Retailers are expecting to cash-in on the British love affair with pets as new research suggests that almost 80% of owners will buy a present for their furry friends this Christmas.
Wamiz, a leading website for pet lovers, asked UK pet owners if they will be buying a Christmas present for their four-legged friends and 79% answered ‘yes’.
What presents will Father Christmas leave under the Christmas tree?
Wamiz.co.uk also asked Brits who own a dog or a cat what they think they will buy for their furry friends for Christmas. According to the survey, cats will mostly receive treats to munch on, while dogs will most likely get new toys. This is followed by treats/bones, blankets, pillows, and accessories for dogs, and toys, scratching posts, catnip and blankets for cats.
Dogs are usually more spoiled than cats. Indeed, 83% of British owners confirmed that they wanted to buy something for their dog, while 74% said they would get something for their cat.
39% of those who completed the survey own one or several dogs, 38% own one or several cats, and 23% own both.
How generous will Father Christmas be?
Wamiz asked owners how much they are willing to spend on a Christmas present for their pet. 44% said they would spend less than £10, 36% between £10-£30 pounds, 12% between £30-£50 pounds and 8% over £50. Some were very generous and said they will spend up to £500 on their furry friends. Father Christmas better get started then!
A special meal for a special occasion
Christmas is synonymous with roast turkey, roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, sprouts, bread sauce and gravy. We can already smell the aromas. But what about our pets? Will they also get a special meal for Christmas? The answer is YES! 70% of pet owners will cook or give their pets a special meal for Christmas.Yummy!
The place of a pet in the heart of owners seems to be stronger during Christmas
Wamiz tried to understand the role dogs and cats play in their families especially during the Christmas holidays. British owners were asked if their relatives usually buy a gift for their pets. 29.5% replied that this never happened, 15% said they still didn't know if their dog or cat would receive anything from their family this year. However, 27% said their friends and family always get their pets gifts.
Some families traditionally go to Mass on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, so Wamiz asked pet owners if they would take their dogs and cats if they were allowed to enter a Church. While 70% answered 'no', there were still 30% who said 'yes'.
Christmas Eve is often spent at a relative's house or at home, although some prefer going to a restaurant. However, amongst dog and cat owners interviewed by Wamiz, more than 95% said they would be celebrating Christmas with their pets.
Christmas is a time for family, love and sharing, and it’s clear British pet owners can’t think of anything better than celebrating this occasion with their ‘fur-ever’ friends.
Buying a pet for Christmas: good or bad idea?
Owning a pet has great advantages. Indeed, they help to keep us healthy and fit, they bring us love, joy and affection, and they also help us be more sociable.
However, owning a pet also comes with great responsibilities. Wamiz warns potential buyers or adopters that pets are not objects. They are sensitive beings who deserve attention, care, time and affection. So, a pet really is for life and not for Christmas.
Indeed, once the magic of Christmas has passed, and despite many TV shows that highlight the plight of rescue dogs, it is not uncommon for many domestic animals to end up in a shelter.
Wamiz has some advice for those considering buying a pet at Christmas, to try to reduce the number of pets abandoned a short time after.
Before you take a new pet on board, consider the following:
- Check that nobody in the home is allergic to pets
- Be realistic about how much time pet care takes and make sure you can devote that time to your pet
- Check up on the cost of food, veterinary bills, pet sitters, dog walkers and, of course, gifts and treats.
- Consider whether it is fair to have a pet if you are at work all day.
- Think about what will happen to your pet, if you go on holiday and cannot take it with you.
- If you have young children, make sure they will not be nervous around the pet.
- Consider how much exercise a dog will need and ask yourself if you have time to walk it.
- Be honest with yourself and ask yourself if you are the type to be out with a poop bag in hand.
- If you are currently not parents, but plan to be so, consider what sort of pet might be suitable around babies and how you will prevent the pet becoming jealous.
- If you love your home and its furniture and furnishings, how would you react if items were chewed or ruined? Pets will be pets, after all!
- Whilst taking on board a puppy or kitten may be a bad idea, adopting an animal may be a better choice, as long as you still think through all of the same points. Remember that a dog or cat can live up to 15 years.
Wamiz was created in October 2009 by Adrien Magdelaine and Adrien Ducousset. With more than 19 million page views per month, Wamiz is the #1 European website about pets. Wamiz.co.uk is a website which gives advice and information about pets and accompanies pet owners and future pet owners thanks to our expertise and passion.
www.wamiz.co.uk
