Pet shop boys — and girls!

Lots of folks think of their pets as their kids but since offspring don’t “just happen” for us, it’s often even more the case in the LGBT world. All the more reason not to forget our four-legged friends when buying gifts. Several local retailers have clever and highly festive treats, outfits and more.

Junglebells (Photo courtesy Petco)

Jungle Bells, $7.99 and $9.99 at Petco, various locations. These cozy and soft dog toys from Crazy About Pets have less stuffing, which means less mess. The blanket toys are great for snuggling. Monkeys, zebras, lions and elephants — all with festive red-and-green scarves — are available. Petco, by the way, is a great company to support. Details are still pending, but they’re working with a landlord now in hopes of soon opening a pet shelter in Alexandria.

Gourmet Tails (Photo courtesy Petco)

Gourmet Tails and Merrick food and treats, $6.99 at Petco, various locations. Take your pick — festively colored stars and bones in the shape of a Christmas tree, cookies in the shape of a paw print and more, these standbys will give your dog something colorful to chew on through the holidays. All the ingredients are dog-friendly but be careful not to let him or her have too much at once — our dogs have binged and gotten sick from too much at once.

Peppermint waves (Photo courtesy Crazy About Pets)

These candy canes and peppermint waves, also from Crazy About Pets and available at Petco, are also available for $9.99.

Cockatiel (Photo courtesy Petco)

More interesting than a budgie but not as pricey and high maintenance as a conure or African Grey, cockatiels make affectionate, loving pets and will quickly bond with you. They make great pets for older kids and teens and come in a variety of colors. The basic grey variety, shown here, start at $139.99 at Petco.

Felt Santa dome (Blade photo by Joey DiGuglielmo)

Target, in Columbia Heights and with several locations in the Maryland and Virginia suburbs, has several great Christmasy pet items like this Santa outfit for smaller breed dogs ($5.99), ugly Christmas sweater ($9.99), sushi toy set ($4.99), toy-filled cat stocking ($4.99), Santa felt toy dome ($9.99) and more.

(Photo courtesy City Dogs)

A few of the friendly faces at City Dogs (1832 18th Street, NW) in Washington. Check them out online at city-dogs.com or call 202-234-9247. They offer a variety of services and gift certificates for pet day care could make a great gift that both a pet owner and his or her pooch will enjoy. (Photo courtesy City Dogs)

Collars (Photo courtesy Out and About Pet Accessories)

Every gay pet owner truly needs to check out Out and About Pet Accessories, an Arizona-based company that sells every kind of holiday- or rainbow-colored dog collar you can imagine. They range in price from about $39.99-$79.99. Also be sure to check out their pet clothes, carriers, leashes and even “people” accessories. They’re online at outandaboutpetaccessories.com. (Photo courtesy Out and About)