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What It’s Really Like to Be a Pet Influencer in Canada (From Someone Living It)
- Carly Thomas
- Jul 14
- 9 min read
Updated: Jul 15
If you've ever scrolled past a cute dog video or a perfectly timed cat photo and thought, "I could totally do that!" - you're not alone. In fact, I used to be in that exact same spot, watching other creators and wondering how to break into the pet influencer world myself.
Fast forward a few years, and I’ve built a full-time career around my pets, sharing everything from funny videos to brand collaborations. But here’s the thing nobody tells you when you start out in Canada: it’s not the same game as it is in the U.S.
In this blog post, I’m pulling back the curtain on what it’s really like to be a pet influencer in Canada: the good, the frustrating, the reality checks, and the moments that make it all worth it. If you're a Canadian creator (or aspiring to be one), I hope this helps you feel a little less alone in the process. And if you ever want to chat one-on-one, I offer private calls to help you on your pet influencer journey!
Let’s start at the beginning...
📈 Ready to grow your page faster and with less stress?
I offer personalized coaching for Canadian pet creators just like you!
So, You Want to Be a Pet Influencer in Canada?
There’s something so fun and rewarding about sharing your pet’s personality with the world, especially when people start commenting things like, “Your dog made my day!” or “Your cat is literally me.” But before you go all-in on your pet’s modeling career, there are a few uniquely Canadian things you should know.
Why Pet Influencing Looks Different in Canada
Unlike creators in the U.S., we don’t have the same access to monetization programs, brand deals, or even audience sizes. Most Canadian creators operate in a smaller market, which means slower growth and fewer paid opportunities, at first.
Plus, brands often assume you're American unless you clearly state otherwise. That’s why I always recommend adding your province or your country to your bios and hashtags early on.
And don’t get me started on shipping restrictions and campaign limitations when a brand says, “We don't ship to Canada.” 😅 It happens a lot.
Starting Out Without a Big Following
When I first started posting content of my pets, it was more for fun than anything else. I wasn’t thinking about engagement rates, algorithm changes, or brand partnerships. And honestly? That’s a great place to begin.
Your first goal shouldn’t be to go viral; it should be to find your voice, share your pet’s personality, and connect with a community. Growth can happen from there, even in Canada. Consistency, storytelling, and clear branding can go a long way, even when you're starting with just your mom and friends watching you!
The Monetization Reality for Canadian Pet Creators
Okay, let’s talk about money because I get this question a lot: “How do you actually make money as a pet influencer in Canada?”
The short answer? It’s possible, but it’s definitely not as straightforward as you might think. The monetization options available to creators in the U.S. just aren’t the same up here, which means Canadian pet creators have to get a bit more creative.
TikTok & Instagram Creator Fund Limitations
Let’s rip the Band-Aid off: Canadian creators aren’t eligible for TikTok’s Creator Fund or Instagram’s Creator Bonuses. Yup. You read that right. Even if you’re getting millions of views, you won’t earn a cent directly from the platforms themselves.
That doesn’t mean these platforms are useless for income, though. You can still:
Use them to grow your following
Promote affiliate links
Land brand deals
Repurpose content to platforms that pay
But if you’re hoping for passive income from TikTok or Reels bonuses like our U.S. creator friends, it’s just not an option here right now. (Frustrating, I know.)
💡 Need help figuring out what platforms to focus on?
Let’s build your monetization strategy together.
Where You Can Monetize as a Canadian
Here’s the good news: there are platforms where Canadians can earn directly through views, engagement, or community growth:
Facebook Bonus Programs (if you get invited, I'm a part of the Content Monetization program. )
YouTube AdSense & Shorts Monetization
Snapchat Creator Program
These platforms can actually pay quite well if you’re consistent and learn what type of content performs. For example, I’ve had Reels on Facebook that didn’t do much on Instagram, but earned money thanks to views there. And Snapchat? I feel like there's a lot of potential there, but their recent changes to their monetization programs might make it difficult to monetize.
Working With Brands as a Canadian Pet Influencer
Brand deals are one of the biggest goals for many pet creators, but in Canada, landing them can come with a few extra hoops to jump through. Whether you’re pitching local businesses or hoping to catch the eye of major pet brands, there’s one truth I’ve learned:
Being Canadian changes the game, and not in a good way.
The Catch-22: Canadian vs. American Brand Deals
Here’s the frustrating part. When you’re trying to work with Canadian brands, they often want to know, “But how much of your audience is Canadian?”
Meanwhile, American brands might love your content, your engagement, and your aesthetic, only to say, “We’re only working with U.S. creators right now.”
It can feel like you’re stuck in a weird in-between zone:➡️ Too Canadian for the U.S. brands➡️ Not Canadian enough for the Canadian brands.
This is something not enough people talk about. It’s not impossible to work with brands (I absolutely do), but it can take longer to find the right ones that align with your audience and location.
Building a Canadian Audience That Brands Want
If you want to increase your chances of landing paid collaborations with Canadian companies, focus on building a strong local following. Here are a few things that helped me:
Add location-based hashtags like #dogsofcanada, #canadianinfluencer, or #torontopets
Tag your province or city when relevant
Create content around Canadian stores (like “Shopping trip to Ren's Pets” or “Our favourite treats from Rollover!”)
Celebrate Canadian holidays or pet awareness days
The more local your content feels, the more Canadian your audience will naturally become, and that’s a huge plus when brands are reviewing your insights.
What Brands Are Really Looking For
At the end of the day, brands want content that feels authentic, engaging, and on-brand with their product. Yes, audience location matters...but it’s not everything.
What’s helped me land brand partnerships (even with U.S. companies) is:
Having a polished portfolio (I link mine in pitches!)
Being able to show past brand work and strong engagement
Offering professional photography or UGC as part of the package
Making it easy to say yes, such as outlining the deliverables and what they’ll get in return
Sometimes your content speaks louder than your location, so don’t be discouraged if you’re still growing. Just keep creating!
If you're not sure how to position yourself or what brands actually care about when reviewing your page, I wrote a full breakdown based on both research and experience:
My Honest Experience as a Full-Time Canadian Pet Influencer
When I tell people that I create pet content full-time, the reactions range from “That’s amazing!” to “Wait, is that actually a job?” And honestly, I get it. It’s certainly a unique career path, especially in Canada, where the influencer space isn’t as saturated or well-supported as in the U.S.
So I want to keep it real with you about what this journey has actually looked like for me.
What Surprised Me the Most
What surprised me the most wasn’t the filming, editing, or even negotiating with brands; it was how much behind-the-scenes work goes into everything.
Creating content is just one part of it. I also spend hours each week:
Sending emails and pitching to brands
Writing scripts and editing videos
Tracking income, expenses, and contracts
Strategizing for platform growth
Managing comments, DMs, and community engagement
It’s not all cute dog pics and treat hauls, but it’s work I genuinely love. And I’ve learned that being organized and treating this like a real business is key to making it sustainable.
Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting
Here are a few things I wish someone had told me when I first started as a Canadian pet influencer:
You won’t get paid just for having a following. It takes pitching, creating, and showing up consistently.
Not every brand will be a fit. And that’s okay, you’re allowed to say no.
Burnout is real. Especially when you’re doing everything yourself, give yourself permission to rest.
Your worth isn’t tied to your views. Seriously. The algorithm might fluctuate, but your value as a creator doesn’t.
👉 If you’re wondering whether the creator lifestyle is really worth it, check out my honest take here: Is Being a Content Creator Worth It in 2025? The Pros and Cons You Should Know
The Best (and Hardest) Parts of the Job
💛 The best part? Hearing that my content made someone laugh, cry happy tears, or feel less alone in their pet parent journey. Connecting with people through my pets is something I’ll never take for granted.
😅 The hardest part? Navigating the limitations of being Canadian, from platform monetization blocks to brand restrictions. Sometimes it feels like we’re running the same race with fewer tools.
But if you’re passionate, creative, and committed to learning, it is possible to build something incredible right here in Canada. I’m living proof.
Advice for Aspiring Canadian Pet Influencers
If you're just getting started or you've been posting for a while and feel stuck, let me say this first: you're not behind. You're not late. You're doing better than you think.
That said, being a pet influencer in Canada means playing the game a bit differently. Here’s what I wish every new Canadian pet creator knew:
Tips for Growing With Canadian-Specific Limitations
1. Repurpose everything.
If you're not monetizing on TikTok or Instagram, make that content work harder for you. Post it to Facebook Reels, Snapchat Spotlight, and YouTube Shorts, all of which offer monetization for Canadians.
2. Don’t wait to pitch.
You don’t need 50K followers to land brand deals. You need a clear value proposition. Start small, build relationships, and show what kind of content you can create.
3. Talk about Canadian things.
Even if your audience is mixed, highlighting Canadian stores, products, and holidays can help you attract local followers and brands who are targeting your audience.
4. Use insights to your advantage.
Screenshot your audience demographics and engagement, especially if your Canadian following is strong. Brands love it when you make their job easier.
5. Be patient, but persistent.
You might have to pitch more often, follow up more than once, or wait a little longer to land a campaign, but that’s normal. Keep showing up.
Tools, Apps, and Resources I Use
I always get asked what tools I use to stay on top of content creation, so here’s a quick list of my real go-tos as a Canadian pet influencer:
CapCut Pro – My favorite video editing app for short-form content. Easy, fast, and perfect for Reels, TikToks, and Shorts.
Canva – I use it almost daily for pitch decks, social graphics, and stories.
Repurpose.io – This tool is a lifesaver for cross-posting my TikToks and Reels to other platforms like Facebook and Snapchat. I even wrote a full blog post about it here. If you want to try it out, here's my affiliate link for a 14 day free trial.
Lightroom & Photoshop – I’m a photographer too, so these are a must for editing high-quality pet photos.
Wix – I built this blog (and my full portfolio site) using Wix, and I love how simple it is to update.
ChatGPT – I use it to brainstorm content, write outlines, and help me stay organized.
Google Workspace – For my professional domain name and email address, as well as Google Drive storage for organizing all my photos, content, brand deals, sheets, documents....everything. 😂
These tools don’t just help me stay creative, they keep me consistent, organized, and ready to scale as I grow.
Final Thoughts
Being a pet influencer in Canada comes with its own set of challenges, from limited monetization tools to the brand deal catch-22. But it also comes with incredible opportunities to share your story, connect with an amazing community, and build something meaningful around the pets you love.
It’s not always easy, but if you’re passionate, creative, and willing to adapt, you can absolutely make it work and thrive while doing it.
Whether you're just starting out or you've been at it for a while and want help moving forward, I hope this post gave you a little clarity (and a lot of encouragement).
And if you ever want to chat more about your own path, I’d love to connect! I offer 1-on-1 calls to answer your questions, help you pitch brands, plan your content, or just talk it all through.
🐾 Let’s chat about your goals and make a game plan that works for you.
Whether you're brand new or trying to take things full-time, I’ve got you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can you make money as a pet influencer in Canada?
Yes, but the platforms you monetize on will be different than in the U.S. Canadians don’t currently have access to TikTok Creator Fund or Instagram Bonuses, but Facebook, YouTube, and Snapchat do offer monetization opportunities.
2. Do brands work with Canadian pet influencers?
Absolutely! But it can take time to find the right fit. Some U.S. brands don’t ship to Canada, and Canadian brands often want a mostly Canadian audience, which can be tough at first.
3. What’s the best way to grow as a Canadian pet creator?
Focus on consistent posting, niche storytelling, and repurposing your content across platforms (especially ones that offer monetization). Engage with other Canadian creators and don’t be afraid to pitch yourself early.
4. Is UGC a good income stream in Canada?
Yes! UGC (User-Generated Content) is a great way to get paid to create content without needing to post it to your own feed. Many brands are open to hiring Canadian creators to produce video or photo content they can use in ads.
5. What tools should I use to grow as a pet influencer?
CapCut Pro, Canva, Repurpose.io, Lightroom, Photoshop, Wix, and ChatGPT are some of the tools I use every week. Repurpose.io, in particular, helps me cross-post videos and reach more platforms with less effort.