Pets in Italy

According to the latest report on the care and feeding of pets released by ASSALCO and Zoomark International , in 2019 there are 60 million and 227 thousand pets in Italy.

Important numbers, which mainly include fish, birds, dogs and cats.

After all, the Pet Food market in Italy is thriving and knows no crisis. In fact, consider that in 2018 this type of trade grew by 1.5%, generating a turnover of over 2 billion euros.

How pets feed

According to a recent Doxa survey (which was also mentioned in the ASSALCO and Zoomark International report) in our country 76.1% of dogs and almost 90% of cats eat industrial food every day .
Furthermore, the National Association of Italian Veterinarians ( ANMVI ) has in turn promoted a survey from which it emerged that almost all of the veterinarians interviewed (94.81%) usually recommend feeding dry and wet foods to pets. , provided they are of proven quality.

Also in the light of all this, therefore, the recent Community Regulations have defined guidelines relating to the labeling of pet foods to allow buyers to make informed choices.

Code of Good Labeling Practice for Pet Food 

On il Fatto Alimentare a code of good labeling practice is available , that is, a real useful guide for those who want to buy Pet Food in an informed way. 

This is because the labeling must necessarily contain some important specific declarations . This is the case, for example, with the name and description of the product, together with its composition and the list of additives and analytical components.

But that’s not all: the minimum retention period must be specified, who the producer and distributors are, how to use the food and there must also be an appropriate declaration of the weight, quantity and frequency with which the food must be administered.