Meet the adorable fur babies taking internet fame to a whole new level

In the hierarchy of internet fame, few can compete with a pair of soulful eyes, a wagging tail, or the unbothered stoicism of a cat who has no idea they’re a celebrity. I wonder if Olivia Benson, pop queen Taylor Swift’s Scottish Fold, has any inkling that ‘The Ultimate Pet Rich List’ estimates her net worth to be $97 million. Or if Gunther VI, the German Shepherd owned by Italian entrepreneur Maurizio Mian, realises his Instagram bio anoints him as the richest dog in the world, with an estimated net worth of $400 million.

Even beyond these names lies an ecosystem of pets with full-fledged profiles, drawing in thousands—sometimes millions—of followers who religiously watch, comment, and coo over their smallest, silliest gestures.

And, it really doesn’t matter whether or not you classify yourself as a dog or a cat person, for even a video of a turtle nibbling on leaves will leave you with enough serotonin to power through deadlines. Ever wondered what must it be like to stand behind the lens—part documentarian, part strategist—and manage these animal stars whose daily antics can lift the moods of thousands? Cosmopolitan India spoke to some of them to find out everything that goes into making it happen.

Diva in a sari: Plowy 

With 110k followers today, @plowythecat began as a way for Hitesh and Manisha Sharma to share her antics with friends and family who couldn’t get enough of her. As the couple often travelled with Plowy—whether on trains, in cars, or staying in hotels—they started documenting those journeys online. Soon, it wasn’t just her outfits that caught people’s attention, but the chaos of life on the road with a cat.

One of Plowy’s biggest hits on Instagram, with 14.4 million views and counting, shows her in a tiny pink and blue sari and a gold necklace in place. It was for a Raksha Bandhan Get Ready with Me (GRWM) video, and it’s impossible to not stop and watch.

Plowy isn’t one to just sit still and look cute. She knows when the camera is on, so she either nails the pose or gives a perfectly unimpressed look, Manisha tells me. She has her moods…and a clear understanding that treats are part of the deal. In the end, no matter the accessory, it’s Plowy’s personality that truly steals the show.

The nomad: Poppins

It all began on a train ride to Goa in 2021, when a friend remarked to Simran Singh and Rajit Gupta about how often they travelled with Poppins, and how they should share what they’d learned. By the time the train pulled into the station, their pet’s Instagram page (@triptailsandpaws) was born. “We had no clue about Instagram’s algorithm or the grind of regular posting,” they tell me. “We just wanted to share our journey and inspire others to give their pets a love-filled, adventurous life.”

Now, with 53k followers, the account documents their travels across India—from Kashmir, where locals called Poppins ‘janab’, to pet-friendly dhabas and hotels.

For Singh and Gupta, he is their best travel companion. “Poppins always ditches the script and does his own thing. Once, during a fashion reel, he winked and it went viral,” laughs Singh. Over the years, the community they’ve built swaps pet travel tips, rescue stories, and even fashion ideas for furry festival-goers.

The Punjabi-speaking cavachon: Oscar Singh

With 95k followers on TikTok and about 37k on Instagram, Oscar Singh (@my_cavachon) isn’t just any Cavachon, he’s the dog that understands Punjabi. Kiran Kaur loves capturing his milestones, personality, and little quirks.

For Kaur, content creation follows one guiding principle: stay consistent, but never at the cost of the animal’s comfort. “Pets have moods, just like people. If he isn’t feeling it that day, we leave it,” she says. This respect for boundaries ensures the camera enhances their connection—if anything, the shared moments behind the lens have only deepened their bond.

Oscar seems like he was made for the spotlight. He’s confident, camera-ready, and super expressive. “We’re convinced he’d be a natural on a film set,” Kaur laughs.

Partners in banter: Pepsi & Leo

The first video that greeted me on Pepsi and Leo’s Instagram page (@pepsi.and.leo) was pure domestic comedy. Leo, the dog, making a clumsy bid for Pepsi, the cat’s, attention—only to be promptly dismissed. The clip has 4.5 million views, and it’s easy to see why. Esha Dethe, their “hooman,” started the account back in school with Pepsi. Today, the page has over 37k followers.

What keeps it going, she says, is the audience. “They genuinely love my pets. It’s not a one-way conversation; they talk to me, I respond,” she says. Filming, however, is chaotic: “Pets don’t act on cue. Treats don’t always work. Cats, especially, have their own agenda.” In 2022, Pepsi passed away, and Dethe’s home soon welcomed five more cats. The camera is now just a part of the furniture, capturing moments that make millions smile.

This article first appeared in Cosmopolitan India's September-October 2025 print edition.

Also read: Yes, gossiping makes you smarter! We have proof

Also read: If You Love Dogs (but Hate Cats), You’re the Worst