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People Prefer Spending Time With Pets To In Laws For Christmas

Small dog wrapped in a pink robe, weariing pink sun glasses and sitting on a pink couch with a bowl of popcorn

Tis the season for tail wagging in homes that have pets. Southwest Florida has more and more holiday events specifically for pets and their owners. In fact, holiday pet photos are a growing trend. Pets are part of the family and they are getting more and more attention during the holidays. In fact, according to the folks at Veterinarians.org a majority of people prefer spending time with pets to in laws for Christmas. You might not want to share this with your significant other.

Dogs are family members and more and more pet owners are treating theirs like humans during the holidays.

Just how many people prefer pets to in laws

Their survey found 89% of dog owners would rather spend Christmas with their canine companions. In addition, over 1/3 of dog owners play dress up with their pets. They put sweaters, hats, bows and such on their dogs to celebrate the season. Nearly half of those responding say their dog will be or was included in their holiday photo shoots.

I almost always give gifts to the pets of my friends. Sometimes I buy for the dog or cat first. This survey gave me validation. It found that 89% of dog owners plan to buy their trusted four legged friend a Christmas gift this year.  Those gifts will range from $25-$50 for 27% of pet owners. The price tag goes up to anywhere from $75 to over $100 for one in four dog owners.

It's not just the humans who get a special meal for Christmas. 30% of dog owners say their pet will also be getting an upgraded meal or treat for Christmas. However, some foods can be toxic to your dog. Click here for more. You are not alone if you go over the top for your pets during the holiday season. To see more of the fun findings in this survey, click here.

Gina Birch brings the sunshine to Sunny 106.3 every weekday morning from 6-10. She has worked in radio, television and print in Southwest Florida for nearly 30 years. During that time, she has become an advocate for numerous charities including those that support animals, children, women and wellness. In addition, she has written for numerous local, regional and national publications about food, wine and travel. Those are her longtime passions...along with shoes.