# UGC for pet brands

UGC for pet brands is video of real dogs and cats using your product at home, filmed by their owners. UGCStars lists 581 pet creators you can search by dog or cat owner, with a median starting rate of $150 per video.

By [Murat Bo](https://ugcstars.com/about), founder of UGCStars · Updated 4 November 2026 · Guide: 10 min read

## Key figures

Calculated from listed creator profiles, updated 11 November 2026.

- Verified creators: 581 (Every profile reviewed)
- Median starting rate: $150 (Per video, in US dollars)
- Middle half of creators: $120–$200 (25th to 75th percentile)

## Featured pet creators

- [Chris L.](https://ugcstars.com/creators/chris-l): Nashville, United States · Pets, Business, Fitness
- [Syrenna R.](https://ugcstars.com/creators/syrenna-r): Youngstown, United States · Pets, Beauty, Makeup
- [Aldina D.](https://ugcstars.com/creators/aldina-d): Denia, Spain · Pets, Beauty, Makeup
- [Lacie E.](https://ugcstars.com/creators/lacie-e): Clearwater, United States · Pets, Beauty, Makeup
- [Brittney B.](https://ugcstars.com/creators/brittney-b): Los Angeles, United States · Pets, Fitness, Food
- [Clara A.](https://ugcstars.com/creators/clara-a): Florence, Italy · Pets, Beauty, Makeup
- [Sophia E.](https://ugcstars.com/creators/sophia-e): Champaign, United States · Pets, Beauty, Makeup
- [Julia D.](https://ugcstars.com/creators/julia-d): Toronto, Canada · Pets, Beauty, Makeup
- [April Y.](https://ugcstars.com/creators/april-y): Toronto, Canada · Pets, Beauty, Makeup

[All 581 pet creators](https://ugcstars.com/ugc-creators/pets)

## Filters that matter for pet brands

- Dog owners: 438 creators
- Cat owners: 232 creators
- Dog and cat owners: 105 creators
- Unboxing: 401 creators
- Product reviews: 498 creators

## The short version

UGC for pet brands works when it shows a real pet reacting to your product at home: a dog’s first sniff of a new treat, a cat ignoring the box and then claiming the bed. Cast by species and size first, give the pet time with the product, and keep the animal comfortable and safe on camera.

On UGCStars, 581 creators list pets as a niche. Their median starting rate is $150 per video, with the middle half between $120 and $200, and you can filter by dog owners, cat owners or both.

The steps at a glance:

1. Decide the job: ads, product pages or social.
2. Cast by species, size and the pet’s temperament.
3. Ship the product early so the pet gets used to it.
4. Brief the shots and leave room for a real reaction.
5. Agree price, usage and reshoots, since pets don’t take direction.
6. Check every video for safety and claims before it runs.

## What pet UGC is, and how it differs from pet influencers

Pet UGC is video or photo content a creator films with their own pet for your brand. You pay for the content and use it on your own channels or in ads. A pet influencer posts to their own following, and you pay for that reach. With UGC the pet doesn’t need a big audience, only a good reaction on camera and an owner who can film it well.

Pet brands use UGC because buyers trust other owners. Someone choosing a chew toy wants to see a dog like theirs chewing it, not a studio shot. Real homes, real mess and real reactions are the point.

Most pet UGC runs as paid social ads, on product pages and Amazon listings, and in email. Food and treat brands use it to show feeding routines, toy brands to show durability, and pet tech brands to show setup.

## Pet UGC video ideas and examples

Match the idea to the product. These are the pet UGC ideas brands brief most often, with what the creator should capture.

**Pet UGC ideas by product**

| Product | Video idea | What to capture |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dog food and treats | Taste test or bowl reveal | The pet’s reaction, the kibble or treat in hand, the bag |
| Cat food and treats | Picky-eater test | The cat approaching the bowl, before and after the switch |
| Toys | Durability test or play session | Real play over several days, the toy after use |
| Beds, crates and furniture | Unboxing and first nap | Setup, size next to the pet, the pet choosing it |
| Grooming and shampoo | Bath or brushing routine | Coat before and after, how calm the pet stays |
| Supplements and dental chews | Daily routine | How the pet takes it, the routine around it |
| Litter and cleanup | Day in the life | Setup, the owner’s take on smell and cleanup time |
| Pet tech: feeders, cameras, trackers | Setup and app walkthrough | Unboxing, the app on screen, the pet using it |

### Example hooks for pet UGC ads

These openings are examples written for this page, not lines from real ads:

- “My dog is the pickiest eater I know. Watch this.”
- “Day ten with the toy that was supposed to last a week.”
- “POV: your cat finally picks the bed you bought.”
- “Two dogs, one bowl, zero leftovers.”
- “Our morning routine with a 90-pound dog.”

### Dog UGC and cat UGC need different briefs

Dogs usually react on cue and can be filmed in a few takes. Cats rarely do, so brief cat videos around moments the owner can catch over a few days, and accept that the best clip may be short. Ask for more raw footage from cat shoots, and allow more time.

## Casting pet creators: species, size and home

Cast the pet your buyer has. A large-breed chew needs a large dog, and a senior cat food needs an older cat. On UGCStars, creators list their pets as dog, cat or other pet, and the filters near the top of this page show how many own each.

Breed, size and age aren’t filters, so read the profile: many creators name their pets and breeds in their bio, and their sample videos show the animal. If it matters, ask before you book, for example “Is your dog over 50 pounds?”.

Also check:

- The home: a yard, an apartment or stairs, if your product depends on it.
- Other pets in the house, for multi-pet products.
- Kids in the house, if the ad needs a family scene. The kids filter shows this too.
- The country, so food and treats can be shipped there.

[Pet UGC creators](https://ugcstars.com/ugc-creators/pets) has the full list with counts by country, and [How to find UGC creators](https://ugcstars.com/resources/how-to-find-ugc-creators) covers shortlisting.

## Safety and welfare on set

The pet’s comfort comes before the shot. Viewers can tell when an animal is stressed, and platforms don’t allow content that shows animals being harmed. Put these rules in every pet brief:

- The owner handles the pet. Nobody else directs or restrains it.
- No forcing: if the pet doesn’t want the treat or the toy, film that and stop.
- Use the product as its label says, including portions and any age or weight limits.
- Switch to a new food the way the product’s feeding guide says, not in one meal for the camera.
- Keep sessions short, with water and breaks, and stop if the pet shows stress.
- Never fake a reaction with food the product doesn’t contain, or with edits that change what the pet did.

## What pet UGC costs

The median starting rate for pet creators on UGCStars is $150 per video, from 425 creators who list a starting rate, and half of them start between $120 and $200. A starting rate covers one finished video for organic use on your own channels. The [UGC Rate Index](https://ugcstars.com/rates) has the same figures by country and platform, and each creator shows their own rate on their profile.

Pets add costs other niches don’t:

- **Reshoots.** Pets don’t take direction, so agree how many reshoots the price includes.
- **Product and shipping.** Food and litter are heavy; send enough for the pet to try it properly.
- **Paid ad usage.** Priced by channel and term on top of the rate. [How to charge for UGC usage rights](https://ugcstars.com/resources/how-to-charge-for-ugc-usage-rights) explains the options.
- **Raw footage.** A real reaction is hard to repeat, so the raw clips are worth keeping.

**Example budget for a first pet UGC test**

| Line | Hypothetical cost |
| --- | --- |
| 3 dog owners × 1 video at $150 | $450 |
| 3 cat owners × 1 video at $150 | $450 |
| Paid usage, 3 months, 6 videos | $600 |
| Raw footage from every shoot | $180 |
| Product and shipping | $240 |
| Total | $1,920 |

_Hypothetical figures for illustration, not quotes. Each creator sets their own prices._

The [UGC budget calculator](https://ugcstars.com/tools/ugc-budget-calculator) builds the same estimate from real rates for your niche and country.

## Claims for pet food, treats and supplements

In the US, the FDA regulates food for animals, including pet food and treats, and its rule on claims is simple: if a product’s intended use is to treat or prevent a disease, it’s a drug. A creator saying a chew cures arthritis, or a food prevents kidney disease, can make your product an unapproved drug in the FDA’s eyes.

Keep these out of creator scripts:

- Treats, cures or prevents a disease: arthritis, allergies, kidney or urinary disease.
- Replaces a vet, a prescription or medication.
- Specific results you can’t prove, such as weight lost in a set number of days.

Creators can say what they saw with their own pet: “she finishes the bowl now”, “his coat looks shinier”. Keep it true to their pet.

### Disclosure

When a creator posts the video on their own account and was paid or got free product, the FTC expects a clear “ad” or “sponsored” in the video and in the caption. Gifted product counts too.

Sources: [FDA’s regulation of pet food](https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/fdas-regulation-pet-food) and [FTC: Disclosures 101 for social media influencers](https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/disclosures-101-social-media-influencers). This is general information, not legal advice, and the rules differ by country.

## A pet UGC brief: an example

This is an example for a hypothetical dental chew; change the details for your product. The [UGC brief generator](https://ugcstars.com/tools/ugc-brief-generator) builds one from a short form.

## How long pet UGC takes

Plan for two to four weeks from booking to final videos. The pet needs a few days with the product, and the owner may need several sessions to catch a real reaction.

**A pet UGC campaign, week by week**

_Illustrative. Cat shoots and food switches take longer._

| Task | Stage | When |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Shortlist and book creators | Brand | Week 0 to week 1 |
| Ship product | Brand | Week 1 to week 1.5 |
| Review and approve | Brand | Week 3.5 to week 4 |
| Pet tries the product | Creator | Week 1.5 to week 2.5 |
| Film over a few sessions | Creator | Week 2.5 to week 3.5 |
| Revisions | Creator | Week 3.5 to week 4 |

## For creators: pet UGC jobs

Pet brands looking for UGC creators need owners who can film their pet well: steady shots at the pet’s eye level, good light and real reactions. You don’t need a big following, and many pet UGC creators start with no brand deals at all.

- Film two or three spec videos with products you already buy: a taste test, a toy review and a day in the life.
- List your pets on your profile, and name the breed and size in your bio. Brands filter by dog and cat owners.
- Set a starting rate, and say how many reshoots it includes. Pets make reshoots likely.
- Apply to [open pet casting calls](https://ugcstars.com/opportunities?niche=pets), and [join UGCStars free](https://ugcstars.com/join/creator). Brands email you directly, and you keep everything they pay.

### Is pet UGC worth it?

It can be, if you treat it as content work rather than posting. The median starting rate for pet creators on UGCStars is $150 per video, and the work fits around your pet’s routine. It’s slower than most niches because the pet sets the pace, so price reshoots in from the start. [How to build a UGC portfolio](https://ugcstars.com/resources/how-to-build-a-ugc-portfolio) covers getting your first samples together.

## Questions about pet UGC

**What is pet UGC?**

Video or photo content a creator films with their own pet for a pet brand, in the style of a customer review. The brand gets the files and uses them on its channels or in ads.

**How much does pet UGC cost?**

On UGCStars the median starting rate for pet creators is $150 per video, and half start between $120 and $200. Ad usage, raw footage, reshoots and product shipping add to it.

**Where do pet brands find UGC creators?**

On creator databases, marketplaces and social search. On UGCStars you can filter 581 pet creators by dog or cat owner, country, age and language, and email them directly.

**Do pet UGC creators need a lot of followers?**

No. Brands pay for the video, not for reach, so a well-filmed pet matters more than a big audience.

**What can’t a pet UGC video say?**

That a product treats or prevents a disease, unless it’s an approved drug. Creators can describe what they saw with their own pet.

**How do I get pet UGC jobs?**

Make a few spec videos with your pet, list your pets and your rate on a creator profile, and apply to pet casting calls. Joining UGCStars is free.

**Can I make cat UGC if my cat won’t cooperate?**

Yes. Film over several days, catch real moments, and tell the brand up front that cat shoots need more time and more raw footage.

## Before you brief pet UGC

### For brands

- [ ] Have we cast the species, size and age our buyer has?
- [ ] Did we ship enough product for the pet to try it properly?
- [ ] Does the brief put the pet’s safety first and allow a real reaction?
- [ ] Have we agreed reshoots, usage and raw footage in writing?
- [ ] Did we check scripts for disease claims?
- [ ] Will creators who post on their own accounts disclose the ad?

### For creators

- [ ] Are my pets, their breeds and sizes on my profile?
- [ ] Do my samples show steady, eye-level shots in good light?
- [ ] Do I stop when my pet is uncomfortable?
- [ ] Have I priced in reshoots?
- [ ] Do I describe what I saw instead of promising health results?
- [ ] Do I label posts on my own account as ads?

The best pet UGC looks unplanned, because the pet decides how it goes.

## Open pet casting calls

No pet casting call is open today. Creators with a UGCStars profile can choose to get new casting calls by email. [All casting calls](https://ugcstars.com/opportunities)

## Trend reports for pet brands

- [Pet Halloween costume UGC: what brands want creators to film](https://ugcstars.com/trends/pet-halloween-costume-ugc)

## More industries

- [UGC for fitness brands](https://ugcstars.com/ugc-for-fitness-brands)
- [UGC for baby and kids brands](https://ugcstars.com/ugc-for-baby-brands)
- [UGC for apps and SaaS](https://ugcstars.com/ugc-for-apps)
- [All industries](https://ugcstars.com/industries)