Christmas presents for pets

[StaciNadia]

Red and I have five cats, MiL has a dog, and Mom has two dogs.  I've always gotten all the pets something on Christmas (I open the presents for them and let them play while the people open their presents).  I also like to get the neighbor's rottie something to play with, too.  One of my friends in another state just got a cat this year, and I picked up a little something for her as well to be sent along with her humans' presents.  I mentioned possibly picking up something for another friend's pets, but her family has dogs, cats, horses, etc.!  Plus, I have other friends with pets, too!  I can't get enough for everyone's pets!  Red and I get paid at the end of this week, and I can't go shopping till next Wednesday (next day off after pay day) and that won't be enough time because all my friends live far from us.  Plus, I've never met most of these pets nor know what sort of things they like...  I feel guilty because I can't get all of the pets something (and I don't really want to, either--I'm horrible!).  Should I?  What do I do to get rid of the guilt?

[MadMadge43]

Realize they have no clue they're missing out and have no clue it's Christmas. And even if they did get a gift probably would not feel the least bit grateful.

If you feel guilty that your friends will know you didn't get their pets a gift, but got others gifts, well then they just need to get over it too. Someone who is living pay check to pay check really can't afford to be St. Francis and I'm sure your friends realize this.

[Bijou]

Can you make a donation to an animal shelter or something knowing that you have done it in the names of all your families and friend's pets.  You don't even have to let anyone know.  Just get gifts for your own pets if you wish.

[Veronica]

This won't help you now but after Christmas Petsmart and other pet stores go 75-90% off on their Holiday pet toys.  I alway buy up a huge lot and give them out the following Christmas. 

[IndianInlaw]

get some red felt and make itty bitty stockings and put a dog biscuit in each.

If you see them, you can wish them a merry Christmas.

The far away ones won't mind.

[StaciNadia]

We don't really live paycheck to paycheck...  Red and I completely splurged on each other this Christmas, and our moms, too.  Plus, since the wedding, I've been putting quite a bit of money towards paying off my debts.  Paying for all the human presents has pretty much wiped us out as of now.  We have a bit of money, but I have a few more presents to get for friends.

The main problem is getting to the pet store.  I have to get MiL to take me or take the bus.  I have so much to do that I really can't take time out to get to the pet store and be able to mail everyone's presents promptly so they'll get them for Christmas.  Heck, I haven't even written my Christmas cards yet!

I guess I can just explain to friend that I won't be able to get to the pet store in time for the pets.

[BabyMama]

Bit off topic, but my pets (2 cats and 2 dogs) got their own stocking this year. I filled it with canned food, cheap rawhides, those $1/each bell toys, etc. Our one dog can smell the rawhides and she's been sitting under the stocking in front of the fireplace for 3 days now. It's a long way till Christmas.... lol, and I was sort of in the same boat as you...I hadn't really thought of the pets until DH said, "Hey, there are 4 stockings but only 3 of us...I guess that one is for the pets!"

How about homemade doggy biscuits? They'd be cute, full of thought, and much less expensive. I bet you can find fun recipes on the 'net that don't require a special trip to the store.

[StaciNadia]

That sounds fun, but except for friend whose family has a farm, everyone else owns cats!  Or...  is owned by cats.     I was thinking of just getting them those little mice toys, but that just seems so generic, you know?  I got those for the new kitten because it's a kitten, of course it plays with mice, and anything at that age.

[LissaR1]

My guidelines for shopping for pets:

1.) Do their owners buy something for my kids and have no kids (or grown kids) of their own?

2.) Are they pets, or are they furbabies?  While most people I know love their pets, some think of them as pets and others think of them as practically kids.  We were in the first category when we had our dog, and were never, ever, ever offended by people not getting her something.  The two people I buy for their pets consider them closer to children than to animals.  (They also send nice presents for my kids, and one has no kids and the other has grown kids well out of the house.)

[Buffy2424]

I don't know why you have to shop for all the pets.  Surely no one would expect that.  Do you mention it because that many friends buy for your pets?

We fill the cats' stockings, and my parents buy for their grandcats.  This thrills me -- for me, there is no gift better than one for my cats.  But frankly, with most other relatives and friends, it is a mutual way to keep things light/inexpensive rather than exchanging full-blown gifts. 

[Bibliophile]

I just bought 500 feet of aluminum foil and I'm going to make about a hundred foil balls and put them in the cats stockings - it's their favorite thing to play with...  I can't wait to see what my little one does when she's surrounded with all of them at once, she'll go nuts! 

[rosiecat]

Don't feel guilty!!!

I would only send gifts to the pets who sent you a thank you note for the presents they received last year.  

[dawbs]

If you *want* to do something on the cheap...home made dog biscuits and cat treats work.
(so do home-made catnip mice) for minimal effort.
(let me know if you want recipes--although I have to admit, my cat won't eat her home-made treats.

but these are the basics for the toy...although I kinda dumbed it down because I don't *really* sew
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=63399.0;all
)

But I don't feel obligated to get pet presents--I usually do for close family but if I suddenly didn't, it would probably be OK.

[rashea]

First, don't feel guilty at all. If you WANT to give something to pets, go for it.

For dogs I love this recipe. It's quick and easy.
http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/dogtreats_chunkypeanuttreats.htm
It's easier to make without chunky peanut butter, but either way works fine.

[Trisha]

If you want to give them something, Target has a "dollar spot' I just came from there and there were some cute Christmas toys, squeeze presents, candy cane striped dog bones. There are also dollar stores, or, call your local butcher and ask for bones for a dog. I've heard that many butchers give them away since they throw them away anyways.