20 Uplifting Animal Pics To Boost Everyone's Mood Today

Ashley Hunte
A sleeping kitting on its back with both paws extended.
Unsplash | Jonathan Fink

Everyday life can be pretty stressful. We have to deal with a lot of upsetting, annoying, or boring stuff in a day. It can be hard to stay positive all the time.

But you know what always lifts my mood? Cute animal pics! Like these ones here. They're keeping my stress levels pretty low right now.

"Best day ever!"

An elderly dog celebrating her 15th birthday with a cake that resembles her.
Reddit | Idhanirem

I can't get over how happy this dog looks! It's like she knows that big cake is all for her. And any dog that makes it to 15 absolutely deserves all the doggy cake, anyway.

"We surprised my brother with a kitten recently, but it looks like our golden thought it was her birthday..."

A golden retriever and a black kitten snuggling on a couch.
Reddit | universallyawkward

Not even dogs can help but want to be around a cuddly kitten all day. And to be honest, I'd probably just let them have their nap time, if only because it's so dang cute!

"The gang is eagerly awaiting dinnertime."

Two cats and a dog peeking from behind a partially closed door.
Reddit | 9999monkeys

Those cats look like they're about ready to come storming out of that room, demanding food. In fact, I'm kind of surprised they haven't done that yet.

"Quite unpleased with the whole situation."

An incredibly fluffy cat sitting on a living room table, looking grouchy.
Reddit | atavisticfuture

This cat may be grumpy, but I'm pretty happy right now. The only thing that sucks is that this is just a picture, because I totally want to reach out and touch all that floof right now.

"Smile..laugh..be surprised. When you find my bird, don’t give it away!"

An image of a crowded kitchen pantry. In the middle shelf, near the centre of the shelf, a green bird's head can be seen.
Reddit | baccgirl

I'll admit that it took me a minute to find the bird. But once I did, it made me smile.

I won't give its spot away, but I'll give you a hint: it's green.

"A goat followed my friend home from work!"

A boy happily holding a goat, which also appears to be smiling.
reddit | Fuzzie8

That goat looks incredibly happy right now, which basically means that guy has to take it home now. Or, bring it back to wherever it came from, I guess.

Also: That belly.

"My dad was dealing with a lot of stress, so we decided to get him a dog to see if it would help. Judging by the cuddle puddle, mission accomplished."

A man sitting on a recliner, holding onto a dog.
Reddit | Syntra44

Hugging a dog is probably one of the best things you can do to beat stress. Looking at pictures of dogs may not be the same, but it's still good enough!

"She saw the kids playing on it and now she meows until you rock her."

A small cat sitting upright on a rocking horse.
Imgur | rc1honda

This is actually so cute, I might tear up a little. I mean, just look at her! She wants to play with the rocking horse too! I hope her family rocks her on that things as much as possible.

"Two years and TONS of walks later, Shiloh has reached her target weight!!"

Two images of a dog. The first shows the dog excessively overweight, while the second shows the dog looking healthy.
Reddit | mikerich15

Now there's a good girl who didn't give up! Obesity in animals is especially bad, because they literally rely on their people to stay healthy. This amount of dedication shows that her family really cared.

"We fed our backyard squirrel ONCE... meet Frankie at our backyard door waiting for more nuts."

A squirrel sitting patiently on a windowsill.
Reddit | chebstr

This squirrel is looking so polite, so I hope he gets more nuts. And sure, they may not be able to actually have this squirrel as a pet, but this is probably as close as it gets.

I wish I had this rat's enthusiasm.

Looking at how excited this rat is to eat a noodle is making me feel really good. Most of us can only wish we can be as happy as this rat.

"Jellybean does not like the cone of shame. He tolerates the flower of protection."

An image of a dog in a cone, and a second image of the same dog wearing a donut.
Reddit | pokitgiraffe

Plus, the flower of protection is way cuter. I hope this little guy doesn't have to wear it forever, but at least it's not a cone.

"Rejected from police training for being 'too friendly.'"

A smiling dog sitting in front of filing cabinets.
Reddit | ElkShot5082

I guess there are worse things in the world than being too friendly. If this little pup isn't cut out for police dog training, maybe they'd make a better doggy actor.

"My foster dog had never been indoors before. This is her first nap, on a bed, in a home."

A dog curled up, sleeping on a bed.
Reddit | mugglequeen

It's hard to believe that some people will straight up keep dogs outside full time. Like... that shouldn't be allowed. Every single dog deserves at least three beds in a house to call their own.

"He guarded a bird with broken wing under my truck for four days before it could fly off."

A dog sitting underneath a car, watching an injured bird.
Reddit | MasturbatingMiles

"Had to bring them both food and water because he refused to leave its side day and night, very proud of him."

Okay, I might actually be tearing up now.

"I think someone has a crush on my Christmas light decoration."

Several images showing a fox looking at a light up fox decoration through a person's house window.
Reddit | cyyclist

This poor fox probably thinks they've found a friend. This is honestly so cute, I can hardly handle it.

But somebody needs to get the fox a real friend ASAP.

"I rescued a stray cat in my neighborhood. At night his brother would come visit him. I really had no other options."

One image of a cat looking out a window at another cat, and then a second image of both cats sleeping in a pile on a couch.
Reddit | JDeebs

Yeah, OP really didn't have any other option. Those two cats are companions for life, and they obviously couldn't live without each other. Which is honestly just so cute.

"My son always texts to say he's on his way home. So I open the door, letting his 17 year old cat, and 16 year old doggo know that he's on his way. This is them waiting for him."

A dog and a cat sitting in front of a screen door at night.
Reddit | JonesMommy

"Though it was adorable, and wanted to share."

Man, pets are honestly the best. Literally no one else will be as excited for you to come home as your pet. They're such amazing companions!

"This veterinarian has a comfort-dog assistant that helps sick patients know that everything will be alright."

A dog on a hospital bed with tubes attached to it, and a second do leaning up against it.
Imgur | WOLFPAW

You know how they sometimes bring dogs to children's hospitals to cheer up the patients? I guess dogs like that kind of cheering up, too.

"My 11-year-old dachshund is happy to be my late night study buddy if it means she can snuggle in bed with me."

A small dog on a bed, looking up at the camera.
Reddit | smugmisswoodhouse

Dogs may not get things like "reading" and "studying," but they'll always be happy to spend time with us, no matter what we're doing.