There are over 10 million pets in Romania, where dogs, cats and fishes are among the preferred pets, according to pet shop operator Animax. Fewer Romanians chose to have more exotic pets, such as parrots.

One in four families in Romania owns a dog, according to Animax, which estimates there are 4 million dogs, four million cats and two million pet fishes in Romania.

Out of the total number of dogs, the retailer believes around 1.5 million are stray dogs, and the rest are pets. According to Animax, dogs that are kept outside, in the yard, are still considered pets, even if their owners feed them food leftovers instead of specialized pet food such as hypoallergenic doog food out of insects.

Out of the whole pet food market, around 80 percent is covered by dog and cat food.

editor@romania-insider.com