Instagram has launched a new feature called virtual pets, allowing users to create and customize digital companions for their Meta avatars. These pets can appear in Instagram Stories or even in Horizon Worlds VR, blending social media with immersive experiences. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about Instagram's new virtual pets, including how to adopt one, customization options, comparisons with other apps, and the potential impact of digital companions on online behavior.
What Are Instagram Virtual Pets?
Instagram's virtual pets are customizable digital animals that you can add to your Meta avatar. When the feature rolls out to your account, you'll be greeted with a prompt like "Adopt a new best friend", encouraging you to choose from a range of animal companions.
Key features include:
Choice of pet type – dogs, cats, and potentially more exotic or fantasy animals.
Customization tools – select fur color, patterns, accessories, or even playful animations.
Cross-platform integration – pets appear both on Instagram Stories/Reels and in Meta Horizon Worlds (VR).
This makes your digital pet more than just a filter—it becomes part of your Meta identity, following you between apps and VR environments.
Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Adopt Your Virtual Pet
Currently, the feature is in limited testing. If it's available to your account, here's how to set up your Instagram virtual pet:
Update Instagram
Make sure you're on the latest version of Instagram.Look for the Adoption Prompt
Open Instagram → tap on your avatar settings. If eligible, you'll see the option "Adopt a Virtual Pet."Customize Your Pet
Pick your preferred animal type
Adjust color, fur, or accessories
Save your companion
Take Photos with Your Pet
Open your Instagram camera, and you'll see your pet appear as an AR overlay. Position it, resize it, and share your new buddy in Stories or Reels.Explore in VR
If you also use Meta Horizon Worlds, your pet will follow you inside VR, adding another dimension of play.
How Does It Compare to Other Apps?
Instagram is not the first to experiment with virtual companions, but its version combines the best elements of existing models:
Snapchat Virtual Pets (Snapchat+) – Snapchat introduced similar pets for premium subscribers, mainly used in AR lenses.
Pokémon GO & AR Creatures – popularized AR companions tied to exploration and gamification.
Tamagotchi-Inspired Digital Pets – early Instagram tests hinted at "maintenance pets" that required care, but the current version focuses more on ornamental fun than responsibility.
By blending social sharing with VR immersion, Instagram is trying to position its virtual pets as more than a novelty. They're part of a broader Meta ecosystem strategy.
Why is Instagram launching virtual pets?
Increase user stickiness: Pet content already has extremely high traffic on the Internet, and virtual pets are expected to increase users' desire to share.
Driving the Metaverse Strategy: Meta has been building Avatar and Horizon Worlds, and this feature is clearly part of that.
Entertainment attempt: Compared with complex virtual development, this kind of "light companionship" is more easily accepted by young users.
However, some worry that virtual pets will replace real-life interactions and make users addicted to the digital world. While the current function seems easy and fun, the future psychological and social impacts are still worth paying attention to.
Potential Benefits and Concerns
Like any new feature, Instagram Virtual Pets come with both opportunities and questions.
Benefits
Fun and Creative Expression: A new way to personalize your avatar and Stories.
Community Sharing: Pets are likely to become popular in group selfies, memes, and viral content.
Cross-Reality Experience: Pets bridge the gap between 2D (Instagram) and 3D (Horizon Worlds) digital spaces.
Concerns
Digital vs. Real-Life Balance: Some critics worry about people replacing real-life interactions or even real pets with digital versions.
Psychological Effects: The long-term impact of forming attachments to digital entities is still unknown.
Commercial Intent: Ultimately, this feature is designed to keep users engaged in Meta's platforms, which raises questions about over-reliance on apps.
At the moment, Instagram Virtual Pets seem to be more of a lighthearted addition rather than a full emotional replacement, but it's worth monitoring how they evolve.
Final Thoughts
Instagram's rollout of virtual pets is part of a broader push toward digital self-expression and immersive social experiences. While still experimental, the feature combines three powerful trends: AR filters, personalization, and VR integration.
Whether you see them as a harmless toy or a glimpse into the future of digital companionship, one thing is clear: Instagram and Meta are betting on virtual pets to keep you engaged in their ecosystem.
As this feature expands, we may see more gamified elements—such as leveling up your pet, trading pets, or integrating them with digital commerce. For now, though, it's a fun and low-stakes way to enhance your Instagram presence.
