Over half of pet owners are spending money on gifts for their pets this year, an Associated Press poll reported, and a number of major pet store retailers are planning specials offers for them.

An AP-Petside.com study asked questions of pet owners, and found they will base their spending decisions on their annual income. Those whose households earn less than $50,000 will spend less than $30 on their animal companions, while those with higher incomes will be able to afford on average close to $60.

The nation’s major pet store retailers will be taking advantage of this year’s Black Friday shopping spree event, and offering consumers various choices between toys, snacks and treats, pet clothes, harnesses, grooming products, and other unique items.

Petco Animals Supplies will stretch Black Friday over the entire weekend. Greg Seremetis, vice president of marketing for the retail giant, said the company is planning a “72-hour Black Friday Weekend Blowout” that promises to be a key shopping stop for consumers.

Seremetis explained why he believes Black Friday will be a very exciting time for both pet owners and product sellers: "Including pets in holiday gift-giving has been a growing trend in the last few years. More and more pets are being treated as family members and being included in holiday traditions, including having a gift waiting for them under the tree."

PetSmart will open at 7 a.m. on Black Friday, but it is already planning for the winter holidays and will be doing a “Countdown to Christmas” sale, starting on Dec. 16.

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Foster & Smith, on the other hand, will be hosting a unique 4-hour streaming event between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. that will offer online customers hundreds of giveaways and sales. The webcast will be live both on Black Friday and on Cyber Monday.