My roommate has a running rule for viral pet products: if she can’t picture her dog actually using it more than once, she skips it, no matter how satisfying the video looked. It’s kept her cabinet a lot less cluttered than mine.
The Video Is Designed to Be Convincing
A well-edited demo is meant to make a product look essential — that’s not dishonest, but it does mean the listing and reviews deserve a look before the video alone makes the decision.
- Read the actual product description, not just the video
Materials, sizing, and safety details in the listing often reveal things a fast-paced video skips over.
- Check the volume and content of reviews
A large number of specific, detailed reviews is more reassuring than a high rating with very few reviews behind it.
- Think about whether it fits your specific pet
A product that works well for one breed or size of pet may not translate directly to another.
- Compare it to a simpler alternative you might already own
Sometimes an existing item already does most of the job, making the flashier product less essential than it looks.
A Quick Gut Check
If a product passes this check, it’s worth comparing against similar options in this list of genuinely worthwhile pet products before deciding on a specific one. Related reading: This Month’s Talked-About Pet Product.
FAQ
Is it bad to buy something just because it looked cool in a video?
Not necessarily, but it’s worth a quick gut check on whether your specific pet would actually use or need it before checking out.
What’s the biggest red flag when evaluating a viral pet product?
Very few or vague reviews, especially for anything related to safety or ingestion, is worth pausing on before buying.
Do all viral pet products eventually go unused?
No, plenty become genuine daily tools — the ones that stick tend to solve a specific, recurring issue for that pet.
Should I wait before buying a brand-new viral product?
Waiting a short while lets more reviews build up, which can make the decision easier and lower-risk.