반려동물 산업 및 뉴스 브리핑 — 2026-11-01

Legal and institutional changes are accelerating, including a newly proposed Animal Protection Act amendment in the National Assembly to introduce dedicated "Animal Police" officers for animal abuse cases. At the same time, the government is considering safety standards for pet supplies to strengthen consumer protection, while domestic companies are actively expanding into Southeast Asian markets in line with the growth of the global pet food industry.

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반려동물 산업 및 비즈니스 동향

The global pet food and treat market is growing, fueled by the "pet humanization" trend of treating pets like family members. The market size is estimated at $145.2 billion in 2025 and is projected to record a compound annual growth rate of 6.1% from 2026 to 2035. Amid this trend, domestic companies are actively expanding overseas. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) set up a Korea Pavilion at an international pet industry expo in Bangkok to support 36 domestic companies in exploring Southeast Asian markets. The number of participating companies increased by 11 compared to last year, showcasing various products ranging from pet food and pet tech to healthcare.

Sustainability has also emerged as a key industry keyword. The global pet waste bag market is expected to experience steady growth through 2035, driven by an increase in pet ownership coupled with demand for a shift toward biodegradable and compostable products.

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정책 및 법률 개정 사항

Legal mechanisms to eradicate animal abuse are set to be further strengthened. On October 30, a group of 11 lawmakers including Representative Song Ok-joo of the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee proposed a partial amendment to the Animal Protection Act introducing "Animal Police" to professionally investigate animal abuse crimes.

According to a previously promulgated amendment, starting next October, individuals who commit serious abuse crimes such as killing or injuring animals will be banned from keeping pets for up to 5 years through court rulings. In addition, institutional foundations for animal welfare will be expanded, including laying the legal grounds for imposing fines for pet neglect, introducing a system to renew animal breeding permits, and strengthening regulations on emerging pet shops.

Changes are also anticipated in terms of consumer safety. To prevent dog-biting incidents and other accidents, the government is reviewing safety standards for around 20 categories of pet supplies, such as leaches and muzzles, and considering the introduction of a safety certification system. This measure comes as the need for safety management of supplies grows alongside the increasing number of pet-owning households.

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건강 관리 및 라이프스타일 팁

Pet dining tables are also evolving to resemble human dining tables. Recently, pet foods featuring textures and forms similar to human food—such as shredded steamed chicken breast or sweet pumpkins cut into bite-sized squares—are drawing attention. Products with visuals resembling human foods like meatballs or chicken tenders are being launched, offering a differentiated dining experience for pets.

Managing the immune system of pets is especially crucial during the autumn seasonal transition. Sudden temperature changes can stress the immune systems of dogs and cats, so it is recommended to understand preventive care methods tailored to each breed and life-stage according to comprehensive health management guidelines.