Press Release
11 December 2024
BRITISH PAW-RENTS PLAN TO LAVISH THEIR PETS WITH STOCKINGS AND FESTIVE TREATS THIS CHRISTMAS DAY, WHILE OVER HALF WILL EVEN BE SITTING DOWN TO A PET-FRIENDLY CHRISTMAS LUNCH ACCORDING TO M&S PET INSURANCE RESEARCH
New research from M&S Pet Insurance has revealed that 92 percent of pet parents consider their animal as one of the family, with nearly half (46 percent) saying their four-legged friend will have their own stocking and a further 46 per cent can look forward to gifts under the tree.
In fact, 95 percent say they will be involving the pet in the family celebrations this Christmas, with two thirds (59 percent) planning to give them a special festive meal and 23 percent picking their yuletide viewing depending on what they think their pooch or feline friend wants to watch.
Over half (58 percent) will be cooking up turkey and veggies for their pet, alongside their own Christmas lunch, with nearly half (48 percent) even setting a place at the lunch table for their cat or dog.
And pawrents don't stop there, as nine in ten (92 percent) will be buying a present, splashing out an average of £77 on eight pressies for their four-legged friend.
Edible treats (69 percent), squeaky toys (43 percent) and chew toys (32 percent) are the top treats, along with stuffed toys (21 percent), collars (21 percent), balls (21 percent), new outfits (18 percent) and blankets (18 percent). One in six (17 per cent) will even be donning Christmas themed jumper.
One in eight (13 percent) lucky pets will be receiving a new bed, while a tenth (10 percent) will be waking up on Christmas morning to a new lead (10 percent).
One in 10 (nine per cent) will take their pet on a long walk to their favourite place and six percent will be left smelling like roses after being gifted with a trip to the groomers.
With more than half (54 percent) of pawrents saying that it makes them happy to see their pets happily enjoying their gifts, it's no surprise that a third (32 percent) are planning to spend more on pressies this year, compared to last year.
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."
And it wouldn't be Christmas without a series of family photos, which for 45 percent will always include their furry friend. 38 percent go a step further and say it wouldn't be a family portrait without their beloved furry family member.
Yet even though we love our furry friends, two thirds (66 percent) admit they have had a pet related disaster over the festive season, with four legged friends knocking over the Christmas tree (41 percent), ripping paper off presents (37 percent), grabbing food off the table (36 percent), eating food off plates (28 percent) and chewing the corners of presents (28 percent) topping the list of festive pet peeves.
A quarter (26 percent) 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 (12 per cent) have even had to take an emergency trip to the vets over the festive period after their furry friend got into the Christmas chocolates, or something else they shouldn't have eaten.
Despite this, one in four (25 percent) pet owners admit they don't have pet insurance, while 16 percent say they have it for some, but not all, of their four-legged family members.
Feeling like it is too expensive (48 percent) and not thinking it is worth the money (26 percent) are the main reasons for not taking it out, along with feeling like they just don't need to buy it (25 percent).
One in 20 (seven percent) say it is too complicated to set up, while five percent say they don't have time to arrange it.
As a result, nearly half (48 percent) have had to pay out unexpectedly for their pet, with owners doling out an average of £545 on unexpected bills and costs.
Neil Rogers added: "Taking out insurance - and selecting a policy that's right for you and your pet - can provide peace of mind for pet owners. This is especially worth considering at this time of year, when there are often more potential pet hazards around the home."
15 BIGGEST CHRISTMAS PET PEEVES, ACCORDING TO THE NATIONS PAWRENTS:
- Knocking over the Christmas tree - 41%
- Ripping paper off the presents - 37%
- Eating food off the Christmas table - 36%
- Eating food off people's plates - 28%
- Chewing corners of presents - 28%
- Knocking over drinks - 26%
- Eating the Christmas tree - 22%
- Knocking over ornaments - 21%
- Scratching the furniture - 20%
- Running out of the door when it is opened for guests - 19%
- Lying all over the sofa when people want to sit on it - 18%
- Eating chocolate, or something they shouldn't have, and needing an emergency trip to the vet - 12%
- Chewing through the Christmas lights - 8%
- Sleeping on guest's beds - 8%
- Stealing presents and hiding them - 8%
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Research of 1,000 pet owners was commissioned by M&S Pet Insurance and was conducted by Perspectus Global in December 2024.
For more information about M&S Bank, please contact:
Alex Grayson
E-mail: alexandra.grayson@mandsbank.com
Mobile: 07384793347
About M&S Bank
M&S Bank (the trading name of Marks & Spencer Financial Services plc) launched in 2012 on the foundations of M&S Money, which was established in 1985 as the financial services division of Marks and Spencer plc. In November 2004, HSBC bought 100 per cent of the share capital of Marks and Spencer Retail Financial Services Holdings Limited.
Today, M&S Bank operates as a joint venture arrangement between HSBC and Marks & Spencer, however, M&S Bank has its own banking licence and its own Board.
M&S Bank offers a broad range of financial products, including the M&S Credit Card, and a range of loans, savings and general insurance products, while its travel money service offers one of the widest ranges of currencies available on the high street.
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