AR Snapshots: Your Cats & Dogs Can Join in Your AR Antics with These Pet-Friendly Snapchat Lenses

The face tracking of cats and dogs are probably my favorite AR innovations that have come to Snapchat Lenses over the past few years.

What can I say, I enjoy taking photos and videos of my shorkie Lucy and my cat Dorian with goofy effects anchored on their cute little mugs. So, this week, we're highlighting five AR experiences you can share with your own furry friends, so I can get Lucy and Dorian some work. (Unfortunately, Dorian conveniently slept through most of the...Snapshoot.)

Two notes before we jump in: First, any of these Lenses work with a cat or a dog, regardless of its title. Second, if you don't have a cat or a dog, you can try these out as well, though you may get a "looking for cat or dog" message that you can ignore.

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Enter a Weird World with Your Cat

Our first example may interest those who enjoy modern animation, pop art, and points in between.

Cat Beam by Lens creator Aoepng projects thick, blocky laser beams from the eyes of cats or dogs in the camera view and anchors a UFO over their heads.

The Lens also demonstrates how these cat and dog Lenses can present contrasting and/or complimentary AR elements in the same experience. In this case, people in the frame get a makeover with cartoon eyes, pink teardrops, and a colorful halo.

Go Incognito with Your Dog

Has your dog been a bad boy or girl? Of course not, but, perhaps they need a disguise, just in case.

Enter Pet Disguise by Callum King. The Lens places the classic Groucho Marx-style novelty disguise on you and your pet.

The Lens would likely be funny on its own, but the real hilarity is seeing a cat or dog wearing the mask. Try it yourself for some laughs.

Notice Me, Cat!

For fans of Japanese culture, we have Kawaii Cat Eyes.

Created by Rhonda, an autobiographical photojournalist and amateur cat lady (among other talents), this Lens overlays adorable cartoon eyes over your pets' face. The eyes proceed to throb with pink hearts.

Should you choose to appear in the experience with your pet, you'll also get the heart-bugging eyes, but not the cartoon eyes. Try it yourself by scanning the code below.

Live in the Lap of Luxury

Does your cat dine on Fancy Feast? If so, then this one is perfect for you and your feline friend. If not, you and your pets can pretend to live the high life.

Like Pet Disguise, Fancy Pet deals in familiar comedic tropes for its AR face effects, placing a top hat, monocle, and mustache on your pet's face.

Meanwhile, similar to the Cat Beam experience, you'll get your own outfit, including a powdered wig and smart-looking glasses.

Find Your Ferocious Face with Fido

Finally, we walk on the wild side with Firedog by Blnk Digital.

Probably the most visually-arresting Lenses of the group, Firedog fills the screen with a rippling blue filter while blue flames flicker from the eyes of you and your furry friend.

Now, you and your pet are prepared to take on bug, grass, ice, and steel types in Pokémon GO. Just steer clear of dragon, water, and rock-types, as well as other Snapchat users wielding the Firedog Lens.

PSA: For more cat and dog lenses, use the voice search function in Lens Explorer and say "cat" or "dog" as your search command. This will bring up a carousel of compatible Lenses for you and your fur babies directly on the camera view.