PostEaseThe short answer
Pet businesses have the easiest content on social media: the animals. Post the pets you care for, with their owners’ permission, the people who look after them, useful care tips, and what a visit or a walk is like. Most of all, show that animals are safe and happy with you, because that is what a new client is deciding.
Trust decides it. In Signs.com’s survey of 1,000 US consumers, reported by Net Influencer in December 2025, customer testimonials and reviews were the content most likely to influence a purchase (52%), and 61% had found a small business on Facebook in the past six months. A happy owner’s review and a photo of their dog after a groom do more than any advert.
What to post, by business
Every kind of pet business has its own best first post:
| Business | Post first | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary practice | A care tip in plain words, and the team who will see the pet | Calms owners before a first visit |
| Groomer | Before and after of a groom | The transformation is the service |
| Pet shop | A product being used by a real pet | Shows it fits and is loved |
| Pet sitter | Updates from a visit, with the owner’s permission | Shows the care owners pay for |
| Dog walker | The pack on today’s walk, and where you go | Happy dogs are the proof |
Ask the owner first
Pets have owners, and owners have privacy. Ask before posting any pet, and agree whether you may use its name and the owner’s handle. Never show a client’s home, address or anything that reveals when a house is empty, which matters for sitters and walkers in particular. For a vet, never post a pet’s medical details without the owner’s written consent.
Why pet posts travel
Animals are among the things people most like to send to each other. Instagram has said its most important Reels predictions include whether a viewer will reshare a reel and watch it to the end, which favours a short, happy clip with a payoff: a dog’s face after a groom, a cat discovering a new toy, a puppy’s first walk. Keep clips short, and put the best moment early.
Where to post
Instagram for photos and short videos of the pets, Facebook for local reach, reviews and community groups where owners ask for recommendations, and TikTok for short clips that can reach owners beyond your area. In Buffer’s 2026 engagement report, carousels earned the most on Instagram and images on Facebook, so a set of photos from the week works on both.
Reviews and regulars
Owners trust other owners. Ask happy clients for a review after a visit, share the best ones with permission, and reply to every review in public. Feature regulars whose owners are happy to be featured: a dog who has been groomed every month for years, or a cat’s birthday at the clinic. A familiar pet in the feed tells new clients that others keep coming back.
Seasons and reminders
Pet care has its own calendar: vaccinations and check-ups, flea and tick season, summer heat, fireworks nights, the holiday rush for sitters and kennels. Post reminders a few weeks before each, and booking reminders for busy periods, so owners plan with you rather than call at the last minute.
Care tips that build trust
Useful advice shows expertise: seasonal reminders (heat, fireworks, ticks), grooming tips between visits, what to bring to a first appointment, how a dog walk is run. Keep vet advice general, and point owners to an appointment for anything specific to their pet.
A weekly routine
About an hour a week, with photos taken during the work:
- During the week: photograph happy pets, with owners’ permission.
- Monday: post a carousel of the week’s best photos.
- Wednesday: post one care tip.
- Friday: post a short clip, a review, or a team member.
- Every day: answer messages and booking requests, and reply to comments.
Questions
What should a pet business post on social media?
The pets you care for, with owners’ permission, before and afters, care tips, the team, and reviews. Show that animals are safe and happy with you.
Do I need permission to post a client’s pet?
Yes. Ask the owner, agree on names and tags, and never show their home or anything that reveals when it is empty.
Which platform is best for a dog walker or pet sitter?
Facebook for local recommendations and reviews, and Instagram for photos and clips of the pets.
Should a vet clinic share sad news on social media?
Rarely, and only with the owner’s explicit wish. Most clinics keep losses private and focus their feed on care, recoveries and the team.
How often should a pet business post?
Three times a week is enough for most, with photos taken during the work so posts are always ready.
Sources
- Net Influencer, UGC tops trust rankings as AI posts face consumer skepticism, survey shows, December 2025.
- Buffer, The state of social media engagement in 2026, March 2026.
- Instagram, Instagram ranking explained, May 2023.