With Christmas Day fast approaching, 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%).

image001.pngAmong 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.”

Whilst we all aim to have our pets’ best interests at heart, there are some things to be aware of when choosing the purrr-fect gift for your pet this Christmas:

Be careful with clothing – Remember, pets are animals, and not humans. Whilst outfits and accessories may look cute, pets aren’t dolls to be dressed up, and so any clothing gifts should be designed specifically for practicality and safety, like reflective jackets and collars. Even then, you should never force your pet to wear something if they show signs of discomfort.
Brain training – Whilst lots of the toys we gift are great for encouraging physical activity, don’t forget that it can benefit our pets to be mentally stimulated too. Dog and cat puzzle toys will keep them entertained whilst challenging their cognitive skills.
Wrapping, ribbons and runaways – Wrapping our pets’ presents and placing them under the tree is a lovely idea but be cautious of the materials used. Dogs, cats and rabbits may want to run off with ribbons or sticky tape which could then be a choking hazard so avoid using them where possible, or help to unwrap your pet’s present on their behalf.
Safe feasting – Gifting foodie treats and serving up special meals is massively popular with pet owners but it’s important to make sure you’re not feeding your pet anything that could be dangerous. Chocolate is one of the biggest food hazards to be aware of, but onions, nuts, blue cheese and dried fruit can be hazardous too. You should also avoid giving your pet any meat on the bone as this can be a choking hazard.
‘Pets are for life, not just for Christmas’ – We all know the phrase but it’s vital to remember. Whilst gifting a family member an animal may seem like a way of showing your love, there are lots of considerations that make this risky. Pets require a huge amount of care and responsibility, and so buying a pet should be a considered decision between everyone involved – and never a surprise.