MITCHELL, S.D. (MITCHELL NOW) Imagine a day dedicated to celebrating our furry, feathered and finned friends. Well, it exists!

This National Love Your Pet Day (Tuesday, February 20), we’re unleashing the truth about America’s love affair with their four-legged friends.

According to a recent survey conducted by TopCashback.com (TopCashback), the USA’s most generous cash back site, nearly one-third of American pet parents (30%) spend more money on their pets than on themselves.

The survey polled a cross-section of 1,605 US-based adults, aged 18 and over.

From First Fluff to Current Critters

Have you ever owned a pet?
• Yes (91%)
• No (9%)

Do you currently own a pet?
• Yes (69%)
• No (31%)

Paws for Celebration

Do you buy your pet(s) a birthday/”gotcha” day present or special treat?
• Yes (60%)
• No (40%)

Do you buy your pet(s) presents or special treats for holidays?
• Yes (73%)
• No (27%)

Do you dress your pet up for holidays?
• No (63%)
• Yes (37%)

Family Fur-st

What type of name(s) does your pet have? (select all that apply)
• Human name [ex: Max, Charlie, Bella, etc.] (60%)
• Descriptive name [ex: Fluffy, Spot, Bear, etc.] (27%)
• Character name [i.e. from a book, video game, TV show, etc.] (20%)
• Food name [ex: Pudding, Noodle, Cookie, etc.] (12%)
• Other [please specify] (11%)
• Celebrity name (3%)

Do you consider your pet to be an additional family member?
• Yes (92%)
• No (8%)

Out of the following, what’s your favorite thing about having a pet? (select all that apply)
• Lowers my stress level (65%)
• Never feeling lonely (57%)
• Having a “no questions asked” companion (52%)
• Keeps me active (44%)
• Responsibility for something other than myself (32%)
• Being in a community of other pet owners (12%)

Pet Perspectives

If you could switch places with your pet for one day, would you do it?
• Yes (53%)
• No (47%)

If you could take your pet everywhere with you, would you?
• Yes (59%)
• No (41%)

Spoiling your animals can get pricey, especially if you’ve got a large crew! Here are four tips to manage your pet-related expenses from Samantha Landau (she/her), consumer expert at TopCashback.

• Do-it-fur-self (i.e. DIY). “Save on pet food and treats, a major expense next to vet care, by incorporating household foods such as rice, fresh vegetables, and lean proteins into your pet’s diet. It’s a budget-friendly way to know what your pet eats. Always check with your veterinarian to ensure the ingredients are safe.”
• Stack your savings. “Stretch your dollar by signing up for loyalty programs at your local pet store. You’ll get notified of any special promotions or coupons, and you may even accrue points every time you shop to be redeemed on future purchases. When shopping online, make sure you’re using a cash back website — otherwise, you’re essentially leaving free money on the table. TopCashback is a great choice since it guarantees the highest cash back rates at over 7,000 retailers nationwide, including Chewy (exclusively on TopCashback), PetSmart and Petco.”
• Buy online, pick up in-store. “Getting your pet supplies delivered directly to your door may be convenient. However, if you find that you’re buying non-essential products to reach the free shipping minimum, opt for in-store pickup. This option will let you score typical online discounts all while avoiding pesky shipping fees.”
• Save with a sign-up. “Nowadays, subscription services cover everything, even pet supplies. Both toy and food subscriptions typically offer promo codes and special deals for new customers. Research to find what works best for you and your pet. For toys, look into options like BarkBox or BoxDog, where you might snag an extra toy in your initial boxes or a significant discount for the first few months.”

For more information, go to http://www.topcashback.com.