Pampered Pets: Americans Spend Big On Furry Friends

More Americans welcomed furry additions to their families this year, and many of those new pet parents are planning to give them a very merry first Christmas. NBC's Liz McLaughlin reports.

(NBC News) — More Americans welcomed furry additions to their families this year, and many of those new pet parents are planning to give them a very merry first Christmas.

According to Deloitte’s annual holiday shopping survey, about half of respondents say they planned to buy a pet gift.

“We found that the average spend for the pet category was going to be about $90.00 in total,” says Deloitte’s Rod Sides.

Customers at Pet Project LA have been buying up high-end pet accessories.

Owner Rachel Long says she’s seen a huge boost in sales leading up to the holidays.

“80% increase from our regular business day,” Long says.

And it’s not just our own pets we’re spoiling. According to Deloitte about a fourth of shoppers said they were buying a present for someone else’s pet.

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