LG Electronics’ “AeroCat Tower” (Image courtesy of LG Electronics)
SEOUL, July 21 (Korea Bizwire) — With South Korea’s pet-owning population now exceeding 15 million, demand is surging for home appliances designed with companion animals in mind — a fast-growing category known as “pet care appliances.”
According to industry sources, the number of users accessing the Pet Care features of Samsung Electronics’ SmartThings platform increased by approximately 50% year-on-year as of June.
Samsung’s AI-powered system allows pet owners to monitor their animals remotely, adjusting air conditioning, purifying the air, or playing music when barking is detected — all part of a lifestyle-focused push to integrate pets into the smart home ecosystem.
Samsung has also enhanced its hardware: washing machines now include pet care laundry cycles capable of removing 99% of allergens and stains linked to pet ownership. Cordless vacuum cleaners come equipped with V-shaped brushes and tangle-prevention grinders specifically designed for pet hair.
Samsung Electronics’ SmartThings “Pet Care” feature (Photo courtesy of a reader)
Rival LG Electronics is also expanding its presence in the pet appliance segment through its “UP Appliances” program, which allows users to download new features via the LG ThinQ app after purchase. Since its launch in 2022, pet-related content for UP Appliances has been downloaded over 600,000 times, with over 30% of users actively engaging with the features.
Among LG’s most popular pet-focused upgrades are dedicated laundry and drying cycles tailored for pet-related messes, an air purifier pet mode that uses turbo power to remove fur and odors, and a microwave safety mode that prevents pets from accidentally powering on the appliance. LG has also released pet-specific accessories such as dryer filters, pet-care drying balls, and the AeroCat Tower, an air purifier combined with seating for cats.
As Korea’s pet industry evolves from niche to mainstream, tech companies are racing to integrate four-legged family members into the smart home experience — blending innovation, lifestyle, and affection into a single touchpoint.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
