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55 Weird But Genius Things You'll Love Especially If You're An Animal Lover
55 Weird But Genius Things You'll Love Especially If You're An Animal Lover

The gang’s all here.

by Christina Wood
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When you are looking for box cutters, bathroom storage, or a set of salt and pepper shakers, you probably don’t immediately think, “That should look like a cat!” (Or a dog, hedgehog, or bunny.) But why not? You can have your spoon rest or mug warmer and your animal-lover decor, too. Utilitarian items can be adorable, too. To help you locate the whimsical animal tool that will serve your home, here are 55 weird but genius things you’ll love especially if you’re an animal lover.

01A Sad Cow Butter Dish

Bring a cow to breakfast! This ceramic cow butter dish will protect the butter and make your breakfast table so much cuter. Its sad eyes and pink nose make it the perfect listener when you are breakfasting alone. And visitors will adore your whimsical farmhouse vibe.

02Dish Cloths With Cute Cats

Sure, your dishes and spills might clean up just as easily if you used plain Swedish dish cloths. But where is the fun in that? These absorbent cloths are a hybrid of a sponge and a cotton cloth and they are as capable as paper towels when it comes to sopping up a spill. But they are much more durable. They are also adorned with the most adorable cats.

03A Kitty To Hold The Toothbrushes

This cat toothbrush holder is ready to manage the messy clutter situation on your bathroom vanity. It brings a playful vibe to the space while keeping things tidy. The four-compartment stand has room for all the toothbrushes — or razors — and puts the final touch on your cat theme.

04A Lobster Heating Pad For Cramps

If you’ve ever suffered from cramps or even a sore stomach, this heating pad is genius. Pop the interior heating pad into the microwave and it’ll heat up and start diffusing a lavender scent. Then put it inside the lobster and take it with you wherever you need it. This one is a fan favorite.

05A Pachiderm Salt & Pepper Shaker Set

Bring the beauty of the animal kingdom to your table setting by filling this pair of elephant salt and pepper shakers with your best seasonings. The two elephants hug and nest in each other to save space. “I wanted salt and pepper shakers for my coffee table, but didn't want them to be obvious. These are perfect for our multiple times a night that we eat watching TV,” says one reviewer.

06Adorable Animal Plates

This set of six whimsical cartoon animal ceramic plates will turn every snack into entertainment. The perfect size for serving nuts or dipping oils, these will be the cutest dishes in your home. Happy canines? Cat butts? Smiling felines? There are 10 options.

07A Ladybug That Cleans

Set this cute ladybug down on your desk where it will charm you with its robotic bug looks. It will also be ready to spring into desktop vacuum mode at the push of a button if you spew eraser dust or cookie crumbs all over the place. “I use it every day,” said one reviewer. “It couldn't be easier to clean, and the suction is mind-boggling, considering it makes as much ‘noise’ as a heavy sigh. Amazing.” It comes in four colors.

08The Shark Is Eating Your Pens

Shark week is here for your office! This shark pen holder looks as if it is emerging from the deep to swallow your writing implements. It is an excellent way to add spice to your workday. It works well in a bathroom, too, to hold toothbrushes. If sharks are too scary, there are seven animals to choose from.

09The Cute Cat Sponges That Love Water

Washing the dishes is so much more fun when these cat scrub sponges are playing in the water, their cute little heads peeking out of the suds. This is a three-pack of abrasive sponges in three colors and they are happy to keep you company while you do chores. “Adorable, but also very good at cleaning,” said one reviewer.

10A Bear That Charges Your Watch

Transform your end-of-day charging experience into one of cartoonish whimsy by setting your Apple Watch on this charger stand that looks like a bear. Thread your charger through its belly and it holds your watch and looks adorable, turning the watch into a bedside clock while it gets power. It comes in three colors.

11The Cat That Helps You Wash Your Hands

How could anyone resist washing their hands when this adorable cat soap dispenser is in charge of the sink? Serene, helpful, and able to hold 12 ounces of liquid soap, it stands ready to deliver a dollop of clean to your palm. There are also cute sloth and smiling unicorn options.

12The Vegetable Chopper That Looks Like A Crocodile

This effective vegetable chopper makes kitchen work faster and easier. Drop an onion on one of the two dicing blades and close the lid and that one gesture turns the onion into pieces that are ready for the pan. It will create spirals and ribbons just as easily. That it looks like a crocodile while doing all this hard work is just hilarious.

13This Spoon Rest With Ears

“Love this adorable spoon rest,” said one reviewer, voicing the feelings of many who encounter it. The ears evoke a cat without taking the likeness too far into cartoonish so you will adore this ceramic dish for years. It’s elegant enough to leave on the counter in even the most stylish kitchen. You could also use it to serve small snacks. It comes in four colors.

14The Cow With A Milk Box To Hold Utensils

Get your most-used utensils out of the drawers and store them within reach in this cow utensil holder. It is charming and cute and helps create a farmhouse theme in the kitchen. “The cow is actually holding a milk carton which adds to the charm,” said one reviewer. “A wonderful whimsical addition.”

15This Cat Glows Warmly

This cute cat lamp is the perfect bedside table adornment. It’s soft to the touch because it’s made of silicone. Tap it and it will cycle through its three lighting modes and seven color options. And you can set it anywhere because it is rechargeable. There are two styles, one with a remote. “It’s super soft, very bright, and has a wide array of colors,” said one reviewer. “I don’t think it is possible that it could make me any happier.”

16Animals That’ll Open Your Beer

Stock up on this adorable bottle opener that comes in the shape of a dog, several cats, or a bat. It feels good in the hand, gets a bottle open quickly, and is magnetic so you can mount it to the fridge or any piece of metal so you can always find it. “Great gift,” said more than one five-star reviewer.

17Oven Mitts That Are Also A Dog Costume

Next time you lift a hot pan from the oven, turn the experience into a sight gag by wearing the hot dog oven mitts. They are cute and you look like you are wearing a costume. But they also provide excellent heat protection, keeping your hands and arms safe. “I loved how it makes it so easy to cradle the pans without getting burnt,” said one reviewer.

18A Mug Warmer With Whiskers & Paws

Why set your mug on a boring mug warmer when this sleeping cat is willing to warm your beverage? It has three temperature settings and powers off automatically after eight hours so you won’t burn the house down. This helpful kitty will also hold your phone for you in those cute, extended paws. It comes in 10 colors.

19Paws For Your Shower Curtain

Add a subtle row of paws to your bathroom decor by using these paw print shower curtain hooks. Rendered in a sturdy metal, they are adorable, and play well with other animal-themed bathroom decor. “These hooks pair very well with dog-related shower curtains,” said one reviewer. “Absolutely adorable!” Cat lovers like them, too. They come in three colors.

20This Brush Holder With A Cat’s Smile

Drop your makeup brushes and other personal care tools into this cat makeup brush holder and put away the random containers and makeshift storage solutions. It’s roomy, elegant, and — of course — feline so it will elevate your prep space with haughty charm. It comes in five colors and two styles.

21An Owl For Baking

Pull on this oven owl mitt before you lift a heavy pan from the oven to protect your hands. The fun face will help you enjoy yourself more in the kitchen. The thick gloves offer excellent protection. And the anti-slip silicone on the palm section gives you a firm grip. They come in eight sizes, animals, and styles.

22A Dragon To Light Your Garden

Deep in the garden lies a scaly dragon whose job is to light your way after dark. This solar dragon statue is mythical and helpful, holding a lantern that turns on automatically at dusk. It charges during the day so all you have to do is set this piece amid the flowers to make your home a dragon-guarded castle.

23A Bunny To Grab Toast

Stash these toaster tongs near the toaster so you never burn your fingers grabbing hot bread or snacks. The bamboo tongs make it easy to grab things and the bunny is not only cute but practical, since it stands up — displaying the tongs as its ears — when not in use. “You could use regular tongs, I guess, but this is so much cuter and very obvious next to the toaster,” said one reviewer.

24A Rhino For Sharper Knives

Hiding in the hide of this sleepy pachyderm is an effective and easy-to-use knife sharpener. The rhino looks adorable standing on a shelf or counter so there is no need to stash it in a drawer. This is good because when your knife is dull, you want a fast way to remedy that and this knife sharpener is it. It comes in two colors.

25A Swan Ladle For Elegant Meals

Add the grace of a swan to your serving efforts by hooking the swanky soup ladle over the soup tureen. The long handle is formed into an elegant swan neck but this tool has both form and function. The ladle is generous, heat resistant, and safe to go in the dishwasher. It comes in white, pink, and black.

26This Buddy To Hold Your Spoon

Buddy is your patient, helpful spoon holder and steam-releaser dog. He sits patiently on the side of your pan, holding your wooden spoon as if it were his favorite stick. But he’ll let you use it when you need it. Meanwhile, he is also happy to hold the lid up and let out steam so you can do something else. “Most adorable thing in my kitchen,” said one reviewer. It comes in two colors.

27A Platipus Beak For Spreading

The adorable Splatypus jar spatula is here to get that last bit of jam from the jar. It’s also the perfect tool for spreading mayo or PB onto bread. That the business end is the beak of a strange, slender platypus does not diminish its excellence as a tool. Holding the body of a platypus while you work brings a charm to the task that’s fun.

28The Cat & Mouse Pizza Cutter

Every time you cut a pizza, enjoy a game of cat and mouse. If you own this pizza cutter wheel this will become routine. The mouse is on the blade. The cat is the handle. It’s fun! That cat handle is also designed to be ergonomic and comfortable in your hand and the blade is sharp and effective.

29This Cat Basket That’s So Cute

This woven cat basket is a cute way to keep the living room tidy. Set it in a corner, where it will look adorable. Then toss all the toys, extra pillows, and sundry clutter into it to quickly clean up the room. “Great size for all the cat toys,” said one reviewer. “My cats loved it and I had to get them out of it before I could fill it up with actual toys.”

30The Tired Duck That Lights Your Room

This duck night-light is tired. That’s why it’s collapsed on your bedside table giving off a soft, warm light. That feeling is infectious. You will soon be tired, too. First, you will fall asleep. Next, the duck will turn off. It has a 30-minute timer for this. If you need the duck to brighten up, tap its soft, silicone body. It has three brightness levels. “The little girl I bought it for loves that you tap his butt to turn it on,” said one reviewer. “Confession…I bought one for myself. I also love the fact that you tap his butt to turn it on.”

31Cats That Are Magnetic Hooks

Turn your fridge into a clowder of cats with this four-pack of cat refrigerator magnets. Their tails curl out adorably into whatever position you like to hold your keys, oven mitts, and other essentials. You can tuck notes under them, too. They are useful! It’s not just about paying homage to the cat deities.

32An Octopus For A Better Bath

Most bathtubs are too shallow to let you get a good soak. This tub drain cover is an easy fix. Suction it over the overflow drain and it will add inches of depth to your hot-water me time. It will also keep you company since it’s a cute cephalopod that loves water. It comes in six colors.

33A Cat Mug With A Fish Infuser

You can sip tea or you can sip tea from a cat tea mug with a fish swimming in its belly. The fish is a tea infuser. The handle is the cat’s tail. The mug is cute, on its own, without the fish or the lid. It doesn’t get much better than that. “I did not expect this to be sooooo freaking cute,” said one reviewer. “I have to get more. Really good quality glass.”

34This Sloth For Hanging Plants

This cute sloth hanging planter turns a simple plant into a cute vignette that brings so much whimsical style to your space. Just drop a small potted plant into its belly and it will catch the water overflow and turn that nursery pot into decor. It comes in two colors.

35This Cat Style Water Bottle

Does your current water bottle have cute cat ears? Well, it’s time to upgrade to this cat water bottle then. It also has a silicone wrist strap so you can carry it hands-free. It’s double wall vacuum insulated so it will keep 10 ounces of water chilled for hours and it comes in two colors that are both sleek and pretty.

36A Forest Full Of Bag Clip Creatures

Turn all your half-empty bags of chips, cookies, and snacks into an adorable menagerie of friendly faces by clipping them closed with this set of six bag clips. Each one is a different woodland creature, complete with happy faces and cute paws. “Why have boring chip clips??” Asked one reviewer. “These woodland animals are adorable and have held up well.”

37This AirPods Case Kitty

Upgrade your everyday carry by dropping your earbuds into this adorable AirPods case that looks like a cat’s face. The little pink ears will make you smile every time you reach for your buds and the carabiner lets you clip them to a bag, keychain, or belt.

38These Pandas For Warm Hands

When your hands are cold, hold this pair of panda hand warmers to warm them right up. Or sync them together to form one warmer that can heat the interior of your jacket. Choose from three heating levels and they will keep you warm for up to 20 hours. They are rechargeable and adorable.

39The Hedgehog Hand Drying Towel

Replace your ordinary hand towels with this pair of fuzzy ball hand towels to bring a bit of fun to the bathroom or kitchen. They are super absorbent and feel gentle and soft on your hands. They dry quickly, too, so you never have a damp and smelly towel as your only hand-drying option. They come in three colors.

40Cow Slippers With Horns & A Nose

These slippers are incredibly fun but also super cozy. The inner lining is made from a soft fleece and the bottoms have a lightly grippy texture so you won’t slip and slide around when you wear them. One reviewer says, “I bought these about a year ago and I’m still wearing them every single day. I love them so much. They are great and they’re durable.”

41Dachsunds For Your Iced Drinks

Turn every iced beverage into a doggy play date with this dog shaped ice mold that makes nine dachshunds. You can use them to make candies, chocolates, flavored ice, or whatever you think a dog this size should taste like. “I don’t even use my ice maker anymore,” said one reviewer. “All the ice in my house is now shaped like weenie dogs.”

42Adorable Sticky Notes In Multiple Sizes

While everyone else is using boring square sticky notes — and having their message ignored — you are sticking these adorable cats to everything. These cat sticky notes are so cute, people can’t miss them. They will coo, read your message, and hope you leave another. You get 300 sheets in an assortment of shapes and sizes. There are 10 design options to choose from.

43A Cat That Will Hold Your Hat

Hook this pair of mischievous kitties over the door so you have a place to hang your jacket or hat. These two over-the-door hooks create the perpetual illusion of a cat sneaking in over the top of the door. But those claws are a handy storage spot. “A must-have for every cat lover,” said one reviewer. “It is just a simple hook system that is adorable.”

44This Donkey Memo & Reminder System

This donkey desktop memo holder is an entire reminder system and it's irresistible. Grab a note from the pack on Morris’s back. Jot your note. And feed it to him. He will hold it in his mouth, reminding you, till you throw it away. He will hold a pencil in his mouth for you, too, if you need it. He comes in several colors.

45The Vase That Looks Like A Pet

Turn your cut flowers or propagating cuttings into an adorable animal display with this planter vase holder that’s shaped like a cat or dog. The leaves or flowers become part of the animal's body and the entire display is super cute. “So cute. I purchased several because they are adorable,” said one reviewer.

46An Owl That Holds The Door Open

If you are using a brick or rock to hold the door open, it’s time to set this owl door stopper there instead. First, it’s adorable and will bring some style to your living space. Second, it won’t scratch the floor or the door. And last, you won’t break a toe if you accidentally kick it. There are also dogs, cats, and other animals. You could build an army of forest dwellers to keep the doors open.

47A Pair Of Cute Cat Tongs

The world is full of ordinary tongs. This pair of cat tongs, though, is so cute that you will want to upgrade. Serve your noodles, grab your toast, and flip your greens with these and you will be happier. “I love the attention to detail on the paw pads inside the tongs,” said one reviewer. “Get yourself some kitty grabbers right meow,” proclaimed another.

48Measuring Cups That Are Shaped Like Cats

Fill these stackable measuring cups with the ingredients you need to bake a cake and your kitchen will look like the cats have taken over. Their tales are handles. The littlest holds a 1/4 cup. The largest holds a full cup. And the one in the middle is a 1/2 cup measure. They come in black or white.

49A Sassy Cat To Hold Your Earbuds

Obviously, you need a sassy, dancing cat AirPod holder. Its little paws are magnetized so the AirPods stay put. He can hold other things, too, of course. “I do not even have [AirPods] yet he was so stinking cute, I couldn't pass him up,” said one reviewer. “Mostly, Gus, that's his name by the way, and I just go through the day and see what random little item he'll decide to hold.”

50An Elephant That Drains To The Sink

This cute, cubist elephant storage holder is engineered to be both adorable and functional. Use it to drip dry utensils or store toothbrushes. Water drains off your items, through the trunk, and back into the sink. “I love this cute elephant, the snout hangs over the sink and drains my sponge,” said one reviewer. “Who doesn't need a lucky elephant!”

51Cat Coasters That Are Irresistible

If you want to encourage people to use a coaster rather than destroy your furniture, go for these irresistible cat coasters. They look adorable on your desk. They make the coffee table cuter. And your bedside table will be a happier place with a smiling cat on it. This is a set of four.

52The Pig For Charcuterie

If you plan to pig out on meat, cheese, and other bits and bobs, arrange it all on this pig-shaped charcuterie board and make it a self-referential meal. The bamboo is easy to wash and the charming cuteness will elevate your meal — or kitchen. “Everyone who sees it on my kitchen island loves it,” said one reviewer.

53A Puffer Fish In Your Laundry

Toss this pair of adorable puffer fish dryer buddies into your laundry to prevent static, help clothes dry faster, and bring some fun to laundry day. “Not only are they basically eternally useful, they're freaking adorable,” said one reviewer. “I no longer have to buy dryer sheets, as these little fish are fantastic at removing static and lint from my clothes.” You could also choose lambs, hedgehogs, or cacti.

54These Cute Cat Planter Pots

Why use an ordinary clay pot for that little cactus plant you picked up at the hardware store when you can put it into one of these planter pots that look like cats? This is a matched pair so they will have someone to play with and they each have a drainage hole in the bottom so your plants will thrive. There are three colors to choose from.

55A Trivet That Looks Like A Dog

Protect your counters and make yourself smile with this English bulldog trivet that waits like a good dog for you to remove something hot from the oven. When not in use, it looks adorable. When you set it on a table and put a hot serving dish on it, everyone will laugh. There are several other animals and shapes to choose from, too.