ADVERTISEMENT

Having a mother of a day? Tired of the state of the world? Looking for something to cheer you up? Then look no further than this seriously wholesome list of happy animal memes. Compiled by Bored Panda, the cute photos below are guaranteed to turn your frown upside down.
And it's all scientific! It is known that petting adorable animals or even looking at one releases oxytocin - your happiness hormone. Besides making you happy, animals are also great at relieving stress and making you feel calmer. In short - the cuteness overload from these happy animal photos you're about to experience is even more positive than you could've thought.
But, enough of the sciency stuff. From smiling frogs and cutest dogs to friendly sea lions and ratatouille-loving rats, your troubles will soon disappear when you feast your eyes upon this happy and uplifting bunch of cute critters. Let us know which happy animal pics are your favorites, and don't forget to vote for the most wholesome ones!

Why Do Happy Animal Memes Make Us Smile?

Although it might seem that these happy, funny animals make us smile simply because they’re so silly, the actual cause lies deep in the human condition. That’s right—happy animal photos and their powers of cheering us up lie in human psychology and behavior. Let us explain: 

For one, humans tend to mirror the emotions they see. This is called emotional contagion. So, when we see an animal that appears to be joyful, it might trigger the very same emotions in us. Another reason why these happy animal memes are so appealing to us is the “cute factor.” Whenever we see a cute animal, preferably one with big, round eyes and fluffy fur, it instantly triggers nurturing instincts and positive feelings. This phenomenon, too, has a specific name and is known as the “baby schema.” And lastly, looking at happy animal pics provides us with a momentary distraction from our woes, thus relieving stress and anxiety

ADVERTISEMENT

All in all, happy animal memes might be the best thing on the internet. They can improve mood, relieve stress, and give us a moment of pure, unadulterated joy. So why not check out the rest of this list? 

#5

A Helpful Paw

A Helpful Paw

fuckingwholesome Report

#6

The Most Important Things

The Most Important Things

fuckingwholesome Report

#7

Everyone's Best Friend

Everyone's Best Friend

Report

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#11

Charming Tiny Gentleman

Charming Tiny Gentleman

wholesomememes Report

Add photo comments
POST
John L
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

......when all he wants is just a quiet "Thank you Sweetie!"

View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

Smiling Ear To Ear

Smiling Ear To Ear

chanelpuke Report

#15

Bestest Citizen

Bestest Citizen

luvkittensdaily Report

#16

Cutest Owlfit

Cutest Owlfit

wholesome Report

Add photo comments
POST
LittleGirlWithShortLegs
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think i just teared up a little. I didn't know I could do that just from looking at a picture.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

Instant Best Friends

Instant Best Friends

fuckersbelike Report

Add photo comments
POST
Burcu Erbakan
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are so terribly cute, I wanna kiss them and squeez them and cuddle them...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#19

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

fuckersbelike Report

Add photo comments
POST
김지수
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"We found him!" "Really, where?" "He's on your..." "Yes?" "He's on your... uh..." "Tell me!"

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

Always There When You Need Them

Always There When You Need Them

mayrelynphan Report

#24

Cutest Rescue Crew

Cutest Rescue Crew

doggocatcat Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#26

Adorable Presents For Adorable Neighbors

Adorable Presents For Adorable Neighbors

SHESAMERlCVN Report

#28

Adorable Encounter

Adorable Encounter

claudiagray Report

#29

Positive Role Models

Positive Role Models

fuckingwholesome Report

#33

Independent Doggo

Independent Doggo

wholesomememes Report

Add photo comments
POST
HumanBeing
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a bit sad, but the owner is probably following him. If he's not... *Calls police*

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#34

Spending Time With Loved Ones

Spending Time With Loved Ones

cerealandforks Report

Add photo comments
POST
John L
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When ur parakeets have just taken a bath, and its still a bit cold, they can always use a little extra warmth. :D

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

Cutest Employee

Cutest Employee

doggocatcat Report

Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
Unlimited content
Ad-free browsing
Dark mode
#37

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

wholesome Report

#39

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

TheGreatMediocretes Report

Add photo comments
POST
Gillian Black
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my dog loves the vacum I spend more time running it over her than I do the floor, she will follow me from roon to room and lie in front of me, mind you she is deaf could be different if she could hear the noise

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

wholesomememes Report

Add photo comments
POST
Eglė Liubinaitė
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When Trump actually builds a wall, but you have a friend mexican kitten on the otherside now :3

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#46

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

wholesome Report

Add photo comments
POST
Jerry Mathers
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Meet Ralph. He's the dark one. He humps every other dog he sees during his walk. Ralph is 1/11 (but he did get a hug).

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#48

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

doggocatcat Report

Add photo comments
POST
김지수
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A start to a forbidden love between the land local and the sea dweller... The Little Merfish.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#49

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

wholesome Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#53

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

wholesomememes Report

#56

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

fuckingwholesome Report

Add photo comments
POST
Wyndmere
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll bet you've seen a lot of stuff go down out here. How long have you been patroling this empty lot in this tough neighborhood?

View more commentsArrow down menu
#57

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

wholesome Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#58

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

doggocatcat Report

#60

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

chanelpuke Report

#61

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

Morriaster Report

#62

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

Report

Add photo comments
POST
Pronoy De
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On a lush green playground, cool wind in my hair Warm smell of cookies, rising up through the air.... Such a lovely place (such a lovely place) 😄

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#66

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

fuckingwholesome Report

#71

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

tbhjuststop Report

#72

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

wholesomememes Report

Add photo comments
POST
Lulu Kubo
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Once I heard of a dog that was so gentle, after he accidentally bit the owner while being hand fed, he refused to eat ANYTHING if it was straight from his hand

View more commentsArrow down menu
#73

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

paige_xcx Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#74

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

wholesomememes Report

#75

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

daily-goat Report

Add photo comments
POST
Lisa Bernardo
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband and I were at a B&B where we spent a good part of the day playing with the little goats that lived there. That night, we were hanging out in our room, looking at Facebook, and this photo came up in my feed. I looked at my photos from the day, and same barn, same fence, same goat playground equipment, same goat! Of all the goats in the world, I see a goat on Facebook that I had met that day.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#83

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

wholesomememes Report

#84

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

fuckingwholesome Report

Add photo comments
POST
Catalina Ioan
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Michelin Man salt shaker damn better approve with all his stars!

View more commentsArrow down menu
#87

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

fuckersbelike Report

Add photo comments
POST
김지수
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I'm not your actual mother. I know it's hard... But you were actually all adopted..."

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#89

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

wholesome Report

Add photo comments
POST
M.T. Noah
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have to do this for my little girl, too. She has a FInding Nemo backback with all her anxiety helping things in.

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#90

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

tidalknowles Report

Add photo comments
POST
Shay Hartless
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me whenever i have on no make-up and my boyfriend says I'm pretty😍

#93

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

airpi Report

Add photo comments
POST
cajsalajka
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If a dog came and gave me tea it would be the best day in my life tbh

View more commentsArrow down menu
#94

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

a-creepy-weirdo-has Report

Add photo comments
POST
M.T. Noah
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Clearly, they do Vegas shows involving song, dance, and fountains!

View more commentsArrow down menu
#96

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

twatthefuck Report

Add photo comments
POST
Katie Jamberri Nails
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why does this comment have 9 downvotes? They're just asking what the dog is supposed to be highlighting. I'm curious myself.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#97

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

BabyAnimalPics Report

Add photo comments
POST
Lulu Kubo
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For something like this u HAVE to search up loafdog on google.

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#98

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

fuckersbelike Report

Add photo comments
POST
#99

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

fuckingwholesome Report

Add photo comments
POST
Lynnie Hendricks
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And that smirk is because the handsome boy can't wait till Dad tries to use his toothbrush tonight.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#101

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

crucialnudes Report

Add photo comments
POST
M.T. Noah
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Naww, SHE is protecting her goofus of a man. OR, they aren't even dating, just good buddies seeing who can stand on the upended glass longest! Both of these friends are ridiculously photogenic! <3

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#107

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

pogsz_world Report

Add photo comments
POST
Catalina Ioan
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If video games have taught me anything, the floof has a very lucrative side quest to offer

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#108

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

Angus Davison Report