Take a break from looking at food porn on Instagram and ogle these animals instead. Some you may recognize (like "the most famous dog on Instagram"), some you might be meeting for the first time (like Hero the action dog), but all will melt your heart. From a little girl and her tabby cat sidekick to a flying hedgehog, click through now to see the cutest animals on Instagram.
And speaking of, POPSUGAR Pets just joined the Instagram party, so be sure to follow us!
Meet the most smiley animal on earth: the quokka. A native of Australia, the quokka is a marsupial in the macropod family (along with wallabies and kangaroos) with a permanently positive outlook. Its most distinct characteristic is the appearance that it is always smiling. If you're feeling blue or just having a bad day, look no further. Click through to get an instant mood-booster and learn a few fun facts about quokkas while you're at it!
Animals make the best accessories — and we mean live ones! The fashion industry has taken notice of how photogenic and chic our four-legged friends can be, and the result are some wildly colorful — and adorable — editorials and ads. Check out everything from our fantasy Prada ad to some very well-accessorized pooches to an up-and-coming Pomeranian that could give Boo a run for his money and click on to see what happens when fashion and animals collide.
Photos courtesy of Tous, Avenue32, and AnOther Magazine
Already a megastar in the world of Internet cats, Lil Bub is now a Hollywood A-lister too. At the Tribeca Film Festival to debut her documentary, Lil Bub & Friendz, which is about its famous title character and her contemporaries, like Nyan Cat, Grumpy Cat, and Keyboard Cat, Lil Bub attended the directors brunch on April 23 and rubbed elbows with the one and only Robert De Niro. The legendary actor was so happy to meet Lil Bub — who is a legend in her own right — he scooped the "perma-kitten" up in his arms and proudly posed with her.
Below is a poster for the feline documentary.
We humans will never tire of seeing two very different animals cuddling, nuzzling, or just hanging out. While our species is mostly limited to befriending our own kind, the sky's the limit in the animal kingdom. Their bonds transcend the boundaries that we normally face (language, culture, class, social ranking, etc.), making their friendships more pure and totally worthy of celebrating. No matter the difference in appearance and size, mammals will befriend birds, predators will befriend their prey, and even cats and dogs — the most extreme of arch nemeses — will find their way into each other's arms. Click through for our newest batch of the most unlikely yet sweetest interspecies friendships.
In anticipation of the Easter holiday — and treats — put down that giant chocolate rabbit and press play on these videos instead. Unlike your judgmental cats or sweet, welcoming dogs, bunnies have a distinct appeal that's hard to put your finger on. Perhaps it's because they're normally so placid that when they do something out of the ordinary, we explode with "oohs" and "awws." Whether it's a bunny eating a flower Thumper-style, bunnies competing in a show-jumping course, or just a bunny in a bowl, our minds are blown that they're doing something other than pooping. Click through to see our roundup of the best bunny videos on YouTube and treat yourself guilt-free!
Spring is fast approaching, which means it's time to refresh your wardrobe, but don't forget about your dog. The Spring 2013 runways showed some prominent trends for this season, from pretty pastel hues to graphic black-and-white stripes and punk-inspired wares. And, of course, Spring shopping wouldn't be complete without one (or a few) really cute yet sturdy raincoats. Now that you've got your Spring-cleaning out of the way (or not — we won't judge), click through and shop our top picks for the hottest, most on-trend Spring apparel for your four-legged friend.
Our cats can be a little judgmental sometimes — or all the time. While your pooch may jump all over you when you come home from work, it's more likely your cat will be waiting for you by her food bowl with a "what took you so long?" look on her face. If you ever ask your cat to sit, lie down, or roll over, she probably looks you up and down as if to ask, "Are you serious?" And it's this "I can't be bothered" attitude that we love so much about our feline companions. Even if they look at us like we're just idiot humans, we know that they're just lookin' out. Hey, sometimes we need to be put in our places. Click through to see 13 cats judging you.
His name is Tupac Shacorgi — enough said. Based in LA (where else?), this little Instagram star is not your average Pembroke Welsh Corgi. While most Corgis would paw at the opportunity to have tea and biscuits with Queen Elizabeth, Tupac prefers doing shots of Patrón Silver and chilling in hoodies with his main homie, Sir Cornelius Kirby. He may be short in stature, but he's big on attitude (hey, a dog's gotta survive on those mean streets). So just sit back, put on some "California Love," and learn what it means to be West Side for life when you click on.
The newest (and cutest) dog breed in the spotlight is the affenpinscher. When Banana Joe was crowned best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Tuesday, the whole world was asking, "What is that funny-looking little thing?" This toy breed is marked by its scruffy, monkey-like face, so it's no surprise that affenpinscher literally translates to "monkey terrier" in German. If you're considering adding an affenpinscher to your family, you'll want to consider some pros and cons.
At an average weight of seven to 10 pounds, this little dog has a big heart and even bigger character. According to this Dogs 101: Affenpinscher video on Animal Planet, "The affenpinscher is spunky times 10." They are extremely playful, adventurous, intelligent, and even a little mischievous. Because of their small stature, they make perfect indoor dogs and travel well, but they can also be easily injured due to their size. Affenpinschers are also prone to ailments, including eye, teeth, hip, joint, thyroid, and heart disease, which could rack up a high vet bill. And maybe because they're so spunky, these little fellas can be difficult to housebreak.
Whether or not you're in the market for a new pet, we've culled some pics of this peculiarly cute dog for you to pore over. Click on and get to know the affenpinscher.
Source: Flickr user dog_photographer
Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and there's no better time to express to your pets just how much you love them. (Not that you shouldn't be expressing it all year long.) Often associated with sweet treats, plush gifts, and lots of cuddle time, this holiday is practically made for our animal companions. February has plenty of excitement for you and your pet, but take the time and do something special on Feb. 14. We've narrowed down some drool-worthy gifts to make your Valentine's Day shopping a little easier. Click on and start the love fest!
Just in time for New York Fashion Week, a fresh style-setter arrives on the scene, but there's something different about this guy: he's a dog. Meet Menswear Dog, a 3-year-old Shiba Inu with a penchant for high fashion. Need advice on how to style your man's chunky cable-knit cardigan with his rugged Winter boots? Menswear Dog has the answer!
To get to know this chic pooch, just keep reading.
As we stock up on beer and nachos for football's biggest day of the year, canine fans are also getting ready for game day. So before we watch the San Francisco 49ers take on the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday, we're getting in the spirit by checking out the biggest puppy pigskin fans on Instagram in their NFL best. Just like everyone's favorite puppy event, the Puppy Bowl, Instagram is filled with playful pooches ready to score a touchdown. Whether they're rooting for Jim or John, one thing's for sure: these dogs have major team spirit. Click on and get ready to say Harb-aww!
Source (clockwise, from top left): Instagram users psmitty_49, drewwy4, lvanderbyl, and kports3
Jan. 21 is National Squirrel Appreciation Day, and we're here to help you celebrate with some funny videos starring the bushy-tailed creatures. In addition to learning some amazing facts about these ubiquitous critters, why not celebrate them by taking a look at how they've touched our lives? Over the years, there has been no shortage of squirrelly influence on pop culture. In honor of the holiday, we're reliving all of our favorite squirrel moments, everything from countless car commercials to Carrie Bradshaw's hilarious but apt comparison to their less-cute cousins. Click on and go nuts!
Make 2013 the best year ever for you and your pet by including him in your resolutions. Last year was a doozy, what with a superstorm, a heated presidential election, and the highly anticipated apocalypse. So in the new year, don't lose sight of your priorities. Make sure both you and your pet are healthy, and spend as much quality time as you can with your best pal. If you're both aiming to shed a few pounds, then tackle that exercise and diet regimen together. Who knows? Maybe having a furry partner will allow you to finally stick to your resolutions.
Treat your pet like a royal this holiday with a gift fit for a king. Money is no object when it comes to your loyal companion, so go ahead and splurge. To help you truly pamper your dog or cat this holiday season, we've rounded up 18 of the most luxurious pet gifts, including a shampoo created by an actual royal. Click through and happy shopping!
Here at Sugar, we love our four-legged friends — maybe even more than we love celebrities. So PetSugar is taking a break from ogling Boo and Grumpy Cat to fawn over our own pets. Besides, we have our own Boo lookalike and plenty of adorably grumpy felines who deserve celebrity status. Click through and get to know 76 of our very own Sugar employees' pets.
There's nothing cuter than animals playing their hearts out in the snow. The Winter setting may give you the chills, but the sheer joy on these animals' faces will make you feel all warm and fuzzy. From puppies rolling around in the frost to wild horses running across a frozen meadow, we've culled the happiest animals playing in the Winter wonderland. Curl up by the fire and click on!
The Winter can be a risky time for animals, but with a few tips and precautions, you can winterize your pet to keep him safe and warm in the most frigid temperatures. Keeping your pet indoors may be the easiest solution, but your dog still needs his exercise, and your outdoor cat will want to keep her normal routine. Weathering Winter elements like snow, ice, and salt takes more than picking the trendiest pet parka; read on for a few simple and important safety tips for winterizing your pet.
If your pet must be kept outside:
For more tips on how to keep your pet safe in frigid temperatures, just keep reading.
We can't stop following cute cats on Instagram, but perhaps the most photogenic are the smush-faced breeds. (And by photogenic, we mean adorably grumpy-looking.) Brachycephalic cats, including Exotic Shorthairs and Himalayans, are becoming increasingly popular Internet stars as photo-sharing owners proudly show off their furry companions. Maybe it's because they look like walking, meowing stuffed animals with their cartoonish features, but for whatever reason, the newest face of Instagram is smushed. Click on to ogle our favorites!
Source: Instagram users mushielovessookie, gagetucker, sakuracos, and mawin_hope
