Happy Howl-idays! Research shows half of British dog owners will give their pet their own stocking and a full Christmas lunch on the 25th

Science
By William

By XANTHA LEATHAM, Deputy Science Editor of the Daily Mail

Published: | Updated:

Research shows that half of British pets have their own stocking and get a full Christmas lunch on the 25th.

A survey of 1,000 pet owners found that 58 percent plan to prepare turkey and vegetables for their pet, and some even plan to set up a spot at the table for their cat or dog.

Pampered pets also receive an average of eight gifts, which amounts to around £77.

Edible treats, squeaky toys and chew toys are the top gifts, along with stuffed animals, collars, balls, new outfits and blankets.

One in six will even wear a Christmas-themed sweater, the research shows.

A third of owners say they will spend more on pet gifts this year than last year.

Neil Rogers from M&S Pet Insurance, who 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 so many pets , who bring us so much joy day to day, will be part of the festivities.’

However, two-thirds of people admit to experiencing a pet-related disaster during the holidays, with four-legged friends regularly knocking over the Christmas tree, tearing paper off presents, grabbing food from the table and eating food off plates.

Research shows half of British pets have their own stocking and get a full Christmas lunch on the 25th

A quarter have had to deal with over-enthusiastic pets knocking over drinks, while 22 percent even saw their furry friend eating the Christmas tree.

More than one in ten have had to make an emergency visit to the vet over the festive period after their pet got into Christmas chocolates or something else they shouldn’t have eaten.

‘Buying insurance – and selecting a policy that is 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 dangers to pets in the home.’

WHAT ARE THE TEN COMMON MYTHS ABOUT DOGS?

It’s easy to believe that dogs like what we like, but this isn’t always entirely true.

Here are ten things people should remember when trying to understand their pets, according to animal behaviorists Dr Melissa Starling and Dr Paul McGreevy from the University of Sydney.

1. Dogs don’t like to share

2. Not all dogs like to be cuddled or petted

3. A barking dog is not always an aggressive dog

4. Dogs do not like other dogs entering their territory/home

5. Dogs like to be active and don’t need as much relaxation time as humans

6. Not all dogs are overly friendly, some are shyer at first

7. A dog that seems friendly can quickly become aggressive

8. Dogs need open space and new areas to explore. Playing in the garden is not always enough

9. Sometimes a dog isn’t misbehaving, he simply doesn’t understand what to do or what you want

10. Subtle facial cues often prevent barking or snapping when a dog is unhappy

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