Valentine's Day is for pet, too
Many folks will pamper very unconventional valentines today: their pooches. And their felines. And even their feathered friends.
One in five Americans will show their non-human companions some love, spending a collective $815 million on Valentine's Day goodies for their pets, according to a new survey from the National Retail Federation.
In another survey, the American Pet Products Association says pet owners have treated even fish, horses and "small animals" to Valentine's Day gifts.
It may sound strange to some, but to loving pet owners, these animals are invaluable companions and it makes those owners "feel good" to coddle them, says Kristen Levine, a pet expert and founder of pet-focused marketing firm Fetching Communications.
The physical interaction that comes with taking care of a pet is even more special -- and novel -- in an increasingly digital world, she says.
