Pet owners in Seoul are visiting fortune-telling parlours to have tarot cards read for their cats and dogs [1].

This trend reflects a shift in how South Koreans perceive animal companionship. As birth rates decline and pet ownership reaches record levels, many residents now view their animals as primary family members [1, 2]. This emotional bond has driven a demand for novel wellness practices intended to support the mental health of pets [2].

At these specialized parlours, readers use tarot decks specifically designed for animals [1]. These sessions aim to gauge an animal's emotions, levels of anxiety, and general behavior [1]. Practitioners also use the cards to identify possible physical or emotional discomfort that the pet cannot communicate verbally [2].

While traditional veterinary medicine focuses on physical symptoms, these tarot readings offer a metaphysical approach to pet care. Owners seek insights into their pets' inner lives, seeking to understand why a dog may be restless or why a cat may be withdrawn [2].

The practice is part of a broader expansion of the pet industry in South Korea. As pets move from the backyard to the center of the home, the services available to them have expanded beyond grooming and medicine into the realm of emotional and spiritual wellness [1, 2].

“Pet owners are taking their cats and dogs to fortune-telling parlours”

The rise of pet tarot in Seoul is less about the efficacy of divination and more about the sociological shift in South Korean demographics. With a shrinking birth rate, the 'pet humanization' trend has accelerated, leading owners to apply human psychological and spiritual wellness frameworks to their animals to strengthen emotional bonds.