How to Get Pet Brand Deals in 2026

By Iana, co-founder of Nicole & Nora

You don't need 100,000 followers to get paid brand deals as a pet creator. You need the right brands, a simple media kit, and the confidence to pitch first — most creators never do.

Brand deals are usually the first real money a pet account makes, and in 2026 they're more accessible than ever because brands have learned that small, engaged pet accounts convert. Below is exactly how to land your first one: how to find the right brands, build a media kit that makes you look pro, pitch them (with a copy-paste email), and negotiate a rate that's actually worth your time.

Can small accounts really get brand deals?

Yes — and it's one of the best-kept secrets in the niche. Pet accounts tend to earn 2–3× the engagement of human lifestyle creators at the same size, and brands pay for engagement, not just follower counts. Nano creators (1,000–10,000 followers) regularly land gifted products and paid UGC work, and many creators sign their first paid deal well under 5,000 followers. What holds most people back isn't their size — it's that they wait to be discovered instead of pitching.

Step 1: Find the right brands

Don't chase the biggest names first. Start with brands that are a natural fit and are already active with creators:

• Products you genuinely use — your enthusiasm is obvious and your audience already associates you with them.
• Small and mid-size pet brands — they have creator budgets, move faster, and are far more likely to say yes than a giant corporation.
• Brands already working with creators — check who other pet accounts are tagging; if they gift or sponsor, they have a program.
• Adjacent niches — home, lifestyle, travel, and family brands increasingly want pet content too.

Keep a simple list of 20–30 target brands with a contact email or the right person to reach. That list is your pipeline.

Step 2: Build a simple media kit

New to this? Follow our step-by-step guide on how to create a pet media kit (with a free template).

A media kit is a one-page PDF that makes you look professional and answers a brand's questions before they ask. It doesn't need to be fancy — it needs to be clear. Include:

• Who you are — your pet, your niche, and a line of personality.
• The numbers that matter — follower count, average views, and especially engagement rate (your strongest card).
• Your audience — top locations, age range, and the split of dog vs. cat vs. general pet parents.
• Past work or sample content — even unpaid examples of you featuring a product well.
• Your services and rates — what you offer (Reels, TikToks, UGC, bundles) and starting prices.

Step 3: Pitch them (steal this template)

For the full pitching playbook — finding contacts, subject lines, and follow-ups — see how to pitch brands as a pet influencer.

The pitch is where deals are won or lost. Keep it short, specific, and about what they get. Lead with a concrete content idea, not a request. Here's a template you can adapt:

Send it to a real person where you can, follow up once after 5–7 days, and track who you've contacted. Volume plus a genuine fit is what fills your calendar.

Step 4: Know your rate & negotiate

For the full pricing breakdown, see our guide on pet influencer rates, or plug in your follower count and engagement to get a personalized number from our free pet influencer rate calculator.

Don't guess — and don't undersell. In 2026, pet accounts command roughly these ranges per piece of content:

• Nano (1K–10K): $20–$150 per Instagram post, $30–$250 per TikTok video — plus gifting.
• Micro (10K–100K): $100–$1,000 per post, $150–$1,500 per video.
• Mid and up: several thousand and beyond, with Reels and video paying 2–3× a static post.

Set a floor and factor in usage rights (are they running it as an ad?) and exclusivity (can't work with competitors?) — both should raise your price. If a brand only offers product, it's fine to accept gifting early on to build a portfolio, then convert them to paid once you have results to show. The fastest way to line up that gifting is to join a few pet brand ambassador programs. For the full picture, see our breakdown of how much pet influencers make.

Step 5: Deliver well and turn one deal into many

The easiest brand deal to get is your second one with a brand that already loves working with you. So over-deliver on the first: hit the brief, post on time, disclose the partnership clearly, share the results, and send a short recap afterward. Ask if they'd like to do it again, and request a testimonial for your media kit. One happy brand becomes a repeat client and a reference that helps you land the next.

Frequently asked questions

How many followers do I need to get brand deals?

Fewer than you think. Nano accounts (1K–10K) land gifted and paid work regularly because pet engagement is high. Focus on engagement and a professional pitch over follower count.

Should I reach out to brands or wait for them?

Reach out. The vast majority of small-creator deals come from pitching, not from being discovered. Proactive, specific pitches win.

What should I charge for my first brand deal?

Use the nano ranges above as a floor ($20–$150 per post, more for video), and raise your price for usage rights or exclusivity. Accepting gifting first to build a portfolio is a valid strategy.

Do I need a media kit?

It's highly recommended. A simple one-page media kit makes you look professional and answers a brand's questions up front — most small creators don't have one, so it sets you apart.