All Stories
The science, the emotion, and the magical spark behind your most successful content.
I recently adopted a dog-a 4-year-old Cockapoo who retired after 4 rounds of puppies. Her owner wanted to get rid of her, which I found appalling and then realized that is often how things go when you are making money on puppies. Her name is Lilly-Billy, and she has brought so much joy into my world. She lived in a barn for four years and hasn’t adapted well to the new world around her. It felt like when I had a kid all things change, and you see everything from a different perspective when you have a new member of the family. All of a sudden I am shopping for dog things like the perfect bed, bowls, groomer, etc. All kinds of ways to spend my money. I am now seeking out hotels that allow dogs and restaurants and shopping centers who allow her to join in all the festivities. At work I was always telling the team if we post dogs and kids, we will increase social media engagement. I have seen firsthand how kids and dogs in social media marketing consistently outperform almost every other type of content.
If you’ve ever wondered why a simple photo of a child giggling or a dog tilting its head can outperform even your best-designed marketing campaign, you’re not imagining it. Kids and dogs are social media gold and for good reason. They tap into something universal, emotional, and deeply human. In the cluttered world of online advertising, where attention spans are measured in seconds, kids and pets break through the noise. They stop the scroll, spark joy, and create connection faster than any text heavy post ever could.
Here’s why children and dogs are essential ingredients in engagement driven marketing and how smart brands use them to build loyalty, trust, and irresistible social content.
1. Kids and Dogs Create Instant Emotional Connection
I haven’t had a dog in over 20 years and I forgot how much joy I received from snuggling her and seeing her wag her tail. Humans are wired for emotion. When we see a child laugh or a dog wag its tail, our brains release oxytocin the “bonding hormone”.
Research consistently shows:
- Content featuring children increases emotional recall
- Dog related posts significantly boost serotonin levels
- Emotional content increases action-taking (likes, shares, comments, purchases)
That means audiences don’t just remember what they saw they remember how it made them feel.
And in marketing, feeling = engagement.
2. They Stop the Scroll Like Nothing Else
Social media users scroll an average of 300 feet of content per day. Kids and dogs in social media marketing stop the scroll like nothing else.
Why?
Because their expressions are authentic.
Their reactions are unpredictable.
They radiate joy, wonder, and curiosity.
Algorithms take note. Posts featuring children or pets receive:
- Higher average view time
- More comments
- More shares
- Better reach to accounts that don’t follow you yet
Simply put kids and dogs break patterns, and the brain can’t resist them.
3. They Humanize Your Brand Instantly
People don’t connect with logos and colors they connect with life and real-time posts.
Kids and pets add warmth and humanity to your content, especially when your brand leans heavily into community, family, or lifestyle themes.
For retailers, nonprofits, real estate businesses, event companies, community programs, or any business rooted in people, children and animals remind your audience that you are not just a business you’re part of their lives. During the holidays or community events, this resonance multiplies.
4. Dogs Add Humor & Relatability
Dogs bring spontaneous comedy to content and humor is one of the strongest engagement drivers on all platforms.
Dog posts naturally generate:
- Viral reactions
- “That’s so my dog!” comments
- Emotional warmth
- Shares among pet loving communities
For brands working with organizations like the Sacramento SPCA, these moments also serve a deeper mission: highlighting adoptable pets, raising awareness, and supporting animals in need.
It’s feel-good marketing with real-world impact.
5. Kids Make People Dream, Hope & Remember
Children symbolize imagination, possibility, and joy. That’s powerful for storytelling.
Whether it’s a child exploring a store, discovering a product, or simply smiling during an event, these moments trigger nostalgia and positive association.
For family-focused brands or community organizations like HART, featuring children helps communicate:
- Hope
- The importance of community
- The need for support
- The real life impact donors and shoppers make
It makes your mission tangible.
6. They Give You an Endless Stream of Authentic Content
The best-performing content isn’t scripted, it’s real. Kids and dogs deliver this naturally.
The cuteness, the chaos, the honesty… It’s pure gold.
You can build ongoing content themes like:
- “Pet of the Week” (great for SSPCA tie-ins)
- “Kids Try It” product features
- Behind-the-scenes with employee pets
- Family moments at events
- “Guess the Dog’s Name” engagement posts
- “Caption This!” photos with kids or pets
These become reliable and repeatable engagement machines.
7. Brands That Use Kids & Pets See Higher Conversion Rates
It’s not just engagement. It’s conversions. Studies show that ads featuring children or animals often produce:
- Longer watch times
- More shares
- Higher ad recall
- Higher click-through rates
- Strong brand trust
- Increased purchase intention
Why? Because these visuals make your brand feel safe, wholesome, loving, trustworthy, and joyful.
When a viewer feels emotionally warm, they’re more willing to act whether that’s RSVPing to an event, shopping a promotion, or supporting a cause.
8. They Spark Conversation and Community
People love talking about their kids.
People really love talking about their pets.
When you feature children or dogs, you open the door to:
- Comments
- Stories
- Photos
- User generated content
- Fun engagement exchanges
- Tagging friends & family
Your post doesn’t just receive engagement, it builds a community moment.
These conversations increase your visibility and expand your reach far beyond your immediate following.
The Bottom Line: Kids and Dogs Make Your Brand Feel Alive
In a digital world overflowing with content, the brands that win are the ones that create emotion, connection, and joy.
Kids and pets do this effortlessly.
They remind us of family, play, love, hope, community and authenticity.
For retailers, nonprofits, real estate agencies, event planners, and any business that thrives on human connection, kids and dogs aren’t just cute content. They’re strategic engagement powerhouses.
If you want your social media and advertising to feel more alive, more real, and more irresistible, start incorporating the two things everyone loves: kids and dogs.
They are the heartbeat behind your next viral moment we can’t wait to see your posts. Tag us so we can respond to your adorable babies’, furry or not. We love them all.
If your brand is ready to use kids and dogs in social media marketing to build deeper community connections and spark engagement that lasts, our team at CMA would love to partner with you.
AUTHOR
Kim Kelley, Marketing Guru
Kim Kelley is the founder of Creative Marketing Arts, a California-based marketing agency specializing in digital strategy, experiential events, and community-driven campaigns. With over 30 years in the shopping center industry, Kim blends creative ideas with data-driven marketing to deliver innovative solutions for REIT advertising and brand engagement. With an eye for detail and a passion for results, she helps clients discover Out of the Box strategies that connect with audiences and build loyalty.
CMA partners with local and national brands to create meaningful connections that inspire action. The full service marketing agency proudly supports community causes, including the Homeless Assistance Resource Team (HART) and the Sacramento SPCA, by donating a portion of proceeds from every event to help families and animals in need.