Donna Kernot
Miss Lilibet from Tauranga belongs to Donna Kernot who is spoiling her this Christmas.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care – full of dog chews, catnip, and yummy pet fare.
It turns out that Kiwis are pushovers when it comes to treating our furry family members at Christmas.
“I don’t have children, so my dogs are my fur-kids,” is the reasoning from the human belonging to miniature spoodle Miss Lilibet, from Tauranga.
This is only the second Christmas for Donna Kernot’s 17-month-old dog, and the pup hasn’t even been good this year, apparently.
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Yet, in her Santa sack come December 25 will be a great haul: lots of tennis balls, a giant stuffed flamingo and other stuffed toys, a bacon-scented squeaky rubber bone, deer antler, selection of healthy doggy treats, and dog-friendly bubbles. Chasing bubbles is a favourite game.
Miss Lilibet is not alone in being spoiled: Now Next data from Stuff’s research team shows almost seven in 10 pets (66%) are getting presents this year, with young (aged 18 to 34) pet owners at 77%, and those with pet insurance (78%) most likely to give something.
Kernot says she wants nothing more than to give her dogs “the best life they deserve”. (Lilibet also has an older fur-sibling named Toby, a bichon frise cross.)
Donna Kernot
Miss Lilibet admits she hasn’t been good.
“I love the joy I get of watching them get excited over their gifts. It’s like having children in the house on Christmas morning.
“And I also have a lot of fun buying for them.”
Miss Lilibet and Toby are actually more spoilt than most: The research showed only 24% of Kiwi pets have their own Christmas stocking, although that number is higher in some spots. One third of Christchurch pets have their own stocking.
Kiwis also seem to favour their dogs: 74% of dogs are due to receive a present, whereas only 63% of cats are.
Stuff
Some dogs do not deserve presents this Christmas. Even so, they will probably still receive them.
New Zealand Veterinary Association head of companion animal veterinary services Sally Cory says the only warning she’d issue is that treats should be pet-appropriate.
“Chocolate and some nuts can be toxic to dogs, to cats too but it’s mainly a problem we see in dogs because cats are a little bit more fastidious about what they will and won’t eat,” she says.
Twenty-nine per cent of pets will receive toys (compared to 48% receiving treats, and 21% receiving extra cuddles).
For dogs, Cory recommends robust toys specially designed to be chewed.
She says while Christmas is a special time for humans, that’s not necessarily the case for animals.
“Just remember that while it’s normal to have lots of people around, for some pets lots of coming and going causes anxiety.”
The main thing they want at this time and any other is “just having you around”.
“They hardly need a stocking. Something worth considering, since there are a lot of animals that don’t have a home or are in an animal shelter, or foster homes, it might be nice to consider a donation or a bag of food for them. That’s a nice idea.”
