Samsung is expanding its health-focused ecosystem beyond humans with a new feature that uses artificial intelligence to assess the health of dogs and cats. Announced at the VivaTech 2026 conference in Paris, the feature is the result of a collaboration with Lifet, a pet health management platform. Users will be able to take a photo of their pet using a Samsung smartphone or tablet, and the built-in AI will analyze the image for potential health issues, such as periodontal disease, obesity, and other visible conditions.
The move marks a significant step in the convergence of consumer electronics and veterinary care, as pet ownership continues to rise globally. According to the American Pet Products Association, over 66% of U.S. households own a pet, and spending on pet care has steadily increased. Samsung's new feature aims to make preliminary health screening more accessible, encouraging proactive care.
How the Feature Works
The pet health check is integrated into Samsung's camera app or a dedicated Lifet application. After a user snaps a photo of their pet's face or body, the AI processes the image locally on the device to ensure privacy. The algorithm has been trained on thousands of veterinary images to recognize subtle signs of illness or poor condition. For example, periodontal disease can manifest as reddened gums, tartar buildup, or a slight swelling around the mouth. Obesity may be identified by the pet's body shape, such as a lack of a visible waistline or difficulty in movement patterns captured in the photo.
According to Samsung, the feature is designed to complement, not replace, regular veterinary checkups. It provides a convenient way for owners to monitor their pet's health between visits and can serve as an early warning system. The company plans to roll out the feature later this year on select Galaxy devices, including the upcoming Galaxy S27 series and the Galaxy Tab series.
Partnership with Lifet
Lifet, a startup specializing in pet health analytics, brings veterinary expertise to the collaboration. The platform uses AI to interpret behavioral and physical data, and its integration with Samsung's hardware expands its reach. Lifet's CEO stated during the VivaTech panel that the partnership aims to democratize pet health monitoring, particularly for owners in areas with limited access to veterinarians.
Samsung has a history of integrating health-related features into its devices. The Samsung Health app already tracks human biometrics like heart rate, sleep patterns, and stress levels. The pet health feature extends this philosophy to animals, aligning with the company's vision of connected health ecosystems.
Potential Impact on Pet Care
The global pet tech market is projected to grow substantially, driven by increasing humanization of pets and advances in AI. Samsung's entry could accelerate adoption of smartphone-based health tools for animals. Veterinarians have expressed cautious optimism; while technology cannot replace a physical examination, it can help detect issues earlier. For instance, catching periodontal disease early can prevent pain and costly treatments.
Obesity in pets is a growing concern, with the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention reporting that over 50% of dogs and cats in the U.S. are overweight. An AI-powered tool that provides visual assessments could help owners make better dietary and exercise decisions. Similarly, skin conditions, ear infections, and eye problems might be spotted early through photo analysis.
Privacy and Technical Implementation
Samsung emphasizes that the image processing occurs on-device, using its neural processing unit (NPU) to run the AI model. This ensures that pet photos are not uploaded to the cloud, addressing privacy concerns. The feature will be optional and can be accessed through the camera app or the Lifet app after a one-time setup. The company also plans to offer anonymized data to researchers to improve the algorithm over time.
The accuracy of the system will depend on factors like lighting, angle, and the pet's cooperation. Early testing reportedly achieved around 85% accuracy for detecting visible signs of periodontal disease, with ongoing training expected to improve. Samsung notes that the feature is not intended for diagnostic purposes but as a screening tool.
Broader Health Ecosystem
The pet health feature joins Samsung's other AI-driven health initiatives, such as the BioActive sensor on Galaxy Watches and the blood pressure monitoring app. By expanding to pets, Samsung hopes to create a holistic health platform that covers the whole family. The company has also hinted at future integrations with veterinary telemedicine services, allowing users to share the AI-generated reports directly with a vet.
Competitors like Apple have not yet announced similar pet health features, giving Samsung a potential first-mover advantage in the smartphone market. However, several third-party apps already offer pet symptom checkers, and standalone devices like smart collars monitor activity and location. Samsung's camera-based approach is unique in not requiring any wearable hardware.
Availability and Future Updates
The pet health check will be available as a software update for Galaxy devices running One UI 8.0 and later, starting in select markets in late 2026. Samsung has not announced pricing for the Lifet app, but the basic features are expected to be free with optional premium subscriptions for detailed reports. The company plans to add support for more species and conditions in future updates, including birds and small mammals.
As with any AI health tool, user education is critical. Samsung will include tips on how to take a good photo and interpret the results. Veterinary experts recommend using the feature as part of a comprehensive care routine, not as a substitute for professional advice.
Source: The Verge News