These Canadian cities spoil their pets the most during the holidays
BURLINGTON, ON (Dec. 1, 2025) – PetSmart knows it’s not the holidays without the entire family, and more and more families agree. The number of families including pets in holiday celebrations continues to rise, with more than 77% of pet parents planning to involve their pets this year.*
PetSmart wants to shine a light on the pet parents who are going above and beyond to deliver the most joy to their pets this holiday season. That’s why for the first time, PetSmart has unveiled the top 15 Canadian cities, based on PetSmart’s Merry and Bright holiday collection sales, where pets are most spoiled with festive toys, treats, apparel and accessories during the holidays; a clear sign they’re at the heart of family celebrations**:
- Langley, BC
- Sudbury, ON
- Kamloops, BC
- Kingston, ON
- Nanaimo, BC
- Kelowna, BC
- Red Deer, AB
- Thunder Bay, ON
- St. Catharines, ON
- Etobicoke, ON
- St. John’s, NL
- Belleville, ON
- Cambridge, ON
- Moncton, NB
- Victoria, BC
But festive pet celebrations aren’t limited to these cities alone. Across Canada, pet parents are embracing their pets as a cherished part of family traditions because most (66%) see their pet as part of the family and including their pets brings them joy (57%). From picking out the perfect gift (58%) and hanging a stocking for them (44%),* pet parents love to make the holidays special for their pets, even splurging more than usual to show their pets how much they’re loved no matter where they live.
“It’s heartwarming to see so many pet parents making their pets a central part of the holiday celebrations and we’ve designed our collections to include our pets in our most special experiences,” said Charndeep Grewal, vice president of merchandising at PetSmart Canada. “These top cities truly embody the spirit of the season, and we’re delighted to help families everywhere create joyful holiday memories with their pets.”
As pet parents plan their celebrations, PetSmart has everything they need to experience more joy with pets, from must-have, trending items and fun activity ideas to inspire new traditions and seasonal fun together:
- Create a custom ornament featuring your pet’s paw print.
- Create the ultimate holiday card with a themed photo shoot featuring festive backdrops and attire.
- Snuggle in for a cozy holiday movie night, complete with festive snacks, fuzzy matching pjs and warm blankets.
- Take a festive walk through the neighborhood to look at holiday lights and decorations – just don’t forget to bundle up!
- Let pets choose their own gift with a stroll through the PetSmart aisles.
* The PetSmart survey was conducted among members of the Angus Reid Forum from Sept. 18 to 22, 2025 among a representative sample of n=1010 English speaking Canadians who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted in English. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/- 3.1% percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
**Disclaimer: Rankings are based on PetSmart internal sales data (Sept. 1, 2024–Feb. 2, 2025). Cities were ranked by average per-store spending on holiday-exclusive pet items — including toys, treats, collars, apparel, décor, and accessories — across both proprietary and national brands. Spend was indexed against the national per-store average to ensure fair comparison. U.S. and Canada were evaluated separately.
About PetSmart
PetSmart is the leading omni-channel pet retailer in North America with a mission to help everyone experience more joy with pets. The company offers a compelling assortment of pet care essentials, exclusive brands and must-have items for each season, along with expert pet services. With over 160 stores across Canada – plus a seamless shopping experience at PetSmart.ca and through the PetSmart app – PetSmart’s convenient shopping options are complete with autoship, same-day delivery and in-store pickup. Expert services include professional grooming, pet training, Doggie Day Camp and PetsHotel overnight boarding in many locations. The PetSmart Treats Rewards loyalty program provides value to pet parents through personalized offers and points on every purchase that can be used for future savings.
PetSmart and PetSmart Charities of Canada have a long-standing commitment to supporting pets and people in the communities they serve, and PetSmart Charities of Canada is the largest funder of animal welfare in Canada. Together, they are proud to have helped more than 400 thousand pets find loving homes through in-store pet adoption programs. For more information, visit PetSmart.ca or PetSmartCharities.ca.
