Rising price tag of pooches parties
Presents, a cake, singing and even a party are part of a standard birthday bash – for Britain’s dogs.
Almost a third of British dog owners (29 per cent) celebrate their pooches birthday every year spending £36 million* marking the occasion, according to new research by Direct Line Pet Insurance.
Cards and extravagant gifts are part of the celebrations. More than two thirds (70 per cent) who mark the occasion buy their dog a present. Popular gifts include toys (81 per cent), clothes and pampering sessions (8 per cent give the gift of grooming). 15% of owners take their dog on a special walk for their birthday as a change from the normal route and one in 10 provide their pooch with a card to open on the day.
The lengths they go to are not surprising considering four in 10 (38 per cent) owners admit they love their dog more than some of their relatives. A quarter (23 per cent) said they got a lot of pleasure from their pet so it was only right that they showed how much they loved them on their special day.
One in 10 (nine per cent) put celebrating their child’s birthday on a par with their dog’s birthday and certainly seem to pull out all the same stops.
A third (32 per cent) of those who celebrate their dog’s birthday give their dog a birthday kiss, 18 per cent sing happy birthday and 11 per cent buy a cake. Determined to mark the occasion, six per cent lay on a party to honour the birthday of their faithful friend.
Chris Price, Head of Direct Line Pet Insurance comments:
"Treating our dogs to the same pleasures we enjoy on our birthdays shows just how much a nation of dog lovers we are. Some pleasures such as special extra long walkies even benefit the overall well being of the dog.
“Although owners are acting in good faith, they do need to be careful not to over-indulge their dog with sweet treats that are bad for them since this could lead to health problems and expensive visits to the vets.”
For more information, log on to www.directline.com/pet.
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Lindsay Wienand /Direct Line Press Office
0208 256 5816
Email: Lindsay.wienand@directline.com
Notes to Editors:
Research was carried out online by YouGov Plc who interviewed a sample of 1,605 dog owners between 14 and 16 June 2006. Results are unweighted. YouGov is a member of the British Polling Council.
* There are 5.4 million dog owners in England, Wales and Scotland (Target Group Index BMRB 2005). 670 dog owners celebrate their dog’s birthday which is 41.7% of dog owners surveyed (1,605) and spend on average £16.05 a year on their dog’s birthday. Therefore:
0.417 x 5,400,000 = 2,251,800 x £16.05 = £36,141,390
Direct Line Insurance plc, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Calls may be recorded. Conditions apply.
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