News

Decoding the Buckle-Down Wall: A Guide to Our Collar and Leash Patterns
Buckle-Down has been making novelty collars and leashes since 1993, and at this point our Buckle-Down section is less a product category and more a small universe of patterns. If you've scrolled through it and felt slightly overwhelmed by the sheer number of options, this guide is for sorting through it — by material, by personality, and by what actually holds up day to day. Plastic clip collars vs. seatbelt webbing collars Buckle-Down makes nearly every pattern in two different builds, and the difference matters more than it looks. Plastic... Read more...
Lick Mats 101: Why Wilbur (and Half Our Customers) Are Obsessed With Emats
If you haven't tried a lick mat yet, the concept sounds almost too simple to work: a textured silicone mat, something tasty smeared into the grooves, and a dog or cat who is suddenly, blissfully occupied for twenty minutes. But the simplicity is exactly the point — and it's why our SodaPup Emat collection has quietly become one of the most-asked-about categories in the store. What a lick mat actually does Licking is a naturally calming behavior for dogs and cats — it releases endorphins and lowers heart rate, which... Read more...
The Harness Buying Guide: How to Pick the Right Fit for Your Dog
Ask ten dog owners why they switched from a collar to a harness and you'll get ten variations of the same story: a sudden lunge at a squirrel, a vet visit about tracheal pressure, or just a dog who pulls hard enough to make every walk feel like a tug-of-war. Harnesses solve a real problem, but the harness aisle (or in our case, the harness section of the site) can be its own kind of overwhelming. Here's how to actually choose one. Why a harness instead of a collar? The... Read more...
Lottie's Laws: What My Cat Has Taught Me About Buying Pet Products
Lottie's Laws: What My Cat Has Taught Me About Buying Pet Products
Lottie doesn't make buying decisions easy. But after years of watching her approve, reject, and dramatically ignore things I thought were perfect, I've learned a few things. Read more...
The Honest Guide to Reading a Pet Product Label
The Honest Guide to Reading a Pet Product Label
Not all pet products are created equal — and the label usually tells you everything you need to know, if you know what to look for. A practical guide from... Read more...
Why We Only Carry What We'd Actually Buy for Wilbur
Why We Only Carry What We'd Actually Buy for Wilbur
Best Friends General isn't a warehouse. It's a boutique. Here's what that actually means — and why it matters for your dog or cat. Read more...
Hot Dog, Cool Cat: Wilbur & Lottie's Ultimate Summer Pet Checklist
Hot Dog, Cool Cat: Wilbur & Lottie's Ultimate Summer Pet Checklist
Summer is here, and if you share your home with a dog and a cat, you already know: they have very different opinions about it. Wilbur, our Jack Russell Terrier,... Read more...
The Spirited and the Curious: A Day in the Life of Wilbur and Lottie
The Spirited and the Curious: A Day in the Life of Wilbur and Lottie
At Best Friends General, our mission has always been to provide gear that matches the real lives of our pets. We don’t design for "perfect" animals; we design for the... Read more...
The Boutique Pet Edit: Premium Dog Food, Artisan Toys, and Wellness Essentials
The Boutique Pet Edit: Premium Dog Food, Artisan Toys, and Wellness Essentials
Shop boutique pet products at Best Friends General. Find premium dog food, artisan cat toys, and luxury gear curated for your pet's health and joy. Read more...
Discover Best Friends General, your new online pet store dedicated to high-quality dog and cat products. Learn our story, our commitment to curated goods, and meet Wilbur, our Chief Treat Taster!
Discover Best Friends General, your new online pet store dedicated to high-quality dog and cat products. Learn our story, our commitment to curated goods, and meet Wilbur, our Chief Treat Taster!
Inspired by a lazy Jack Russell named Wilbur, Best Friends General is a curated boutique for dogs and cats. We source high-end, durable, and beautiful products for the pets who mean... Read more...