If you’re scrolling through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or even Pinterest and see a profile dedicated solely to a pet that seems to be run by that pet, you’ve stumbled across one of the many social media accounts pet owners have made for their pets.
It’s estimated that one out of every four pet parents has a social media account for their pets. In fact, many pet owners say that their pet’s accounts have more followers than their accounts do. We’ll discuss this trend and much more below.
Why Do Pet Owners Create Social Media Accounts for Their Pets?
There seem to be several reasons that pet owners create and run social media accounts for their pets instead of just having their pets on their own accounts. One survey of 2,000 pet owners found that over 35% of them set up these accounts to show off their beloved pets to the world at large.
34% of pet owners said they enjoyed seeing the positive comments online about their feline and canine pals. Some of these beloved, highly pampered pets have, on average, close to 1,000 followers, with many pet parents admitting that their pets have more followers than they do on their own social media profiles and accounts.
It’s not just dogs and cats that get their own social media profiles; exotic pets and other types of animals do as well.
Is This a Trend?
Yes, it’s a lasting trend to feature a pet on social media, and we don’t see it going away anytime soon. Social media platforms aren’t the only way that owners show off their pets; some pet parents throw birthday parties for their pets and invite their friends and family.
From the survey mentioned earlier, 26% of pet owners said they would not attend a restaurant or stay at a hotel if it’s not pet-friendly, and over 60% of people mentioned that they made new friends because of their pets.
Final Thoughts
So, one in every four pet owners has set up a social media account just for their pets. If you’re going to feature your pet on a social media account, you’ll have plenty of competition for followers. However, adorable pictures and films of animals are in high demand, and you’re likely to pick up more than a few fans if you have a photogenic pet.
Featured Image Credit: eva_blanco, Shutterstock
