Puppy Love vs. People Love: Who Gets the Bigger Valentine's Day Budget?

Valentine's Day spending isn't just focused on romantic partners this year, as many people are also planning to treat their pets. To explore this trend, Fractl surveyed 1,000 U.S. cat and dog owners about their gifting plans, budgets, and priorities. The team also reviewed Google search volume trends tied to pet toxicity questions during Valentine's week. Learn how pet owners show love with gifts while also handling seasonal hazards like chocolate and flowers.

Key Takeaways

• Over 2 in 3 pet owners (68%) plan to buy Valentine's Day gifts for their pets this year.
• Nearly 1 in 5 pet owners (17%) plan to spend $100 or more on their pets for Valentine's.
• About 1 in 3 pet owners (29%) said they're more excited to give a Valentine's gift to their pet than to a romantic partner.
• Nearly 1 in 3 pet owners (29%) have bought a Valentine's Day gift for their pet, rather than for a “situationship” or casual romantic interest.
• Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine are the top three states for Valentine's Week pet toxicity searches per capita.

Most Pet Owners Plan to Buy Valentine's Day Gifts

For plenty of Americans, Valentine's Day includes four-legged family members. Whether it's gourmet treats or new toys, many pet owners are carving out space in their holiday budgets for their pets.

More than 2 in 3 American pet owners (68%) said they plan to buy their pet a Valentine's Day gift. Treats are the most popular pick (37%), followed by new toys (30%) and clothing (10%). Smaller shares are opting for something homemade (8%) or even a special experience (4%).

On average, pet owners expect to spend $29 on their pets for the holiday. Still, some are planning bigger surprises. Nearly 1 in 3 (30%) anticipate spending $50 or more, and 17% have set aside $100 or more.

Spending also varies by breed. The top 5 dog breeds whose owners plan to spend the most this Valentine’s Day are:

1. Siberian Husky
2. Bulldog
3. Boxer
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel          
5. Pomeranian

For some, the excitement rivals — or even surpasses — traditional romance. Nearly 1 in 3 pet owners (29%) said they're more excited to give a Valentine's gift to their pet than to a romantic partner, including 34% of women and 20% of men. Another 20% said their pet would appreciate the gift more than their partner would.

In some cases, pets even take priority over certain relationships. Twenty-nine percent said they’ve bought a Valentine's gift for their pet instead of a situationship or casual romantic interest, and 22% have redirected money from a romantic gift toward their pet.

Even so, practical concerns still shape spending decisions. Over 2 in 3 pet owners (67%) said they would skip a Valentine's purchase if faced with a surprise vet bill, while 8% said they would find another way to cover the expense.¹ More than half (56%) said economic uncertainty is influencing their holiday plans, including 34% who are spending less overall and 22% who are being more selective.

Valentine's Traditions Also Drive Pet Safety Concerns

Valentine's staples like chocolate and bouquets may be festive for people, but they can pose risks for pets. Search data from the week leading up to the holiday shows where pet owners are asking the most toxicity-related questions.

Top 10 States for Valentine's Week Pet Toxicity Searches per Capita

1. Vermont
2. New Hampshire
3. Maine
4. Colorado
5. Rhode Island
6. Nevada
7. Oregon
8. Washington
9. Connecticut
10. Delaware

Bottom 10 States for Valentine's Week Pet Toxicity Searches per Capita

      50. Mississippi

      49. Louisiana

      48. Alabama

      47. Arkansas

      46. New Jersey

      45. South Carolina

      44. Florida

      43. South Dakota

      42. Hawaii

      41. Kentucky

Most searched dog terms:

1. "can dogs eat grapes"
2. "can dogs eat raisins"
3. "can dogs eat chocolate"²
4. "what happens if a dog eats chocolate"
5. "symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs"
6. "dog poison control"
7. "dog ate chocolate"
8. "dog ate chocolate what do i do"
9. "dog ate chocolate cookie"
10. "is chocolate bad for dogs"

Most searched cat terms:

1. "can cats eat chocolate"
2. "are roses toxic to cats"
3. "are tulips toxic to cats"
4. "lilies toxic to cats"
5. "are lilies toxic to cats"³
6. "can cats eat grapes"
7. "are carnations toxic to cats"
8. "are hydrangeas toxic to cats"
9. "is chocolate bad for cats"
10. "are chrysanthemums toxic to cats"

The Pet Poisoning Question Each State Googles the Most During Valentine's Week

Protecting Your Pets This Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day can be fun for the whole household, including your pets. With chocolate, flowers, and special treats around, a few simple precautions can help prevent an unexpected trip to the vet.

• Keep chocolate, raisins, and candy out of reach of dogs and cats, and never share human sweets with pets.⁴
  
• Check floral arrangements for toxic plants like lilies and tulips before placing them where pets can access them.
  
• Choose pet-safe treats and toys that match your pet's size and dietary needs.
  
• Secure trash cans and remind guests not to slip pets table scraps.
  
• Save your veterinarian's phone number and a pet poison control contact in your phone in case of an emergency.

A little preparation can make the holiday safer and less stressful. That way, you can focus on celebrating the love you share with every member of your family.

Methodology

This survey, conducted by Fractl on behalf of MetLife on February 3, 2026, questioned 1,000 American pet owners to explore how pet parents are prioritizing pets over partners this Valentine's Day. The average age of respondents was 40; 55% were female, 43% were male, and 2% were nonbinary. Generationally, 36% were baby boomers and Gen X combined, 47% were millennials, and 18% were Gen Z.

Additionally, we analyzed Google search volume data from February 2024 to February 2026 to identify which pet toxicity and poisoning-related questions Americans searched most frequently, particularly in the week leading up to Valentine's Day. Our analysis examined over 200 pet safety search terms spanning food- and plant-toxicity topics for cats and dogs across all 50 states. We then calculated per-capita search interest and ranked states accordingly. We also identified the most-searched phrase in each state to highlight geographic differences in pet safety concerns and search behavior.

About MetLife Pet Insurance

MetLife Pet Insurance provides comprehensive insurance solutions for pets, offering pet owners financial security and peace of mind when it comes to veterinary care. Depending on your level of coverage and the plans you choose, we can cover mostly everything from routine checkups to emergency services. Help your pets get the care they need and worry less about the costs with MetLife Pet Insurance.

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