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Hannukah's just about over, (although I encourage you to check out these fabulous collars for next year!) but with a couple of weeks left until Christmas, there is still plenty of time to take care of the pets - and pet people - on your lists. In my admittedly biased opinion, we (I mean they!) are some of the most fun to buy for.
1. Stockings are a big deal at our house, and leaving the dog out of this tradition just isn't allowed. There is really nothing more fun on Christmas morning anyway than watching my dog try to bat his stocking down from the dining room chair. This does NOT count as tormenting him, no matter what the rest of the family says. I fill it with toys and treats he can still have now that he's old and is on a controlled diet. Here are some cute stocking options for dogs and cats from the Animal Rescue Site.
I do get him a couple of cookies from a local gourmet pet bakery. We actually have a few in the DC area, and it is a special day, after all. I try to go for the ones without a lot of stuff on top. They're perfectly safe, but I've found that too much strange food doesn't work for him. If your pet has an iron stomach, go to town.
2. As for toys, they're a popular choice for pet gifts, yes. My favorites are from the Air Kong line. They're durable, they come in fun shapes, like jacks (LOVES his jack!) and footballs, and he can chew on them for ages and they don't fall apart. Actually, my dog is perfectly happy with new tennis balls and the occasional goofy toy, and I find that most companion animals stick with their familiar favorites.
Rawhide is messy and not terribly safe, and I don't give any fluffy toys to any of the animals in my life. As funny or cute as they may seem on the shelf, even my small dog can tear them up within minutes - as in literally tear the stuffing out of them. It makes a mess, I worry about pieces breaking off and causing him to choke or getting into his stomach, and I have to admit it hurts my feelings to spend 10 bucks on a toy that has such a short life expectancy. If anything's going to change my mind, though, it's going to be these Zen chew toys from Uncommon Goods.
Cats can get in on the entertainment also. The kitty who truly has everything and needs a little bit more sensory stimulation would be lucky to get the Mewvie, a dvd set full of "action-packed scenes of scampering critters, fluttering birds and jittering bugs" that "delight cats while you're at home or away." The Website is worth a peek anyway.
3. Clothing can be the perfect gift choice for the fashionista pet lover who wants to wear her breed literally on her sleeve. I say "can be" because there's a fine line in animal themed-clothing between really cool or even just passable and really not. Speaking for me and others who still maintain an illusion of hipness, please avoid puffy-paint dalmation sweatshirts or Garfield nightgowns (unless they're really cute or the recipient is into retro-inspired irony.) Luckily, there are some nifty things out there.
Barkology has some really stylish pieces that speak to the love or just appreciation of dogs. I'm personally in love with the tunics. The baby doll style is pictured here, but the longer-sleeved version made my wish list. 
Cat-lovers should note that they have a "MeMeMeow Nemesis" line, that includes a feline coat of arms t-shirt.
I was drawn to All Mighty Goods because of their huge selection of Boston Terrier-inspired fashion (yes, you heard me.) But even if that's not your thing, they have lots of other pretty apparel as well. That's smart, because Boston people have to be a fairly small percentage of the market.
4. Do a good deed by giving to the ASPCA while picking up gifts for the people and pets you care about. The organization's gift guide has lots of cool options, like this pet first-aid kit or a kit that has all the ingredients for making pet treats. Fun.
