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Italy pet ownership trends: One in three Italians live with pets
A report by the Eurispes Foundation reveals that approximately one-third of Italians live with at least one pet in 2026. This figure represents a slight decline from 40.5% in 2025 and 37.3% in 2024.
Dogs and cats remain the most common companions, with dogs appearing in 41% of households and cats in 37.1%. Notably, dog ownership saw a 4% increase compared to 2025, reversing a downward trend that began in 2023. Other common pets include birds (4.1%), turtles (4%), and fish (3.3%).
Regarding expenses, the majority of pet owners (57.9%) spend between 31 and 100 euros per month on food, veterinary care, and general well-being. The report suggests that while the bond between Italians and their pets remains strong, economic challenges are influencing pet ownership decisions and spending habits.
Entities
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] 57.9% of pet owners spend between 31 and 100 euros per month on their animals. www.fanpage.it · www.lapresse.it
- [● 3 SOURCES] One in three Italians lives with at least one pet in 2026. www.lazampa.it · www.fanpage.it · www.lapresse.it
- [● 3 SOURCES] The percentage of pet ownership in Italy saw a slight decrease in 2026 compared to 40.5% in 2025. www.lazampa.it · www.fanpage.it · www.lapresse.it
- [● 3 SOURCES] Dogs are present in 41% of pet-owning households. www.lazampa.it · www.fanpage.it · www.lapresse.it
- [● 2 SOURCES] Dog ownership increased by 4 percentage points compared to 2025. www.fanpage.it · www.lapresse.it
- [● 3 SOURCES] Cats are present in 37.1% of pet-owning households. www.lazampa.it · www.fanpage.it · www.lapresse.it