Dog owners will spend 10% more on their pets this Christmas than last year.

Dog owners expect to spend an average of around £100 on presents for their pets this Christmas, according to a charity, although more than half (54%) are worried about the cost of presents this year.

More than a third (36%) of dog owners said they will reduce the number of people on their Christmas shopping list.

Another quarter (26%) of dog owners said they would forgo Secret Santa with friends and invitations to Christmas parties to give priority to their pets.

Some also said they would use coupons and discount codes to save costs.

On average, people expected to spend £101 on presents for their dog this Christmas, according to a survey of 2,000 dog owners conducted in November for the charity Guide Dogs.

Respondents estimated that they spent an average of around £92 on their dogs last year, meaning they are likely to spend around 10% more this year.

Helen Whiteside, Scientific Director of Guide Dogs, said: “We want to give dog owners the reassurance that they don't have to spend a fortune to give their dogs a happy holiday.”

She said DIY ideas for puzzles and games using items many people already have at home can help keep dogs busy, adding: “For food-based games, make sure treats are deducted from your dog's daily food allowance and always supervise your dog during all of these activities.”

The results were published after figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that inflation rose to 11.1 percent in October – the highest rate in 41 years.

According to Guide Dogs, these are the average amounts dog owners plan to spend on their pets this Christmas:

– East Midlands, £78

– East of England, £95

– London, £120

– North East, £87

– North West, £84

– Northern Ireland, £75

– Scotland, £125

– Southeast, £95

– Southwest, £115

– Wales, £105

– West Midlands, £96

Yorkshire and Humber, £98