Despite not being humans, we often see our fuzzy friends as members of our family and household, who live under one roof, sharing good times and bad. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that some of our pets might start to act like the other animals in the home are basically their family as well.
People from across the internet share funny, cute, and adorable photos of pet pairs, from actual siblings to interspecies found-families. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites, and be sure to share your own thoughts and experiences in the comments section below. We also got in touch with Nina Thompson from the San Diego Humane Society to learn more.
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Best Picture I Could Ever Hope To Get Of These Two
The Shelter Has Made A Rule That These Siblings Must Be Adopted Together Because They Are Inseparable. They Sleep This Way Every Night
This Big Brother Helps His Baby Sister Use The Dog Door. He Stands There And Lets The Baby Go Through His Legs
We once had a cat that somehow taught his best buddy, our GSDxDobe, to open the refrigerator door. We had to keep the kitchen door shut after that for a long time. They never figured out how to open that one though I did catch them trying from time to time.
We dog board upon occasion so when a new dog comes through that doesn't know how to use a dog door, our dog Max shows them and then shows pride when they figure it out. He's also a wonderful welcoming committee with new dogs that come to our house.
Sweet now and hilarious later when she's too big to fit with his help. Please send vids (yes I know BP is an aggregator, but still, send vids)
We do board upon occasion so when a new dog comes through that doesn't know how to use a dog door, our dog Max shows them and then shows pride when they figure it out. He's also a wonderful welcoming committee with new dogs that come to our house.
Ignore this one, it wouldn't let me edit or delete.
Load More Replies...Bored Panda got in touch with Nina Thompson from the San Diego Humane Society to learn a bit more about animal friendships and she was kind enough to answer some questions. “At San Diego Humane Society we witness a wide variety of animal friendships. One special case is a dog named Bunny, who came to us with her seven puppies as a stray in November of 2022. Once Bunny’s puppies were weaned and old enough to be adopted, it was Bunny's turn to find a home.”
“However, without her puppies, Bunny's behavior shifted and she became shut down. We sent her to a foster home to help her through this time, but even still she struggled. The foster's child started giving Bunny stuffed animals for company and she would groom them and interact. So we found a young shelter puppy to send to foster with Bunny and she came to life! When that puppy was adopted we found her another new dog friend. Bunny has befriended many dogs during her time at the shelter, often with other shy dogs who also do well with dog friends.”
My Parents Found A Kitten And Our Rottweiler Found A New Friend To Look After
They Slept Together Like This All Night Long
Our Kitten Found A Cozy Spot In-Between His New Brother And Sister
“Bunny is currently in fostering with her latest pal, Johnny On The Spot. Bunny is required to go to a home with a social dog to be an emotional support for her. She's been with the San Diego Humane Society for 425 days and is seeking the perfect home and dog friend. If you are interested in learning more about Bunny, here is a link to her adoption profile,” she shared with Bored Panda.
I Heard A Scuffle, Then Silence
Brothers. What can you do.
Its called fart face and the brother being sat on is smelling something foul 🙈
Don’t Get A Kitten And A Husky They Said
Practically Twins. Just Look At Those Ears
“She also had some suggestions for readers who would like to help animals in need. “Shelters across the county, including San Diego Humane Society, are over capacity and struggling to keep up with the constant influx of animals. Most shelters are especially over capacity with large dogs. Here are some ways community members can help save animals:
Adopt: If you’re thinking about adding a pet to your family, San Diego Humane Society urges you to consider adoption first. By opening your home to a shelter pet, you give a deserving animal a second chance while creating critically needed space for other pets in need. Jan. 26-28, 2024, adoption fees will be 50% off for adult dogs at all San Diego Humane Society campuses. There are currently 240 adult dogs available for adoption at San Diego Humane Society.
Foster: With shelters facing space crises, fosters are more critical than ever. By temporarily opening your home to a pet, you give them a break from the shelter — and help preserve extremely strained shelter resources. Whether you choose to foster for a few days or weeks, it all makes a difference. At San Diego Humane Society, we provide all the supplies, you provide the safe space and love.”
My Kitties (Brothers, 10 Months) Are So Connected, They Always Do The Same Things
While On Holiday, My Sister Asked For A Picture Of Her Two Cats. This Is What She Got
Autumn Has Been Teaching Her Brother A Thing Or Two
The classic animal love-hate relationship is between a dog and a cat. These two pets, stereotypically, are seen as so different that they can’t even help but annoy each other. The bubbly, friendly, clumsy, and overbearing dog, who just wants to play, with the aloof, “superior” and deeply proud cat is a match made in hell.
Typical Sibling Behavior
My Friend Runs An Animal Temp House. This Is Usually How Young Fluffs Look Up To Their Older Temporary Sister, Who's Clearly Had Enough Of Their Shenanigans
These Two Siblings Have Been Inseparable Since We Adopted Them
However, this is more often the case when an older house cat has “its” space invaded by a new and very energetic puppy. In reality, cats and dogs often have been seen exhibiting signs of friendliness. In fact, this can go as far as dogs “adopting” certain cat behaviors. For example, researchers have observed cats and dogs performing “nose sniffing” which is a distinct cat behavior. This means that a dog has not only learned and observed this move but is willing to do it with its friend.
Madeline And Isabelle - Sisters From Different Litters, Up To No Good
When Your Parents Make You Hang Out With The Annoying Kid
My Friend's Golden Retriever Has Taken Quite A Shine To His Feathered Siblings
The real reason why many animals form “unlikely” friendships with other beasts from different species stems from the same reason we have domesticated them in the first place. Domesticated animals have been selectively bred to be docile and generally friendly. After all, if a cow and a human can be “friends” then it’s by no means strange that a cow and a ram could do the same thing. After all, they probably share a lot more, from a love of grass to hoof fashion. Humans could never relate.
My Sister's Cat Was Lonely, So They Got Another Kitten. I Think They’re Getting Along Just Fine
I Was Trying To Take A Nice Photo Of My Cat, But Then His Brother Suddenly Photobombed Him
The New Cat Taught The Old Cat To Eat Like This
Interestingly, even less likely pairings can work in the right situations. In the San Diego Zoo, a timber wolf and two goats seemed to be play buddies, racing each other around back and forth by the fence that separated them. For scientific reasons, it could be interesting to see how they might interact without the fence, although the goats might not be the biggest fans of this idea.
Bought A New Bed For The Cats
Meet Lola And Tobi, Six-Month-Old Brother And Sister
Just Look At Her Eyes After The Boop
More relatably, many animals form interspecies friendships because, simply put, they are social creatures and love to hang out. Ironically, butterflies are not really social butterflies, compared to the generally less pretty ants and termites out there. However, mammals and avians are the most common groups that develop friendships and hang around each other.
My Kitten Likes To "Hide" In This Jar, Her Brother Is Confused
My Mastiff Got A Little Sister. He Is Definitely In Love With Her
Colin And Mango In A Supportive Embrace
I'm guessing the cat decided the dog bed was theirs so doggo had to shrink himself to fit.
That being said, even some insects do interact with other species in a mutually beneficial way. While they might not be friends who hang out and play together, ants and aphids have been observed to interact with each other for food. Ants ward off predators by stationing warriors near them, like a sort of private security. Aphids, in turn, allow ants to collect some of their sweet secretions to use as food.
New Brothers Meeting For The First Time
Get A Sibling They Said, It Will Be Fun They Said
My Dad Built My Sister's Cats Bunk Beds, And They Actually Use Them
Adopted A Cat, But Left Her Brother. A Few Days Later I Had To Go Back And Get Him Too
"You Are Showing Me Affection, And Yet, The Concept Baffles Me!"
My New Puppy Admires The Heck Out Of Her Older Brother
Shipper Has Already Had Enough Of His New Little Sister
Siblings
Sibling Love At It's Finest
This Kitten Showed Up On My Porch A Couple Of Weeks Ago. At First, I Was Worried About How He’d Get Along With My Older Cats, But Judging By This Face She’s Only Slightly Annoyed
Best Friend Hug
It Doesn't Get Any Cuter Than These Two Cuddle Buddies
Sebastien Recently Got A New Little Sister
This is exactly how our two cats react lol. Our new kitten always attacks his older sister but she's a lot less cool than the black cat, she just meows angrily and runs away
Derp Husky Brothers, Meet Lupo, Lucky And Luca
I Couldn’t Get Another Dog, But I Managed To Find Him Another Friend
New Best Friend
Sibling Love
Have You Ever Hung Around Siblings Who Are A Little Too Affectionate?
Ear Chewing, Weekend Edition
These Two Were Spotted In Sitka, Alaska
My Pitbull Is Obsessed With Our Cat And Annoys Him Constantly. Last Night I Caught Her In The Act
My Dog Meets Her New Sibling
Little Help
Watching Netflix On The Couch, Felt One Of My Dogs Jump Up And Do The Circle Thing Then Lay Down. After A Few Minutes I Hear A "Sigh" And Look Up To See Them Like This
I Think Plum Likes His New Little Brother Fig
They Really Are Siblings
I Would Like To Introduce To You Frank And Bean
Bean is the one in the back, she's especially strange. Talks all the time, shows me her belly, does not want to be touched, and dedicated to keeping me company in the bathroom. Frank is twice her size. They are siblings.
Beefie was born without a brain, but he's twice as big as his little sister Sushi...🤷🏽
This Snow Cone Tastes Funny
Hard To Beat Those Costco Two-Packs, What A Bargain
This Is Higgins And Benson, Two Brothers, Who Like To Hang Around When I Do The Dishes
Diesel Is Not Amused
Phil Has Always Liked To Be The Little Spoon
You Can See It In Her Eyes How Annoyed She Is That The Cat Stole Her Bed
My Sister's Cats
Rocco Had Surgery Today And His Siblings Offered No Support, Just Judgement
The siblings are scared of the vet smell on Rocco, they'll be more supportive when he smells like home again.
Big Henry Squashing His Brother
What A Cute Family
My Older Cat With My New Kitten. I Was Afraid They Wouldn't Get Along
Brother And Sister Exploring The Linen Closet
The Warmest Place In The House
When I House-Sat For My Sister, Her Dogs Were Very Happy To See Me
My New Kitten, Jackie Daytona, Likes To Lay On His Sister
My 11-Year-Old Dog Reacting To Having A New Puppy In The House
Chaos Comforting His Brother Diesel During These Scary Storms Today
We Adopted A Kitten. Our Older Cat Is Not Amused
The Extremely Rare Two-Headed Two-Butted Dog
The Yin And Yang Brothers - Cosmo And Leo
Thirsty Sisters
My Foster Kitten Was Annoying My Cat So He Put Her In A Headlock Until She Calmed Down Enough To Groom Her
Our New Kitten Has Laid Claim Over Her New Big Brother
We Rescued A Golden Retriever Who Loves Cats. Tiger Isn't Amused
Murph Hiding From Margot
Bunk Beds
A Handsome Lad And His Creepin' Sister
Brother Blep
"Who, Me? I Wasn't Doing Anything Wrong, Trust Me. What's That? Why Am I Suspiciously Smiling? And Why This Annoyed Look On My Brother's Face? I Have No Idea What You're Talking About, Mommy"
Everyone Has A Role In Life. Sometimes It Is Being A Pillow For Your Sibling
Orange Cat’s Name Is Dexter. New Kitten Annoys Him When He Eats, So We Named Her Dee Dee
Lottie, Your Sister Is Not A Seat
Rorschach Blot Or Two Bonded Dogs?
We Brought Home A Puppy And Someone Is Not Amused
Got These Two To Sit Still For Once
Great accomplishment! And my I compliment you on the wisdom of getting dogs that match the color of your carpet. No visible shedding!
Today, After Weeks Of Careful Seduction, My Dog Was Finally Able To Win The Heart Of My Cat, Only To Lay As The Big Spoon, Completely Frozen In What Looks Like Terror And Confusion
"Shhh! Nobody Asked You!"
My Girlfriend Got A New Kitten. The Resident Cat Is Not Amused
When Your Parents Make You Go To Your Little Brother's Birthday Party
When Both Of These Dogs Are My Two Moods
Their Afternoon Nap Is The Cutest Thing Ever
Fighting Siblings
Luke, Mike And Michell Are Really Living Life
My Cat Thinks He's A Professional Wrestler. My Other Cat Is Less Amused
Trust it to be a ginger! My non-ginger cats sometimes have the same resigned expression!
The Goofy And The Serious Sibling
The Chair Belongs To The Tabby Cat. The White Cat Got It First, And The Tabby Decided To Share It
Tabby is slowly inching onto the chair whilst simultaneously pushing White out of the way.
My Two New Cats - Dio And Jojo. Dio Is The Black And White Cat, And Jojo Is The Grey Tabby
That One Annoying Sibling
My Sister Got A New Kitten. Looks Like She Should Have Consulted With Her Cat First
Younger Sibling
“Can You Hear Me Now?”
You can see the age on the black pupper's nose. Maybe she is a little deaf.
My Cat Doesn't Seem Too Sure Of His New Sibling
Someone Isn’t So Sure About Their New Sister
Sibling's Right
Does Anybody Else’s Pit Bull Do This To Their Siblings? It’s A Daily Occurrence For This One
My house hippo would sit on my lap like that whenever I sat on the floor. He was a lovable goofball.
What Strange Creatures Brothers Are
I Have 4 Cat Trees, But The Only Place He Wants To Sit Is On His Brother
What Having A Younger Sibling Is Like
My older dog was considered unsocializable by the shelter and my family was told we could never have another dog with him. We have two dogs now and they love each other.
My older dog was considered unsocializable by the shelter and my family was told we could never have another dog with him. We have two dogs now and they love each other.