Attitudes Toward Virtual Pets for Animal Companionship in China 2026

Consumer Ambivalence Toward Virtual Pets as Companionship Substitutes

As technology advances in robotics and artificial intelligence, virtual and robotic pets have become increasingly sophisticated in simulating animal behaviour, sound, and interaction. The question of whether such products can genuinely substitute for live animal companionship sits at the intersection of consumer psychology, product design, and the emotional dimensions of pet ownership.