T. Ozbun
Research expert covering food retail and all food topics for Italy and Brazil
Pet food and pet care products in Italy - statistics & facts
Around 10.2 million cats and 8.8 million dogs roam the households of Italian families. Italy has in fact one of the largest domestic animal populations in Europe. Notably, the country boasts the highest number of birds on the whole continent, with almost 13 million ornamental birds residing in Italian households. Moreover, there are just over three million small animals and reptiles found in these households. Nevertheless, the most numerous pets in Italy are fish, with a count of nearly 30 million. This emphasizes that, not only cats and dogs, but also small pets such as hamsters are popular pets in the country.
Even though the rivalry is traditionally between cats and dogs, which are the most cherished pets in Italy, birds actually dominate in numbers. They represent the largest pet population in the country, making Italy the top nation in Europe for bird ownership.
Italy’s most popular pets: dogs and cats
While the population of small pets is larger in absolute terms, cats and dogs are found in a greater number of Italian homes. In 2014, some 22 percent of households owned at least one dog, while about 19 percent had a cat. By 2022, these percentages had grown, with dogs and cats being owned by 28 and 22 percent of households respectively. Consequently, the food market for cats and dogs has become a significant industry. The sales value of dog and cat food reached more than three billion euros in 2023 and showed a constant increase in recent years. Food for cats was worth more than for dogs. Indeed, cat food sales reached almost 1.7 billion euros, while dog food reached over 1.3 billion euros in the same period. In terms of food types, cat owners showed a preference for wet food, whereas dog owners seemed to lean towards dry food options.Pet owners’ purchasing habits
Data on the different distribution channels show new emerging trends in purchasing habits. Italians seem to prefer buying pet food in supermarkets, which held the largest market value, followed by traditional stores. In 2023, sales in traditional pet shops accounted for roughly 700 million euros, registering an increase in value but not in volume. Pet shop chains and retailers, which pose increasing competition for both traditional pet shops and grocery stores, experienced significant growth in the sales value of pet food, surpassing 389 million euros in 2023.Even though the rivalry is traditionally between cats and dogs, which are the most cherished pets in Italy, birds actually dominate in numbers. They represent the largest pet population in the country, making Italy the top nation in Europe for bird ownership.
