[caption id="attachment_50390" align="alignleft" width="150"] Photo: Cheryl G.[/caption]

Valentines come in all shapes, sizes ... and breeds. According to Yahoo News, one in five people would prefer to spend Valentine’s Day with their pet over their partner. 

If you understand that statistic, you shouldn't be surprised that 45% of American pet owners are poised to spend an average of $5.00 on a gift for their furry family member. Although it doesn’t sound like much, the National Retail Federation says that it actually comes out to more than $703 million nationally.  That translates into about 35.7 million dogs and cats receiving a token of affection from their families this Valentine’s Day.

Gifts can range from expensive and extravagant to simple and homemade. Below is a list of the most popular gifts for this holiday.

Dogs:

  1. Toys

  2. Beds

  3. ID Tags

  4. Treats

  5. Grooming

Cats:

  1. Catnip toys

  2. Clothes

  3. Treats

  4. Scratching Posts

  5. New Food Bowls

Short on cash? No problem. You can show your pet how much he is appreciated without spending money.

Free Gifts:

  1. Take an extra walk

  2. Knot together old socks for a new play toy

  3. Introduce an empty box (cats and dogs love this)

So be creative this Valentine’s Day, and be sure to include your pet in your holiday celebrations. Braxton's offers a wide variety of treats to make any pet happy.