Because we could really use it right now.

Let's be honest – 2025 kicked off with enough plot twists to make even our most zen friends question their meditation practice. Between the endless news alerts that make us want to throw our phones into the sea and that constant undercurrent of global uncertainty, it's getting harder not to spiral into existential dread every time we check social media.

But here's what's keeping us surprisingly hopeful: while we can't control the chaos of the world, we can control how we show up for the beings who make our lives infinitely better – our pets. Our soulful sidekicks don't care about geopolitical tensions or economic forecasts. They're over here living their best lives, teaching us the art of finding joy in the smallest moments, and reminding us that the time we have is fleeting, so we should do our best to stay present and make the most of it.

That's exactly why we're finding so much comfort in supporting brands that are working to make their lives (and by extension, ours) better. In a world where everything feels increasingly complicated, there's something powerfully grounding about focusing on the simple, tangible ways we can improve life for the creatures who show us unconditional love every single day. So we've rounded up some pet brands that are giving us hope for 2025 – because while we can't fix everything that's wrong with the world, we can absolutely make sure our pets have the best possible tools from companies that share our values.

From innovative solutions for pets with different abilities to products that help slow the decline of our oceans, these brands remind us that even in uncertain times, there are still people out there working to make the world a little bit better – one tail wag at a time

Dog PPL - A new kind of dog park

In a world where doomscrolling has become our default coping mechanism, DOG PPL is offering something revolutionary: a reason to look up from our screens and remember what real connection feels like. This Los Angeles-based canine social club isn't just another attempt at making dog parks Instagram-worthy (though it definitely is that too) – it's a thoughtfully designed space that understands sometimes the best antidote to modern anxiety is watching dogs live their best lives while actually talking to other humans face-to-face.

Picture this: While your pup discovers their own version of joy through cognitive obstacles and custom hydro stations on canine-engineered grass (yes, that's a thing), you can actually relax and enjoy your sustainably sourced coffee. No more scanning the park for potential drama or hovering like an overprotective parent – DOG PPL's "Rufferees" (honestly, the most delightful job title of 2025) are there to ensure every tail wag and play bow stays friendly. In a time when even the simplest social interactions can feel overwhelming, there's something incredibly comforting about knowing someone else is handling the four-legged social dynamics.

But what makes DOG PPL truly special isn't just their ability to merge premium amenities with genuine purpose – it's their understanding that real community can be a lifeline in uncertain times. Through their Canine Rescue Club initiative, they're proving that luxury and social responsibility aren't mutually exclusive, connecting homeless pets with foster families and providing crucial support to those displaced by LA wildfires. At a moment when the world often feels impossibly divided, they're creating a space where strangers become friends over shared stories of their dogs' latest adventures, and where every visit feels like a small act of hope. Because maybe what we all need right now is a reminder that connection – both with our pets and each other – is still the best cure for whatever the world throws our way.

Learn more

Lofty Loo accessible litter boxes

For all the progress we've made in making the world more accessible, there are still countless everyday challenges that rarely make it into the broader conversation – like how something as simple as maintaining a cat's litter box can become a significant barrier to pet companionship. Enter Lofty Loo, a brand born from a beautifully human moment: when Jody noticed her neighbor struggling with pet care after returning from the hospital, she didn't just offer temporary help – she and her niece Amy decided to change the entire narrative around accessible pet care.

Their creation, the Lofty Loo elevated litter box, addresses a critical gap in the pet care market that affects more people than we might realize. For elderly cat parents, individuals using wheelchairs, people with chronic pain or limited mobility, and even families with young children, the simple act of maintaining a litter box can range from challenging to nearly impossible. But here's the thing: the emotional support and companionship that cats provide shouldn't be limited by physical abilities. By reimagining this basic piece of pet equipment, Lofty Loo is making an important statement: everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the joy of caring for a pet.

This isn't just about creating a more convenient litter box – it's about expanding the possibilities of who gets to be a pet parent. In a world where companion animals can be literal lifelines for people dealing with isolation, depression, or anxiety, removing barriers to pet care becomes an act of profound inclusion. Lofty Loo's thoughtful, USA-made design proves that when we consider accessibility from the start, we create solutions that work better for everyone – including the cats themselves, who, as it turns out, prefer the open, elevated design. It's a powerful reminder that making pet care more accessible doesn't just help people with different abilities – it helps create more forever homes for pets who need them.

Learn More

Gentle Beast dog training app

Let's face it – in 2025, our relationship with our dogs is more complex than ever. We're asking these incredible beings to adapt to our increasingly chaotic world, to be our emotional support systems through unprecedented times, and to somehow intuitively understand the rules of human society. And while we're all doing our best, the numbers tell a sobering story: 1 in 3 pet parents are navigating reactivity, 85% of dogs have behavior issues, and 1 in 10 are rehomed within six months due to training challenges. It's enough to make any pet parent feel overwhelmed and, honestly, a little heartbroken.

Enter Gentle Beast, an app that feels less like another tech solution and more like having a science-backed, judgment-free companion in your pocket. In an unregulated industry where celebrity trainers still promote quick fixes and dominance-based methods (spoiler alert: your dog isn't planning to dethrone you, they're just trying to figure out our weird human world), Gentle Beast is taking a refreshingly holistic approach. They understand that true behavioral wellness isn't just about training – it's about nutrition, exercise, enrichment, and creating an environment where both you and your dog can thrive.

What makes Gentle Beast feel like a beacon of hope in 2025 is their commitment to making evidence-based training accessible to everyone. Drawing from more research than has been conducted in our entire 20,000-year history with dogs, they're bringing science-backed methods right to your living room. But perhaps most importantly, they're offering something we all desperately need right now: the permission to be imperfect while we learn. Because in a world that often feels like it's spinning out of control, strengthening our connection with our dogs might be exactly the kind of healing we need. And now, thanks to Gentle Beast, we have a compassionate guide to help us get there, one positive reinforcement session at a time.

Learn More

LAYR dog beds and sheets

In those moments when the world feels like it's spinning too fast, there's a particular kind of midnight solidarity among pet parents – you know, the ones frantically stripping dog beds at 2 AM, wondering how something so cute could create such chaos. It's this beautifully messy reality of pet parenthood that inspired Tera and Jason Beattie to ask a question that would change everything: Why have we accepted that living with pets means sacrificing either our home's aesthetics or our sanity?

Enter LAYR, a brand that feels like a gentle reminder that even in uncertain times, innovation can come from the most relatable places. Using high-grade sustainable materials (including 100% American recycled yarns), they've created something that speaks to both our design-loving souls and our need for practical solutions in a world that already feels complicated enough. These aren't just dog beds – they're a testament to the idea that we deserve nice things, even when our pets have different plans. And in 2025, when so much feels out of control, there's something deeply satisfying about having at least one corner of our lives that can be both beautiful and brilliantly functional.

What started with reimagining dog beds has expanded into solutions that touch every aspect of life with pets – from car seats to hotel stays – because LAYR understands something fundamental about what we need right now: simplicity without sacrifice. In a world that often feels overwhelming, they're offering products that acknowledge both our appreciation for thoughtful design and our need for solutions that work in real life (you know, the kind where muddy paws and unexpected accidents are just part of the adventure). Because maybe what we're all really craving isn't just prettier pet furniture – it's the peace of mind that comes from knowing at least one part of our daily routine can be a little more effortless.

Learn More

Muffin's Halo, products helping blind dogs

Sometimes the most profound innovations come not from market research or focus groups, but from the purest form of necessity: love. That's the story behind Muffin's Halo, a company born from founder Silvie Bordeaux's dedication to her toy poodle, Muffin, and her determination to help him navigate the world after losing his sight. What started as one woman's mission to give her beloved companion a fuller life has blossomed into a beacon of hope for thousands of families facing similar challenges.

At its core, Muffin's Halo addresses a fear that any pet parent of a blind dog knows intimately - the worry that sight-impaired pets might injure themselves. Their ingeniously designed halo device acts like a gentle guardian angel, allowing blind dogs to explore their world with confidence while preventing painful bumps and collisions. But what they're really providing goes far deeper than any product – it's the gift of independence, both for dogs learning to navigate in darkness and for their humans who can finally exhale.

Through their partnership with Second Chances for Blind Dogs, a 501c3 organization also founded by Bordeaux, Muffin's Halo ensures their life-changing devices reach families regardless of their financial circumstances. In a world that often overlooks the unique challenges faced by pets with disabilities, they stand as a testament to what's possible when we refuse to accept limitations as final answers – reminding us that every dog, regardless of their challenges, deserves not just to survive but to thrive.

Learn More

OCHIEN sustainable pet bowls

There's something deeply ironic about feeding our pets from bowls made of virgin plastic while marine life struggles against an ocean of it. Enter Ochien, a UK-based company that's turning one of our planet's most pressing environmental crises into something unexpectedly beautiful – and practical. By transforming fishing nets and ropes salvaged from European and UK seas into stylish, vet-approved pet bowls, they're proving that our daily choices as pet parents can ripple out into meaningful change.

The numbers are admittedly staggering: 5 trillion pieces of plastic littering our oceans, 100,000 marine mammals and turtles lost annually to plastic pollution, 8 million new pieces finding their way into our waters every single day. But rather than letting these statistics paralyze us into eco-anxiety, Ochien offers a tangible way to be part of the solution. Their bowls, made from 95% recycled ocean plastics are professional-grade pet products that happen to have a planet-aiding superpower. Each bowl helps reduce our carbon footprint compared to traditional plastic alternatives while giving ocean waste a second life.

Available in colors that mirror the natural world they're helping to protect – from Marine Blue to Forest Green, Stone to Coral Pink – these bowls prove that sustainability doesn't have to mean sacrificing style. And while your dog might not care that their dinner bowl used to be a fishing net (they're more interested in what's going in it), there's something deeply satisfying about knowing that every mealtime is now a small act of environmental stewardship. In a world where it's easy to feel helpless about the state of our oceans, Ochien reminds us that change can start right in our own homes – one pet bowl at a time.

Learn More

Lunoji's Chewden enrichment set

Anyone who's ever watched their dog inhale a bully stick in record time (or found mysterious dried drool spots in every corner of the house) knows the unique anxiety that comes with treat time. Enter the CHEWDEN Set by Lunoji, a thoughtfully designed enrichment system that's transforming how we approach one of our pets' most natural behaviors. It's like someone finally looked at our mental checklist of worries – choking hazards, mess management, keeping pets sustainably entertained – and decided to solve them all at once.

At its core, the CHEWDEN set understands something fundamental about both pets and their humans: that enrichment should bring joy, not stress. The Grip component securely holds everything from bully sticks to yak cheese, preventing that heart-stopping moment when your pup tries to swallow the last inch whole. Meanwhile, the Trove opens up a world of frozen treat possibilities for dogs or cats that tap into the naturally calming effects of licking – perfect for those times when your pet needs to decompress (thunderstorm anxiety, we're looking at you). And because they thought of everything, the stainless-steel Base keeps the whole operation contained, so you can finally stop playing "find the abandoned chew" around your house.

What makes this set truly special is how it bridges the gap between what our pets need and what makes life manageable for their humans. Veterinary-approved design meets practical solutions: treats last longer, enrichment becomes more engaging, and cleanup becomes remarkably simpler. Whether you have a power chewer who treats every bone like a speed challenge or an anxious pet who needs soothing activities, the CHEWDEN set offers that rare combination of safety, functionality, and genuine enrichment. Because let's be honest – the best pet products are the ones that let us worry less and enjoy more.

Learn More

Oncotect non-invasive cancer screenings

In a year already marked by so much uncertainty, there's one anxiety that universally keeps pet parents up at night: wanting to protect our pets from every possible health concern. Raleigh-based biotech startup Oncotect is offering something revolutionary: peace of mind through early detection. They've developed the first and only urine-based, non-invasive multi-cancer screening test for dogs that's making its way into homes and vet offices across the country.

The idea of cancer screening for our pets can feel overwhelming, both emotionally and financially. But Oncotect is changing that narrative with a breakthrough that sounds almost too good to be true – no blood draws, no invasive procedures, just a simple urine sample that can detect the risk of the most common canine cancers (including melanoma, lymphoma, mast cell tumor, and hemangiosarcoma) with remarkable accuracy. Their clinical data shows 85% sensitivity and 96% specificity, numbers that translate to real hope for catching potential issues early enough to make a difference.

What makes Oncotect truly special is their commitment to making this kind of screening accessible to every pet parent. By keeping their testing affordable and designing it to be as simple as possible, they're democratizing access to potentially life-saving early detection. For those of us with senior dogs (7 years or older), this means being able to screen more frequently without breaking the bank or putting our pets through stressful procedures. Oncotect is giving us something powerful: the ability to be proactive about our pets' health, because they deserve every possible chance to stay by our sides as long as possible.

Learn More

Finding hope in the little things

In a year that's already feeling heavy with uncertainty, these brands remind us that innovation, compassion, and positive change can start in the most unexpected places – like a easy-to-launder dog sheets or a revolutionary litter box. While we can't control the news cycle or predict what 2025 will throw at us next, we can choose to support companies that are working to make life better not just for our pets, but for our communities and our planet.

Lizz Caputo is the Manager of Content Strategy at Figo, animal enthusiast, and owner of a rescued senior American Bully. Her hobbies include checking out new restaurants in her area, boxing, and petting dogs of all shapes and sizes.