If you’re exploring the idea of becoming a pet influencer, there is probably one question somewhere in the back of your mind: How much money am I actually going to have to spend to do this?
Maybe you have been watching pet creators with beautiful cameras, expensive microphones, perfect lighting, fancy editing software, and what looks like an entire production studio behind their videos. And you’re thinking, “Ummm…do I need all of THAT?”
Hi! I’m Ashley, a pet content creator coach who has also been creating pet content myself for almost eight years. I still actively run pet influencer channels while coaching other creators who want to grow their pets’ social media accounts and eventually make money from them. So, I have been on both sides of this. I remember starting from scratch. I also know what expenses eventually start popping up once your pet influencer account grows into an actual business.
And I have some very good news for you: It can cost essentially $0 to start becoming a pet influencer.
Seriously. You do not need a professional camera. You do not need a $250 microphone. You do not need expensive desktop editing software. You do not need a gimbal. You definitely do not need an entire home studio. If you already have a good quality smartphone, you can start creating content TODAY.
There are, however, some expenses that I think are worth considering as you grow. Some might cost $7. Some might cost $30. Others, like storage, a PO box, insurance, or other business expenses, may become relevant later. So let’s go through what you actually need as a brand new pet influencer, what I recommend buying early, and which expenses can wait until your pet influencer business starts making money.
Can You Become a Pet Influencer for Free?
Yes! You absolutely can start a pet influencer account without spending money on creator equipment. If you already have a relatively newer smartphone with a good camera, you have the most important piece of equipment you need. Your phone can film your videos. Your phone can take your photos. Your phone can edit your content. Your phone can upload your content. Your phone can manage your social media platforms.
Years ago, becoming a serious content creator required much more equipment. When I started creating content around 2018, filming and editing looked completely different. We were much more dependent on actual cameras and computer-based editing programs. Editing one video could easily take me two to two and a half hours.
Now? I can film something on my phone and potentially edit it in less than 20 minutes. That is an enormous difference. Modern phones and mobile editing apps have made content creation significantly more accessible for beginners. So please do not let the idea that you need thousands of dollars in equipment stop you from starting. You don’t.
The First Thing You Need Is a Good Smartphone
If there is one piece of “equipment” I care about for new pet influencers, it is the phone you’re filming with. You do not necessarily need the newest phone released this year, but video quality matters. When content is blurry, grainy, poorly exposed, or obviously filmed on much older technology, viewers can notice. And remember, your content is competing against an enormous amount of other content every time someone opens Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or YouTube.
You want your videos to look clean and easy to watch. If you already have a good phone, fantastic. You do NOT need to immediately go buy a separate camera. In fact, for most new pet creators, I would much rather see you learn how to create excellent content on your phone before investing in expensive camera equipment.
Your storytelling matters. Your hook matters. Your pet’s personality matters. Your branding matters. Your consistency matters. A $3,000 camera will not fix boring content.
The Hidden Expense Nobody Thinks About: Storage
This is probably one of the first actual expenses you may encounter. Pet content eats storage space FAST. You start filming one cute thing your cat does. Then another. Then another. Then you film multiple takes of a voiceover video. Then you have raw clips, edited versions, exports, brand content, photos, screenshots, drafts, and everything else sitting on your phone. Before you know it, your storage is screaming at you.
Some of my individual videos can be more than one gigabyte. Now imagine creating one to three videos per day. It adds up incredibly quickly. This is why cloud storage can become one of the first recurring expenses of becoming a pet influencer. Personally, I use Apple’s cloud storage because I have multiple devices and like being able to access my content across them.
Depending on your phone and workflow, you may choose a cloud storage plan or simply purchase a phone with substantial internal storage when it is eventually time to upgrade. Either way, have a storage plan. Nothing kills your motivation faster than your cat finally doing the hilarious thing you have been waiting three days to film and your phone popping up with: Storage Full. NOOOO.
Do Pet Influencers Need a Microphone?
If you’re planning to create voiceovers, I recommend eventually buying an inexpensive microphone. You do not need anything fancy. There are professional microphones that cost hundreds of dollars. I own more expensive microphones myself. But a beginner does not need that. A simple $30 plug-and-play microphone can be enough to noticeably improve your audio quality.
Audio is one of those things people underestimate. You can have gorgeous footage, but if your voiceover sounds muffled, echoey, distant, or difficult to understand, the entire video feels lower quality. People might not consciously think, “The audio quality of this Reel is suboptimal.” They’re just going to swipe. That is why I would prioritize a simple microphone before a lot of the fancy creator gadgets you’ll see recommended online. You don’t need a studio. You need clear audio.
Don’t Forget the Microphone Adapter
Here is the tiny expense nobody tells you about until your microphone arrives and you realize… It doesn’t plug into your phone. LOL.
Many inexpensive plug-and-play microphones use USB connections, which means you may need an adapter depending on your phone. Thankfully, this is usually a very small expense. You might spend around $7 or so on the appropriate adapter. Just check the microphone connection and your phone before ordering so you don’t end up sitting there with a brand new microphone you cannot actually use.
Do You Need a PO Box as a Pet Influencer?
Not when you’re starting. This is an expense that usually becomes relevant after your account begins growing. Once brands start sending gifted products, PR packages, sponsored products, and other items, you need somewhere for those packages to go. And I personally do not want brands and random business contacts receiving my home address. That is where a PO box becomes useful.
Unfortunately, PO boxes have become much more expensive over the years. When I first got mine, sometime around my first or second year as a creator, I remember paying somewhere around $60 per year. Now, where I live, it can be closer to roughly $140 per year, and I have heard from creators in other areas paying significantly more. Pricing depends heavily on location.
Thankfully, you generally do not need a huge PO box. Start with the smallest practical option. Larger packages can often be handled according to the pickup process available at your location, so you do not necessarily need to pay for a giant box just because brands might send you larger products. This is absolutely an expense I would wait on until you actually need it.
Do You Need to Pay for Video Editing Software?
Not as a beginner. Please do not convince yourself that you need to learn complicated professional desktop editing software before you can start creating videos. You don’t! For most pet influencers, I recommend keeping editing simple. Mobile apps such as Edits, CapCut, or InShot can handle a huge amount of what you need for short-form social media content. And mobile editing has become SO much faster.
Years ago, I could spend two or more hours editing one video on my computer. Now, mobile editing apps can help cut pauses, remove unnecessary sections, generate captions, clean up footage, and speed up parts of the editing process dramatically. Some apps offer paid subscriptions with additional features. That’s fine. But when you’re brand new? Use the free version first.
Do not create unnecessary monthly business expenses before you have even created enough content to know what you actually need. Use the free tools. Learn to create. Then upgrade when a paid feature will genuinely save you time or improve your business.
One Piece of Equipment I DO Recommend: A Tripod
If you want to spend a little money early, a tripod is one of my favorite practical purchases. And you do not need an expensive one. I have accumulated several tripods over the years because different filming situations call for different setups. I have smaller tripods that work well on desks. I have larger ones. I have more adjustable tripods. I’ve gradually upgraded as my needs have changed. But you can start simple.
The reason I love tripods is that shaky footage instantly changes the viewing experience. Holding your phone by hand can create constant tiny movements. Sometimes that works for a casual style. Other times it makes the video unnecessarily distracting. A tripod allows you to create a stable shot while interacting with your pet, filming yourself, recording product demonstrations, or capturing content without needing another person to hold the camera. For pet creators especially, being able to set your phone down and film hands-free can be incredibly useful. Because your pet is already unpredictable enough. You don’t need the camera moving too!
Do You Need a Gimbal?
Probably not. This is one of those creator gadgets that sounds incredible when you see it demonstrated. A gimbal stabilizes your phone while you move, which theoretically gives you beautiful, smooth footage. And yes, there are situations where a gimbal can be fantastic. If your content involves walking with your dog, hiking, traveling, or filming a lot of moving footage, you may love having one. But I own gimbals. And I barely use them.
They can require charging. Some work through their own apps. They can malfunction. They add another piece of technology you have to manage. And many quality options can cost more than $100. For the average new pet influencer? I would skip the gimbal.
If you’re filming your cat sitting on the couch screaming for dinner, you do not need cinematic stabilization technology. A tripod is probably going to give you far more value. You can always add a gimbal later if your content style actually requires it.
The Difference Between a Want and a Need
This is where I want newer creators to be careful. The creator industry LOVES selling creators things. Lights. Microphones. Cameras. Lenses. Tripods. Gimbals. Backgrounds. Editing subscriptions. Analytics programs. Courses. Apps. Storage. Accessories.
You can very quickly convince yourself that you need $2,000 worth of equipment before posting your first video. You don’t.
Ask yourself one simple question: “Does this purchase solve a problem I currently have?”
If your footage is shaky, buy a tripod. If your voiceovers sound terrible, buy an inexpensive microphone. If you’re constantly running out of storage, buy more storage. If your free editing software is preventing you from doing something necessary, consider upgrading. But if you’re buying something because another creator has it sitting beautifully on their desk? Wait. Your business should create the need before you create the expense.
Pet Influencer Costs That Come Later
This is where becoming a pet influencer starts shifting from hobby into business. Once you begin earning money, working with brands, and taking content creation seriously, there may be additional expenses to consider.
These could include things like:
- Cloud storage
- A PO box
- Business insurance
- Business banking
- Editing subscriptions
- Upgraded equipment
- Website expenses
- Business software
- Accounting or bookkeeping
- Education and training
You do NOT need all of these things on day one. That is incredibly important. The creator with 47 followers who has posted six videos does not need the same business infrastructure as the creator earning $50,000 per year from brand partnerships. Let your expenses grow with your business. That is one of the easiest ways to keep pet influencing profitable.
What I Would Buy First as a New Pet Influencer
If I were starting from absolute zero today and already owned a good smartphone, I would keep my setup incredibly simple. I would start creating content using the phone I already own. Then, if I wanted to create voiceovers, I would spend around $30 on a simple microphone and whatever inexpensive adapter my phone required. Next, I would get an affordable tripod. Then I would use a free mobile editing app. That’s it.
I would NOT immediately buy a camera. I would NOT buy a $250 microphone. I would NOT buy expensive desktop editing software. I would NOT buy a gimbal unless my content actually needed one. I would NOT rent a studio. And I would not spend hundreds of dollars trying to make myself look like a professional creator before I had learned how to create good content. Skill comes before equipment. Every single time.
Your Biggest Investment Is Actually Time
There is another “cost” of becoming a pet influencer that is much bigger than your microphone or tripod. Your time. Learning how to make content takes time. Filming takes time. Editing takes time. Responding to comments takes time. Learning platforms takes time. Studying your analytics takes time. Pitching brands takes time. Improving your storytelling takes time. Building a recognizable brand takes time.
That is why I do not want new creators obsessing over equipment. Your $30 microphone is not what will determine whether you succeed. Your willingness to consistently learn and improve matters far more. You can have the most beautiful filming setup imaginable and still create content nobody cares about. Meanwhile, someone else can film their hilarious cat on a phone, tell an incredible story, connect emotionally with their audience, and reach millions of people. Never confuse production value with content value. They are not the same thing.
Is Becoming a Pet Influencer an Expensive Side Hustle?
Compared with many businesses? No! That is actually one of the reasons I think pet influencing can be such an accessible side hustle. Think about what it costs to open a traditional business. Inventory, rent, equipment, licensing, staff, utilities, insurance, advertising. A physical location can require thousands or tens of thousands of dollars before the business makes its first sale. A pet influencer business can begin with something you probably already own: Your phone. You can create an account for free. You can post for free. You can edit with free apps. You can learn from free resources. Then, as you grow, you can gradually reinvest some of the money you make back into the business. That is a VERY low barrier to entry.
Don’t Wait Until You Have the Perfect Setup
This is probably the most important thing I can tell someone who is exploring pet influencing. Do not wait. Do not tell yourself:
“I’ll start after I buy a better microphone.”
“I’ll start after I upgrade my phone.”
“I’ll start when I have a perfect filming area.”
“I’ll start after I learn professional editing.”
You are going to learn more from making your first 50 videos than you will from spending three months researching equipment. Your first videos probably will not be perfect. Good! They aren’t supposed to be. The goal is to start. Then improve. Then improve again. Your equipment can grow with you.
Need More Help? We’re Here to Help!
If you’re reading this because you’re seriously considering becoming a pet influencer but have no idea what to do after creating the account, Petfluencer Foundations is where I recommend starting. Petfluencer Foundations is my one stop resource for learning how to actually become a pet content creator. We cover branding, content pillars, storytelling, hooks, audience growth, monetization, platform strategy, and the foundational skills you need to build an account with intention instead of posting randomly and hoping your pet becomes famous.
If you’ve already started growing and you’re thinking, “Okay, but how do people actually turn this into REAL money?” 6-Figure Pet Influencer goes much deeper into monetization. We cover brand partnerships, pitching, pricing, negotiation, business strategy, and how creators can build multiple income streams around their audience.
And if YouTube is part of your plan, YouTube Strategy can help you understand titles, thumbnails, storytelling, retention, long form content, and monetization so you can start building another potential income stream for your creator business.
You do not need to spend thousands of dollars to start. You need a pet, a phone, a willingness to learn, and the courage to actually post the first video!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to become a pet influencer?
If you already own a good smartphone, you can start for essentially $0. Optional early expenses might include an inexpensive microphone, phone adapter, tripod, or additional cloud storage.
Do I need a professional camera to become a pet influencer?
No. A good quality smartphone is enough for most new pet content creators. I recommend learning how to create strong content with your phone before investing in expensive camera equipment.
What equipment does a beginner pet influencer need?
At the beginning, your smartphone may be all you need. As you create more content, an inexpensive microphone, tripod, and additional storage can be useful upgrades.
Do I need a microphone for pet influencer videos?
Not necessarily. If you’re creating voiceovers regularly, however, I recommend considering an inexpensive plug and play microphone because clear audio can improve the overall quality of your videos.
Do pet influencers need a PO box?
Not immediately. A PO box becomes more useful when brands begin sending gifted products, PR packages, or sponsored products and you do not want to provide your home address.
Do I need to pay for CapCut, InShot, or another editing app?
Not when you’re starting. Free mobile editing tools can handle much of what a beginner creator needs. Consider paying for additional features only when they solve a real problem in your workflow.
Should I buy a gimbal for pet content?
Probably not at first. A gimbal can be useful if you film a lot of moving footage, such as walking or hiking with a dog, but many pet creators can create excellent content with a basic tripod.
How much storage does a content creator need?
It depends on how frequently you film and the quality of your video files. Video can consume storage extremely quickly, so frequent creators may eventually need substantial phone storage or a cloud storage plan.
What hidden costs come with being a pet influencer?
As your business grows, expenses can include cloud storage, a PO box, business insurance, banking, software subscriptions, upgraded equipment, websites, bookkeeping, and other business tools.
Is pet influencing a good low cost side hustle?
It can have a very low financial barrier to entry compared with many traditional businesses because you can begin with equipment you already own. The larger investment is often the time required to consistently create, learn, and improve.
Final Thoughts
So, how much money does it actually cost to become a pet influencer? Potentially nothing. If you already have a good smartphone, start there. You do not need the expensive camera. You do not need the fancy microphone. You do not need a $100 gimbal. You do not need paid editing software. You do not need to build an entire business infrastructure before you’ve posted your first video. Start with what you have.
When you begin creating voiceovers, maybe add a $30 microphone. When your footage needs more stability, add a tripod. When your phone starts screaming about storage every five minutes, upgrade your storage. When brands start mailing you products, get the PO box. When you’re making money, start thinking about the larger business expenses. Let the business earn the upgrades. Because the thing that turns your pet into a successful creator brand is not the amount of equipment sitting in your office. It’s learning how to create something people actually want to watch. And thankfully, you can start learning that for free.
