zhu zhu pets

The Zhu Zhu craze may be over just as quickly as it started. While many shelves are empty and parents are frantically hunting for the furry "it" toy of the year, a new report reveals the Zhu Zhu Hamsters aren't as safe as one might hope. The Good Guide rates their toys on a 1 to 10 scale with 1 being the best. According to the site's testing, the virtual animal earns a higher rating of 5.2 due to high levels of antimony and tin, which can have adverse effects on a child's immune and nervous systems and have been linked to cancer, lung and heart problems. Some may ignore the rating and continue to track a hamster down while others may bypass the popular toy in hopes of finding something easier and safer. Will you still be on the hunt for the hamster?

popsugar poll

Will You Still Hunt For a Potentially Harmful Hairy Hamster?

Yes — My child wants it so I'm searching for it.

No — I won't be buying this for my youngster.

From Cabbage Patch Kids to Tickle Me Elmo, there's always one "it" toy of the holiday season. Desperate to please their youngsters, some parents contemplate breaking the budget or throwing elbows to get the coveted toys. The hot item of 2009? The Zhu Zhu Pets. Topping the list of many boys and girls, these hyper-popular electronic hamsters normally retail for around $10 but the craze is causing their price to sky rocket. Some parents are dishing out five and six times more dough to ensure the fur ball is under the tree this year.

Have you paid big bucks in order to get your child the hottest toy of the season?

popsugar poll

Have You Paid Big Bucks For the Holiday It Toy?

Yes!

No!