Half of us will ditch our date and spend our hard-earned cash on our beloved pets this Valentine’s Day, according to research released this week.

A study of UK pet owners commissioned by experts in raw and natural pet food, Natures Menu, has revealed that almost half of us (47%) will buy our pet a gift this Valentine’s Day, and one in three of us (37%) admit we’ll be spending the special day with a furry friend and not a significant other.

However, for those of us in a relationship, 14% actually admit to loving our pets even more than our other half!

We’re not afraid of pushing the boat out either with £210million estimated to be spent on our beloved pets this February.

According to the study, 44% of us will spend between £10-£30 with 4% admitting to really splashing out, spending over £30 per pet. Outside of London (57%), Birmingham comes out top as the city which will treat its pets the most this Valentine’s Day (54%), followed by Glasgow (50%) and Edinburgh (47%).

And what about dogs vs. cats? We’re a ‘puppy love’ nation according to the data, with a quarter of us (25%) admitting our pups will receive a special gift. Cats still fare well though with 19% of us admitting to treating our kitty.

The top five treats for pets this Valentine’s Day:

1. Favourite treat - 35%
2. Toy to play with - 30%
3. New bowl - 9%
4. Slap-up dinner - 7%
5. Cute outfit - 4%

Claire Miller, Head Vet at experts in raw and natural pet food, Natures Menu, said: “It’s great to see that we really are a nation of animal lovers! Part of lovingly caring for our pets should be ensuring they are fed the right food, so if treats are your gift of choice, make sure they’re high in nutritional value and balanced with plenty of exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

“And don’t forget to look out for the look of love from your pet too. A relaxed wagging tail from your pup or an affectionate cheek rub from your kitty are both signs that your pet is content – and what could be better than that?”