Poll: 65% of Pet Parents Would Rather Pets Get Holiday Gifts Than Themselves

Would you dress up as a mall Santa for a month if it meant your pet had the best holiday ever? How about watching “Frosty the Snowman” twice a day for the entire month of December? Spend the holidays with the Grinch?

Chewy polled hundreds of pet parents and found that, by an overwhelming margin, most of us would stop at nothing to include our pets in the magic of the season. That’s because our pets make the holidays (and every day) better.

Infographic Title: Pets Put the Happy in the Holidays

Pet parents are making nice lists

84% give their pets multiple gifts

65% would rather their pets get gifts than themselves

45% give pets gifts “from Santa”

36% buy gifts to give “from” their pets

Because pets give so much

91% says pets’ unconditional love is extra comforting during the holidays

87% say the holidays would not be the same without their pet

83% say pets make the holidays feel less stressful

Pets make traditions cuter

58% make their pet a holiday meal or treat

54% take 5+ photos to get the perfect holiday pic

53% coordinate outfits with pets

And pets get in on all the action

65% beg for food at the dinner table

55% are fascinated with ornaments

52% play with bows on presents

So pet parents would do anything to give their pets a happy holiday

65% would spend the holidays with Grinch

25% would stand in line for 4 hours on Black Friday

22% would be Santa at the local mall

Data from a survey conducted by Chewy in October 2023 with a panel of 500 dog and cat owners.

Whether baking or holiday movie bingefests, pet parents love to include their pets in traditions, old and new.

Their mere presence makes all the difference during this often stressful time of year.

91% said their pets’ love is especially comforting during the holidays.

87% of pet parents polled said the holidays would not be the same without their pets.

62% said the holidays are their favorite time of year to spend quality time with their pets.

Pet parents love their pets so much, there’s not much they wouldn’t do to make sure they have the best. Holiday. Ever.

Considering how much our pets give us, it’s no surprise the majority of pet parents include their pets in their gift giving.

Like the Grinch, 88% of pet parents polled said their heart grew three sizes when they got their fur babies. Here are some of their stories of how pets have brought love and joy into their lives:

I picked her from a shelter. I noticed her immediately and was charmed as she cocked her head side to side when she saw me. I started to drive home, then went back to pick her up. She was destined to be my dog.”

When I got my dog, I had just lost my best friend and was going through some of the worst times in my life. Then my puppy came along and pulled me out of that funk by just being so energetic and loving.”

Having pets just brings something extra to your life. It’s a different version of what having kids brings to your life. Seeing them happy makes me happy. Seeing them excited makes me happy. Cuddling with them is comforting to me.”

We had a group of three kitties, then added one more as two of them passed. When those last two passed, I feared that I’d never love again the way I loved them (especially Misty, who was like my child). Our new kitties opened up my heart again in a way I never knew possible.”