Today, we would like to shed light on some of it. Shared by the ‘Hayvanormal’ Instagram account, the images on the list below show that there is never a dull moment with a pet; and if there is, that means they are most likely asleep, which—of course—calls for taking a picture. So, if such content is something you enjoy, wait no longer and start scrolling through the funny snapshots of animals on the list below, where you will also find Bored Panda’s interview with senior lecturer in the Psychology department at University of New Hampshire and an expert in animal behavior, Jan Tornick. For example, according to the Waltham Petcare Science Institute, pet parents—especially those sharing a home with a dog—have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and better overall heart health. In addition to that, pets can positively influence people’s mental well-being by providing emotional support and helping them deal with stress and the way they respond to it. Dogs, for instance, make their humans exercise, too, whether they feel like it or not. According to Harvard Health Publishing, dog owners tend to walk roughly 20 minutes more per day than those without a four-legged companion. But the physical activity taking daily walks entails is not the only benefit of taking time to explore the great outdoors with your pet. “Dogs are great mindfulness teachers because they live in the moment, using their senses of smell, hearing, sight, and touch as they move through the world,” Dr. Frates pointed out, suggesting that following your dog’s lead while on a walk and focusing on what they focus on can be a great way to relieve stress. The study also found that roughly three in four millennials would have a more favorable view of and would be more likely to visit their veterinarian if the latter discussed the health benefits of the human-animal bond with them. But to anyone who is Facebook friends with their Baby Boomer aunt Susan or who follows their youngster cousin on Instagram, it is clear that millennials are not the only ones sharing pictures of their animals on a daily basis. According to Jan Tornick, one of the main reasons we tend to create or view animal-related content nowadays is the interest in their actions that has been passed down to us from our ancestors. “Many domestic animals have been selectively bred for traits like docility and neoteny (infant-like features), which makes them seem vulnerable to us,” the expert continued, adding that that’s when people’s inborn need to nurture kicks in and that’s why we find them—and content related to them—so darn adorable. ”The cute memes and videos effectively reinforce our positive feelings towards animals.” Follow Bored Panda on Google News! Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda! Please use high-res photos without watermarks Ooops! Your image is too large, maximum file size is 8 MB.
