car accessories and travel bowls. A well-fitted harness should not rub behind the front legs, and the length of a lead should suit where you walk, shorter for pavements and longer for open fields. In Great Britain the Control of Dogs Order 1992 requires a dog in a public place to wear a collar showing the owner’s name and address, so a tag is a sensible first purchase. For cats and small animals, pick a carrier with good ventilation and secure catches, and line it with something that smells of home.

For dogs and cats, see also Dogs and Cats.

See the whole Walk & Travel collection, or pick one of the categories inside it:

Beds & rest

Beds, mats, blankets, cushions and hideaways. Watch how your pet sleeps before choosing: animals that curl into a ball like a raised rim to lean on, while those that lie flat need a wide mattress. Older pets often appreciate a firmer, lower bed that is easy to step into, and cats tend to look for warm, raised spots such as a window ledge. Removable, washable covers make life easier, and a non-slip base keeps the bed where you put it on hard floors. For hamsters, rabbits and other small animals, a hideaway with nesting material is the bed.

Guide: Fireworks season: helping dogs and cats feel settled at home.

See the whole Beds & Rest collection, or pick one of the categories inside it:

Toys & play

Toys, puzzle feeders, scratchers, tunnels, chews and other enrichment. Play is one of the simplest ways to keep a pet occupied and content. Choose toys sized for your animal so they cannot be swallowed, and check them regularly for wear. Puzzle feeders and snuffle mats turn mealtimes into a game; tunnels and cardboard hides suit rabbits, guinea pigs and rodents; wand toys let you play with a cat without offering your hands. Rotating a handful of toys each week keeps them interesting without filling the house.

See also Small animals and Birds.

See the whole Toys & Play collection, or pick one of the categories inside it:

Feeding & bowls

Bowls, feeders, water bottles, fountains, mats and storage. Material makes a difference: stainless steel and glazed ceramic are easy to clean and hard to chew, and a weighted ceramic bowl stays put for rabbits and guinea pigs. Slow feeders suit dogs that eat in a hurry. For small animals, a water bottle keeps bedding dry, as long as you check the spout each day. Airtight containers keep dry food fresh, and a wipe-clean mat protects the floor. Wash bowls daily in hot, soapy water.

See also Rabbits & guinea pigs.

See the whole Feeding & Bowls collection, or pick one of the categories inside it:

Grooming & care

Brushes, combs, nail clippers, shampoos and towels for everyday grooming at home. Match the brush to the coat: slicker brushes for long or curly coats, rubber brushes for short coats and a fine comb for finishing. Nail clippers should be sharp and sized for your pet; if you are unsure how much to trim, ask a groomer or your vet to show you. Use shampoo made for animals rather than people. This section covers routine grooming only, and we do not stock medicated products.

See also Dogs and Cats.

See the whole Grooming & Care collection, or pick one of the categories inside it:

Habitats & housing

Aquariums, cages, hutches, runs, vivariums and the accessories that go inside them. Start with the animal’s adult size and natural habits, then pick the largest home that fits your space. Compare floor area rather than height alone, look for secure doors and easy access for cleaning, and decide where it will stand before it arrives: out of direct sun, away from radiators and draughts, on a surface strong enough for its full weight. An aquarium needs a level, sturdy stand, and water is heavy, at roughly one kilogram per litre.

Guide: Setting up a hamster or gerbil home.

See the whole Habitats & Housing collection, or pick one of the categories inside it:

Seasonal and themed edits

Smaller pages built around a moment or a budget, each drawn from the categories above.