Half of British pets will have their own stocking and be given a full Christmas lunch on the 25th, research has revealed.
A poll of 1,000 pet owners has found 58 per cent plan to cook up turkey and vegetables for their pet, with some even planning to set a place at the table for their cat or dog.
Pampered pets will also receive an average of eight presents, adding up to around £77.
Edible treats, squeaky toys and chew toys are the top gifts, along with stuffed toys, collars, balls, new outfits and blankets.
One in six will even be donning a Christmas themed jumper, the study found.
A third of owners said they are planning on spending more on pet presents this year compared to last.
Neil Rogers from M&S Pet Insurance, which commissioned the research, said: ‘Christmas is a time to treat the ones we love and show them how much they mean to us, so it’s great to see that so many pets, who bring us so much joy day-to-day, will be included in the festivities.’
However, two-thirds of people admitted they have had a pet-related disaster over the festive season, with four-legged friends regularly knocking over the Christmas tree, ripping paper off presents, grabbing food off the table and eating food off plates.
Half of British pets will have their own stocking and be given a full Christmas lunch on the 25th, research has revealed
A quarter have experienced overexcited pets knocking over drinks, while 22 percent have even found their furry friend eating the Christmas tree.
More than one in ten have had to take an emergency trip to the vets over the festive period after their pet got into the Christmas chocolates or something else they shouldn’t have eaten.
‘Taking out insurance – and selecting a policy that’s right for you and your pet – can provide peace of mind for pet owners,’ Mr Rogers added.
‘This is especially worth considering at this time of year, when there are often more potential pet hazards around the home.’
