We all like to make a fuss of our four-legged friends. But according to new research by Pets at Home, there’s a growing trend for UK pet owners to treat their pooches like every other member of the family when it comes to presents and treats.
This new research reveals that more than two-thirds (68%) of pet owners are ready to treat their furry friends this festive season, with many planning to spend up to £50 each. It’s thought that collectively, UK pet lovers are set to splash an incredible £1.1 billion on their pets this Christmas.
Even grandparents are getting in on the act of giving. Yes, the Pets at Home research indicates that almost half (43%) of the UK’s ‘grandpets’ are set to receive presents from their owners’ parents. While that might not surprise you, the fact that around one in four (29%) pet owners expect friends and family to bring gifts for their pets might. Are you expecting your friends to treat your dog? Yes, many of us count our pups as part of the family, but I don’t think I’d expect my friends to do the same.
Buying Christmas gifts for dogs
The research also reveals that almost a quarter (24%) plan to hang stockings, filled with goodies, while 14% are prepping Christmas Eve boxes packed with treats and toys. This is something I can believe. But we won’t be doing this for Poppy. It’s not because we’re mean, honestly! Firstly, she’s likely to get over-stimulated, and we’d rather she felt calm and relaxed. And, secondly, she’s a food-oriented dog that will hound us for treats or try to steal them if she knows they’re there. Also, she’s likely to get plenty of titbits from people’s plates during the day. So, for the sake of her weight, we’d rather not go overboard with the treats.
Interestingly, the research also shows that one in ten (11%) pet owners are organising festive treasure hunts to keep their pups entertained on the big day. This is great news. I love that people are already planning activities for their dogs and thinking about their needs as well as everyone else’s. We often play ‘find it’ with Poppy, hiding kibble in places around the room, so she can use her scent hound abilities.
Worryingly, however, a quarter (23%) of pet owners are going to wrap their pets’ gifts with wrapping paper, bows, ribbons and tape. A bit of paper wrap doesn’t seem so bad, but as Dr Samantha Butler-Davies MRCVS, Veterinary Services Director at Pets at Home, points out: “Ribbons and tape can be hazardous for pets so instead, wrap their presents in blankets or sheets for them to uncover.”
I have to admit, we’ve already bought Poppy a gift (see the hedgehog toy below). But this is mainly to give her some extra enrichment over the festive period. We haven’t wrapped it, although Poppy does enjoy tearing into a box now and again!
Still not got your dog’s presents sorted? Don’t panic, here are three suggestions for last-minute gifts, personally approved by our beagle, Poppy:
Kong Forage Layerz Hedgehog
We’ve just bought Poppy this treat toy and it’s been an instant hit. She’s an intelligent and curious dog and as a beagle, food-obsessed. So, this is the perfect toy to keep her busy and ensures her kibble lasts much longer than when we put it in her bowl!
The hedgehog works in a similar way to a snuffle mat. It has lots of little ‘spikes’ with small pockets underneath. Each pocket is just the right size to hide a single kibble or small treat. Some of the ‘spikes’ are crinkly and others contain a squeaker, providing extra enrichment.
We bought Poppy’s hedgehog treat toy from Pets at Home. It currently costs £12. That’s good value for something that keeps a hungry hound quiet for a few minutes!
Coffee Wood Chew
Another treat we bought Poppy recently is a stick made from coffee wood. This natural chew is made from the branches of coffee bean plants. So, it’s sustainable. But more importantly for your dog, it contains nothing harmful and as a dense type of wood, chewing it shouldn’t produce any big or sharp splinters. We’ve found the wood just crumbles away as Poppy gnaws. Although this does create a small amount of mess on the carpet, it seems pretty safe. And no, the sticks don’t contain caffeine!
We bought ours from our local pet shop but they are available online too.
LickiMat Wobble
As you might have gathered, our beagle eats way too fast. So, this wobbly bowl from LickiMat has been great for feeding Poppy little treats as they last much longer. And she needs to work harder for them.
As with other LickiMat products, the inside is knobbly. This helps the food stick to the surface of the bowl. So far, we’ve used it to treat Poppy with small amounts of banana, cheese and Peamutt Butter. I like the fact that it doesn’t leave any mess on the carpet and is easy to clean.
LickiMat Wobble is widely available online, in pet shops, and directly from LickiMat.
I hope you find these three last-minute gift ideas useful and wish you and your dog a great Christmas together, no matter how many presents they get!