Dingpet Owners Dress Dogs in Luxury Clothes for Walks... Sparks Debate Over the Trend

As Sales of Pet Strollers Increase, Some Voices of Discontent Emerge
Criticism Grows Against 'Dingpetjok' Who Only Raise Pets

Last year, it was revealed that sales of pet strollers for dogs surpassed those of strollers for humans in online shopping malls from the first to the third quarter, sparking a heated debate among netizens after a post about using pet strollers was uploaded on an online community.

On the 1st, a post titled "Is it okay to put my dog in a stroller during walks?" was uploaded on an online community. The author, Mr. A, shared a screenshot from a pet-related YouTube video, stating, "Let's avoid putting healthy dogs in pet strollers as much as possible. Even if you do, don't make stroller walks the main type of walk; instead, focus on walks where the dog walks and sniffs around directly."

Last year, it was revealed that sales of pet strollers surpassed those of baby strollers from the first to the third quarter in online shopping malls. Meanwhile, a post about using pet strollers was uploaded on an online community, sparking a heated debate among netizens.
[Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@]

The veterinarian featured in the video explained situations where a pet stroller is necessary for dogs. He said, "Pet strollers are beneficial for dogs with disabilities, those recovering from surgery due to injuries, or dogs with arthritis who find walking difficult," adding, "These dogs often cannot take long walks with their owners, leading to unmet walking needs and resulting in depression." He further advised, "For dogs that are not physically uncomfortable or sick, stroller walks should be understood as outings or transportation, and it is better to have separate walk times where they can run and play freely."

Netizens expressed various opinions on this post. Some users on the online community responded with comments like, "Who cares if someone else pushes a pet stroller," and "Who would push a dog that has the strength to walk?" On the other hand, other netizens said, "Nowadays, when I see a stroller, I check whether a person or a dog is inside," "I went to the park recently, and there were no people in the strollers, only dogs," and "Dogs have the best life."

Alongside the 'DINK' generation, the 'Dingpet' group is rapidly increasing

As men and women of marriageable age avoid childbirth, pets are filling that void. According to the Statistics Korea population trend survey, the total fertility rate of women of childbearing age (15-49 years) was 0.78 in 2022. It has been declining continuously since dropping from 1.48 in 2000 to 1.23 in 2010. Meanwhile, the number of households raising pets is increasing every year. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the number of pet dogs and cats in Korea rose from 7.42 million in 2021 to 7.98 million in 2022. This means that one in four of the 23.7 million households in Korea owns a pet dog (19.0%) or cat (7.1%).

As the pet-owning population grows, the related industry has also expanded. From health foods to grooming salons, laundries, hotels, hospitals, insurance, and daily necessities, there is no sector without pet-exclusive products. The Korea Rural Economic Institute analyzed that the pet-related industry, which was worth 2.3332 trillion KRW in 2017, is expected to grow at a double-digit rate annually and reach 6.0055 trillion KRW by 2027.

As the number of people raising pets has increased, the related industries have also grown. From health foods to beauty salons, laundries, hotels, hospitals, insurance, and daily necessities, there is no field without pet-exclusive products. The Korea Rural Economic Institute analyzed that the pet-related industry, which was worth 2.3332 trillion won in 2017, has continued to grow at a double-digit rate annually and is expected to expand to 6.0055 trillion won by 2027.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Unlike the growing pet market, the baby products market has stagnated. According to Statistics Korea, the domestic baby products market (including formula, diapers, baby clothes, and baby furniture) decreased from 2.4 trillion KRW in 2016 to 2.1 trillion KRW in 2019 based on manufacturing shipments. Including imports and strollers, which are not covered in the statistics, the domestic baby products market is estimated by the industry to have remained around 4 trillion KRW after COVID-19. There are increasing cases where pet products fill the gaps left by baby products in various retail sectors. For example, a corner that used to sell diapers in a supermarket was converted into a pet snack sales area.

While analyses contrasting the pet industry and baby products industry emerge, some express dissatisfaction with the so-called 'Dingpet' group?couples who raise only pets without children. The argument questions whether raising pets instead of children is appropriate amid worsening low birth rates. However, the Dingpet group has a different perspective. For them, pets are not substitutes for children.

A netizen who identified as part of the Dingpet group said, "I don't think the DINK generation and the Dingpet group are connected. I simply decided to focus on life as a couple, becoming part of the DINK generation, and naturally started raising a dog because I really like dogs." They added, "The idea that raising pets lowers the birth rate is nonsense. I chose to be DINK because of circumstances, and I just happen to raise pets."