An Associated Press-Petside.com poll shows that  dogs have the edge when it comes to finding a gift under the tree this Christmas.

Fifty-six percent of dog owners say they'll buy their pets a gift this Christmas, but only 48 percent of cat owners plan a gift.

However, a majority of all pet owners — 53 percent — said that they plan to get their animals a present this holiday season.

Further findings of the poll include: 

* Women (56 percent) are somewhat more likely than men (49 percent) to buy their animals a gift.

* The number of pet owners planning to buy presents for their animals this year is nearly the same as last year.

* Pets other than dogs and cats are significantly less likely to be "gifted."

* The majority of pet owners who plan to buy their pet a gift are dedicated even in the face of financial adversity: Even among those in families touched by job loss in the past six months, 56 percent planned to buy their pet a holiday gift.

* Renters (66 percent) are more apt to pamper their pets than homeowners (49 percent). And while fewer than half of those who attend religious services weekly or more often say they plan to buy their pets a gift, 60 percent of those who never attend services do.

The AP-Petside.com Poll was conducted October 13-20, 2010, by GfK Roper Public Affairs and Corporate Communications. It involved landline and cell phone interviews with 1,000 pet owners nationwide, and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4.0 percentage points.