Trixie Pet Products: The Brand Story and a Guide to Its Range
Trixie began in 1974 as a one-man pet supplies business in northern Germany. Here is its story, plus a guide to its cat furniture, dog strategy games and small pet homes.
In short
- Trixie was founded in 1974 by Bonnik Hansen, a Danish-born businessman, as a one-man business selling dog leashes, toys and chew bones.
- The company is based in Tarp in the far north of Germany, close to the Danish border, and says it offers about 6,000 items for dogs, cats, birds, small animals and reptiles.
- Trixie's Dog Activity strategy games are sorted into levels, from beginner Level 1 boards to advanced Level 3 puzzles, so you can match a game to your dog's experience.
- For cats, the range runs from compact sisal scratching posts and replacement posts to tall towers, senior cat trees and wall-mounted climbing sets.
- In July 2026 Trixie announced that Central Garden & Pet would take a majority stake, with Trixie staying independently managed and Tarp remaining its central hub.
Trixie pet products come from a pet supplies company founded in 1974 in northern Germany by Bonnik Hansen, a Danish-born businessman who started out alone with a truck. Today the brand designs cat furniture, scratching posts, dog strategy games, small animal hutches and bird aviaries, and it sorts many of its puzzle toys by difficulty level.
Below you will find the story the company tells about itself, then a friendly guide to the kinds of Trixie products we carry and which pets each one suits. Grab a cup of something warm, lovely. It is a good story.
Who founded Trixie, and when?
Trixie was founded in 1974 by Bonnik Hansen. In the company's own words, its story began with a three-and-a-half tonne truck and a Dane. Hansen started as a one-man business, selling dog leashes, toys and chewing bones, and the company says that small start grew into a European market leader for pet accessories.
A company profile published in Germany places that first business in Flensburg, the harbour town at the very top of the country, a short drive from the Danish border. It fits the founder's story neatly: a Danish-born trader setting up shop on the German side of the border and driving his own stock to pet shops.
Where is Trixie based today?
Trixie is based in Tarp, a small town in Schleswig-Holstein near Flensburg. The trade magazine Pet Worldwide reports that the company moved to Tarp in 2002 and has kept adding warehouse and office space there ever since. Its full name is TRIXIE Heimtierbedarf GmbH & Co. KG, and "Heimtierbedarf" is simply German for pet supplies.
The scale is very different from that first truck. Trixie says it offers about 6,000 items for dogs, cats, birds, small animals and reptiles, supplies more than 8,500 specialist shops in 100 countries, and has more than 600 permanent employees. It also trains young people in several professions at the Tarp site.
How does Trixie design its products?
Trixie says its products are developed in-house by its own specialists and designers, with input from outside animal experts. Pet Worldwide describes the range today as design-led, with animal welfare and sustainability in mind.
The range also keeps moving. In a 2014 interview with Pet Worldwide, the company said about 15 percent of its products were replaced every year, and that it reviewed whole product groups, adding cat furniture for older and larger cats, for example. You can still see that thinking in the senior cat trees further down this page.
Who owns Trixie pet products now?
In July 2026 Trixie announced that Central Garden & Pet, a US pet and garden company, would acquire a majority stake as part of the long-term succession plan for its founder. Trixie said it would continue to be managed independently by its current team, that Tarp would remain the central hub of the company, and that Bonnik Hansen's proceeds would go to his foundation, which supports social and charitable causes.
What are Trixie Dog Activity strategy games?
Dog Activity is Trixie's family of treat puzzles, and the games are labelled by level. Level 1 boards are for beginners, Level 2 asks a dog to combine moves, and Level 3 puzzles have several steps or a lock to work out. Start one level below where you think your dog is, so the first sessions end in a win.
| Level | What the dog does | Good first pick for |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1, beginner | Sniffs through fabric or slides a lid to find a treat | Puppies, first-time puzzlers, gentle seniors |
| Level 2, intermediate | Mixes moves: slide a cover, lift a cone, flip a flap | Dogs who solve a Level 1 board quickly |
| Level 3, advanced | Works in steps, removes blockers, or learns a button | Keen problem solvers and working breeds |
Beginner games, Level 1
Simple moves and quick wins to build confidence.
Next steps, Levels 2 and 3
More moving parts for dogs who have learned the basics.
For the dog who has solved everything
The Memory Trainer is a treat dispenser with a separate release button. Your dog learns that pressing the button makes a reward drop into the drawer, and the listing gives the button a range of up to 43 yards, so you can place it across the room or further away as your dog learns.
- A rotating reservoir with an adjustable opening sets how much drops
- Teach it in short sessions, with the button right beside the dispenser at first
If your dog is new to puzzles, our guide to dog puzzle toys by level walks through how to introduce each stage. For the wider story of how dog puzzles began, read the Outward Hound and Nina Ottosson story. Stay close during play and put the game away afterwards, so small parts are never chewed.
Which Trixie games suit cats?
Trixie makes Cat Activity games too, built around paws rather than noses. Cats scoop, poke and flip to reach a treat, which suits the way they hunt. The Turn Around game uses three beakers with lids in two hole patterns, and the Tunnel Feeder lets treats tumble down six channels for a cat to fish out.
Cat games and play pieces
Paw puzzles, a treat tunnel and a cosy play tunnel.
Which Trixie scratching post or cat tree should you choose?
Pick by your cat's size and age first, then by your space. Trixie's posts are mostly wrapped in sisal rope over a plush-covered base, and many of its trees are named models in several heights, from a 16.9-inch kitten tree to towers around 46 to 50 inches tall.
| Type | What it is | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Compact post with hammock | Two sisal posts holding a plush hammock | Kittens, small flats, cats who nap near the action |
| Single tall post | One sisal post on a weighted plush base | Cats who stretch upward to scratch |
| Multi-level tower | Several posts, a condo and platforms | Climbers, multi-cat homes |
| Senior cat tree | Low platforms set like steps, a padded top bed | Older cats who still like a view |
| Wall-mounted set | Steps, condos and hammocks fixed to the wall | Small floors, confident climbers |
| Replacement post | A fresh sisal post for a worn tree | Keeping a favourite tree in use |
Scratching posts, small to tall
Sisal rope over a sturdy plush base.
Towers and senior trees
More levels for climbers, and low steps for older cats.
Wall sets and replacement posts
Climbing routes on the wall, and fresh sisal for a well-loved tree.
Weighing sisal against cardboard? Our sisal vs cardboard scratcher guide compares the textures, and how to choose a cat tree covers height and stability. A replacement post is a lovely trick: your cat keeps the tree it knows, and you only swap the part that is frayed. Browse more scratching posts any time.
Litter box furniture
Cabinets that hide a litter tray and double as a side table.
What does Trixie make for rabbits, guinea pigs and birds?
Trixie's small animal range leans on glazed pine wood: two-storey hutches with ramps and sloped roofs, raised houses with a door that lowers into a ramp, and outdoor runs with mesh covers. Inside the habitat, look for climbing bridges, tunnels and snack puzzles like the Hide N Slide, which has three different ways to open.
Homes, runs and play for small pets
Wooden hutches and houses, plus things to climb and solve.
For birds, Trixie builds wooden aviaries in solid pine with a weatherproof finish and powder-coated grids, sized for budgies, finches and other small birds. They suit a sheltered porch or a large indoor corner. Ask an avian vet if you are unsure about space for your species.
Aviaries for small birds
Tall wooden flights with perches.
Which Trixie dog doors and travel gear are worth knowing?
Some of Trixie's most practical pieces are the quiet ones. The 2-Way Locking Dog Door fits an interior door, so a dog can reach the laundry room or garage while the door stays shut, and a metal panel closes it off. Clear vinyl flaps fit the doorway of a wooden dog house to keep wind and rain out. For trips, there are folding ramps, pet stairs, a stroller and bike trailers.
Doors, flaps, ramps and rides
Everyday helpers at home and out on the road.
For grooming, Trixie's small nail clippers and soft brush and comb set suit puppies, kittens and small animals. Take nails slowly and ask your vet or groomer to show you where to cut.
Grooming basics
Small tools for gentle routines.
How to pick the right Trixie product for your pet
- Start with your pet's age and size: kitten trees and Level 1 games for beginners, senior trees for older cats.
- Measure your space, including ceiling height for towers and wall studs for wall sets.
- For games, choose one level below your guess and move up when your pet solves it calmly.
- For outdoor hutches and aviaries, plan a sheltered spot out of direct sun and wind.
- Introduce anything new gently, stay close during play, and check parts for wear.
You can see every Trixie item we carry on our brands page, or simply search for Trixie and filter by your pet.
Questions people ask
Who owns Trixie pet products?
Trixie was founded and long owned by Bonnik Hansen. In July 2026 the company announced that Central Garden & Pet would acquire a majority stake as part of the founder's succession plan. Trixie said it would keep its current management and remain independently run from Tarp.
Where is Trixie from?
Trixie is a German company based in Tarp, in Schleswig-Holstein in the far north of Germany, close to the Danish border. A German company profile says it was founded in nearby Flensburg in 1974.
What do the levels on Trixie dog games mean?
Trixie labels its Dog Activity games by difficulty: Level 1 for beginners, Level 2 for intermediate dogs and Level 3 for advanced players. Start one level lower than you expect, so your dog enjoys early wins, then move up.
Is Trixie a good cat brand?
That depends on what your cat needs. Trixie offers a wide cat range, from compact sisal posts and replacement posts to tall towers, senior trees and wall sets, and each card shows that product's own ratings. Match the size and height to your cat, and check the listing details before you choose.
Can I replace the post on a Trixie cat tree?
Trixie sells sisal replacement posts in several lengths, such as 11.8 inches and 23.6 inches. Measure the worn post and its fitting before you choose, so the new one matches your tree.
About the numbers
- TRIXIE Heimtierbedarf GmbH & Co. KG, company About page, read 2026-11-01: Founded 1974 by Bonnik Hansen; began with a truck and a one-man business selling leashes, toys and chew bones; about 6,000 items; more than 8,500 specialist shops in 100 countries; more than 600 permanent employees; in-house design with outside animal experts.
- TRIXIE news release, 29 July 2026, read 2026-11-01: Central Garden & Pet to acquire a majority stake; independent management continues; Tarp remains the central hub; founder's proceeds go to his foundation.
- Pet Worldwide, "50 years and a new look", 2024: Founded by the Dane Bonnik Hansen; moved to Tarp in 2002; shift to design-led products; new logo, packaging and the "Friends for life" principle for the 50th anniversary.
- Pet Worldwide, company profile of Trixie, 2014: Headquarters in Tarp in the far north of Germany near the Danish border; about 15 percent of products replaced each year; cat range reviewed to add items for older and larger cats.
- lifeverde company profile of TRIXIE Heimtierbedarf (German), read 2026-11-01: Founded in 1974 in Flensburg as a one-man business by a Danish-born founder.
