Christmas is only a little more than 3 months away. I know – scary, isn’t it? Pretty soon it will be Halloween, and then *BAM*, it’ll be Christmas in every store. It gets a bit overwhelming. Since every dollar counts in this economy, each year I try to be sure to get a few select toys that my kids really want.
Last year, around November, I found myself desperately seeking Zhu Zhu Pets, with none to be found. After searching every store in town, one night I went on eBay, and around 1 a.m., found myself bidding $160 for 4 pets. $160! For 4 small, furry toys, that I knew would make my kid smile on Christmas morning. And then, I panicked. What in heaven was I doing bidding that much for some cheap, little toys that retailed for only $9 each? Was I insane? Amazingly, during the middle of my panic attack, I was outbid (by some other sleep-deprived crazed parent, no doubt). In the end, no Zhu Zhu pets came for Christmas.
I just did a review of Furry Frenzies Cruisin’ Carrier, and I’m trying to guess ahead of time, which will be more popular this Christmas – Furry Frenzies or Zhu Zhu Pets?
Furry Frenzies:
Furry Frenzies are essentially Zhu Zhu Pet clones, but come in a wider variety of animal types – dog, cat, rabbit, hedgehog, raccoon, and chipmunk. Other differences include:
- Shorter, thicker bodies, and slightly taller (3.9 x 5.4 x 5.1 inches)
- Nose button is bigger, and looks more like a normal nose
- Have ears, and tails
- Fur is tight fitting on body
- Stuffed animal type eyes (colored with black center)
- Recommended for ages 4 and up
- More cuddly and cute*
Best selling Furry Frenzies include: City Center Play Set, Buster Bow Wow (dog), Senorita Scamps (cat), Whirl Around Playground, and Flurry in a Hurry (rabbit). Pets are typically between $7.99 and $11.99.
Zhu Zhu Pets
It’ll be hard for Furry Frenzies to catch up to and compete with Zhu Zhu Pets. Zhu Zhu Pets has released many different pets and building sets, including a new line of girl-targeted pets (hamsters and rabbits) in girly colors, plus a new line of Kung Zhu to appeal to boys, with warriors, ninjas, armors and a battle arena. With Zhu Zhu Pets, not only can you collect all the different pets released (like Beanie Babies), but you can build your Hamster City and continually add different items to your metropolis. Another notable difference – Zhu Zhu Pets have a website, and hamster blog, and Furry Frenzies have nothing. Differences include:
- Pets are primarily hamsters
- Longer, thinner bodies (2.4 x 5.9 x 2.2 inches)
- Smaller button on the nose
- Fur is looser fitting on body
- Black dot eyes
- Recommended for ages 5 – 10 years
Best selling Zhu Zhu Pets include: Jilly, Mr. Squiggles, Funhouse, Kung Zhu Special Forces Hamster set of 4, Nugget, Adventure Ball, Add On hamster wheel, Hamster House Starter Set, Pipsqueak, Wild Bunch set of 4, Sweetie, Scoodles, Kung Zhu Battle Arena, Add On ramp and slide, Carrier and blanket, Funhouse set with hamster, Blanket and bed, Convertible sports car, Rocky, Fluffy, Tex, Carly, Moo, and Justice. Pets are typically between $8.99 and $11.99, but can be as high as $20 or more depending on popularity and scarcity.
Although there doesn’t appear to be any of last year’s Zhu Zhu Pet craziness yet, on eBay several items – the Giant Hamster City Playset, a Kung Zhu Battle Arena lot (along with Ninja and Warrior hamsters and armor), an Airport, Pizza Parlor, and Beauty Salon set lot, and a set of the girlie pets (Jilly, Pinkie, Sweetie, Roxie, Carly, and Peaches) are in high demand and going for $100-$180.
Similarities between Furry Frenzies and Zhu Zhu Pets include:
- Both are activated by pressing on pet’s back or nose
- Both make a variety of sounds
- Both are on rubberized wheels
- Both – have to watch don’t get caught in hair
In summary, Furry Frenzies are a relatively new toy, and at this point, they are not even close to Zhu Zhu Pets in sales or popularity. There is only a very limited selection currently available – 3 playsets, 6 pets – and they are barely offered anywhere; Target online only has the Cruisin’ Carrier and City Center, although in-store they also have the individual pets. Even though Furry Frenzies are well designed, and *my daughter prefers them over her Zhu Zhu pets, I imagine they will not sell as well as Zhu Zhu Pets, but will probably continue to be in short supply anyway this holiday season.
For Christmas, I’m planning to get my daughter the Furry Frenzies City Center Play Set, and will NOT be waiting until November to order it this year.
What about you? We only have a small number of Zhu Zhu Pets – I’m interested to hear from people that have the whole hamster habitat-city-metroplis set up. What do you like best? Do you feel it was worth the money you spent on it?
Kid Mania Blog 
10 replies on “What’s Hot: Furreal Friends Furry Frenzies or Zhu Zhu Pets?”
But can you use you Zhu Zhus in the Furry Frenzies playsets?
That’s a good question! Zhu Zhu pets are longer, thinner, and shorter in height; Furry Frenzies are shorter in body length, wider, and taller. More importantly, Zhu Zhu pets are weighted more toward the rear end – their center of gravity is farther back, so they tend to climb upward when they move forward. Compared to Furry Frenzies, with a center of gravity right in the middle of their body, which just move forward, levelly (is that a word?).
Zhu Zhu Pets don’t work in the Cruising Carrier – they don’t go around, they try to climb up the walls, thus they go nowhere.
Has anyone else out there tried to use Zhu Zhu Pets and Furry Frenzies critters and playsets interchangeably? What was the result?
I went to get one of the furry frenzies tidy & it was the last set in the shop! I was really surprised since it feels ages til Christmas.
Gosh! Lovely. I love it! I love cuddly things like my pet dog. That’s why the first time I saw your blog I got caught with these cute stuff.
I am sooo confused this xmas on what to buy zhu zhu vs furry… i think the cutest one with the best price to catch my eye on a moments notice will have to win out this year …
I’ve seen some great deals in the last couple of weeks on both Zhu Zhu Pets and Furry Frenzies playsets! The Zhu Zhu Pets brand has really expanded in the last year, with a movie, DS games, and new Zhu Zhu Baby, Princess and Puppy lines. Furry Frenzies has a few new playsets, which are nice because each one comes WITH a pet. Keep your eye out for great deals, both in store and online. Good luck!
do you know if zhu zhu pet will fit furry frenzies ramps, tunnels?
Zhu Zhu Pets are longer, skinnier, and more weighted toward the back than Furry Frenzies. Zhu Zhu’s center of gravity is toward their back wheels – so they tend to climb up when they move forward, whereas Furry Frenzies just move straight forward.
Our Zhu Zhu’s work well in most of the Furry Frenzies sets, but not all. For example, they are fine in ramps and tunnels, but they don’t work well in the Cruising Carrier – instead of just going round and round, they try to climb up the walls. Hope this helps!
i think zhu zhu pets are easier to carry bc there lighter and other things but if you disagree but im a kid:P
and at school we all love zhu zhu pets
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