According to the annual report of the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) published in 2024, there were approximately 129 million cats and 106 million dogs in Europe in 2022. FEDIAF is dedicated to promoting responsible pet ownership, animal welfare, the important social role of pets and respect for sustainable development.
Before dogs and cats were viewed mainly as companions, they served practical purposes—dogs guarded homes and cats kept rodents under control. Today, however, the situation has changed completely: pets are now considered integral members of the family, receiving significant attention, time and financial investment, particularly when it comes to their health and nutrition.
Due to all of the above, it is not surprising that the pet food market is undergoing a real revolution, as more and more owners choose high-quality, balanced products adapted to the individual needs of their pets. The modern way of life also affects the tendency to reach for ready-made products instead of manually preparing animal feed. Consequently, the pet food market is expanding rapidly, with projections suggesting it is among the most dynamic and fastest-growing segments of the consumer goods sector.
Today, consumers view pet food as an investment in their animals’ health and overall well-being. The strongest growth is observed in areas of the pet food industry that emphasize high-quality ingredients, transparent formulations, and products tailored to specific needs. Foods rich in protein and those inspired by human-grade diets are becoming increasingly popular. At the same time, demand continues to rise for specialized products—such as veterinary diets, immune-supporting formulas, and foods adapted to an animal’s age and lifestyle.
A pet is any animal that belongs to the species that people care for and keep, except for farm animals (Regulation on the method of sorting and dealing with by-products of animal origin, veterinary and sanitary conditions for the construction of a facility for the collection, processing and destruction of by-products of animal origin, the method of conducting official control and self-control, as well as the conditions for livestock cemeteries and burial pits (Official Gazette of RS 31/2011, 97/2013, 15/2015, 61/2017 and 118/2023).
Food for pets in terms of harmful substances and microbiological criteria is defined by the Regulation on the quality of food for animals (Official Gazette RS 4/10, 113/2012, 27/2014, 25/2015, 39/2016, 54/2017).
Microbiological parameters for a particular category of pet food pets is defined in the Regulation on the method of sorting and dealing with by-products of animal origin, veterinary and sanitary conditions for the construction of a facility for the collection, processing and destruction of by-products of animal origin, the method of conducting official control and self-control, as well as the conditions for livestock cemeteries and burial pits (Official Gazette of RS 31/2011, 97/2013, 15/2015, 61/2017 and 118/2023).
The quality of pet food is defined by the manufacturer in the manufacturer’s specification. There are no legal frameworks in which certain quality tests would be mandatory, so education is key in terms of analyzing and obtaining confirmation that pets consume what is stated on the declaration.
The European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) has established a series of guidelines and industry manuals in compliance with the european legislation, they are available in english on their web site and includes, among others:
• Guide to good practice for the manufacture of safe pet foods
• Code of good labelling practice for pet food
• Nutritional guidelines for complete and complementary pet food for cats and dogs
• FEDIAF scientific advisory board carbohydrate expert review
• Nutritional guidelines for feeding pet rabbits
The laboratory carries out microbiological tests, checking the content of harmful substances as well as testing the content of analytical ingredients declared on pet food labels – moisture, protein, fat, ash, raw fibers, ash insoluble in hydrochloric acid, minerals (calcium, sodium, phosphorus), vitamins. Other nutrients in pet food, such as amino acids and fatty acids, can also be determined.
For additional information or questions, we are at your disposal:
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