Over half of all pet owners will buy their pet a gift for Christmas this year and many of them will also hang a stocking on the mantel for their pet! This year our pet stockings number way more than the kids. Kids 1, Pets 5:  Muffy, Winston, Tuesday, Pippa and Mickey will all have stockings hung by the fire. The three horses don’t hang their stockings on the corral fence, but they will get an apple and a carrot, or a home made horse treat.

There are dozens of websites that will personalize gifts for your pet, putting their name on anything from their stocking to their food bowl, towel, picture frame or collar. What’s a stocking for your pet without a treat or two? Start with a healthy pet treat. You probably don’t let your pet tear apart the stocking, so once they get their treat, you might as well stuff the rest of the stocking with things you need to care for your pet but don’t purchase very often – and of course, things that will fit in the stocking. These might include a new (or first) toothbrush and toothpaste. If your vet or groomer doesn’t brush your pet’s teeth occasionally, give it a try.

If you haven’t already picked out a new collar for your pet for Christmas, it’s a great gift for a stocking. It fits any sock and gets “opened” just in time for the Christmas day company – and you want your pet to look his/her best! If you do add a new collar, don’t forget to transfer his I.D. tag to the new collar right away. Or, buy a new I.D. at the same time you buy the collar and attach it before you put it in the stocking. No stocking would be complete without a new toy! A squeaky toy, a stuffed animal, a rubber toy or a new ball or flying disk are favorites of almost any dog. Cats love the small toys, especially the little fuzzy mice or small toys stuffed with catnip. Pet stores stock up heavily with pet toys and treats for Christmas, so look for a new version of a toy your pet loves and have fun shopping!