Pets do not get much of a mention in Jesus' gift of salvation but they are having their revenge this Christmas.

Advent calendars are now over twice as likely to feature treats for pets than pictures of the infant Christ, it has been claimed. Around 400,000 advent calendars featuring a Christian theme will go on sale this Christmas but more than 1 million calendars will contain treats specifically for pets, according to one Christian retailer.

David Marshall, founder of Meaningful Chocolate Company, which makes charity fair-trade Christmas and Easter products said the figures are based on informal industry statistics.

"Stores are happy to cater for pet owners but don't think Christians want to give children a quality advent calendar which connects with the Christmas story - it's barking," said Marshall.

"Parents or grandparents looking for a calendar with religious or ethical content usually find nothing but superhero-themed calendars and £1 cheap chocolate versions on offer.

"Virtually no religious chocolate advent calendars are on the market. There is a demand for them but they are not stocked by most major stores."

Marshall's outrage is the latest in a series of controversies as Christmas marketing campaigns gather momentum. Starbucks has been accused of "waging a war on Christmas" and that it "hates Jesus" because the coffee company's Christmas mugs are plain red this year instead of red with festive decorations.

Numerous Twitter users voiced their outrage.

A Conservative MP joined the chorus of shrill horror at the company's decision.

"What is Christmas about?" said David Amess, MP for Southend West. "It's CHRIST-Mass."

"This is utter madness. Who was the idiot who thought this up? He should be sacked!"

However not everyone was enraged with some taking a more laid back approach on social media. 

Coffee-gate followed bag-gate after Mulberry released a tongue-in-cheek Christmas advert featuring a mock nativity scene with a £700 leather handbag replacing Jesus as the centre of attention.