Over 30pc of EDP readers will splash £100 on gifts for their pets this Christmas, an EDP online poll has shown.

While 40pc of readers will spend £10, most readers will spend £25 or more on their lucky pet this Christmas.

Lionel Partridge, manager at Jurassic Bark in Downham Market, said: 'The last week was the best we had by 20pc.

'People would normally come in and spend less than £20 on bags of food and treats.

'Our average order now is about £50.'

Another poll conducted by the RSPCA found that many pet-owners would spend more on their pet than their mother-in-law. Some owners would spend more on their pet than even their partner.

Darren Parrish from the RSPCA said: 'It's lovely to hear that a vast majority of pet owners consider them to be part of the family and really include them in the Christmas celebrations. It goes to show we really are a nation of animal lovers.

Roughly £300m is expected to be spent on an estimated 18m British pets this Christmas.

The RSPCA is also warning pet-owners to be careful when feeding pets Christmas dinner, as the traditional meal can contain ingredients which are bad for dogs and cats.

Craig Osborne from the RSPCA said: 'Pet owners should not give their pets left over bones form the Christmas dinner and remember to not leave any presents containing chocolate within easy reach as I have learned to my cost.'