Are Pets the Next Social Media Superstars? How “Petfluencers” Are Redefining Influence

By: Zara Iftikhar, Seasonal Public Relations Intern | Digital4Good

As social media evolves, a delightful trend has emerged: pets are becoming the new digital celebrities. These “petfluencers” are capturing hearts—and brand attention—through adorable content that fuels dopamine releases and drives impressive engagement. In this article, we explore the growth, business dynamics, benefits, and ethical considerations shaping the booming pet influencer era.

The Rise of Pet Influencers

Why We Love Pet Content

Humans are biologically wired to respond to cute traits in animals—large eyes, round faces, soft fur—thanks to the “baby schema” effect, which triggers dopamine and oxytocin releases. This emotional response mirrors that of interacting with human babies, making pet content irresistibly heartwarming.

Engagement Triumphs Over People-Centric Content

• Pet influencer engagement rates often exceed 7%, dwarfing the 1–2% average seen with human influencers (inbeat.co)
• Some top pet accounts even reach 10–40% engagement per post (aspire.io)
• Considering Instagram posts average just ~1.85%, pet content stands out for its emotional impact (sproutsocial.com)

The Economics—How Big Is the Pet Industry?

Massive Market Growth

• The global pet care market is projected to hit $273 B in 2025, growing to $427.8 B by 2032 (CAGR ~6.6%) (fortunebusinessinsights.com)
• Other estimates expect it to reach nearly $483.5 B by 2035 (7.1% CAGR) (futuremarketinsights.com)

E-Commerce & Services Expansion

• Pet e-commerce is on track to grow from $73.4 B in 2025 to $108.5 B by 2030 (marketresearch.com)
• Ancillary services like pet grooming and boarding—which earned $32.6 B in 2024—are growing (~9% annual) (stellarmr.com)

Petfluencers & Brand Engagement

Why Brands Invest

• Emotional connection + high trust = consumer actions. Authenticity in pet influencers often ranks higher than human endorsers (inbeat.co)
• Firms see better ROI when campaigns humanize pets and use relatable, feel-good content

Monetization Tiers in 2025

• Sponsored petpost averages: $195 per post, per Collabstr (collabstr.com)
• Successful micro petfluencers generally charge between $100–$500, while bigger accounts command up to several thousand dollars per post (collabstr.com)

Ethical and Responsible Pet Content

Avoiding Harmful Trends

Despite the fun, some viral pet content can be dangerous or stressful to the animals involved. Responsible creators prioritize pet safety and comfort.

Best Practices

• Observe pets’ body language and comfort levels during shoots.
• Stay away from physically or psychologically harmful antics.
• Prioritize pets’ welfare over viral potential.

These actions align with the rising trend of “pet humanization,” where pet owners treat their animals like family—from health tracking to pet insurance. (en.wikipedia.org)

How to Start or Support Petfluencers

For Aspiring Petfluencers

• Gather a highly engaged core audience (5K+ followers with 3‑5% engagement) (recurpost.com)
• Create a media kit featuring audience details and previous results.
• Partner with local businesses first.
• Set up tiered pricing for posts, stories, and video content.
• Include safety reminders and highlight your pet’s well-being in every campaign.

As a Supportive Audience

• Follow and like posts from petfluencers who prioritize animal welfare.
• Re-share adoption posts and rescue content from shelters.
• Engage with promotions that champion pet care and adoption.

Pets have radically redefined the influencer landscape in 2025. High engagement and emotional resonance make them powerful marketing assets in a booming $273–$483 B pet economy. 

However, authenticity and pet safety must always lead. 

Whether you’re dreaming of launching your pet’s career, or simply seeking heartwarming content, petfluencers present an opportunity to blend joy, commerce, and compassion. 

Who knew cats and dogs could lead the next wave of digital influence?

FAQs

Can small pets really influence?

Yes! Micro petfluencers with ~5K followers can earn $100–$500 per collaboration, provided they maintain 3–5% engagement rates 

Are petfluencers more effective than humans?

Often yes—because their content triggers positive chemical responses and boosts trust, pet influencers often outperform humans in both emotion and impact .

How do I keep my pet safe during shoots?

Watch for stress signals, avoid uncomfortable props, and never force animals into unnatural poses.

Is the pet influencer trend ethical?

Yes—as long as it’s built around animal welfare. Industry leaders encourage humane practices and educate followers about responsible content creation.

What’s the future of pet content?

Expect smarter integration with tech—like health trackers—and even pet-focused products and services. But authenticity will remain key.