Pets to Celebrate Christmas Despite the Financial Crisis
With Pockets still Tight over the Holidays, Owners still Treating their Pets to a Gift
Many of us might have been concerned over the outcome of this Christmas, with the credit crunch forcing everyone to spend a little wiser in an attempt to stay afloat.
However, research has revealed that households will be battling strong through the credit crunch this year, with over half of all pet owners saying they will buy their pet a present for the big day.
According to Saga Pet Insurance, 53% of pet owners will be including their companions in their Christmas day celebrations, purchasing gifts for their dogs and cats. However, there is a small gender divide with the generosity, with 56% of women admitting to buying their pet a present compared to 48% of men.
The research was carried out by Opinium Research on behalf of Saga Pet Insurance, consulting 2,050 adults in the UK during February 2009, with 836 cat and dog owners also asked about their spending habits this Christmas. In addition to the 53% of people admitting to buying their pet a gift, the research also found 28% of people who would be getting them a Christmas stocking.
The study also found that 18% of pet owners will be serving Christmas dinner to their pets on the big day, which will be of concern to vets around the country who point to seasonal overfeeding as the cause of many illnesses in the New Year. A Press Release from Petplan reveals how the diets of cats and dogs change over the festive period, with many animals suffering from overindulgence.
However, it may come as little surprise that pets will be a part of Christmas celebrations, with various sources citing pets as a part of the family for many households. A press release from Tesco Insurance earlier in the year revealed that many dog and cat owners prefer the company of their furry companion to their human loved ones, opting to take them on holiday to accompany them on their travels.
The Saga study also found that 24% of people over 50 will sign a card from their pet over Christmas, whilst 6% of people will dress their pet up in a season outfit.
Source: Saga Press Release Dec 2009
