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What you should know before buying gifts for your pets

What you should know before buying gifts for your pets
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DENVER — Your dog or cat is part of your family, too. And buying the wrong toy for the holidays can be harmful to them.

"It's super easy to shop for your pet friends, and there are definitely things to be careful of," said Nicole Ellis, a certified professional dog trainer for Rover.com

The choices of toys for pets are endless these days. Ellis said whatever you buy, be sure the toy is tailored to the size of your dog or cat.

"Make sure you're buying the right size, the appropriate one. For example, she's a small dog. If I gave her a puppy toy, she can easily break things off. She can swallow them. She can digest them, and it's super dangerous," said Ellis.

Ellis said to watch out for plastic toys. They can break off into pieces, causing harm to your pet.

"You want to supervise your pet even if they are playing with it. Even if it's made for a dog you want to be careful," said Ellis.

Tech toys are becoming more common. It's the wires inside some that can cause alarm. 

If you're not sure, you can always check in with your veterinarian before heading out to the store with your pet's Christmas list.