'We shop for our pets like we shop for our kids': Christmas shopping for cats and dogs

Holiday shopping is in full swing in Charlottetown and pets are in on the holiday fun, from stockings to gifts to treats, critters seem to make it toSanta's nice list every year.

"We shop for our pets like we shop for our kids," said Sasha Burkitt, who has three dogs and two cats. She said she expects to spend about $300 on her pets this season.

"We bought the dogs new beds, we bought treats, we bought a box full of toys for the dogs, a box full of toys for the cats," she said. Christmas dog cookies and real tuna for the cats are also on the list.

'He dresses better than I do'

KennedyLeard said her dog Duke usually gets a new wardrobe at Christmas with a sweater or two to keep him warm through the winter.

"We love dressing him," said Leard. "We love our dog a lot."

Christmas sweaters are available for cats and dogs. Ugly Christmas sweaters and lumberjack styles are popular this season.

Jim Ross said his dog Sasha already has a good collection of sweaters, but another one will likely be under the tree.

"Usually gets some treats and he'll get a new sweater, he dresses better than I do, he'll be treated well" said Jim Ross.

"He doesn't come up short at all,"said Ross.

'They're part of the family'

At the Compton household, stockings are hung up for all pets. They have two cats and two dogs.

"They get treats in their stockings, all four of them, they get stuffed animals, cat-nip mice that type of thing, they each get a special bag of food and an outfit," saidRosemary Hill Compton. Shegot Santa suits for the dogs too.

"Christmas is Christmas, and pets should be included. They are part of the family," she said.

Good for business

Josh Blinder, the area supervisor for Global Pet Foods in P.E.I., said business picks up in December.

"The hustle and bustle, people are certainly purchasing for their pets, for family pets, friends pets we have a lot of grandparents buying for the grand-fur-babies," he said.

Colin Scales, owner of Blue Ribbon Pet Supply, agreed this month has been fantastic for sales.

"Just more and more people are spoiling their pets," he said. "It's great."

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