“Honestly, I don’t really get it,” said BMO Capital Markets analyst Gerrick Johnson of the now highly popular Zhu Zhu Pets. “But I don’t need to get it for a toy to be hot,” he added.

Yes, Zhu Zhu Pets are now officially the must-have toys of the year, and stocks run out fast. A mother who hesitated to buy them last September didn’t expect the pets would be off the shelves so soon. Now she can’t find them in stores.

The toys are products of Cepia Inc, of St. Louis, a company which was started by toy industry vet Russ Hornby.

Perhaps part of the popularity of the Zhu Zhu Pets is its price. Selling for only $10 each, these toys make fun yet affordable gifts especially in these times of recession.

Zhu Zhu Pets also have accessories, such as the hamster car and funhouse, but each is sold separately.

(via San Francisco Chronicle)