Pets are regarded increasingly as family members across Europe. The love of pets seems to be strongest in Germany, according to a new study carried out by market research firm Mintel. The study revealed that 75 per cent of German pet owners treated their pets like their children. In other European countries the percentage was lower, with 64 per cent of Spanish, 63 per cent of Polish, 61 per cent of French and 58 per cent of Italian pet owners agreeing with this statement.
69 per cent of German owners also said that the quality of food for their pet should be of human food standard. This attitude is widespread in Europe: 67 per cent of Italian owners, 65 per cent of Spanish owners, 63 per cent of French owners and 52 per cent of Polish owners shared this viewpoint.
38 per cent of German pet owners would also welcome more allergen-free pet food, while the same percentage wanted more diet products for pets. According to Mintel, this request has been taken into account by the industry: 62 per cent of all dog and cat food products brought onto the market in Germany in 2015 were advertised as containing no additives or preservatives.
