SHERMAN OAKS, Calif., Dec. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. pet owners spare no expense when it comes to Christmas favors for their furry friends.
For many, no longer does giving Fido a rawhide bone or throwing their kitty a catnip-stuffed animal do the trick, the Los Angeles Daily News reported Sunday.
For Elizabeth Weems, only Burberry would do for her Pomeranian pooch: a $255 classic Burberry check dog sweater, a $200 collar or a $200 haymarket dog leash.
"We'll see. I think my husband will spring for some Burberry combination thereof," said Weems, 47, of Sherman Oaks, Calif. "I remember going in (to pet stores) and saying,
`Who the hell would spend money on stuff like that?' ... and here I am."
According to industry surveys, more than half the nation's dog owners will buy a present for their pooch, while four in 10 cat owners will have gifts for their feline friends, the newspaper reported.
At findgift.com, pet gift searches for the holidays are up by a third and business is expected to triple at Three Dog Bakery in Sherman Oaks.
"We definitely expect a rush," said bakery owner Chad Kurtz. "We're starting to see a lot of people come in to purchase gifts for their pets, or their friends' pets."
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