A growing wave of urbanisation, remote working patterns and social isolation has paved the way for a new frontier in the pet industry: artificial-intelligence powered companion “pets”. At Petin.AI, we say For The PET Pros—serving pet-industry professionals with full-spectrum intelligence and trend guidance. This article tracks how the AI pet sector is reshaping pet care, what that means for retailers, breeders, pet-tech manufacturers and service providers, and how you as a pet-industry stakeholder can prepare.

Market Overview – Emotional Needs Meet Technological Innovation

While traditional pet-ownership persists, a parallel demand is emerging: companionship without the responsibilities of living animals. Research shows the global pet-tech market was valued at USD 7.63 billion in 2024 and projected to reach USD 17.25 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of ~14.6%.
Within that, specialised segments such as “AI in pet care” show the global market stood at about USD 4.2 billion in 2024, with expectations to reach USD 15.34 billion by 2035, at ~12.5 % CAGR.
A 2025 media feature also links the rise of companion-robots to post-COVID loneliness and emotional support trends.

For pet-industry professionals, this signals a shift: not just more pets, but smarter pets—devices and services that emulate companionship. Retailers, grooming shops, veterinary clinics and pet-tech wholesalers must grasp this trend to stay ahead.

Three Strategic Paths – How Leading Players are Competing

In the evolving AI-pet landscape, three strategic approaches are emerging. (Note: the branded names below are illustrative of concepts; actual product names may vary.)

“Ropet” – Physical Companionship Reimagined

One approach emphasises realistic tactile and sensory experience: devices with soft bio-fur, warm body temperature, motion and sound responses that mimic living animals. These aim to fill the gap for consumers seeking emotional presence (e.g., seniors living alone, busy professionals). Systems integrate sensors and multi-modal feedback for more immersive interaction.

“Fu Zai” – Emotional Depth & Portability

Another path targets portability and emotional intelligence. Here the device is designed to evolve personality, recall user interactions and build a sense of long-term relationship. With stylish form-factors, keychain- or plush-toy-like designs, the focus is on lifestyle and social shareability—especially in urban or younger consumer segments.

“AIBI” – AI Utility Companion for Pet Tech Ecosystems

A third strand emphasises smart-assistant utility—integrating voice AI, reminders, Q&A, perhaps health monitoring for a pet or human user. These may feel less “pet” and more “assistant”, yet benefit from pet-adjacency (e.g., “my smart pet helps me track my pet’s wellness”). This can appeal to tech-savvy buyers or households where a traditional pet isn’t viable.

For pet-industry stakeholders, recognising which of these models your channel or client base aligns with is critical.

Future Outlook – From Hardware to Ecosystem

Winning in this space will increasingly depend not just on hardware, but on services, content and digital platforms that build recurring revenue and stickier consumer relationships.

Emotional Analytics & Subscription Services

AI-pet devices that include mood-sensing capabilities (via sensors, voice, gesture) can initiate tailored responses—e.g., calming music, friendly “check-in” routines, or virtual reminders to walk a real pet. These become subscription-based services, opening higher-margin models beyond one-time device sales.

Virtual Social Ecosystems & Community Platforms

Consumers will expect more than solo interaction: virtual “parks” where AI pets meet, contests, avatar worlds tied to the device, digital collectibles, and ad-supported features. For the pet-industry professional, this means opportunities to cross-sell (e.g., linking real pet store loyalty with an AI pet app) or to partner on digital campaigns.

AIGC Content Creation – UGC & Media-Driven Engagement

Imagine an AI pet that automatically captures photos or short-form video of itself interacting, prompting owners to share content on social media. This creates a feedback loop of engagement, brand visibility for pet-retailers or service-providers, and monetisation via user-generated content or branded collaborations.

For the pet-industry professional—whether you operate a boutique pet shop, a veterinary clinic, or a grooming-service chain—understanding the shift from “sell a product” to “deliver a digital life service” is essential to capturing the next wave.

Implications for Pet-Industry Professionals

Here’s what For The PET Pros should consider:

• Stock and display strategy: If you’re a pet-store owner, consider featuring AI-pet devices alongside traditional pet supplies, positioning them as emotional-wellness adjuncts or lifestyle products.
• Cross-service bundling: Groomers or veterinary clinics might offer “real pet + AI companion” packages—especially for clients who travel or need interim support for their pet.
• Content and promotion: Market these devices as part of modern pet-care ecosystems—emphasise emotional connection, tech and lifestyle appeal. Leverage social shareability.
• Data-driven upsells: Devices that tie into subscription platforms mean recurring revenue—review how you might partner with manufacturers or develop value-added services (e.g., device set-up, training, ongoing support).
• Demographic targeting: Urban dwellers, singles, seniors living alone, apartment dwellers who can’t keep a live pet: these are prime users of AI companions.
• Regulatory and ethical angle: Consider privacy (data from sensors), device-longevity, and user expectations (clarify device is not a living animal). It strengthens customer trust.

Closing Thoughts

The AI-powered pet universe is more than a gadget trend—it’s a meaningful shift in how we interpret companionship, pet care and human–animal relationships. For professionals in the pet industry, this evolution brings both challenge and opportunity: challenge in adapting to new business models; opportunity in tapping into a growing “pet ecosystem” that is increasingly digital, emotional and service-oriented.

At Petin.AI, we remain committed to staying For The PET Pros—bringing you deeper intelligence, trend analyses and actionable insights so you can lead rather than follow.

Disclaimer

This article contains market data and analysis based on publicly available sources and is provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, Petin.AI makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, accuracy or reliability of this information. If you believe any data herein is incorrect or any content infringing rights, please contact info@petin.ai for correction or removal.