The pet animals earning their owners a fortune online

Charlotte Irwin
15 February 2019
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Pets making piles of money

Instagram / @realgrumpycat
Whether it's a special skill or their cute and unusual looks, animals appear regularly on most people's social media feeds. But did you know that those adorable pictures, or that hilarious video of your favourite Instagram cat knocking things off tables, are earning their owners huge amounts of money? Read on to find out the staggering sums the world's most famous social media animals are generating.

Chris P. Bacon: Several thousand a year

YouTube / @chrispbaconpig

Chris P. Bacon was born without hind limbs. The video of Chris learning to walk with a wheelchair made of toy parts went viral in 2013 – it has over two million views – and shot Chris to animal stardom. While his owner Dr Lucero doesn't post as much as other internet star animals, Chris has made many television appearances and went viral again when a news anchor broke down laughing saying Chris' name.

Chris P. Bacon: Several thousand a year

Instagram / @chrispbaconpig
Chris has 11,300 Instagram followers and an online store where you can buy a cuddly toy of Chris, one of his three illustrated autobiographies and T-shirts. Chris has even featured in a television programme entitled My Bionic Pig. His owner has not disclosed how much money Chris P. Bacon earns but we estimate that it must be in the thousands each year.

Lil BUB: At least $30,000 (£23kac) a year

Instagram / @iamlilbub
Lil BUB was discovered in Indiana in July 2011 as the runt of a litter of feral kittens. The perma-kitten has several conditions which mean that she will never grow to full size. She has a case of extreme dwarfism, and her lower jaw is shorter than her upper jaw so that her tongue always hangs out. But Lil BUB's unique appearance is the key to what has led to her becoming one of the most successful Instagram animals.

Lil BUB: At least $30,000 (£23kac) a year

Instagram / @iamlilbub
Lil BUB earns $30,000 (£23k) a year from YouTube royalties alone, and has branched out into Instagram partnerships, merchandise and meet and greet appearances. The fact that her owner Mike Bridavsky was able to leave his job years ago suggests that things are going well, but Lil BUB's owner is also committed to raising money for animal charities, with over $300,000 (£232k) donated so far.

Hamilton The Hipster Cat: $100,000 (£77k) a year

Instagram / @hamilton_the_hipster_cat
California-based Hamilton The Hipster Cat was rescued from a shelter by his owner Jay Stowe. Known for his distinctive moustache, Hamilton has over 800,000 followers on Instagram and can demand up to $13,000 (£10k) per Instagram post. Hamilton rakes in about $100,000 (£77k) a year.

Hamilton The Hipster Cat: $100,000 (£77k) a year

Instagram / @hamilton_the_hipster_cat
However, Hamilton is one of the most charitable of our animal Insta stars. All the proceeds go back to the shelter that saved him, so that he can help other cats that need to be rescued.

Snoopybabe: $131,000 (£101k) per year

Instagram / @snoopybabe
Chinese cat Snoopybabe came into the public eye in 2012 when his owner Miss Ning started posting pictures of him on Weibo, China's version of Twitter. His unusual "pie face" and large round golden eyes have led him to gain half a million followers on Weibo and over 300,000 followers on Instagram.

Snoopybabe: $131,000 (£101k) per year

Instagram / @snoopybabe
It is estimated that Snoopybabe makes up to $131,000 (£101k) per year. But as he currently has fewer followers than many of his rivals, this could be set to grow...

Menswear Dog: $180,000 (£139k) a year

Instagram / @Mensweardog
Bodhi, aka Menswear Dog, is a model and online influencer. Bodhi was discovered in 2013 when his owners Dave Fung and Yena Kim posted a picture of him dressed in human clothes on Facebook. Yena, a fashion designer for Ralph Lauren, told The Mirror: "We were bored one Saturday so we dressed Bodhi up in serious menswear. When we put the clothes on him he just lit up – he started posing for us and everything." Now Bodhi has modelled for Coach and has appeared in GQ, Time Magazine and CNN.

Menswear Dog: $180,000 (£139k) a year

Instagram / @Mensweardog
He started to earn $15,000 (£11.6k) a month from modelling deals and partnerships, as well as from his range of merchandise including cushions with Bodhi's face, and T-shirts and jumpers. His owners have since given up work to concentrate on Bodhi full-time, and Yena is looking to create a line of clothes for dogs.

Nala: $625,000 (£483k) a year

Instagram / @nala_cat
Nala is a Siamese-Tabby mix, who was rescued from a shelter at five months old, and is based in Los Angeles. Now seven, the blue eyed-beauty has 3.9 million Instagram followers and is reported to earn as much as $625,000 (£483k) a year from appearances and brand endorsements.

Nala: $625,000 (£483k) a year

Instagram / @nala_cat
Nala is not only Instagram famous, but has her own YouTube channel and website. She also shares the limelight with her owner's other cats and Nala's adopted feline siblings such as Coffee and Luna Rose.

Choupette: $3.6 million (£2.8m) a year

Instagram / @choupettesdiary
Karl Lagerfeld, the creative director of French fashion house Chanel, received his feline pal Choupette in 2011 by accident. His friend, French model Baptiste Giabiconi, asked him to take care of her for a few weeks and on his return was told he wouldn't be getting her back. A white Birman cat, Choupette has two personal maids and when she travels with Lagerfeld she's given her own room. But Choupette pays her own way...

Choupette: $3.6 million (£2.8m) a year

Apaydin Alain/ABACA/PA Images

In an interview with The Cut in March 2015, Lagerfeld revealed that Choupette had earned $3.5 million (£2.7m) in 2014 from only two photo shoots. The creative designer and artist has since collaborated with his cat on various cat merchandise from a $200 (£155) glitter Choupette key chain to a $72 (£55) Choupette bracelet.

Jiffpom: $150,000 (£116k) per Instagram post

Instagram / @jiffpom
Here's LA's new pooch on the block, Jiffpom. The teddy bear-style dog not only has two Guinness World Records for fastest 10m run on hind legs and 5m run on front paws, but won a Kid's Choice Award for Favourite Instagram Pet of 2018. Jiffpom even has his own agent, and starred in fellow Kids' Choice Award winner Katy Perry's music video for her song Dark Horse.

Jiffpom: $150,000 (£116k) per Instagram post

Instagram / @jiffpom
Jiffpom's owner has not disclosed how much earning power he has but it's estimated that, with his fanbase of 8.7 million followers, Jiffpom could earn as much as $150,000 (£116k) per social media post.

Grumpy Cat: $11.8 million (£9.1m) a year

Instagram / @realgrumpycat
The ugly duckling of Instagram animals, Grumpy Cat first went viral when her owner posted a picture on Reddit. Her grumpy features, caused by a form of dwarfism and an underbite, led her picture to be turned into a meme and within 48 hours her owner Tabatha Bundesen had given up her job as a waitress and was working with her cat full-time.

Grumpy Cat: $11.8 million (£9.1m) a year

Instagram / @realgrumpycat

Originally called Tardar Sauce, Grumpy Cat now has an entourage of five people to prep her for her weekly appearances. Her less than impressed expression has been turned into a cartoon image that is used to decorate the many products that Grumpy Cat endorses. She even has her own film, Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever, with actress Aubrey Plaza providing her voice.

Discover 20 of the most expensive cat breeds on the planet

And one who is sadly no longer with us...

Instagram / @buddyboowaggytails
Boo was one of the first 'Insta animals', and actually found fame on Facebook in 2010. The teacup Pomeranian's owner was a Facebook employee and one day she decided to start a page for her pup. Teddy bear-like Boo soon attracted followers. When he reached five million, he was offered his own book deal. The fluffy pup made up to $1 million (£773k) a year from appearances, cuddly toys, comic books and he even had his own stickers on Facebook.

And one who is sadly no longer with us...

Instagram / @buddyboowaggytails

However Boo, pictured here with his best friend Buddy and the cuddly toys sold in their likeness, sadly died in January 2019 at the age of 12. It is thought that the "world's cutest dog" may have died from a broken heart after he developed heart problems following the death of Buddy in 2017. His owner now has two other dogs called Bluebeary Pie and Benny that she posts photos of on Boo's Instagram account.

Meet more everyday people making millions from Instagram and YouTube

15 February 2019

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