Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash
Stockings from Santa, canine Christmas dinners and cute festive outfits are just some of the ways that British dog owners are treating their pooches this year.
With 88% of dog owners in Britain buying presents for their four-legged friends in 2022, it is clear our beloved pets are an integral part of the celebrations. However, while there is puppy love all around, dog owners in some areas of Britain will spoil their dogs more than others this Christmas.
The pet insurance experts at Forbes Advisor surveyed 2,000 dog owners to find out where in Britain pets will be most spoiled this festive season, using six key metrics to determine the rankings.
Top 10 Cities For The Most Spoilt Dogs
1. Brighton & Hove: 90 points out of 100
Brighton tops the list when it comes to the most spoiled dogs this Christmas. With a wealth of canine- friendly restaurants, pubs and hotels, it is the perfect spot for dog lovers. More than half of the dogs in Brighton (52%) will be tucking into their own festive dinner as well as receiving a treat-packed stocking on Christmas morning (57%).
2. Cardiff: 82 / 100
Welsh capital Cardiff is second on the list of where dogs will be most spoiled this Christmas. Although a bustling city, there are plenty of dog-friendly shops and restaurants. Dog owners in Cardiff are spending £105 on their pets this festive season – and, for that extra helping of cuteness, more than a third (34%) of dogs will be sporting a Christmas outfit.
3. London: 81 / 100
Thanks to the multiple dog-friendly department stores in central London, including John Lewis and Liberty, it’s not unusual to see a well-dressed dog accompanying its owner down Regent Street or Oxford Street.
Owners in London are spending £106 on their dog’s this Christmas, and more than a third (37%) are spending more on them than friends and family. More than two-fifths of London dogs will be enjoying a specially prepared festive meal this Christmas, and over a third of them could be doing so in their Christmas-themed outfits.
4. Bristol: 75 / 100
Bristol is an incredibly dog-friendly city, with dogs welcomed from local parks to river cruises along the Avon.
And, this year, more than a third of dog owners (34%) are spending more money on their dogs than they will be spending on their family members or friends. Furthermore, two-in-five (40%) are dressing their pet in a Christmas outfit to mark the festivities, while almost half (48%) are treating their pooch to a Christmas stocking.
5. Coventry: 73 / 100
Coventry is the fifth-ranked city when it comes to spoiled dogs this Christmas. Owners and their pets can enjoy picturesque walks in the mediaeval Warwickshire city – and in the lead up to Christmas, two-in-five (40%) of them could well be wearing a festive outfit. Furthermore, more than half (51%) will be treated to a Christmas stocking and more than two-in-five (45%) a festive doggy dinner.
Liberty London
Three Cities Where People Spoil Their Dogs the Least
1. Aberdeen: 25 out of 100
Dogs in Aberdeen are set to be spoiled the least this festive season. The total amount owners are typically going to spend on their dogs is £36, and just one in five (20%) will be purchasing their dog a Christmas outfit. Almost all (95%) Aberdeen dog owners will be spending more on their human friends and family than their dog this year.
However, it is certainly not all doom and gloom for four-legged friends in the Granite City. Many dogs will still be enjoying a festive meal, with over half of owners planning to prepare one while nearly half five (45%) will receive a Christmas stocking.
2. Worcester: 26 / 100
Second least-spoiled this year will be dogs in Worcester – or should that be Woofster? Just one in six (15%) will be receiving a stocking this Christmas, and they’ll get the fewest presents (2.05 average per dog) – although the cost of those gifts will still be in excess of £66. But fear not, dogs will still be joining in with the celebrations, as almost two in five (38%) will be given a festive outfit this year.
3. Wrexham: 27 out of 100
Wrexham came third as the place least likely to spoil their dogs this Christmas. Wrexham residents are spending the least amount on their pooches, with each owner purchasing gifts totalling £35 on average. Additionally just one in five dogs (20%) will have a specially prepared festive meal and just one in 10 (10%) will be given a Christmas outfit.
Average dog spend this Christmas
Research discovered that dog owners in Britain are spending £80 on average this Christmas on dog gifts. Furthermore, Brits are planning to purchase three presents for their pooches on average.
Including your dog in the festivities makes for a fun and memorable Christmas. However, the biggest gift you can give your dog is loving care all year round.
Kevin Pratt, pet insurance expert at Forbes Advisor, says: “It’s clear that dogs up and down the country will have their own place in the seasonal celebrations this Christmas. Many will even be given their own Christmas meal, stocking and festive outfit.
“But while this might be charming and fun, the truth is Christmas lasts just a day. A lifetime pet insurance policy, however, will provide renewable year-round cover for the cost of veterinary treatment should your beloved dog fall ill or have an accident. Some policies even cover the cost of a reward should the unthinkable happen and your dog is lost or stolen.
“With our data showing that many owners are prepared to spend more on their dogs than their family and friends this Christmas – monthly premiums for this valuable protection could prove to be money very well spent.
“One last message – remember that dogs have very sensitive constitutions when it comes to the food we eat. Chocolate is bad for them, as are dairy products, onions and garlic, gravy, grapes and raisins, and Macadamia nuts. So if you are treating your pet to a special Christmas lunch, check the ingredients before serving up!”
Methodology:
To determine the cities with the most spoiled dogs this Christmas, the Forbes Advisor team examined six metrics weighted them in relation to significance:
Amount spent on Christmas Gifts (£): 30%
Dog owners who claim to spend more on their dog gift than family / friend gifts (%): 20%
Dog owners who will prepare a Christmas meal (%): 15%
Number of Christmas Gifts owners are purchasing for their dog: 15%
Dog owners who have purchased a Christmas outfit (%): 10%
Dog owners who have purchased a Christmas stocking (%): 10%
Each city was ranked and given a total score out of 100
This online survey was taken from a sample of 2,000 adults, representative of British pet owners. It was commissioned by Forbes Advisor and conducted by market research company OnePoll, in accordance with the Market Research Society’s code of conduct. Data was collected November 2022.
