Italy has always been an animal-loving country. If we talk about dogs and cats we can already say that in many ways they take on the role of a family member in all respects and rightly so because a pet can be of help in many more or less difficult moments of life.
Probably for this reason , animal health insurance in Italy has been experiencing a real boom for a few years now. In fact, even in 2024, the numbers are increasing, a sign that more and more people have understood the importance both for their four-legged friend and for themselves.
After all, an animal can accidentally bite or scratch another animal or a person, so it is useful to use effective solutions to protect yourself from possible problems.
In this article we will analyze the situation of pets in Italy and the factors that lead to taking out insurance.
Data on dogs and cats in Italy
According to the Eurispes Italy Report 2024, in one home in four there is at least one pet, so it is 37.3%, with an increase of 4.6% compared to the previous year.
More than 4 out of 10 Italians have a dog and almost 4 out of 10 own a cat.
But where are these four-legged friends adopted? According to the same Report, only one case in four concerns purchase in a shop or farm. 5% are received as gifts and 39.7% are cases of dogs or cats rescued from the streets and chosen in special facilities such as kennels and catteries.
There is also some relevant data regarding costs for care and maintenance . In detail, approximately 20.3% of those who have a pet spend less than 30 euros a month and 60% shell out between 30 and 100 euros, recording an increase in expenses from 2015 to today.
Why you take out pet insurance
According to data released by the Animal Registry, in February 2024 in our country there were 15.6 million pets with microchips (dogs, cats and ferrets). 4% more than in 2023.
The increase in the number of pets in the family has probably also led to the need to take out a policy that protects them and their owners from episodes that can happen such as, for example, accidental bites, but not only. Which is why insurance companies are proposing different solutions that are able to respond to the most varied needs.
Insurance of this type is subscribed above all because one can protect oneself thanks to numerous formulas and this entails greater possibility of choice based on the real needs of each individual.
Many companies offer solutions defined as modular, i.e. composed of different coverages such as basic coverage, legal and health protection, with necessary surgical interventions. But they are certainly not the only items, in detail it is necessary to contact your operator and ask precisely what your insurance coverage includes so as not to have any doubts.
