New research from pet insurance provider Petplan has revealed that almost 1 in 5 Brits (18%) will spend more money on their pets this Christmas than their partners.
One third of the nation (32%) admit they’ll be spending more this year on their pet than they did five years ago, as pets increasingly become an established part of the family. A huge 4 in 5 Brits (80%) say they’ll be buying Christmas presents for their furry friends this year with the top reasons being ‘they’re part of the family’ (77%), ‘not wanting them to feel left out’ (40%) and ‘so they have something to unwrap alongside the rest of the family’ (33%).
Among those spending more on their pets than their partners, it’s Gen Z who are leading the charge, with 18-24 year olds almost three times as likely to spend more on their pet than their partner than those aged 65+. And when it comes to Londoners, over one third (37%) generously admit to buying their pet as many presents as their children!
Whilst Londoners splurge the most on average at £47.30, it’s Brummies who follow closely behind with an average animal allowance of £36.60 - quite the contrast to those at the other end of the scale in Nottingham and Southampton who spend £20.10 and £18.80 respectively.
The study of 2,000 pet owners by Petplan revealed the top 10 pet gifts of 2023 to be:
- Food & edible treats
- Chew toys
- Cuddly toys
- Balls
- Homeware (i.e. beds and blankets)
- Bones
- Personalised items (i.e. collars and bowls)
- Catnip or dog balm
- A scratch pad
- Pet clothing
However, alongside the classics, other more unusual gifts included an extra long walk, a grooming or beauty treatment - a favourite in Birmingham, a trip to a pet-friendly cafe and even holidays for lucky pets in Leeds! Over a third of Brits (39%) will even hang up a stocking for their pet on Christmas Eve.
And our furry friends won’t just be unwrapping foodie gifts from under the tree - they’ll also be served up a festive special on the day, as over half the nation (57%) admit to treating their pet to a Christmas meal - including roast dinners for 43% of them! Over a fifth (21%) will even be honoured with a place at the Christmas dinner table - although your chances will double if you’re a lucky London-based pet (44%).
Bella von Mesterhazy, Sales and Marketing Director at Petplan said “The fact that we’re increasingly making pets a prominent part of our Christmas celebrations is testament to the vital role they play in family units across the UK - and in some cases, our urge to treat them at Christmas goes beyond how we spoil our partners and human family! The festive season is so full of joy and there’s nothing that puts a smile on faces more so than giving something back to our pets - whether that’s through a traditional gift, or something a little more creative from pet-friendly beauty treatments to brunch.”
For more information visit https://www.petplan.co.uk/pet-information/blog/christmas-gifts-for-pets/
