Pet Ownership in Italy on Increase Despite Crisis

According to a 2013 survey by Eurispes, the Italian Institute of Political,Social and Economic Studies, the country’s economic woes have not taken their toll on the nation’s pets. In actual fact there has been a rise in pet ownership. Over 55 percent of Italian families now have at least one pet, up 13 percent on last year.

Dogs remain the most popular pet with over 55 percent of Italian pet owners having at least one, while cats insinuate their way into second place, as only cats can, at just under 50 percent.

Of course it’s one thing owning a pet and quite another to take good care of it, but it appears that Italian pet lovers are prepared to splash their cash on their four-legged friends. While just under half
pet owners spend at least 30 euros a month on them, a third spend between 30 and 50 euros a month and 13 percent between 51 and 100 euros. Just under five percent spent up to 200 euros a month, 0.7 percent spent up to 300 euros and 1.14 percent over 300 euros. Wow – would like to be a fly on that pet’s wall!

If my pet food bill is any thing to go by this is a large proportion of the budget. Over half of Italian pet owners manage on under 30 euros a month. About a third spend 50 euros a month and 15 percent spend up to 300 euros on food per month.

Vet fees and medicines have a relatively low annual spend, perhaps this reflects on lower vet fees, or that people just take them less – another consideration is the lack of insurance policies here to cover
vet fees. Every year the majority (63 percent) of pet owners spend less than 100 euros on vets fees and medicine, while just under a quarter spend up to 200 euros. Some 7 percent spend up to 300 euro
and an unfortunate 4.2 percent even more than that.

When it comes to grooming and toiletry stuff, most owners do it themselves (65 percent) while 34 percent call in the specialists. Almost a fifth pay up to 50 euro a year, but for a little over 2 percent of owners the bill can be more than 150 euro. What are they doing, I wonder? Giving Fido manicures?

Looking at accessories (collars, coats and so on) just under 35 percent spend up to 50 euro a year, the majority (55 percent) less than that, but there are also those who spend up to 150 euros a year.