Pets lucky in love this Valentine's Day as Aussies splash out $46m

AUSTRALIANS are expected to spent more than $46 million on their pets this Valentine's Day, a survey has found.

cat and dog

PETS will have no shortage of love this Valentine's Day, with owners expected to spend more than $46 million on their animal friends.

A survey by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) found that more than one in three pet owners, or 3.4 million Australians, are planning on giving their pet a gift on February 14.

The biggest spenders will be dog owners, who are expected to shell out $23.3m, or an average of $6.82 per dog, while cat owners are expected to spend $7.9m, or an average of $4.11 per cat.

Total spending on pets this Valentine's Day is expected to be $46.9m.

However, while more Australians own a dog (39 per cent) or a cat (28 per cent), bird owners are more likely to give their chirping friends a gift on Valentine's Day.

Forty per cent of bird owners will give a gift to their pet, compared to 36 per cent of dog owners and 34 per cent of cat owners.

A WSPA spokesman Rafi Cooper said it was "wonderful" to see how many Australians cared for their pets, but many animals around the world were not as fortunate.

He said animal lovers could buy a gift to help needy animals through WSPA's online store, Really Wild Gifts.

A range of gifts can be bought, including a $10 donation to help overworked donkeys in Palestine, a "disaster pack" for $20 to help treat injured animals, and a $99 donation to feed a bear in a sanctuary for two months.