How Much Do We Spoil Dogs at Christmas? Survey Results
Written by Charlotte Niblett, Copywriter. Reviewed by Elle Padgham, Communications Lead.
Dogs are firmly part of the holiday celebration for many families. A 2025 survey of 1,500 pet owners in our UK sister market found that 49% involved their dog in Christmas just like the children, 52% bought one or two gifts and 48% made or bought a special holiday dinner for their dog.
Those findings are a UK snapshot, not a US population estimate. Still, they highlight a useful question for American dog parents: how can you make the season special without creating food, wrapping, budget or routine problems? This guide preserves the original survey findings and turns them into a practical, dog-safe US holiday plan.
Key findings from the 1,500-owner holiday survey
- 49% said their dog joined Christmas like the children.
- One in five described the dog as the star of the show.
- 52% bought one or two gifts, while 33% bought three to five.
- Three quarters wrapped their dog's presents.
- 48% made or bought a special Christmas dinner for their dog.
- 45% believed their dog knew it was Christmas and enjoyed the activity.
The original spending figures were collected in British pounds. For a US planning benchmark, the more useful takeaway is not an exchange-rate conversion. It is that most owners favored a modest, defined budget rather than an unlimited pile of gifts. Choose a dollar cap that fits your household and spend it on experiences, durable enrichment or routine care the dog will actually use.
Almost half included their dog like the children
Dogs notice changes in people, schedules, scents, visitors and access to favorite rooms. They do not understand a calendar holiday in the same way we do, but they can learn that certain decorations, routines and gatherings predict attention or excitement. Including a dog does not require a costume, a crowded event or a place at the human dinner table.
A dog-friendly celebration can be a sniff walk before guests arrive, a quiet mat beside the family, a new enrichment activity, a short photo session or a calm one-on-one game. Match the plan to the dog's body language. If ears pin back, the dog repeatedly leaves, refuses food, pants without heat or cannot settle, make the experience smaller and quieter.
Most owners bought one to five gifts
One or two well-chosen items often beat a large collection of novelty gifts. Start with the dog's play and chew style, size, age and health. A power chewer needs a different object than a gentle dog. A dog who shreds and swallows fabric should not receive a plush toy simply because it looks festive.
The survey found that many owners wrapped gifts. Tearing paper can be enriching for some dogs, but supervision matters. Remove tape, ribbon, bows, string, staples and small tags. Avoid metallic or glittered paper. Let the dog open one loose-paper parcel at a time, and take the paper away before it becomes something to swallow. Dogs with a history of eating nonfood items should receive an unwrapped gift.
Our dog Christmas gift guide organizes ideas by play and chew style, while the fish-skin chew and rawhide comparison explains why every edible chew still needs sizing and supervision.
Nearly half planned a special holiday dinner
A separate dog-safe portion is safer than sharing food from a seasoned holiday plate. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control lists chocolate, alcohol, yeast dough, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol, macadamia nuts and cooked or raw bones among important food hazards. Fatty leftovers can also trigger digestive trouble.
If you want to offer a special plate, use ingredients your dog already tolerates and keep portions small. Plain cooked turkey with skin, bones, gravy and seasoning removed may suit some dogs. Plain green beans or pumpkin can be appropriate in small amounts. A dog with allergies, pancreatitis, kidney disease, diabetes or a prescription diet needs a veterinarian-approved plan instead of a generic holiday menu.
Treats and extras should fit the dog's daily calories. Do not replace a complete and balanced meal with a bowl of festive add-ons. Keep trash, roasting pans, candy dishes, cocktails and unattended plates out of reach. If you think your dog ate something toxic, note the ingredient and amount and call your veterinarian or poison control promptly.
Why dogs benefit from a thoughtful holiday plan
The survey found that 45% of owners thought their dog knew it was Christmas. Whatever label we give the experience, dogs respond to our behavior and to the environment. A predictable plan can protect sleep, exercise, potty breaks and access to a quiet space when the house becomes busy.
Before visitors arrive, check doors, gates, identification tags and microchip contact details. Place medications, chocolate, batteries, ornaments and children's toys above dog level. Review how to dog-proof the house for Christmas, Christmas-tree safety and holiday plant hazards.
Give the dog permission to opt out. A baby gate, quiet bedroom or covered crate can be a relief, not a punishment, when the dog already feels safe there. Ask guests and children to leave the dog alone while resting. Do not force greetings, hugs or photos.
A simple US holiday budget for your dog
- Set one total. Pick a dollar amount before shopping.
- Buy for the dog you have. Choose by size, chewing habits and health, not by packaging.
- Reserve part for an experience. A trail walk, sniff outing or training game may offer more value than another object.
- Include safety costs. Replace a worn leash, update an ID tag or book routine care if that is the real need.
- Skip unsafe bargains. Unknown ingredients, detachable parts and poorly sized chews are not savings.
The best dog Christmas is not measured by the number of gifts. It is measured by whether the dog stays safe, comfortable, included and able to recover from the extra activity.
Frequently asked questions
Do dogs know it is Christmas?
Dogs can learn that decorations, routines and gatherings predict attention or excitement, but there is no need to assume they understand the holiday itself. Watch the individual dog's comfort.
How much should I spend on my dog at Christmas?
There is no correct amount. Set a household budget and prioritize safe, durable items or experiences the dog will use.
Can dogs unwrap presents?
Some can under direct supervision. Remove ribbon, tape, staples and small pieces, and skip wrapping entirely for dogs who swallow paper or objects.
Can my dog eat Christmas dinner?
Do not share a seasoned human plate. Ask your veterinarian about a small plain portion that fits your dog's health and normal diet.