Brits are splashing out more on their pets than ever this Christmas, with some pet parents spending up to £3,000 on luxury presents like Gucci coats, Tiffany tags and designer dog beds. But vets say the bestChristmas gift for your pet this year isn’t expensive, flashy or covered in logos.
As part of its latest pet parent research series, ManyPets pet insurance is exploring the stories that show just how much pets shape our homes, our choices and our happiness.
According to pet experts at ManyPets, the one present your dog actually needs this festive season is a smart interactive puzzle feeder – a simple, stimulating toy that keeps pets busy, slows down eating and can help reduce anxiety during the chaos of Christmas.
These clever feeders (usually priced £30–£50) combine play and food rewards, encouraging pets to think, problem-solve and eat more slowly – something vets say can make a huge difference at this time of year.
Dr Kirsten Ronngren, vet at ManyPets, explains why puzzle feeders are a great choice for our canine pals this Christmas: “Christmas can be overwhelming for pets – the noise, the visitors, the decorations and all that food at snout-height. A puzzle feeder gives dogs something positive to focus on. It slows down their eating, keeps their brains busy and helps them relax when everything feels chaotic.”
She adds “It’s enriching and genuinely beneficial. Many premium gifts look great on Instagram, but a puzzle feeder actually supports your dog’s wellbeing. It’s enrichment, stress-relief and entertainment wrapped into one.”
Puzzle feeders can be a quiet Christmas saviour, helping to head off some of the most common seasonal disasters vets are faced with every year. They can slow down dogs who normally bolt their food — a habit that often ends in painful tummy trouble — and they keep boredom at bay, reducing the chances of chewed furniture or mysteriously opened presents under the tree.
They can also take the edge off overexcited pets when guests and children arrive, and importantly, they distract determined dogs from making dangerous raids on festive favourites like stuffing, pigs in blankets and mince pies.
New research from ManyPets reveals just how pampered UK pets have become. Most pet parents now spend between £51 and £150 on Christmas gifts for their animals, while a more luxury-loving group admit they regularly fork out £250 to £500. Some owners even go all-in with astonishing budgets of £1,000 to £3,000 just to treat their dogs. Nearly a third of people confessed their pet ends up costing more than any human in the household at Christmas – and plenty admitted, without shame, that their dog receives more presents than their own children.
Designer gifts are on the rise too, with 12% of pet parents buying something high-end – including Gucci raincoats, Hermès harnesses and £2,000 Louis Vuitton pet carriers.
But according to Dr K, one smart spend is something simple: “You don’t need to spend a fortune to make your dog happy. A good puzzle feeder costs around £30, lasts all year, and benefits your pet’s mental health.
According to ManyPets’ festive pet-safety guidance, puzzle feeders are one of the simplest ways to keep pets out of mischief during the Christmas chaos. They keep excitable animals distracted when guests pile through the door, help redirect scavenger behaviour away from dangerous human foods, and ease anxiety by giving pets a clear “job” to focus on. They also encourage independent play and, as a result, help create a much calmer, more manageable home environment at the busiest time of the year.
ManyPets recommends choosing a sturdy feeder designed for your pet’s size and ability. Owners can also use puzzle feeders as part of a “safe zone” setup – giving dogs a quiet corner with their bed, toys and feeder to escape the festive frenzy.
