Boxers, mastiffs, saint bernards and a fair few cats produce more saliva than the world was designed to absorb, and the damp patch under the chin turns into a smell within a day or two. A bib does the simple thing: it takes the drool, and then it goes in the wash. Your pet's chest fur stays dry, the sofa arm stays dry, and so does the floor around the water bowl.

This one ties on like a collar accessory but is cut and layered to absorb rather than merely decorate, in a gingham check that reads as an everyday piece rather than something clinical. It is machine washable, which is really the whole point of it. Buy two if your pet is a serious drooler, because one will spend half its life on the airer. Sizes run right from XXS through to 4XL, so cats and giant breeds are both covered.

• Absorbent bandana-style bib worn at the neck
• Gingham check pattern
• Machine washable
• Sizes XXS through to 4XL
• Suits cats and dogs

On the options, and the fit. The two variants here are described as a bow trim and a lace skirt. Both are decorative finishes on the same bib, and the lace version is more of a dress collar than a working drool catcher, so pick accordingly. Fit at the neck with two fingers' clearance under the tie, and take it off for sleep and unsupervised time, since anything loose at the throat can snag on a crate or a fence.

Who it's for: Owners of heavy droolers who want something washable at the neck, and anyone whose pet makes a mess at the water bowl.