South Korea’s pet market stands out in APAC for an interesting combination: many pet owners have just one pet, yet their monthly spending is relatively high.
According to TGM StatBox data, 70% of Korean pet owners have only one pet, the highest share across APAC. At the same time, typical monthly pet spending reaches $61–80, nearly twice the regional average.
Together, these findings show why pet ownership numbers alone do not tell the full story. Looking at how much consumers spend adds another important layer to understanding the market.
Pet ownership patterns vary across APAC, but South Korea stands out for its high share of single-pet households.
70% of Korean pet owners say they own just one pet, the highest rate recorded across the region.
This creates a different household profile compared with markets where owning multiple pets is more common. For pet care brands, the number of pets in a household can influence purchasing needs, product quantities, service usage, and how owners distribute their monthly pet budget.
Looking more closely at pet ownership and lifestyle patterns in South Korea can provide additional context around the types of pets consumers own, their everyday care routines, and how pets fit into their lifestyles.
The pattern becomes even more interesting when spending is added to the picture.
Korean pet owners typically spend $61–80 per month on their pets, nearly twice the APAC regional average.
Pet budgets vary considerably across the region. Looking at how much pet owners spend across APAC each month provides useful context for understanding why South Korea’s spending level stands out.
That monthly budget can cover a wide range of needs, including pet food, healthcare, grooming, accessories, services, and technology.
The data does not show that one particular category is responsible for the higher spending. However, it highlights why market potential should not be assessed only by the number of pets owned.
A market where consumers typically own fewer pets can still represent considerable value when spending per household remains relatively high.
South Korea shows why pet ownership numbers and spending behavior should be considered together.
With 70% of pet owners owning just one pet and typical monthly spending reaching $61–80, the country presents a distinctive pattern within APAC. Korean consumers tend to own fewer pets, while the amount they spend each month remains relatively high compared with the regional average.
For pet care brands, this makes spending behavior particularly important. Understanding where Korean pet owners allocate their budgets can provide a clearer picture of which categories and needs deserve closer attention.
Brands interested in grooming, accessories, professional care, and other service-related categories can also look at pet services and accessories trends in South Korea for a deeper view of consumer behavior.
It is also useful to look beyond the overall average. Spending can differ by pet type, age group, household profile, and other consumer characteristics, helping brands understand which needs matter most to different pet owner segments.
Rather than assessing South Korea based on pet ownership volume alone, looking at how much consumers spend and what they prioritize for their pets can provide a more complete view of the market.
Explore more pet ownership, spending, healthcare, nutrition, technology, and lifestyle insights across APAC on TGM StatBox.
The TGM South Korea Pet Care Insights 2026 study is based on a quantitative online survey conducted in South Korea to understand pet owners’ attitudes, behaviors, and expectations across key areas of pet care. The study covers adults aged 18–55+ and explores topics including pet nutrition, health and veterinary care, ownership and lifestyle, services and accessories, and pet technology, providing a broad view of how consumers care for their pets and make related purchase decisions.
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