In today’s digital landscape, carving out a unique space for your pet business on social media isn’t just recommended—it’s essential.

Pet owners scour online platforms looking for products, services, and inspirations for their furry friends. If your pet business doesn’t have a strong online footprint, you can be left behind.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explain to top social media platforms for pet businesses this year. This is based on my expertise as a 15-year veteran of digital marketing, along with insights from real petpreneurs who I polled for this article.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and lost when it comes to Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Facebook, and more… this guide will explain the best social media platforms for pet businesses. Some platforms are best for reaching a new audience, others are focused on building deeper relationships with existing customers and some have unique sales platforms built in.

Whether you’re a seasoned petpreneur or just starting, this article will clear the trail to success in the ever-evolving world of social media. So, let’s dive in and explore how platforms tailored to the pet industry can propel your business to greater heights in 2023 and 2024.

Best Social Media Platforms for Your Pet Business Goals in 2023 + 2024

When I’m not sharing quality time with my senior chocolate labs, Burt and Lucy, in our hometown of Pittsburgh, PA, I’m committed to helping pet businesses like yours stand out online.

I work with dozens of women pet industry entrepreneurs every month to help them strategize and execute digital marketing plans.

What I’ve learned while being a social media expert for many years, is that you do not have to be everywhere at once! You will wear yourself out and run out of energy to serve your clients.

And that’s what your business is all about… helping pets and their people! So, don’t drown in the sea of social media platforms. Check out my guide for my personal insights and quotes from other petpreneurs about the best social media platforms for pet businesses right now.

1. Instagram: More Than Social Media Pet Influencers

As a predominantly visual platform, Instagram remains the most in-demand platform for pet businesses. From aspirational photos of your products to short and sweet video snippets of pets enjoying your services, this platform is perfect for pet brands.

This is the top social media platform when I polled pet business owners. One business owner said, “I love Instagram because it’s easy to use and the best transfer of leads to sales for my dog training business.”

Why: Highly visual, with a large community of pet lovers. Pet influencers and #dogstagram all started on Instagram! Instagram Stories can be used for quick updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses. Reels have the potential to get a lot of views from new people.

Pet Business Instagram Ideas:

• Share daily photos or videos (called Reels and Stories).
• Post before-and-after photos – great for dog groomers or trainers.
• Share user-generated content from your happy customers or clients.
• Use Instagram Shopping to tag products directly in your posts.

Key Features:

• Stories & Reels: Engage your audience with short, captivating content.
• Shopping Tags: Directly tag products, making shopping a breeze for followers.
• Instagram Live: Host longer conversations with audience participation and the ability to host up to 4 users on video at once.

 

2. TikTok: Beyond Trends, It’s About Real Connection

TikTok is not just for dance challenges. Pet businesses can leverage their vast reach and dynamic content format to create viral videos and connect with potential new customers.

TikTok is also becoming a favorite social media platform for product-based pet businesses because of the new TikTok Shop.

One pet product business owner told me, “TikTok has become my favorite social media platform. It’s fun and easy to do quickly. It also brings in its own revenue now thanks to TikTok shop.”

Why: Short, engaging videos. The platform’s algorithm can skyrocket visibility if a video goes viral.

How to Use:

• Create fun and engaging short videos using trending audio.
• Share original content by talking straight to the camera or using a voiceover.
• Share quick pet related tips to get viewers interested in following your account.
• Collaborate with other petpreneurs for duets or stitches.

Key Features:

• Duets: Respond or react to a video created by an influencer or customer.
• TikTok Shopping: Seamlessly integrate your online store.
• Filters & Effects: Enhance videos with voice or visual effects and filters to make them more engaging.

3. Pinterest: Inspirating Pet Parents to Take Action

Pinterest offers a space for inspiration, discovery, and shopping. It’s more than just fashion, home decor, and recipes. There are a lot of pet parents searching on Pinterest for tips on raising their dogs.

Unlike a lot of other platforms, Pinterest is a great social network for driving traffic to your own website. One dog trainer I talked to told me, “Pinterest is the main traffic driver to my website.”

Why: A platform for discovery, users often go to Pinterest for ideas, whether it’s for pet care, training tips, or dog-friendly recipes.

How to Use:

• Create pins linking back to your blog articles, product pages or affiliate links (with proper disclosure).
• Share dog inspiration, grooming tips, or DIY pet projects.
• Showcase pet-friendly travel spots and tips.

I offer an online course called Masterclass: Pinterest for Petpreneurs that teaches you the exact strategy I used to 10x my traffic from Pinterest. Hundreds of pet business owners have gone through my course and seen great results!

When you enroll in my Pinterest for Petpreneurs course you will save yourself tons of trial and error time. Learn from an expert and see what Pinterest can do for your business! It can take a couple of months to see noteworthy results, so get started today!

Key Features:

• Shop the Look: Pin products from your own store or affiliate links directly to images.
• Video pins: repurpose video from other platforms as engaging video pin content.
• Trending: Stay updated on the latest pet trends and cater your content to what people are searching for.

 

4. Facebook: A Reliable Wide Reach

Even though it’s not the newest platform, don’t underestimate the power of Facebook. It still has a vast user base and ever-evolving advertising options.

The jury is out on the effectiveness of Facebook pages in 2023, but pet business owners agree that Facebook still has a place in your social media marketing plan. One pet industry marketing expert shared that, “Facebook Groups specifically (versus just a page or profile) are very valuable for pet businesses.”

Why: Allows for the creation of communities, events, and pages.

How to Use:

• Create a community group to unite people around a shared interest.
• Host virtual or in-person events (like dog meet-ups).
• Re-share relevant posts that spark conversation.
• Use Facebook Ads to target local pet owners.

Key Features:

• Facebook Shop: Integrate your e-commerce store.
• Groups: Foster a community around your brand.
• Live Video: Engage in real-time with your audience.

YouTube: The Power of Engaging Video Content

YouTube is more than just a video platform. Thanks to interactive tools, it’s a community-driven space where pet brands can establish a deeper connection with their audience.

Thanks to longer videos, YouTube offers pet businesses the chance to dive into detailed product demos, customer testimonials, and thought leadership in the industry. Not to mention, YouTube remains one of the top search engines on the internet.

Why: Long-form content that can be monetized and is excellent for tutorials, vlogs, and product reviews.

How to Use:

• Create a series of dog training tutorials or elaborate on your area of expertise.
• Vlog about a day in the life of running your pet business.
• Review pet products or share dog nutrition or behavior advice.

Key Features:

• YouTube Shorts: Quick, bite-sized videos for those shorter, yet impactful messages (similar to Instagram Reels and TikToks)
• Playlists: Organize content thematically, guiding viewers on a curated journey.
• Monetization & Super Chat: Engage with your community in live sessions and tap into monetization options for added revenue streams.

5. LinkedIn: B2B Opportunities for Successful Pet Businesses

LinkedIn’s professional environment can be beneficial for pet businesses that deal with other businesses. If you are a wholesaler or service provider, this could be a great way to connect with your customer base.

Why: Professional network where you can connect with other petpreneurs, pet product companies, and potential clients looking for services.

How to Use:

• Share articles about the pet industry or petpreneurship.
• Post testimonials or case studies from satisfied clients.
• Connect with other pet business owners and engage in relevant groups.
• Establish your expertise with a complete professional profile listing all your qualifications.

Key Features:

• Company Pages: Showcase your business and its achievements.
• LinkedIn Jobs: Create job listings to find staff for your pet business.
• LinkedIn Articles: Share industry insights and thought leadership.

 

Social Media Platforms that You Can Skip

This list covers some of the most popular social networking sites that can help grow your pet business. But there are many other platforms out there. Are any of them worth it?

Twitter has been rebranded as “X” this year and it seems to be a hub of controversy and drama. Personally, I deleted my account a few months ago because it wasn’t driving site traffic or meaningful interactions for me.

Another platform that’s been around for a long time is SnapChat. I’ve never found that to be very conducive for business. I’m never been able to figure out how the secretive and private nature of the app would work for marketing your business online. So, I would leave SnapChat off your 2024 marketing plan.

There were a few new social media platforms that popped up in the last year or so. Lemon8 and BeReal tried to compete with Instagram, but didn’t gain momentum. Instagram came out with Threads, but that hasalready plateaued in user sign ups and engagement less than 1 year into it.

Final Thoughts On Your Pet Business Social Media Strategy

Harnessing the power of social media platforms is no longer optional. It’s a necessity for pet businesses in 2023 and the future.

By understanding each platform’s strengths and unique offerings, pet brands can optimize their online strategies. At Wear Wag Repeat, I’m always learning about the latest social media trends. It’s my mission to ensure that petpreneurs are equipped with the tools and insights they need to flourish.

You can stay on top of the trends month-to-month in my membership, Wear Wag Repeat Society. I would love to have you join us!

Ready to embrace social media and see your pet business thrive? Here are a few final tips to keep in mind:

• Use relevant hashtags to help reach your ideal customer
• Collaborate with other businesses for giveaways or series.
• Engage with your followers regularly by responding to comments and messages.
• Stay consistent with your branding and messaging.

Navigating the world of social media for pet businesses in 2023 isn’t just about being online—it’s about optimizing, connecting, and truly resonating.

At Wear Wag Repeat, I’m committed to providing you with the insights and strategies to stand out. Embrace these platforms, integrate the features that align with your brand, and let’s make a lasting digital pawprint together!

Did you enjoy this post? Here’s more advice on growing your pet business online:
A Year of Pet Business Content Ideas
Expand Your Pet Business with Digital Products
4 Steps to Figure Out The Best Blog Topics for Your Pet Brand
How this Dog Blogger Earns $5-10K Per Month
Grow Your Pet Business with Pinterest