Italian grocery shopping online is not just about what ends up on the table. It is also about what you need every day at home and, if dogs and/or cats live with you, then kibble and bites are useful. Very useful!
That is why products for dogs and cats are now arriving on Vico Food Box too. A new category designed to make your cart more complete, especially for those who already buy Italian products online and want to add what their pets need to the same grocery order.
It is not about nostalgia, nor about assuming the product is automatically superior. It is a much more practical matter: when you do your shopping in one place, you organise your cart better, reduce unnecessary steps and can concentrate more purchases in the same order.
By definition, pet food means the foods intended for companion animals. At this stage, on Vico Food Box you mainly find dry and wet food for dogs and cats: kibble, bites, pâtés and foods designed for the daily nutrition of domestic animals.
Dogs and cats are part of everyday life for many families, and for them it can be really inconvenient to buy their groceries from different shops.
If pasta, olive oil, biscuits, coffee, preserves and pantry products are already in the same cart, it can be useful to add food for dogs and cats too. Not because pet food should be presented as an “Italian” product in an identity-based sense, but because it fits into the same logic as regular grocery shopping.
The advantage is simple: a more complete cart, fewer separate purchases, more convenience when managing the grocery shop. For those who have pets, pet food is not an extra: it is a recurring item.
Dry food, such as kibble, is practical to store, easy to portion and suitable for daily management. After opening, it should be closed properly and kept away from heat and moisture.
Wet food has a different texture and contains more water. It can be chosen according to the animal’s habits, how appealing it is to them and the instructions provided by the producer. After opening, it should be stored following the instructions on the packaging.
The choice between dry and wet food should not depend only on price or convenience. The animal’s age, size, eating habits and any specific needs also matter.
The main reference point is always the vet, who knows our friend’s nutritional needs and how to act in case of allergies, intolerances and health conditions.
Before buying food for dogs or cats online, it is worth reading the product information carefully. You do not need to become an animal nutrition expert, but a few elements help avoid rushed choices.
The first thing to check is the animal species. It may sound obvious, but if a dog or cat has recently arrived at home, you might think the food is the same. Instead, dogs and cats have different needs, so dog food should not be used as a regular food for cats, and vice versa.
Then you need to check the life stage: puppy or kitten, adult or senior. A young animal may have different needs from an adult or older animal.
Another important point is the distinction between complete food and complementary food. Complete food is designed to cover the animal’s daily needs, when given in the indicated quantities. Complementary food, on the other hand, should be integrated with other foods and should not be treated as the only nutritional source.
Pet food sold in Italy through regular channels falls within the framework of European feed legislation and the Italian system of official controls.
In Italy, the reference is the PNAA, the National Plan for official control of animal nutrition. The plan includes inspections, sampling, analyses and risk-based controls along the supply chain. It also includes specific controls on pet food, feed for companion animals, pet food distributors, dry feed for dogs and cats, melamine, mycotoxins and Salmonella.
This is an element of transparency: buying from regular channels means choosing products that are part of a regulated supply chain, with traceable information and controls provided for by the regulatory system.
Storage is an important part of using the product correctly. Even a well-chosen food can be handled badly if it is stored carelessly.
Dry food should be closed carefully after opening and stored in a cool, dry place. If it is transferred to a container, it is better to keep the original packaging too, or at least the main information from the label.
Wet food should be managed according to the producer’s instructions. Once opened, in many cases it must be stored in the fridge and consumed within a short time.
Snacks and complementary foods, when present, should not replace the main meal and should be given respecting the indicated quantities.
The practical rule is simple: close it properly, respect the producer’s instructions and do not lose the information on the label.
An online guide can help you read product information better, but it does not replace the vet’s advice.
The vet should be consulted in case of doubts, allergies, intolerances, health conditions, digestive problems, overweight, underweight, important dietary changes or a prescribed diet. In general, this medical professional should define the principles of a healthy diet for your dog or cat.
In general, it is better to avoid sudden changes, especially if the animal has been used to the same food for a long time. When introducing a new product, it is best to do it gradually and observe the animal’s response. In case of sensitivity or digestive problems, it is better to ask the vet.
Complete food is designed to cover the animal’s daily needs, when given in the quantities indicated by the producer. It is different from snacks, treats and complementary foods, which should not be used as the only nutritional source.
The animal species must be clearly indicated on the packaging or on the product page. This is information you should always check, because dogs and cats have different needs.
It depends on the product, and it is still recommended to consult the vet. If the wet food is complete food, it can be used as a central part of the diet according to the indicated doses. If, on the other hand, it is complementary, it must be combined with other foods. The distinction should always be checked on the label.
Cats, but often dogs too, frequently prefer bites to kibble. Their tendency not to drink, or to drink very little, naturally leads them to compensate with this type of food, which contains a higher percentage of water than “dry” kibble.
In general, this tendency should not simply be indulged, and it is worth speaking to your vet to understand how to regulate our furry friend’s diet.
Yes. That is exactly the point of the new category: allowing you to add food for dogs and cats to your Italian grocery shopping online, in the same cart as the other products available on Vico Food Box. The products will be properly isolated and protected inside the box.
In that case, you should not choose only based on online availability. If your dog or cat follows a prescribed diet or has particular needs, the product should be evaluated with the vet.
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