It's a dog's life around the holidays

Americans love their pets and the holidays are a chance to prove that. A recent Harris Interactive poll reveals that almost two-thirds (65 percent) of pet owners have bought their pet a holiday gift. What's even more surprising is that over one-third (37 percent) have also bought a their pet a birthday present.

Dogs make out like bandits. Not only are dog owners slightly more likely (93 percent) than cat owners (89 percent) to consider their pets members of their family, but dogs get more presents than cats do.  Most  (71 percent) of dog owners have bought their pet a holiday gift, compared to 63 percent of cat owners. Canines also get more birthday presents; 42 percent of dog owners have bought their pet a birthday gift, compared to 33 percent for  cat owners. The upside to being a cat is that you are more likely to be allowed on to the family bed to sleep and that you are less likely to be wrestled into an outfit;  23 percent of dog owners have dressed their animal up in clothing while only 14 percent of cat owners have done the same.