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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!

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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

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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

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Ange Scott
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pretty sure hes just trying to keep his head above water... but sure 😂

Susann Campbell
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The dog does know what he is doing, don't kid yourself in thinking the we are the only reasoning beings . Besides he could just swim to shore. Snort

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#6

The Most Important Things

The Most Important Things

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#7

Everyone's Best Friend

Everyone's Best Friend

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#11

Charming Tiny Gentleman

Charming Tiny Gentleman

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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!"

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#12

Smiling Ear To Ear

Smiling Ear To Ear

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#15

Bestest Citizen

Bestest Citizen

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#16

Cutest Owlfit

Cutest Owlfit

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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.

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#17

Instant Best Friends

Instant Best Friends

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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...

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#19

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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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!"

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#23

Always There When You Need Them

Always There When You Need Them

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#24

Cutest Rescue Crew

Cutest Rescue Crew

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#26

Adorable Presents For Adorable Neighbors

Adorable Presents For Adorable Neighbors

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#28

Adorable Encounter

Adorable Encounter

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#29

Positive Role Models

Positive Role Models

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#33

Independent Doggo

Independent Doggo

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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*

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#34

Spending Time With Loved Ones

Spending Time With Loved Ones

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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

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#35

Cutest Employee

Cutest Employee

doggocatcat Report

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#37

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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#40

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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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

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#46

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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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).

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#48

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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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.

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#49

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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#53

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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#56

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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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?

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#57

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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#58

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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#60

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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#61

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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#62

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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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) 😄

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#66

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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#71

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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#72

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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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

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#73

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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#74

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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#75

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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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.

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#83

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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#84

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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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!

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#87

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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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..."

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#89

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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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.

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#90

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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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

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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

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#94

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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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!

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#96

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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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.

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#97

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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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.

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#98

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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#99

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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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.

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#101

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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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

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#107

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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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

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#108

Wholesome Meme

Wholesome Meme

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