Any pet owner will tell you that there's no greater joy in life than caring for an animal and providing them with everything they need to be happy and healthy, which is why it comes as no surprise that people now seem to be spending more money on their furry friends than ever before.
The global financial crisis may still be hanging over us, but that hasn't stopped us from increasing our pet-related expenditure, with new research revealing that animal owners across the pond in the US spent a whopping $53 billion (£35 billion) on pet food, toys and medication last year.
This represents a five per cent increase on 2011, and experts are predicting that the figure will rise further in the coming 12 months.
While a good chunk of this money was spent on traditional pet products such as food and veterinary treatment, the research also indicated that Americans spent an extra 7.9 per cent on grooming, boarding and 'pet hotels' last year, while the amount of cash splashed on holistic remedies and therapies also grew significantly.
