Budget Conscious Stocking Stuffers for Pets

In our home, pets are as much a part of the family as the people. It's only natural that they celebrate the holidays with us and watching them explore, find and play with their stocking stuffers is an enjoyable holiday experience. Here are a few ideas for stocking stuffers for my pets, and yours too!

Homemade treats are great stocking stuffers for pets of any species, but they are especially useful in teaching that new puppy to explore his very own stocking. I use the Canine Bones for Xmas recipe from Dragonbear.com, but I add garlic powder. The cookie is hard and dry enough to not make a mess inside the stocking, but the aroma of liver and garlic is tempting enough to lure any dog to investigate and makes the other stocking stuffers smell that much more appealing. The cost of the liver is about $3; I usually have everything else on hand.

Collars make great, inexpensive stocking stuffers for pets. My pooches get a fashion update and the old collars are washed and then donated to the local rescue. My favorite collars are from Lupine . They are American made, carry a lifetime guarantee (even if chewed!), and come in a wonderful assortment of patterns and styles. At $6 to $8, the price is very reasonable.

One of the things I have learned over the years is that it is much cheaper to buy a regular supply of chew toys than it is to buy new furniture. Now I stuff my pet's stocking with Beafeaters rawhide bones. These bones, when slobbered upon profusely, are soft enough to keep 9 year old Holly content and tough enough for 1 year old Benny's intensive "jaws of death" gnawing. To make it a little easier on my budget throughout the year, I purchase these bones in bulk from JB Wholesale Pet Supplies. Total cost per bone, about $1.50.

Both Holly and Benny love their crates and spend a great deal of time in them relaxing and chewing on a bone. Each Christmas I pick up a few of the inexpensive fleece blankets at the local dollar store. They are inexpensive stocking stuffers and great bedding for pets. As with the collars, last year's blankets can be washed and donated to a local rescue. Price per blanket is about $5.

Purchasing stocking stuffers for your pets is a great way to show your affection to those fuzzy little beings who are there for you every day of the year. Watching them discover their treats is fun and brings happiness to everyone involved.