From Taiwan to Asia: Why Pet Mobility Could Be Asia’s Next Growth Opportunity

Asia’s pet economy is entering a new stage.

Across Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, China and Southeast Asia, pets are becoming increasingly integrated into everyday life. As pet ownership matures, consumer spending is moving beyond food and basic supplies toward health, lifestyle, convenience and shared experiences.

For the pet industry, this raises an important question:

What will drive the next wave of growth?

One category worth watching closely is pet mobility—from strollers and carriers to products designed for commuting, outdoor activities and senior-pet care.

And Taiwan offers an interesting window into why this category is gaining momentum.

Taiwan: A Snapshot of Asia’s Changing Pet Economy

Taiwan’s pet market has been growing steadily, driven by pet humanization, premiumization and changing household lifestyles.

Between 2020 and 2024, Taiwan’s pet population increased by approximately 42%, while pet-related sales grew by 43%. This suggests that market growth is no longer simply about having more pets—it is also about owners spending more on their pets’ quality of life. 

The shift is particularly visible in the cat market.

In 2025, Taiwan’s estimated pet cat population reached approximately 1.74 million, surpassing dogs for the first time. The cat population increased by 32.8% compared with 2023, while the dog population remained relatively stable. 

This reflects a broader trend across urban Asia.

Smaller households, apartment living and changing lifestyles are influencing not only which pets people choose, but also the products they need to live comfortably with them.

The pet economy is moving from:

Pet ownership → Pet care → Pet lifestyle

And that transition creates new opportunities.

From Pet Products to Pet Experiences

In a developing pet market, spending often begins with essentials:

Food → Treats → Toys → Basic Accessories

As the market matures, however, consumers begin looking for products that improve everyday life with their pets.

That includes premium nutrition, wellness products, grooming services, smart products—and increasingly, mobility and travel solutions.

The question is no longer simply:

What does my pet need?

It becomes:

How can my pet be part of more of my life?

That is where pet mobility comes in.

A stroller can support an aging dog.

A carrier can make a vet visit easier.

A compact travel system can help an owner bring a cat on a weekend trip.

A bike trailer can turn an outdoor activity into something shared.

The product is not simply transporting a pet.

It is enabling an experience.

Asia Is Growing—But Not All Markets Are Growing the Same Way

The region’s pet care market continues to expand, but different markets are at very different stages of development.

China and Japan remain among the region’s largest pet-care markets, while South Korea also represents a highly developed consumer market. At the same time, markets such as Thailand and India are showing significantly faster growth rates. 

This creates two broad opportunities.

Mature markets: premiumization

In markets such as Japan, Taiwan and South Korea, pet ownership is already well established.

Growth increasingly comes from:

• Premium products
• Better functionality
• Health and wellness
• Cat-focused products
• Senior-pet care
• Lifestyle and experience-driven purchases

Consumers are willing to pay more when a product genuinely improves daily life.

Emerging markets: category expansion

In markets such as Thailand, India, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, growing pet populations and rising consumer spending are helping expand the overall pet-care category. Indonesia, India and Vietnam, for example, have all recorded strong recent growth in pet populations. 

For brands and distributors, this means Asia should not be viewed as one single market.

Different markets require different strategies—but the direction of travel is similar.

Pet ownership is becoming more deeply integrated into modern lifestyles.

Why Pet Mobility Is Becoming More Relevant

Three trends are particularly important for the future of pet mobility.

1. Urban lifestyles

Asian cities are dense, highly connected and increasingly built around apartments, public transportation and mixed-use environments.

That creates demand for products that are:

compact, lightweight, foldable and easy to use.

A pet product that works at home but can also move seamlessly through the city has greater everyday value.

2. The rise of the cat economy

Taiwan’s recent shift, where cats have overtaken dogs in total pet population, is one example of the growing importance of cat-focused products. 

Cats may have different mobility needs from dogs, but the underlying consumer expectation is similar:

safe, comfortable and convenient ways to bring pets into everyday life.

3. Aging pets

As owners invest more in healthcare and longevity, mobility becomes increasingly relevant.

A pet that once enjoyed a long walk may eventually need assistance.

This changes the role of a stroller or mobility product from a lifestyle accessory into a practical quality-of-life solution.

What This Means for Retailers and Distributors

For retailers and distributors, the opportunity may not simply be to add another pet stroller or carrier to the product range.

The bigger opportunity is to build a Pet Mobility category.

This can include:

Outdoor Mobility
Products for walking, cycling, hiking and outdoor adventures.

Senior Pet Mobility
Solutions that help pets with reduced stamina or mobility.

Travel Mobility
Products designed around cars, trains, flights and other forms of transportation.

Multi-Functional Mobility
Products that adapt to different situations rather than serving only one purpose.

As consumers look for products that provide more value in more situations, multifunctionality becomes increasingly important.

Taiwan Can Be a Window into Asia’s Next Pet Trends

Taiwan may not be Asia’s largest pet market, but it offers an interesting view of where the industry is heading.

Its combination of urban living, mature pet ownership, strong e-commerce adoption and rapidly changing cat-and-dog demographics makes it a useful market for observing emerging consumer behavior.

And the trends developing in Taiwan are not happening in isolation.

Across Asia, the pet industry is gradually moving from ownership to lifestyle, from products to experiences, and from basic care to quality of life.

Pet mobility sits directly at the intersection of these changes.

The Future of Pet Mobility Is About More Than Travel

The next opportunity in pet mobility may not simply be about helping pets get from A to B.

It is about helping pets participate in more of their owners’ lives.

A senior dog can enjoy an outdoor day again.

A cat can safely explore beyond the home.

A pet parent can travel, shop, exercise or simply spend more time outside with their companion.

That is the real value of pet mobility.

As Asia’s pet economy continues to mature, products that connect pets with everyday experiences may become an increasingly important growth category.

And for retailers, distributors and brands looking toward the next stage of Asia’s pet market, pet mobility is a category worth watching.

Building the Next Generation of Pet Mobility

At ibiyaya, we believe mobility is about more than transportation.

It is about creating more opportunities for pets and people to experience the world together.

From pet strollers and carriers to travel and outdoor mobility solutions, ibiyaya develops products designed around the changing needs of modern pet families.

Interested in exploring the pet mobility market with ibiyaya?

Contact our team to learn more about wholesale, distribution, OEM/ODM and co-branding opportunities.