반려동물 산업 및 뉴스 브리핑 — June 10, 2026
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As South Korea transitions into a society with an aging pet population, the chronic disease management market is booming. With 38.3% of households now caring for pets over 10 years old, "pet-fam" (pet-family) members are feeling the economic pressure of rising care costs. Meanwhile, a "pet-friendly" culture is spreading globally, with a sharp increase in restaurants allowing dogs in Hong Kong.
반려동물 산업 및 뉴스 브리핑 — 2026-06-10
Pet Industry and Business Trends
Entering an aging pet society: 38.3% of households have pets over 10
South Korea has entered an era of aging pets. Recent surveys show that 38.3% of households now live with pets aged 10 or older. This suggests that alongside increasing average lifespans, managing chronic conditions is becoming a core focus of the veterinary market.
Medical market expansion driven by chronic disease management
With longer pet life expectancies, the market for chronic disease management—including liver health—is growing rapidly. The industry is shifting away from traditional vaccination and infectious disease-focused care toward long-term maintenance of aging pets.
Rising pet care costs burden "pet-fam" budgets
Pet care expenses are climbing quickly, tightening the budgets of "pet-fam" households. Increased spending on food, medical bills, and supplies is adding financial strain, which may lead to consumers cutting back on discretionary spending.
Surge in pet-friendly restaurant applications in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is seeing a massive surge in permit applications for restaurants that allow pet dogs. Under the slogan "You can bring your dog to eat," the pet-friendly culture is spreading, driving high demand for pet-accessible dining. The 2,100 applications reflect a significant global cultural shift.
Policy and Legal Updates
Zoo feeding and petting experiences still widespread
Despite a 2023 legal ban on recreational animal feeding and petting, investigations reveal that 16 zoos nationwide still operate similar programs. A study by the Animal Welfare Awareness Research Institute (AWARE), conducted from July last year through April, identified several instances of non-compliance.
Livestock residue testing achieves 3-year international "satisfactory" rating
The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency has received a "satisfactory" rating in international proficiency tests for livestock residue testing for three consecutive years (2024–2026). This proves the global reliability of South Korea’s safety management capabilities, including excellent performance in antibiotic resistance testing.
Strengthened safety management for animal shelters in summer
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is strengthening safety protocols for animal shelters to handle the high temperatures of summer. Effective animal protection policies are currently being implemented to address seasonal changes.
Health and Lifestyle Tips
The importance of managing chronic diseases in aging pets
As average pet lifespans increase, managing chronic issues like liver and kidney disease has become essential. With pets over 10 making up 38.3% of the total population, regular checkups, specialized nutrition, and lifestyle improvements are vital. As pets are increasingly viewed as family, demand for preventive health services continues to grow.
Growth in the liver health management market
The market for liver health products and services is exploding in response to the aging pet population. Specifically, functional pet foods, supplements, and diagnostic services designed to prevent and manage liver function decline in older pets are gaining attention as a new growth driver for the veterinary industry.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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