Pilates for pups? Pets treated to human-level care as they become core family members.

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Pilates for pups? Pets treated to human-level care as they become core family members.

Published: 30 Apr. 2026, 07:00 Updated: 30 Apr. 2026, 09:03

WOO JI-WON
[email protected]

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

Mary, a Pekingese, works on strengthening her leg muscles on a reformer. [WOO JI-WON]

"Hold steady, Mary. Five, four, three, two, one. Good job"

Balancing on a rubber-domed BOSU ball, Mary, a Pekingese, stands as if it were just another patch of solid ground. There is a slight wobble when she steps onto a donut-shaped balance ball, but she regains control at the Cadillac machine, placing her paws on its swinging straps to stretch the front of her pink-skinned thighs.

She even squats with her paws placed on a reformer, before dropping into a set of the tiniest push-ups — all while her wide eyes and squished nose are fixated on a Pilates instructor's hand, where a treat is dangling just out of reach.

She is rolling and balancing from one piece of equipment to the next to strengthen her weak joints.

Mary, a Pekingese, at dog pilates [WOO JI-WON]

In Gangnam District, southern Seoul, Pilates classes for dogs are quietly gaining traction among pet owners. The program adapts traditional Pilates principles, focusing on core strength while targeting weak areas to improve mobility.

For the next 20 minutes, the two-year-old Pekingese moves across balance tools commonly used for canine exercise to human Pilates machines like the CoreAlign system. The routine is shorter than a human workout, but no less physically engaging.

"If a certain part of the body is weak, that area becomes painful, and without enough muscle, joints can easily be damaged," said Pilates instructor Jeon Hyun-min, who runs the dog Pilates program at his Pilates studio in Gangnam District. "It's the same for dogs, especially small breeds, which are often born with weaker skeletal structures. Building muscle is essential."

Mary places her paws on the swinging straps of a Cadillac for another Pilates exercise. [WOO JI-WON]

While some pet owners come out of curiosity at first, Jeon said, many others arrive after their four-legged patient has undergone surgery for patellar dislocation.

"They want to try Pilates as an additional option, and once they see improvements, they tend to keep coming," Jeon said. "The goal of pilates is similar to rehabilitation for building healthy muscles, but the intensity, difficulty and movements differ."

Jeon's interest in dog Pilates began in a similar way, when his furry companion was diagnosed with stage-two patellar dislocation. "Rather than surgery, I thought exercise might be a better option," he said. "So I started studying it on my own."

Each session runs about 30 minutes, assuming the dogs can stay focused that long. It was originally set at 50 minutes, but quickly trimmed to match their shorter attention spans. Beyond the studio, some pet owners are also trying simple exercises at home, often using gym balls, a trend visible on social media.

The price for Jeon's Pilates session is around 80,000 won ($54), similar to that of human Pilates.

Mary balances on a donut-shaped ball. [WOO JI-WON]

While some may question the effectiveness of the exercise — considered a premium workout even for humans — experts support its benefits.

Prof. Lee Shin-ho of the Department of Companion Animal Health at Tongmyong University said Pilates can be "highly effective" in building muscle and supporting overall physical management, as well as in managing orthopedic conditions.

"Patellar dislocation is largely a genetic condition, so Pilates is more effective when used as part of postsurgical rehabilitation," Lee said. "In contrast, conditions like hip dysplasia can be better managed and even prevented from worsening through targeted rehabilitation exercises."

With the number of pet owners in Korea exceeding 15 million — nearly one in three households has a pet — wellness services for dogs are becoming increasingly specialized and premium. This trend also aligns with the rapid rise of "pet humanization," the idea of treating pets as family members.

"People who come [to Pilates class] truly love their dogs," Jeon said. "They treat them like their own children. In the past, not many people saw pets that way, [...] but now many do and so do I."

According to a recent survey by data consulting firm PMI, 23.3 percent of 2,733 survey respondents described pets as "beings that require responsible care," while 22.6 percent said they were "precious like family," and 16.8 percent viewed them as "friends or companions."

A dog receives a massage at pet-only massage shop RE:dm Pet Healthcare in Haman City, Gyeonggi. [RE:DM PET HEALTHCARE]

In Hanam City, Gyeonggi, a dog-only massage shop has also seen a steady rise in customers.

Here, dogs receive tailored massage care combined with aromatherapy using pet-safe oils. Therapist Lee Da-som first examines each dog's body, then works to loosen tense muscles, gently massaging weaker areas. After the session, dogs are treated with near-infrared therapy or time in an oxygen chamber.

A Golden Retriever receives a massage at pet-only massage shop RE:dm Pet Healthcare in Haman City, Gyeonggi. [RE:DM PET HEALTHCARE]

"Many [pet owners] come because they see their dogs as their own children. If your child is in pain, you want to do everything you can for them, even changing their diet or spending more money on their care."

Many dogs visit for musculoskeletal conditions, rehabilitation, senior care or simply when pet owners sense discomfort in their pup despite no clear diagnosis from veterinarians.

Lee became interested in massage after noticing her own dogs' aging and wondering what more she could do for them. Recognizing the benefits of massage firsthand, she opened the shop last year and pursued professional training, earning certifications in canine rehabilitation massage therapy, and began treating dogs of all breeds.

Before-and-after photos show improved posture after multiple massage sessions. [RE:DM PET HEALTHCARE]

"I see a lot of improvement after the message," Lee said. "And it's not just me. Owners notice it too. Some send me videos of their dogs walking at home, saying they've gotten much better."

Some dogs visit weekly, while most come every two weeks, depending on their condition. "But those who have visited once almost always book again," Lee said.

For many pet owners, treating pets as family goes beyond wellness care. It also influences what they feed them. Beyond homemade treats, dietary supplements have become part of many pets' daily routines.

"I do not take supplements myself, but I make sure my dog does," said Ha Min-kyung, who gives her two-year-old Maltese two types of supplements — one for immunity and one for joint health every morning.

Korean black Ginseng supplemntary for pet [SCREEN CAPTURE]

As demand grows, these products are becoming increasingly premium, ranging from black ginseng supplements made from six-year-old roots to omega-3 capsules and salmon oil.

At the same time, owners are paying closer attention to the ingredients in everyday pet food. In response, Korean food companies such as Dongwon F&B, Harim and Pulmuone are expanding into functional pet food products.

Harim pet food, for instance, uses only "human-grade" ingredients, suitable for human consumption, incorporating premium components such as beet fiber and kale while avoiding synthetic preservatives. It also operates a dedicated pet food facility, "Happy Dance Studio."

Amid this shift toward higher-quality, premium offerings, the pet industry is expected to expand rapidly, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs projecting average annual growth of 9.5 percent, reaching 21 trillion won by 2032.

Yoga session with dogs at Conrad Seoul [CONRAD SEOUL]

Medical efforts to more effectively extend dogs’ healthy lifespans are also underway. Most dogs live fewer than 20 years, while larger breeds such as Golden Retrievers tend to have shorter life expectancies, averaging around 10 to 12 years. In the United States, medical technologies such as antiaging and obesity treatments are actively being developed, while in Korea, efforts are underway to advance preventive pharmaceuticals and functional products.

Looking ahead, experts say the pet health care industry is moving toward a more preventive and technology-driven model, with significant expansion expected.

"The future of pet health care will be shaped by two main pillars of biopharmaceuticals for preventive care and ICT- and AI-based medical wellness," said Prof. Lee Kyeong-dong of Companion Animal Science at Dongshin University. ICT refers to Information and Communication Technology. "The paradigm shift from treatment to management is expected to drive explosive growth in related industries, and, combined with advanced technologies, the pet economy ecosystem is projected to become more sophisticated and expand extensively."

BY WOO JI-WON [[email protected]]