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South Korea Pet Care Industry Report Overview
The South Korea pet care market reached a value of USD 1561.33 Million at 2025 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of around 9.40% during the forecast period of 2026-2035. With the rapid rise of single-person households deepening pet humanization, expanding pet insurance services, growing demand for premium and functional pet food, and government-led animal welfare reforms reshaping ownership culture, the market is expected to reach USD 3834.14 Million by 2035.
Key Market Trends and Insights
- The South Korea pet care market is expected to record a CAGR of 9.40% over the forecast period, supported by the rapid growth of single-person households and the rise of pet humanization across urban demographics, with single-person households now exceeding 30% of total households in South Korea.
- The dogs segment is expected to exhibit a CAGR of approximately 9.5% over the forecast period, maintaining its position as the dominant animal type with approximately 65 to 70% of total pet care expenditure, driven by strong spending on premium nutrition, grooming, and veterinary services.
- Pet food products are anticipated to register a CAGR of approximately 9.8% during the forecast period, driven by strong consumer preference for premium, functional, and human-grade formulations, with dry food holding a leading 52.5% share of the South Korea pet food market in 2025.
Market Size and Forecast
- Market Size in 2025: USD 1561.33 Million
- Projected Market Size in 2035: USD 3834.14 Million
- CAGR from 2026 to 2035: 9.40%
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Key Trends and Recent Developments
The South Korea pet care market is at a structural inflection point, shaped by demographic shifts, premiumisation, regulatory reforms, and digital health technology adoption. Single-person households, a February 2027 dog meat ban, and government animal welfare initiatives are collectively anchoring demand growth. Insurance expansion and AI-powered pet health monitoring are creating new revenue streams, while domestic and international brands compete intensely for the growing premium pet food segment.
From March 1, 2026, the South Korean government allowed pets in general restaurants, cafes, and bakeries under specific hygiene and management conditions. This regulatory shift expands pet-friendly social spaces in South Korea, increasing consumer spending on pet-related food service occasions and deepening pet humanization culture.
CJ CheilJedang sold its livestock feed affiliate CJ Feed & Care to Royal De Heus in October 2025. The divestiture is expected to redirect CJ's fermentation and ingredient capabilities toward premium companion animal nutrition, potentially strengthening its competitive position in the South Korea pet care market.
Pet insurance startup MyBrown launched in August 2025 with insurance products built around pet-specific actuarial risk models. The launch targets a significant market gap, as only 12.8% of South Korean pet owners held insurance despite 91.7% awareness, signalling strong latent demand in the pet care sector.
Nestlé began operating Purina PetCare directly in South Korea from April 2025, concluding the Lotte Nestlé Korea joint venture. The transition repositions Nestlé Purina as a more agile standalone competitor in South Korea's premium pet food segment, with enhanced ability to respond directly to fast-moving consumer trends.
Pet Humanization Deepening - Single-Person Households Drive Premium Demand
South Korea's single-person households, exceeding 30% of all households, are the primary force driving premium pet care product adoption. Owners increasingly treat pets as family members, boosting spending on premium nutrition and grooming in the South Korea pet care market.
Pet Insurance Market Expanding - AI and Digital Health Services Growing
Veterinary costs rose 78% from 2023 to 2025 in South Korea, driving strong demand for at-home diagnostic kits, AI health monitoring apps, and insurance solutions. This South Korea pet care market growth trend is being captured by startups and financial institutions investing in digital pet health platforms.
Premium Pet Food Launches Accelerating - Human-Grade Segment Expanding
CJ CheilJedang and Sajo Group both launched premium human-grade pet food lines targeting health-conscious South Korean pet owners. CJ CheilJedang increased cat-specific product SKUs by 20% in 2025, responding to cats' status as the fastest-growing pet segment in South Korea.
Dog Meat Industry Transition - Ownership and Market Dynamics Shifting
South Korea's dog meat ban, effective February 2027, is driving increased dog adoptions in urban areas, directly expanding the South Korea pet care market's domestic consumer base. Dog adoption spikes are particularly concentrated in Seoul and other metropolitan areas ahead of the transition date.
Online Pet Retail Expanding - E-Commerce Growing at 17% CAGR
Online channels for South Korea pet food and supplies are advancing at a 17.3% CAGR, driven by same-day delivery services and subscription models. This South Korea pet care market growth driver is expanding brand reach beyond physical pet stores and traditional supermarket channels.
South Korea Pet Care Industry Segmentation
The EMR’s report titled “South Korea Pet Care Market Report and Forecast 2026-2035” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:
Market Breakup by Animal Type
- Dogs
- Cats
- Birds
- Others
Key Insight: Dogs hold the largest share of South Korea's pet care market, representing approximately 65 to 70% of total pet care spending. Dog ownership is deeply embedded in Korean urban culture, and the 2027 dog meat ban is expected to further increase formal dog ownership rates. Cats are the fastest-growing segment, driven by single-person households favouring lower-maintenance companion animals. Cat-specific product innovation is accelerating, with CJ CheilJedang increasing cat SKUs by 20% in 2025 and premium international brands expanding their dedicated cat nutrition ranges in South Korea.
Market Breakup by Product Type
- Pet Food
- Wet Food
- Dry Food
- Pet Treat
- Veterinary Care and Supplies/OTC Medications
- Grooming Care
- Shampoos/Conditioners
- Grooming wipes
- Soap
- Others
Key Insight: Pet food commands the dominant share of the South Korea pet care product market, capturing approximately 55% of total category revenue. Dry food leads within pet food at 52.5% share, followed by treats and wet food formats. Veterinary costs in South Korea rose 78% between 2023 and 2025, significantly raising consumer interest in OTC medications and preventive care products. Grooming care is growing steadily as pet humanization raises grooming standards, with professional grooming services and at-home grooming product sales both expanding across metropolitan markets.
Market Breakup by Distribution Channels
- Hypermarkets and Supermarkets
- Pet Stores
- Online
- Others
Key Insight: Hypermarkets and supermarkets held a 38% share of the South Korea pet care distribution market in 2025, supported by their broad product range and accessibility. Online channels are the fastest-growing distribution segment, advancing at a 17.3% CAGR through 2031, driven by same-day delivery platforms, subscription services, and increasing digital comfort among millennial pet owners. Pet stores remain important for premium, functional, and veterinary diet products that benefit from guided purchase and specialist recommendations.
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South Korea Pet Care Share
By Animal Type, dogs dominate the market due to high ownership rates and deep premium spending commitment
Dogs represent the largest animal type segment in South Korea's pet care market, accounting for approximately 65 to 70% of total category spending. Strong cultural alignment with dog ownership, combined with growing humanization of pets as family members, sustains consistently high per-dog household expenditure across food, veterinary, grooming, and insurance categories. The 2027 dog meat ban is expected to structurally increase formal dog ownership rates in rural and peri-urban areas, further expanding the addressable consumer base for premium pet care products in the South Korea pet care market.
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Cats are the fastest-growing animal type and are gaining significant market share, driven by South Korea's urbanisation and growth of single-person households. Cats are well suited to apartment living and require lower time investment than dogs, making them the preferred companion animal for young urban professionals. Cat treats and specialty wet food are seeing particularly strong growth, with leading manufacturers including CJ CheilJedang and Nestlé Purina dedicating new product development resources to the cat segment through 2025 and 2026.
By Product Type, pet food accounts for the dominant share due to essential and habitual purchase patterns across all demographics
Pet food commands the largest share of South Korea's pet care product market, with dry food leading at 52.5% of category value in 2025, followed by treats and wet food. The premium and human-grade sub-segments within pet food are growing faster than the overall category, reflecting the deepening influence of pet humanization on product selection. Domestic brands including CJ CheilJedang, Sajo Group's Opti-One organic range, and imported international labels including Hill's Science Diet are competing intensely in the functional and life-stage formulation segments that command significant price premiums.
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Veterinary care and OTC medications represent the second-largest product segment and are growing as South Korean pet owners face rising veterinary costs and seek preventive care solutions. AI-driven health monitoring apps and at-home diagnostic kits are supplementing traditional veterinary visits, expanding the overall health-oriented product market. Grooming care products, including shampoos, conditioners, and grooming wipes, are also experiencing strong growth as owners increasingly invest in home grooming routines that mirror human personal care standards.
By Distribution Channels, hypermarkets and supermarkets account for the dominant share due to broad product accessibility and consumer foot traffic
Hypermarkets and supermarkets hold the largest share of South Korea's pet care distribution market at approximately 38%, providing the broad product assortment and accessibility that drives regular pet food and consumable repurchase cycles. Major Korean retailers including E-Mart and Lotte Mart have progressively expanded their pet care sections, dedicating greater premium shelf space to functional and super-premium formulations in response to consumer demand growth. Their physical scale and competitive pricing make them the default channel for mainstream and premium dry food purchases.
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Online retail channels are the standout growth driver in South Korea's pet care distribution landscape, advancing at a 17.3% CAGR through 2031. Rapid same-day delivery capabilities, subscription auto-replenishment models, and personalised product recommendations are transforming online into the preferred channel for premium, specialty, and imported pet food brands. Pet stores remain important in the South Korea pet care market as trusted touchpoints for veterinary diet products, grooming services, and premium accessories that benefit from in-store specialist guidance.
Competitive Landscape
The South Korea pet care market is characterised by a competitive mix of global multinationals with strong brand equity and domestic manufacturers with deep local market knowledge and supply chain advantages. Mars and Nestlé Purina compete primarily in the premium pet food segment, while domestic players including CJ CheilJedang, Sajo Group, and Daehan Feed leverage local ingredient sourcing and distribution efficiency. The February 2027 dog meat ban and the rise of pet insurance are creating structural shifts that are attracting new capital and corporate attention to the market.
Premiumisation, digital health integration, and functional product innovation are the primary competitive battlegrounds. Companies able to develop and commercialise life-stage-specific formulations, functional ingredients, and digital pet health ecosystem products are best positioned to capture the high-growth consumer segments driving South Korea's rapidly expanding pet care market through the forecast period.
Mars, Incorporated
Mars, Incorporated was founded in 1911 and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia, USA. Through its Pedigree, Royal Canin, Whiskas, and IAMS brands, Mars holds a strong position across South Korea's accessible premium and super-premium pet food segments. Royal Canin is particularly well established in veterinary clinic and specialty distribution channels, serving breed-specific and life-stage-specific nutrition needs. Mars continues to expand its digital capabilities and veterinary partnership network in South Korea to sustain its competitive position against both domestic and international challengers.
CJ CheilJedang Corp.
CJ CheilJedang Corp. was founded in 1953 and is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. A major division of CJ Group, the company produces raw ingredient-based functional pet foods designed around pets' physical characteristics including skin, fur, and digestive health. The October 2025 divestiture of its livestock feed unit CJ Feed & Care to Royal De Heus is expected to direct greater R&D focus toward companion animal nutrition. In April 2026, CJ CheilJedang was selected for the South Korean government's Global Next K-Food international marketing initiative.
Sajo Group
Sajo Group is a leading South Korean food conglomerate with a diversified portfolio spanning processed foods, seafood, and pet care products. The company introduced its Opti-One brand of organic pet food, producing natural and sustainably formulated pet food using organic and superfood ingredients. Sajo Group's strong domestic food production infrastructure and established distribution network provide competitive advantages in the South Korea pet care market, particularly in the premium and organic sub-segments that are growing faster than conventional pet food formats.
Daehan Feed Co., Ltd.
Daehan Feed Co., Ltd. is a South Korean company specialising in animal feed and pet food production. The company has built a strong position in the domestic pet food manufacturing sector, leveraging its expertise in feed formulation to produce both standard and functional pet nutrition products. Daehan Feed operates an established domestic manufacturing and distribution network that supports competitive product availability across South Korea's major retail and specialty channels, making it a relevant competitor in the mid-tier and functional pet food segments.
Other key players in the market are Daejoo Industrial Co., Ltd., Setory Co., Ltd, and others.
*Please note that this is only a partial list; the complete list of key players is available in the full report. Additionally, the list of key players can be customized to better suit your needs.*
Key Findings from the South Korea Pet Care Market Report
- Comprehensive quantitative and qualitative analysis of the South Korea pet care market with historical data from 2019 to 2025
- Detailed segmentation by animal type, product type, and distribution channels with historical and forecast trend analysis for each segment
- Competitive profiling of Mars, CJ CheilJedang, Sajo Group, and Daehan Feed covering product portfolios, capabilities, and recent strategic developments
- Assessment of the 2027 dog meat ban's commercial impact on pet ownership rates and market structure across urban and rural South Korean demographics
- Insights on pet insurance expansion, AI health monitoring adoption, and the rapidly growing online distribution channel dynamics
- Strategic recommendations for domestic and international brands seeking to capitalise on South Korea's pet humanization trend and premium category growth
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Call to Action
Discover the latest insights on the South Korea pet care market 2026 with our comprehensive report. Stay ahead with valuable data on premium product trends, animal type dynamics, and leading distribution channels driving growth. Whether you're launching a new pet nutrition brand or expanding your market presence, this report gives you the clarity you need. Download your free sample now and discover key opportunities in South Korea's thriving pet care industry.
More Insights On
South Korea Pet Care Market Report Snapshots
South Korea Pet Health and Insurance Growth
South Korea Companion Animal Nutrition Outlook
South Korea Smart Pet Care Solutions
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*While we strive to always give you current and accurate information, the numbers depicted on the website are indicative and may differ from the actual numbers in the main report. At Expert Market Research, we aim to bring you the latest insights and trends in the market. Using our analyses and forecasts, stakeholders can understand the market dynamics, navigate challenges, and capitalize on opportunities to make data-driven strategic decisions.*
Key Questions Answered in the Report
In 2025, the South Korea pet care market attained a value of nearly USD 1561.33 Million.
The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.40% between 2026 and 2035.
The market is estimated to witness a healthy growth in the forecast period of 2026-2035 to reach USD 3834.14 Million by 2035.
Increasing health issues among pets, availability of veterinary facilities, pet owners' awareness regarding sustainability and clean labelling, decline in dog meat consumption and diversification of the pet care market, growing popularity of pet furniture and rise in disposable income are the major drivers of the South Korea pet care industry.
The emergence of pet insurance, increasing number of single-person households along with low marriage and birth rate are the key trends.
The dominant types of animals in the industry are dogs and cats, among others.
The dominant types of products are pet food, veterinary care and supplies/OTC medications and grooming care.
The major players in the South Korea pet care industry are Mars Incorporated CJ CheilJedang Corp., Sajo Group, Daehan feed Co., Ltd., Daeju Industrial Co., Ltd., and Setory Co.,Ltd, among others.
Report Summary
Explore our key highlights of the report and gain a concise overview of key findings, trends, and actionable insights that will empower your strategic decisions.
| REPORT FEATURES | DETAILS |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Historical Period | 2019-2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026-2035 |
| Scope of the Report |
Historical and Forecast Trends, Industry Drivers and Constraints, Historical and Forecast Market Analysis by Segment:
|
| Breakup by Animal Type |
|
| Breakup by Product Type |
|
| Breakup by Distribution Channels |
|
| Market Dynamics |
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| Competitive Landscape |
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| Companies Covered |
|
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