FROM pet advent calendars to festive jumpers for dogs, reindeer antlers for cats, and even bottles of ‘pawsecco’ to pop, there’s no denying there’s plenty to choose from when it comes to splashing out on our pets this Christmas.

I’ve certainly noticed the variety of pet-tastic presents on the shelves go through the roof this year, as the retailers give our heart strings a good old tug.

When I was growing up we’d treat our family cat to a new mouse toy or ball to play with at Christmas, but there was nothing like what’s on offer for our festive felines today!

This Christmas, it’s estimated that the country’s 19 million pet owners will spend in excess of a whopping £47m buying gifts for their pets, with 66 per cent spending more on their pets than on their close friends.

I’ll hold my hands up and admit I am guilty of this myself (sorry friends). In fact, the first gifts I bought this year were for the cat and dog and I’m still running a little behind on the rest of the family!

It may seem barking mad to some, but pets are a hugely valued part of the family so why not include them in the gift giving tradition too? One of my clients has even confessed to writing to ‘Santa Paws’ on their dog's behalf, just to be sure they won’t be left disappointed come Christmas morning.

And it doesn’t end there: sometimes our pets ‘buy’ presents for us… one of my own family members insists we don’t buy presents for him, but surely it doesn’t count if the gift comes from Roly the cat?

Of course, we get more satisfaction buying our pets presents than they do receiving them, but that’s ok – after all, Christmas is all about giving! So, if the cat turns its nose up at its not-so-purrfect present, or the dog glares at you glumly when you wrap it up in its new festive scarf, we can be sure that including them in the joyful season makes us feel good.

There’s no need to spend a fortune either, I’ve had a great time this week busily hand-making personalised treat-filled Christmas baubles for all my Rambles Pet Care customers, which I can’t wait to hand out this week. After all, Christmas is for everyone, big and small.

You can spoil your pet without spending a penny this Christmas: enter our Rambles Pet Care Facebook competition to win a Pet ‘Pawtrait’ session, with an award-winning local pet photographer!