PETS’ PARCELS

From squeaky toys to quilted jackets and even shoes, pet presents are big business these days.

And two-thirds of dog owners say they buy Christmas gifts for their pets, according to American Express.

The research, commissioned to mark Small Business Saturday, found this is a bumper time for the nation’s dogs, as doting owners spend an average £18.42 per dog on gifts, with a quarter (25%) of dogs getting a Christmas stocking.

Indeed latest figures show the worth of the pampered pet market rose to a staggering £5.4bn this year.