To some, it might seem a silly concept. To those of us who truly love our dogs, though, and treat them like a member of family, it might seem silly not to have a stocking for our dog this Christmas. While you can purchase or make the same kind of stocking for your dog as for any other member of your family, but what goes into that stocking should show a definitive transition from two-egged to four-legged family member.

Dogs aren’t going to enjoy the candy, toys, nuts and fruits that might normally go into a stocking. Well, truth be told, they might very well enjoy those things, but they were not designed for dogs—they are not healthy for dogs. When you’re looking for items to stuff your dog’s Christmas stocking with, there are a number of things to keep in mind. Different dogs prefer different things, and many have different needs. If you have had your dog for awhile, you probably know what the like best.

You are most likely also aware of any special items they may need or specific ones to stay away from. If the dog is a new puppy, on the other hand, you might be going through the learning stages and need a little more guidance on what is best and what is safe to give your dog in their Christmas stocking. For example, while they are relatively commonplace and inexpensive, rawhide bones are generally recommended against by dog trainings, veterinarians and other knowledgeable individuals.

These simple treats can clog and otherwise hamper our dogs’ digestive system. You should stick with the actual bones or even a bone style products. For dogs with light body mass or short hair, you might definitely want to consider a sweater for the puppy, particularly during the winter months. Of course, around the holidays, there are several festive designs to get your four legged friend. For walking, the way of the traditional, fixed-length lead is long past.

Modernize the experience and make it more fun for you and your pet by investing in a retractable leash. For treats, most will do fine, but take a look at what is in them. You want natural products more than a list of ingredients engineered in a laboratory that are hard to pronounce. For toys, take a look at their size. Don’t have anything the dog could accidentally swallow or get caught in their throat.

Just as with a child, the size of the toy should match the size of the dog. Squeaky toys are great, although with energetic pets, this could interrupt our sleep some nights. Get toys that encourage your pet to be active. Pull toys, a Frisbee or a ball are great for keeping our dogs active and happy.

All of these and more can easily fit into your dog’s Christmas stocking. If you don’t have a stocking for them yet, don’t delay. The holidays are a time for sharing love with our loved ones, and our pets should share in that time too.