Overview

• A study published on April 8, 2025, in The Journal of Advertising Research finds petfluencers to be more persuasive and trusted than human influencers.
• Controlled experiments using fictional ads for products like wine and peanut butter showed petfluencers generated stronger consumer responses.
• The rise of 'influencer fatigue' has diminished the perceived sincerity of human influencers, making pets a more appealing alternative for brands.
• High-profile petfluencers like Nala the Cat, with millions of followers and lucrative brand deals, exemplify the economic potential of this trend.
• The research, conducted by teams from the University of Strathclyde, University of Louisville, and University of Edinburgh, reflects growing academic interest in pet-driven marketing strategies.