# Characterized Pet Dog owners costume their pets to attract attention for diverse campaigns. By [Riley von Niessen](https://www.trendhunter.com/rileyvonn), Managing Editor | Published Nov 11, 2016 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/playfully-presented-pet ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.9/10 - Evidence articles: 7 ## What is the Characterized Pet trend? **Characterized Pet:** Pets on social media attract large amounts of attention, and so brands and owners alike are featuring costumed pets to boost viral appeal. The use of adorned animals attracts substantially more attention and supplies a deeper sense of character to campaigns or initiatives by extending the appeal of pets beyond "cuteness," and into personification. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 7 featured examples - Articles from: May 25, 2016 to Jun 10, 2017 - Published: Nov 11, 2016 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Tribalism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/tribalism), [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience), [Many to Many](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/many-to-many) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Themes within the Characterized Pet trend ### Pet Costumes Owners and brands are featuring costumed pets to boost viral appeal, extending the appeal of pets beyond cuteness. ### Pet Social Accounts Documenting pet daily activities and giving them a unique persona appeals to a large audience of pet lovers. ### Animal-Owner Lookalike Matching pets and their owners in photoshoots during pet activities makes for a more engaging visual experience. ## What the Characterized Pet trend means for industry ### For Fashion Pet fashion is an industry that is continuing to evolve and attract trendy pet owners. ### For Photography Pet photography is an artistic industry that has created a niche in the market with creative and humorous images of pets. ### For Marketing The use of pets in marketing is a unique way to appeal to a wider audience using highly shareable images that appear less ad-focused. ## Workshop question With pet owners humanizing their pets, how will emerging trends impacting your consumers be translated to similarly adjacent categories? ## Trend signals for Characterized Pet Trend score 4.9 out of 10, from popularity 71%, activity 67%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 71% - Activity: 67% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Characterized Pet trend 7 featured examples from May 25, 2016 to Jun 10, 2017. - [Costumed Cat Photography](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cat-photographer): This Cat Photographer Captures His Pet with Humorous Edited Additions (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Exploring the potential of adding graphic edits to pet photography, creating unique and humorous images. - [Pet Samurai Armor](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/samurai-armor-for-pets): Samurai Age Has Created a Line of Armor for Dogs and Cats (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: With the growth of the pet industry, there is a rising demand for innovative, fashionable, and functional pet care products like samurai armor. - [Galactic Dog Parades](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pug-costumes): These Pug Costumes Use Star Wars As Inspiration for This Unusual Dog Event (Category: Marketing) Implication: The demand for innovative and eye-catching costumes for pugs in parades provides a disruptive innovation opportunity for costume designers to create unique outfits. - [Disabled Dog Social Accounts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mrs-flans): Mrs. Flans' Owner Prompts Those Online to Adopt Rescue Dogs in Need (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Implement virtual adoption services and online platforms for connecting potential pet owners with rescue organizations, making the adoption proc… - [Lookalike Pet Photoshoots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dogs-alike): This Photo Series Matches Dog Owners and Their Canines (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity to offer pet owners personalized and creative photoshoot experiences that highlight the bond between them and their beloved animals. - [Viral Fashion-Savvy Dogs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tinkerbelle-the-dog): Tinkerbelle the Dog is an Internet-Famous Model, Actor and Travel Blogger (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: As more and more pet owners create social media profiles for their pets, the pet industry must find ways to capitalize on the trend and offer new and innovative products and servi… - [Costumed Canine Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/all-dogs-matter): 'All Dogs Matter' Planned a Halloween Parade to Promote Its Efforts (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Non-profit organizations like All Dogs Matter can utilize creative events to raise awareness and engage with potential donors. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Multi-Benefit Protein Shakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comes-in-three-flavors) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)