On Trend: Animal Face Filters on Instagram
On Trend: Animal Face Filters on Instagram
Our On Trend series explores different trends in the world of augmented reality filters through concepts, creators, and a selection of examples. In this article, we explore the trend of animal face filters on Instagram. For all links to filters included, please ensure that you are opening on a mobile device to test them out!
Where Did Animal Face Filters Come From?
To truly understand and appreciate animal face filters on Instagram, we must delve into the history behind one of the world’s most infamous augmented reality (AR) face filters to ever be released. Simply known as “The Dog Filter”, this Snapchat Lens was the epitome of AR face filters and was one of the first face filters to ever go viral on social media.
Snapchat first unveiled its AR face filter technology, Snapchat Lenses, back in September of 2015 when it only had roughly 75 million users on its platform. When users flipped their camera to selfie mode and held their finger on their face, a carousel of face filters would come up. Ranging from barfing rainbows and face-swaps to heart-shaped eyes and frowny faces, these original Snapchat Lenses lay the foundation for all face filters we see today, including animal face filters on Instagram.
The Dog Filter was an animal face filter that used facial recognition technology to place a dog’s nose and ears over a user’s face. It was interactive as well, featuring a tongue that drooped down every time a user opened their mouth. At the time, this dog filter, along with the other original filters, was a major selling point of Snapchat. It was the first social media platform to popularize AR technology to the masses. However, what made this particular filter so special was its tendency to hide imperfections and elongate faces. For many users, this dog filter created an idealized version of themselves, by hiding eye circles, smoothing out wrinkles, removing blemishes, as well as elongating and chiselling their faces. Combined with the wow factor of the fresh and never-before-seen AR technology, it was no surprise that The Dog Filter took off.
Celebrities all around the world also hopped on “The Dog Filter” train. In fact, a parody horror movie trailer (now private) was broadcasted on Jimmy Kimmel Live that depicted Ariana Grande wearing the filter on Snapchat and then discovering, to her dismay, that the dog filter was permanently attached to her real face. Within three days, this sketch received more than 380,000 views and 240 comments on Youtube. This was the start of the virality of face filters.
What Types of Animal Face Filters on Instagram Are There Today?
Today, there are numerous different types of animal face filters, predominately on Instagram. Not only can you find classic face filters that transform your face into animal faces, but there are also “world effect” filters where you can augment various animals into your surroundings. Moreover, there are interactive game filters that feature animals in their AR experiences. This article will feature some of the best animal filters available on Instagram today.

1. Genetics Scanner by @iamcraiglewis2

2. Goofy Animal Faces by @iamcraiglewis2

3. AnimalHead-Fox by @bma_japan

4. Sasha Dog by @antonio.ruggiero93

5. animal crossing by @juliaroga



9. Face the Dogs by @anonamister

10. Spirit Animal by @jeffreymurray

11. Kitty Love by @anonamister



14. Arachnophobia by @nelzster01

15. Metamorphosis by @anonamister

16. Animal Facetimes by @notnolan


18. Christmas Reindeer! by @vision_ar_studio

19. AAAHHHHH!!! (evolve) by @davidoreilly

20. Endangered Animals by @bangerooo

Do you love these animal face filters? Want to explore more trendy face filters on Instagram? We recommend you to check out the new @bestcameraeffects page on Instagram. This account posts the best Instagram face filters daily from both emerging artists as well as established AR artists. They’re the perfect tool to discover the most unique filters ahead of the curve.
Or do you wish to create your own custom Instagram face filter? Have a few filter ideas you want to turn into reality? No matter where you are in your AR journey, our team at New Future Creative is here to help. Reach out to us at info@newfuturecreative.com or leave a message through our website here. We are super stoked to hear about your ideas and work with you to create your own trendy face filters.