20 Cute Animal Photos That Are Exactly What You Need Right Now

Studies have shown that when we see something or someone we find cute, it stimulates the area in our mid-brains associated with motivation and reward, causing a surge of dopamine. Over the course of evolution, the human brain has developed certain “cuteness” criteria: big eyes, fluffy paws, and chubby cheeks, just to name a few. All the animals in our compilation do possess the features of cuteness that can melt anyone’s heart.

Here at SmallJoys we got our dose of the “happy hormone” while looking at these pics. Now it’s your turn!

1. A paw with a cute paw-shaped mark

2. Cuteness overload!

View this post on Instagram

? #panda #pandas #panda? #babypanda #pandabears #pandabear #giantpanda #ilovepanda #pandalove #pandalover #大熊猫 #cute #animals #animallove #animallover #pandalovers #animallovers #china #china?? #cuteanimals #sweet #pandalife #pandathings #pandalicious #pandastyle #lovepanda #cutebaby #sweets

A post shared by @ pandafaustt on Sep 24, 2018 at 7:33am PDT

3. Quokkas know how to take perfect selfies!

View this post on Instagram

Find friends that smile at you like this Quokka ? @quokkahub #HappyQuokkaMonday – #quokka #quokkahub #rottnestisland #rottnest #westernaustralia #australia #quokkaselfie

A post shared by Allan Dixon (@daxon) on Jul 30, 2018 at 6:08am PDT

4. Aww… This little rabbit is adorable!

View this post on Instagram

Nothing can dim the light that shines from within ~Maya Angelou. Email, text, or dm to be added to our wait list. • • • #bunny #bunny? #bunniesforsale #bunnyrabbitry #wisconsinbunny #rabbitsofinstagram #cute #rabbitry #bunnies #bunniesofinstagram #rabbits #bunnylove #bunnygram #hollandlop #purebredhollandlop #petsofinstagram #hollandlopsofinstagram #wisconsin #hollandlops #love #animalphotography #bunnylover #rabbit #babybunnies #bunbunshout #animalsofinstagram #cutenessoverload #wisconsinlife #hollandlopbunny

A post shared by hunny bunny rabbitry (@hunny.bunny.rabbitry) on Sep 24, 2018 at 4:54pm PDT

5. Just look at these fluffy cuties!

View this post on Instagram

@persian_pomsky_sisters ❤❤ #PUPFLIX

A post shared by Pupflix – Dogs & Puppies (@pupflix) on Sep 23, 2018 at 10:06pm PDT

6. Oh my! Those legs!

View this post on Instagram

Seriously Monday can kiss my A**!! That’s how I feel about it???☺️ #mondayblues

A post shared by Emma and Sophie (@emmansophie) on Sep 24, 2018 at 5:28pm PDT

7. Some animals rock their hairstyles!

View this post on Instagram

Caniche Saiyan 2 #animal #lama #kuzco #dbz #kiss #tutévukantabu

A post shared by Yves (@sevy_suis_ej) on Sep 23, 2018 at 10:35am PDT

8. If you want to stupefy your dog for a moment, you know what to do!

View this post on Instagram

RATE 1-10 ❤️? ——————— FOLLOW ?@animals.nature.photo❤ FOLLOW ?@animals.nature.photo ❤️ FOLLOW ?@animals.nature.photo❤️ ——————— #animal #animals #cute #pet #cuteanimals #photooftheday #wild #nature #awesomeshots #wow #omg #beautiful #cool #best #natureshooters #cat #cats #dog #dogs #sweet #cute #instagood #animalslove #animallover #animallovers #animalgram #animalphotos #2018

A post shared by Animals (@animals.nature.photo) on Sep 24, 2018 at 3:13pm PDT

9. Have a look at cuteness from a different angle.

View this post on Instagram

* @hamunosuke315 さん主催の#裏ハム祭 参加させていただきます♪ #毎月10日は裏ハム祭 ですよー！ お腹もふもふだ〜? #ジャンガリアンハムスター#ジャンガリアン #ハムスター#ハムスタグラム#裏ハム#あんず #ふわもこ部 #hamster #hamstergram

A post shared by @ mona_tama on Feb 9, 2017 at 7:13am PST

10. What a charming smile!

View this post on Instagram

#puppies #puppiesofinstagram #puppy #cute #cutepuppy #pupsofinstagram #pupstagram #pups #animal #animals #dogsofinstagram #dogs #doggies #pet #petstagram #petsofinstagram #pets_of_instagram #kittens #kitty #kittensofinstagram #kittycat #cat #catsofinstagram #catstagram #animalsofinstagram #puppylove #lovepuppies #cutekittens #cutness #adorable

A post shared by @ cutepupsandkittens on Sep 24, 2018 at 10:11am PDT

11. A kangaroo enjoying the sun

12. C’mon, buddy! Let’s play!

View this post on Instagram

Soccer anyone? ?⚽️ | Photography by @thor_gsd_puppy —– Tag a friend! Follow @petsontheinternet —– #puppylife #puppygram #puppylove #catsofinsta #dogsofinstagram #cutekittens #doglover #instagramdog #animallovers #instadog #ilovecats #babyanimals #dogstagram #puppylover

A post shared by Pets On The Internet (@petsontheinternet) on Sep 24, 2018 at 11:59am PDT

13. The ’brows’ make this little kitten look so charming!

View this post on Instagram

TAG SOMEONE WHO LOVE TO SEE THIS ? . #cat #cats #sweetcatshub #catsagram  #catstagram #instagood #kitten #kitty #kittens #pet #pets #animal #animals #petstagram #petsagram #photooftheday #catsofinstagram #ilovemycat #instagramcats #nature #catoftheday #lovecats #furry #cutepetshub #lovekittens #adorable #catlover #instacat

A post shared by S W E E T C A T S H U B (@sweetcatshub) on Jun 20, 2018 at 6:10pm PDT

14. Can I have some treats, please?

View this post on Instagram

Can we all agree that adorable is an understatement⁉️?? My #MCM is definitely a a women magnet! ?? @thrillsoftheo ⭐️⭐️⭐️ H A P P Y M O N D A Z E ‼️☺️ How was your weekend everybody⁉️ We hope you all have a wonderful start to your week! ? Remember to give your pawrents some kisses before they leave, maybe it'll make them come home faster? ?‍♀️ If you want to see more of this cutie pie, check him out @thrillsoftheo ⬅️⬅️⬅️⬅️⬅️ – – – Don't Forget To Double Tap ❤️ & Click That Follow Button For More Awesome Pics! ??? – – – #dogsofinstaworld #frenchiesociety #frenchiesofinstagram #frenchbulldogsofinstagram #frenchie #frenchbulldog #frenchielove #frenchiesofig #mancrushmonday #cuteness #cutenessoverload #gangofbullies #gangoffrenchies #dogsofig #dogsofinstagram #dogstagram #instalike #instagood instafollow #instabulldog #instafrenchie

A post shared by Gang Of Frenchies (@gangoffrenchies) on Sep 24, 2018 at 9:32am PDT

15. Oink-oink!

View this post on Instagram

? to the very FIRST night of the rest of my life with my Mom ? As part of the Pig bonding ritual, I got on her lap on my own to acknowledge Mom as my family forever. Check out my charming smile ??? – – – – – – – ____ Posted by @lilou_sfpig Plz Follow us @diffypigs . #pigpig #piggytails #micropig #piggies #piggy #pigsinblankets #petpig #pig? #piglove #pigg #pigears #pigoftheday #pigture #pigowners_unite #pigscanfly #minipig #oink #piggingout #pigstagram #piglife #piglets

A post shared by Diffy Pigs (@diffypigs) on Sep 14, 2018 at 8:25am PDT

16. There are days when you just can’t get enough coffee…

View this post on Instagram

too much monday, not enough coffee ☕️? . . . #puppuccino #basic #cutepets #instahusky #puppiesofinstagram #doggo #starbucks #cutepups #itsahuskything #dogsofinstagram #huskypuppy #weeklyfluff #huskylove #dailybarker #allthingshusky #instapup #huskyworld #cutenessoverload #puppygram #dogstagram #handsomehusky #bestwoof #ilovemyhusky

A post shared by Z E U S ? (@zeus.the.huskybear) on Sep 24, 2018 at 2:31pm PDT

17. This is what it means to be in perfect shape!

18. “This little cutie came in with his brother a week ago, both of them cold, emaciated, and weak. Now they’re both thriving! ”

View this post on Instagram

Round 2 of baby squirrels! This little cutie came in with his brother a week ago, both of them cold, emaciated and weak. Now they’re both thriving! #backfromthedead #easterngreysquirrel #babysquirrel #feedingtime #wildliferehab #waldenspuddle

A post shared by Walden's Puddle (@waldenspuddle) on Aug 21, 2018 at 12:27pm PDT

19. If you are having a bad day, just look at this photo!

View this post on Instagram

here’s some puppy cuteness to get you through Monday ?———————————————————— Share your adorable puppy moments! Tag @impactpups #impactpups for a chance to be featured! ⠀⠀ Want to WIN a High Anxiety Impact Dog Crate for your pup? Like and Comment below within 5 minutes this is posted to be entered into this week’s #FreebieFriday giveaway! Contest details in highlights. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Thanks Rebecca Clas Kirzner for sharing! #impactdogcrates #madeintheusa #safestrongsecure #lifetimewarranty

A post shared by Impact Dog Crates (@impactdogcrates) on Sep 24, 2018 at 1:36pm PDT

20. A baby raccoon after a bath. Isn’t it cute?

View this post on Instagram

Some after bath snuggle time with mum. ?

A post shared by Shellie Ross Gilliam (@shellsraccoonsandwildlife) on Sep 24, 2018 at 3:01pm PDT

Bonus. Why Having a Boxer Can Change Your Life

“Oops, it seems I’ve broken my boxer.”

“My friend’s dog is not happy about leaving the dog park early.”

“Our boxer puppy laying on our adult boxer, updated.”

She’s waiting for her water aerobics class to begin.

Her butt looks like a cartoon nerd.

Happy summer boy

“I’m dogsitting the weirdest dog ever. Every time I glance at him, he’s got a new pose for me.”

This boxer bouncing through some winter snow

“Nothing weird, just my doggo watching the fish.”

It’s just his lifestyle.

“We’re gonna need a bigger seat.”

“Jessie doesn’t like to share with her sister.”

“It’s behind me, isn’t it?”

Hmm…is it 1 or 2 dogs?

“No Dad, it’s Saturday. You can’t go to work.”

View this post on Instagram

No Dad, it’s Saturday. You can’t go to work.

A post shared by @ thebentleyboxer on Mar 10, 2018 at 8:52am PST

“Poor humans, they are so weird.”

“My boxer’s awkward moment”

What a happy marriage really looks like:

“Things got a little weird after you left…”

Boxers are supposedly a smart breed…

“The cutest thing I’ve ever seen”

That looks like a dog with purpose.

“Lucy always knows when it’s time for cooking.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSE9jvFhkvF

Perfect fit!

Sometimes boxers are jerks, but we can’t help but love them!

Nothing else matters when a boxer is happy you’re coming home.

“Oakley is a good boy. A drooly one sure, but a good boy.”

“Look, Mom, I’m a rider!”

“Our boxer dog meeting our adorable newborn baby for the first time”

“He doesn’t realize he’s not a puppy anymore…”

It’s official, boxers can sleep at absolutely any time, any place.

A perfect spiral!