How to make your dog famous on TikTok

If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably spent your fair share of time on social media scrolling through as many TikTok dog videos as humanly possible. For lucky pet parents, this may have got you daydreaming of seeing your furry friend’s name in lights, but has your precious pooch got what it takes to become the next star of dog TikTok?! Well, you’re about to find out, as our Social Media Manager is spilling the beans on how to turn your four-legged friend into a social media sensation. Ready to break the internet? 

Set yourself up for success

Choose your niche

Find a niche that aligns with your four-pawed pal’s adorable personality and unique quirks. While any kind of pet content is likely to garner a few likes from fellow dog owners and your favorite sitter, you’ll need to stand out if you really want to join the world of famous Tiktok dogs. So whether your pup’s got an over-enthusiastic wag or a judgemental look in their eye, hone in on their funny antics, impressive skills, and of course, their cute factor. That being said, never force your furry friend into a situation they feel uncomfortable in - your four-pawed pal’s mental well-being is far more important than becoming famous on TikTok. 

Lights, camera, action

Don’t worry about being too polished but film in good lighting, use the best phone camera you can afford, and (it sounds silly but...) always give the lens a wipe on your clothes before saying “action”.

Create quality content

Master TikTok trends

Research everything from the funniest dog TikToks to the most goofy, and keep an eye on trending challenges, filters, special effects, and sounds that will do wonders for increasing visibility. Find out how to do the dog voice on TikTok and use music trends to make your content more engaging and memorable for users. 

Keep it short and sweet

You might be tempted to post a full 10-minute video of your pooch pal being derpy (bloopers and all) but think about what will appeal to your wider audience. TikTok is all about creating content that’s short and snappy; if viewers don’t watch to the end, your chances of moving up in the algorithm world become slimmer. 

Be consistent

Post regularly to keep your audience engaged and coming back for more (but not so often that your feed becomes over-saturated).

Be authentic

Find out what other dog accounts are doing well (and not so well) but don’t force anything. Your furry friend’s adorable personality should shine through in your content - and if they’re cute, talented, and funny, then you’re onto a winner!

Use dog hashtags wisely

Mix and match 1-3 trending hashtags that are relevant to your content to expand your video’s reach and make it easier for users to find. Popular dog hashtags for Instagram and TikTok include: 

#dogsoftiktok

#dogoftheday

#doglover

#doglife

#dogworld

#dogsitting 

#dogmodel

#doginfluencer

#dogsthathike

#happydog

#puppylove

#dogsarefamily

#dogmood

#dogsarethebest

Engagement is key

Interact with your audience

Remind followers to hit those like and subscribe buttons and reply to messages promptly - your furry friend’s fans will love getting to know you both one-on-one. 

Collaborate 

Partner with other pet influencers and TikTok dogs for fun duos, and interact with their content too. 

Cross-promotion

Share your TikTok dog content on other social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and X to expand your reach.

Making money from TikTok

Brand partnerships

If you’re serious about becoming a TikTok creator, you may want to think about turning your passion into a rewarding stream of income (even if it’s just enough to fulfill your dog’s dream of an endless supply of tennis balls). Seeking out collaboration opportunities with businesses is a great way to monetize your TikTok account, and it makes sense to reach out to pet-related brands that sell products your dog loves. Before you do so, it’s important to familiarize yourself with TikTok’s ad policies and terms of service to avoid getting banned from using the platform. 

While we’ve done our fair share of *research* on the top dogs on TikTok, we can’t promise your pup will become an overnight sensation. At the end of the day, making TikTok dog videos is all about having fun, so if your furry friend’s not loving their moment in the spotlight (insert uncomfortable dog meme), it’s probably time to explore another profession.