How to "elf yourself" with your dog
Elf-dance apps were built for human faces. Put a dog in and you get a snout floating on an elf body. Here's what works better for pets – and how to get a free preview of your dog as an elf.
Turn your pet into an elf – free preview
Upload one photo, pick one of 8 elf costumes and see a free watermarked preview first.
Free watermarked preview · HD elf portrait from $2.99 (checkout opening soon).
1. Why face-swap elf apps struggle with pets
- They cut out a face and paste it on a 3D elf. Dogs and cats have ears, snouts and fur that stick out of a human-shaped face hole.
- Long-nosed dogs (collies, greyhounds) and fluffy cats lose the very features that make them recognisable.
- A pet-first tool redraws the whole pet in the costume instead: hat between the ears, collar, little elf outfit, real fur colour.
2. The 8 elf costumes
The 8 elf costumes on PetMagi, AI-generated from demo pet photos. Your version is made from your own photo and keeps your pet’s real fur colour and markings; you see a free watermarked preview first.
3. Photo tips for an elf picture
- Face and ears fully visible – the elf hat sits between the ears, so don't crop them.
- Daylight, no flash; for black dogs and cats use a light background.
- Pets only: photos showing people are rejected, so use a photo of just your pet.
- Several pets? Make one elf per pet, then put them side by side in a card.
4. Options and prices compared
| Option | Made for | Price (checked 1 Nov 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| PetMagi Elf (browser) | Pets: your dog or cat drawn as an elf, 8 costumes | Free watermarked preview · HD portrait (2048 × 2048 px) $2.99 · 2 portraits $4.99 · Holiday Pack $9.99 (4 portraits + animated card) · Premium $14.99 |
| ElfYourself app | Faces (mostly people) pasted onto dancing 3D elves, up to 5 faces | Free download, some free dances; in-app: single dances $0.99, "All Dances" $4.99–$7.99 (App Store) |
| JibJab | Face-in-hole e-cards and holiday videos | See site (jibjab.com) |
| A real elf costume | Dressing your actual pet | See any pet shop – sizes and prices vary |
Competitor prices are from the App Store listing (US) on 1 Nov 2026 and may change. ElfYourself and JibJab are trademarks of their owners; PetMagi is not affiliated with them.
5. Step by step on PetMagi
- Open the pet elf page and upload a clear photo of your dog or cat.
- Pick one of the 8 elf costumes.
- Look at the free watermarked preview – email it to yourself if you want to decide later.
- Keep the HD elf portrait (2048 × 2048 px) for cards, wallpapers and posts. The Holiday Pack adds a short animated 9:16 card.
Giving it as a gift
Gift mode lets you make the elf from a friend's pet photo, add their name and a message, and send a private gift link that reveals the portrait when they open it. We never contact the recipient.
Turn your pet into an elf – free preview
Upload one photo, pick one of 8 elf costumes and see a free watermarked preview first.
Free watermarked preview · HD elf portrait from $2.99 (checkout opening soon).
FAQ
Can I elf myself with my dog for free?
You can make a free watermarked elf preview of your dog on PetMagi. The HD version without watermark starts at $2.99.
Is this the ElfYourself app?
No. PetMagi is an independent pet portrait site and not affiliated with ElfYourself or JibJab. Our elves are made for pets: the whole pet is redrawn in the costume.
Does my pet dance?
The elf portrait is a still image. The Holiday Pack and Premium packs include a short animated card (slow zoom, falling snow and a caption).
Does it work for cats?
Yes – cats, dogs and most pets with a clear photo where the face and ears are visible.