Look, we’ve all been there. Scrolling through our feeds at 2am, watching cats knock things off tables and dogs doing… well, whatever dogs do that makes us hit share. But here’s what nobody talks about – behind every viral pet video is an owner who probably needs a break.
I was chatting with the team at Lonely Pets Club Melbourne last week, and they told me something interesting. The busiest times for pet sitters? Right after major holidays when everyone’s been posting their “perfect family moments” online. Turns out, keeping up appearances is exhausting. Even for our pets.
Think about it. We share the 30-second clip of our dog doing a backflip. We dont share the 3 hours we spent trying to get them to sit still. Or the fact that we havent taken a proper vacation in years because “who’s gonna watch Fluffy?”
The viral pet economy is weird. We’ve turned our animals into content machines. And yeah, some pets love the attention. But most? They just want their routine, their favorite spot on the couch, and someone who actually shows up when its dinner time.
Here’s what gets me. We obsess over engagement metrics for pet content, but we’re missing the actual engagement our pets need. Daily walks. Consistent feeding times. Someone who notices when they’re acting off. You know, the boring stuff that doesn’t trend.
I’ve noticed something else too. The most viral pet content often comes from stressed owners. They’re filming because they need the dopamine hit of likes and shares. Meanwhile their dog just needs a walk. Its backwards.
The real influencers in the pet world aren’t the ones with millions of followers. They’re the ones who show up every day. The neighbor who feeds your cat when you’re away. The dog walker who knows your pup prefers the left side of the street. The pet sitter who sends you updates not for the gram, but because they know you’re worried.
We’ve created this whole culture around performing pet ownership online. Perfect grooming. Designer accessories. Choreographed videos. But ask any vet what makes a good pet owner and they’ll tell you its the basics. Regular checkups. Proper nutrition. Exercise. Time.
You want to know what would really go viral? Honest pet ownership content. The 4am wake ups. The destroyed furniture. The cancelled plans. The genuine moments of connection that happen when nobody’s filming.
But that’s not sexy. That doesn’t get shares. So we keep pretending that pet ownership is all funny videos and cute outfits. And then we wonder why so many pets end up in shelters when reality doesn’t match the highlight reel.
Here’s my take. Stop trying to make your pet famous. Start trying to make them happy. The internet will still be there tomorrow. Your pet might not be. And trust me, they don’t care about your follower count. They care that you show up.
Maybe that’s the real trend we need to start.
