Perfume and earrings -- for your dog?
Americans are spending millions of dollars on Valentine's Day gifts for their pets. Here are some of the more ridiculous ones.
The following data says volumes about love, Americans, their buying patterns and the animals they share their lives with.
The National Retail Federation reports consumers are spending a little bit more this Valentine's Day than they did last year, while remaining financially cautious due to the ongoing economic uncertainty.
American adults will shell out an estimated $18.6 billion to celebrate the holiday -- including about $815 million on Valentine's Day gifts for their pets.
A recent survey of 6,000 U.S. pet owners by the pet insurance company Petplan is also revealing.
According to the survey:
- 78% of pet owners plan to buy their pet a gift this Valentine's Day.
- 62% of pet owners say they will spend up to $10 on gifts for their pets.
- 27% will spend up to $25 on gifts and 11% will spend more than $25.
- 25% of pet owners say their pets have their own valentines.
- 20% of those surveyed say their pets will be sending out their own Valentine's Day greetings.
These gifts can range from the very practical and economic, as seen on Petco's suggested Valentine's Day gift webpage, to real howlers when it comes to lavish spending.
Business Insider listed some of the more outlandish pet gifts out there, including:
- Hypo-allergenic perfume for your dog; advertised as “a unisex blend of bergamot and vanilla-infused musk combined with natural patchouli, mandarin and nutmeg oils,” for $65.
- Crystal clip-on earrings, a mere $59.
- A $54 gift basket for your cat.
- Or you can go the whole hog and get your dog a $30,000 “dream house.”
The ASPCA, meanwhile, is taking advantage of the day by offering heart-themed fashion collars and collar charms at its online store. It's also trying to pair pets and potential owners for the holiday, both in person and via online streaming.
"Adoption is a message that we're always trying to get across," Olivia Melikhov, the ASPCA's social-media manager, tells USA Today. "We thought Valentine's Day would be a perfect time to remind people of that, since everyone is talking about love and meeting their match."
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