Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

How Much Can Pet Influencers Make in 2026? Facts & FAQ

female photographer taking pictures of the dogs

Every pet owner thinks their fur baby is the cutest, and thanks to social media, sharing your adorable dog or cat with the world is easier than ever. Some cute animals attract enough eyes to their photos to generate profits. If you’ve ever wondered how much pet influencers can make, the answer is that it depends primarily on how many followers they have on their accounts.

In this article, we’ll estimate how much money pet influencers make and what they do to earn it. We’ll also talk a little about how to be a pet influencer, including a few words of warning.

divider dog faces oct 2024

How Much Money Can Pet Influencers Make?

When examining social media, you’ve probably seen adorable animal photos or videos. You’re not alone; companies worldwide have noticed that users adore pet videos. The more followers a pet influencer has, the more eyes a company can get on its product or service advertisements. Because of this, the most popular accounts earn the most money. In 2018, the top-earning influencer, a Pomeranian with nearly 10 million followers, made $32,045 per sponsored post.

Influencers with a less impressive following, around 100,000, for example, may earn only a few hundred dollars per post. Creating and posting videos can earn a higher payout because they take more time to produce.

a woman with her labrador retriever dog using a laptop
Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock

How Do Pet Influencers Make Money?

The primary way that pet influencers make money is through sponsored posts. For a sponsored post, a brand or company may ask the influencer to post content with a new product they want to promote.  Brands may also produce content featuring the pet influencer.

Once pet influencers start to build their brand, they can generate additional revenue by selling merchandise or signing a book deal. Successful pet influencers can earn enough to fully support their humans, even with the expense of paying for talent agents or other representation.

How Does a Pet Become an Influencer?

If it sounds like a dream come true to make a living posting cute content featuring your pet, you should probably know that it’s not as simple as that. The pet influencer market is far more crowded than a few years ago, and breaking in isn’t easy.

To become a pet influencer, you’ll need a hook beyond “My pet is cute.” Come up with a unique angle or spin, and be consistent across the content you post. Build your brand to the point that companies want to work with you and start paying you for your content.

You may be interested in: 10 Top Dog Influencers: Highest Earning Pets on Social Media

dog with owner using laptop
Image Credit: SpeedKingz, Shutterstock

A Word (or Two) of Warning

If your pet has what it takes to be an influencer, give it your best shot, but keep a few things in mind. Make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons and not just because you want to make a quick buck. This is still your beloved pet you’re working with, and their well-being should be your priority. Not all pets like wearing costumes or posing for photos, so don’t force them to continue if they seem unhappy or anxious.

In addition, don’t buy or adopt an animal simply because you think they’ll be a successful influencer. While this might sound far-fetched, the founder of a pet influencer management company reports that she’s received inquiries from people asking this very question. They wonder if a specific breed is more likely to gain fame or whether a pet with a physical disability has an advantage.

Owning a pet is a lifelong commitment and responsibility that shouldn’t be made based on whether the animal can become “Internet famous” or not.

divider dog faces oct 2024

Conclusion

Companies have always pursued marketing and advertising to help their products stand out and convince the public to spend their money a certain way. Pet influencers and social media are some of the newest ways to make that happen. If watching cute animals online makes people happy, companies understand that including their products in influencer videos can generate sales.

Going viral isn’t just for humans anymore. Pet influencers continue to find new and inventive ways to earn money by doing what the average pet owner does daily: force everyone to look at cute photos and videos of their animal.

 

Featured Image Credit: Ruslan Shugushev, Shutterstock

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything dog

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

15 Foods With Vitamin E for Dogs: Vet-Approved Options

Vitamin E is an essential vitamin for canines. It is an antioxidant that helps clear free radicals from your dog’s body, supports vision,...

How Much Do Swedish Vallhunds Cost? 2026 Price Guide

The Swedish Vallhund is a delightful little dog that resembles a Corgi due to their tiny legs. These dogs, however, are unconnected. This...

Chocolate Labrador Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, History & Traits

A chocolate Labrador is a particular color of the Labrador Retriever. These dogs are known for being very friendly and outgoing. They’re one...

7 Ways to Prevent Dog Walking Injuries: Vet-Approved Safety Guide

Walking your dog at least once a day is a great way to help both of you stay fit, enjoy nature, and socialize...

More related

What Does Raining Cats & Dogs Mean? Pet Idioms Explained

If you’ve heard the expression, “It’s raining cats and dogs,” you may wonder what it means. Rest assured that it has nothing to...

How to Train a Rhodesian Ridgeback: 8 Tips & Expert Guide

If you’ve ever been introduced to a Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog, you know they are intelligent, loyal, loving, and majestic. However, they are also...

How Much CBD Oil Should I Give My Dog? Dosing Guide

The health effects of CBD oil have prompted the rise in various CBD products including oils, drinks, foods, and various infused foods. And...

10 Dog-Friendly Cars for Dog Owners That Like Road Trips

Car-buying is a whole new game when pets enter the family. Comfort becomes harder to compromise, and new concerns over accessibility and protection...

Keep reading

Sunday Scaries FOMO Bones Review 2026: An Expert’s Breakdown

“Sunday scaries” is the feeling of dread so many of us get when we realize the weekend is coming to an end and we have to go to work tomorrow. This feeling likely strikes our dogs too, though the more...

Dogster_SAPR_Sunday Scaries Ft img

Can Dogs Eat Vegetables? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts, Safe Options & Benefits

Domestication has profoundly affected our canine companions. They have gone from carnivorous predators to pampered pets. Roughly 95% consider them members of their families. That’s huge for an animal we once considered a competitor. The gray wolf is the closest...

vegetable basket

Vitamin K for Dogs: 5 Vet-Approved Food Sources

Vitamin K is a necessary nutrient for all humans and animals. In addition to making this vitamin within our bodies, we can get the vitamin from the foods that we eat, and so can your dog! Here are five great...

white samoyed dog looks at a plate of vegetable salad

Rachael Ray Nutrish Puppy Food Review 2026: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary Rachael Ray Nutrish is a dog food brand founded by celebrity chef Rachael Ray in 2008. The first recipes were developed for her own dogs as she wanted to feed them nutritious, clean meals. Today, you can find...

Dogster_Rachael Ray Nutrish Puppy Food Review

10 Best Dog Foods for Chiweenies in 2026 – Reviews & Top Picks

Chiweenies are extremely small dogs. As you might guess, this is part of their charm. However, feeding these dogs can also be challenging because they are so tiny, and finding food that fits in their mouth is difficult. Finding food...

chiweenie

Black Gold Explorer Dog Food Review 2026: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary Black Gold Explorer is a pet food company that focuses exclusively on kibble for dogs. This company has shown a commitment for over 20 years to producing foods for sporting dogs to maintain their health, longevity, and energy...

Dogster_Black Gold Explorer Dog Food Review

10 Best Soft Dry Dog Foods in 2026 – Reviews & Top Picks

Choosing a new brand of dog food for your pup can feel like a daunting task. There are so many factors to consider, from ingredients to texture. Soft, dry dog food is easier for some dogs to chew, especially those...

happy jack russell terrier dog with bowl full of food in front

Why Is My Dog Throwing Up Undigested Food? 9 Vet-Reviewed Reasons & Advice

Although you might be used to their daily behaviors and social cues, your pup might surprise you with an activity that is not common for them. For example, dogs can throw up undigested food, though this shouldn’t occur regularly. So,...