| Are you looking for the perfect pet gifts? Join the | | | | * Over 31 million dog owners give their dogs |
| club. With pet ownership on the rise, Americans | | | | Christmas gifts. |
| are now spending double what they did ten years | | | | * Almost 40 million cats are given Christmas gifts. |
| ago. As pets become more valued as family | | | | * Approximately 13 million cats celebrate birthdays |
| members, more people than ever are looking to | | | | with their families. |
| treat them with gifts and holiday celebrations. | | | | * Not to be left out, nearly 10 million dogs receive |
| Don't believe it? Consider the following facts: | | | | birthday celebrations, as well. |
| * 78% of people greet their pets before their | | | | * On average, individual pet owners buy |
| spouses when returning home. | | | | approximately $113 worth of dog toys and treats |
| * 39% of pet owners display their pets' pictures | | | | for each of their dogs each year. |
| somewhere in the home. | | | | * Cat owners aren't much further behind, |
| * 92% of dog and cat owners consider their pets | | | | spending just over $72 a year on each of their |
| to be family members. | | | | cats each year. |
| Obviously, this evolution of the family pet from | | | | It only stands to reason, then, that sales of gifts |
| plaything to family member only strengthens the | | | | for pets have skyrocketed during the last few |
| desire of owners to treat their pets as family | | | | years. However, variety has as well. Those |
| members in every way possible. Choosing and | | | | looking for the perfect pet gifts find that stores |
| purchasing pet gifts is just a natural extension of | | | | (both online and the brick-and-mortar variety) |
| this phenomenon. | | | | cater more and more to the ever growing |
| Despite these overwhelming numbers, those | | | | segment of pet owners looking to spoil their |
| buying gifts for their pets must be in the minority, | | | | creatures with special goodies. |
| right? Not necessarily. Over 139 million cats and | | | | Owners today lavish pets with everything from |
| dogs (that's not even counting birds, fish, or | | | | jewelry to designer clothing. The advent of online |
| exotic pets!) currently reside in households across | | | | pet businesses catering to pampered pets only |
| the United States. Out of this number, | | | | adds to the amount of products available on the |
| approximately 63 million are dogs and 77 million | | | | market today. No longer do customers have to |
| are cats. That's a lot of pets! But how many | | | | search for hard-to-find pet boutiques or hope that |
| actually receive presents from their owners or | | | | the local pet warehouse carries what they are |
| participate in holiday events? The numbers are | | | | looking for. Now pet owners can order presents |
| surprising: | | | | for their pets with the simple click of a mouse. |