Howls and growls are guaranteed. This Christmas, Little and Lutèce will not be forgotten under the tree. According to a recent survey* for Rover (the network of pet sitters), 78% of dog or cat owners plan to give their pet a Christmas present.
If their four-legged friends are happy during the holidays, it’s because the French take care of them like the apple of their eye. Like Séverine, who responded to our call for witnesses: “Of course I will harm our Poupette, because she is part of our family. Zoé also considers that her two Malinois should be pampered like all her loved ones: “Mona and Suzy have the right to their moment of happiness”, she enthuses.
“He has a soft blanket and his dry duck bags”
And there is no question that it can be a mouse for your dog or cat! According to Rover’s survey, the average planned budget is 22 euros. So to please your dog or your kitten, it is not necessary to be original. In fact, 61% of respondents plan to offer their faithful partner a toy, and 31% a special treat. Few thought to offer them care (3%), clothing (3%), or a subscription to a special animal box (2%).
“From a small candy to an unbearable toy that makes a lot of noise, I never lack inspiration! I usually set a budget of 10 to 15 euros for each animal. And gourmet gifts are always much scarier than the battery operated toys, which just makes me laugh!” said Juliet. Violette, he bet on “balls, toys made of rope, cloth or where make noise, with a medicine, and everything wrapped in gift paper to break it”. For her cat Zoé, Nathalie also planned a lot of sweets: “She has a soft blanket and the dry duck sachets that she loves. As for Aurélie, she chose perfume for dogs. Some mistresses, like Lucie, frankly spare no expense. Puma, her 7-and-a-half-month-old cat, is like a pasha at Christmas: “He is entitled to a special advent calendar for the cat, a tree ball and a Christmas present ( a small boot with Christmas colored toys). »
“Usually, he already has the right to foie gras”
Sometimes even those who can’t resist the idea of giving gifts to their pet stop, because businessmen compete with ideas. “This year, when I discovered a wonderful French brand that makes fabric toys that contain catnip, I admit, I fell in love. Basically there are little stuffed animals lying around my house…”, said Ophelie.
On New Year’s Eve, the family is not the only one entitled to a delicious meal: the bowls are also filled with a selection of dishes. Laurent hopes that Prosper, his amstaff, will lick his chops: “Usually, he is entitled to foie gras and there, I also plan to buy him a delicacy like buffalo horn. This is normal for one of the people I spend the most time with! “. Léa also plans a gourmet menu for her cats: “I always buy a good pâté. »
“He is as impatient as children!” »
It remains to be seen if the little four-legged friend will appreciate it. Marie expected an enthusiastic reaction from her dog Hapy: “When we told him the gift was for him, he was as impatient as children! “. Pauline also attends a wonderful show every Christmas. “My dogs love to open the packages, and then they are delighted to discover the toy! » Max, John’s doberman, didn’t lose his happiness either: « We took advantage of the gift session under the tree to offer one more plush toy for his big collection. He knows which package is for him and sniffs it every day until delivery, where he takes his package without hesitation. He takes great pleasure in tearing off the wrapping paper like walking around with a stuffed animal in his mouth before it goes to sleep”.
Christmas is also an opportunity for small animal lovers of all kinds to care more about animal welfare. So the donations that flow at this time are for the benefit of the associations. A move that Laurette intends to make: “I will send donations to many animal defense associations to improve the daily lives of abandoned pets. My dog Domingo and my cat Bounty are usually spoiled for choice with good food and care. I think we should think about all those who are less fortunate and live in cages waiting for a family to take care of. Finally, the holidays serve as a reason for some families to adopt a pet. Christmas, as an opportunity to expand the family…