Over 80% of Cat Lovers Buy Their Cat Gifts. Here’s Why.

According to a recent poll we conducted in My Cat Magazine, the vast majority of cat owners buy gifts for their cat. Here’s why gifting presents to pets has become so normal and why we do it in the first place.

Jan. 30, 2026

Est. read time: 2 min.

How Many People Buy Gifts for Their Cats?

In the December 2025 issue of My Cat Magazine, we ran a poll asking readers whether they planned to buy their cat a holiday gift. The response was overwhelming: out of 1,123 participants, 932, or 83%, said yes.

Poll results show that 83% of cat owners buy their cat a holiday gift, while 17% do not

Why Has Buying Your Pet Gifts Become Normal?

1. People are delaying or skipping having kids

For many social and economic reasons, people are choosing to have children later, or not at all. That leaves more time, money, and love to spend on pets. Cats are no longer “just animals.” They’re full-fledged family members. And family members deserve something special on special days, whether that’s a birthday, Valentine’s Day, or Christmas.

2. Giving gifts to pets makes you happy

A 2021 study by Columbia Business School found that buying gifts for pets makes people happy, even more so than buying a gift of the same value for themselves or for other people. Even the act of delivering the gift brought more happiness than giving one to humans.

While the study focused on dog owners, every cat mom or dad can recognize the effect described. Watching your cat attack a toy mouse, settle into their new bed, or dig their claws into their new scratcher instead of your sofa is just the most rewarding feeling ever.

Catit Community Poll

Do you usually get your cat a holiday gift?

Yes

83%

17%