Two Pets in One Tattoo? How Multiple Pet Portraits Work at a Singapore Studio

Getting two pets in one tattoo is one of the requests I hear most often at my private studio in Singapore. Whether it is two dogs, a dog and a cat, or a whole household, the question is always the same: how do you fit more than one pet into a tattoo without it looking crowded? This post covers how I approach it, what to send me, and what to think about before you commit.

Can you really put two pets in one tattoo?

Yes, and there are two ways to do it. One is a single combined portrait where the pets sit together in the same composition. The other is separate portraits placed next to each other, in a row or stacked. I have done both, from a pair of Corgis in black and grey to a Shiba duo, and a project with six portraits of one client's pets. Neither is better. It depends on your pets, your photos and the space you want to use.

What if I don't have a photo of my pets together?

This is the first worry people have, and it is rarely a problem. Pets do not always sit still next to each other, and some of the pets I tattoo are no longer here. I have worked from two separate reference photos and combined them into one small portrait, and I once built a custom collage for matching tattoos of family pets when there was no photo of them sitting together.

What matters is that each pet has one good photo of its own. A clear face, natural light and a sharp view of the eyes and nose will give me more to work with than a blurry photo of both. If you are not sure which photos to send, read my guide on how to choose the best photo for your pet portrait tattoo.

Combined portrait or separate portraits: which should you choose?

One combined portrait

A combined portrait works best when you want the pets to look like they belong together, close enough that they almost touch. It reads as one piece, which suits a single placement like the forearm or calf. The trade-off is space. Each face needs enough room for the detail to stay clear, so a combined piece usually has to be bigger than a single portrait.

Separate portraits side by side

Separate portraits suit pets who came into your life at different times, or when you want each one to stand on its own. They can sit in a row, which gives you control over how big each pet is. It also leaves room to add another portrait later. A row of pet portraits for one client, or six portraits for another, shows how this can build over time into something personal.

What are the different ways to arrange multiple pet portraits?

There is no single right layout. These are the arrangements I do most, with examples from my own work.

Side by side in one composition

The pets sit together as a single piece, close enough that they read as a pair. This Shiba duo was tattooed as one portrait, and the pair of Corgis in black and grey sits together on the forearm. This layout gives the strongest feeling of two pets who belong together, and it needs a space wide enough for both faces.

Stacked in a vertical column

Separate face portraits can be stacked one above the other, like the three faces below. Each pet gets the same amount of space, nothing overlaps, and a column follows the shape of a thigh or the outer arm well. It also leaves a natural place to add another portrait below the last one.

Spread along the arm or leg

For a bigger group, portraits can be spread along the length of the limb instead of squeezed into one block. This forearm holds six portraits of one client's pets. Spreading them out keeps each face readable and lets the whole piece follow the shape of the arm.

Which layout suits you depends on how many pets you have and where you want the tattoo. If you are not sure, send me your photos and the placement you are considering and we can look at what fits.

How big should a tattoo with two pets be?

For a single pet, I find head portraits usually sit around 3 to 5 cm and full-body portraits around 5 to 8 cm. With two pets, each face still needs its own space, so the total area grows. The common mistake is trying to squeeze two pets into a spot that suits one. If the placement is too small, I would rather suggest a different area than shrink the faces until the fur and eyes lose their detail.

My post on pet portrait tattoo size and placement goes through this in more detail, including which areas of the body give you the most flat space.

Should two pets be in colour or black and grey?

I would keep the style matching across pets, so the pair looks like one set rather than two separate tattoos. If your pets have clearly different coats, colour can help tell them apart at a glance. Black and grey is quieter and tends to feel more timeless. There is no wrong answer, and I explain the differences in black and grey versus colour for pet portrait tattoos.

Can I add names, dates or flowers?

Yes. When you message me, you can mention extras like a name or flowers along with your photos. With more than one pet, decide early whether the extras are part of the design or something you would add later, because they take up space too.

How do I book a tattoo with more than one pet in Singapore?

Message me with your availability, a photo of each pet, the size you have in mind in cm, whether you want face or full body, whether you prefer colour or non-colour, and a photo of the placement with the exact spot circled. If you are unsure about any of it, send what you have and I will guide you through the rest. A non-refundable deposit secures the slot and starts the design process, and my booking and deposit policy explains how it works.

Plan enough time for the appointment. I will not rush a tattoo, and with more than one pet the session can run longer. If we need a second session because the time was too short, extra charges may apply. Once it is done, the tattoo takes around one to one and a half months to settle, and I offer a complimentary touch-up session if needed. You can read the full tattoo aftercare and healing guide before your appointment, and my guide to preparing for your first pet portrait tattoo covers what to do on the day.

Frequently asked questions

Can you tattoo two pets that have never been photographed together?

Yes. I can combine separate reference photos into one portrait, as long as each pet has a clear photo of its own.

Is it better to get two pets in one tattoo or two separate tattoos?

One combined tattoo makes the pets look like they are together and works well in a single placement. Separate tattoos give each pet its own space and are easier to add to later. Tell me which feels more like your pets and we can decide from there.

Can I add another pet to the tattoo later?

Yes. If you think another pet may join the tattoo later, mention it when you message me so we can think about placement from the start.

How many pets can go in one tattoo?

There is no fixed number. It depends on the space you are working with and how large you want each portrait to be. I have tattooed six portraits for one client, so the more useful question is how big each one needs to be.

If you are thinking about a tattoo with two or more pets in Singapore, send me a message on WhatsApp, Telegram or Instagram @onubyink and I will help you plan it.