Laughter, An Amazing Trait We Share With Animals! 

People often say that laughter is the best medicine. While the evolutionary purpose of laughter is still debatable for scientists, it’s not a uniquely human feature. 

Humans often think of themselves as unique and special creatures on the planet. We share many of our traits with the animals around us. And yes, this includes our ability to laugh when ticked! 

Recent studies have indicated that not only do animals laugh, but they laugh for many of the same reasons as humans. Tickling a pet can make them laugh, but other animals use laughter when play-fighting, much like humans do. 

So why do our animal friends laugh? What kinds of animals laugh the most? How can you make your furry friends laugh? Let’s find out!

Why Do We Laugh? 

Why we laugh is something we don’t fully understand. Sometimes people laugh because they’re tickled. But we can also laugh because we find something funny or feel stressed. The exact causes of laughter vary from person to person.

The same is true for animals. While almost all animals laugh when tickled, cats, dogs, and even rats have shown they emit laughter when play fighting. This could signify to the other animal that they’re not seriously fighting but merely playing. 

Humans use laughter for very similar reasons. Have you ever rough-housed as a kid and laughed periodically? This might be your body’s natural way of telling your companion that this is just for fun and they don’t need to feel threatened. 

Dogs, rats, and dolphins emit similar laughter when playing too! It’s just one of the many things we share with animals, along with our love of life and playing! 

What Kinds of Animals Laugh the Most? 

Most animals laugh, but not all laugh at a frequency we can hear. For example, rats laugh at a pitch too high for our ears to distinguish. But you can hear a rat laughing with the right kind of microphone.

Just because we can’t hear it doesn’t mean it’s not there. 

Dogs laugh a little differently than humans, but they do laugh. You can hear your dog laughing whenever they’re rapidly panting while being tickled or played with.  

While cats don’t laugh, they do express joy and amusement. Cats usually purr when they’re pleased, showing they enjoy whatever you’re doing, which is their way of laughing. 

Some lesser-known animals that laugh include dolphins, certain parrots, chimpanzees, and elephants! 

Conclusion

Laughter helps us show emotion to those around us. It lets us connect with them, share something we enjoy, and release endorphins which improve our mood. Since animals express laughter similarly to humans, they probably feel like we do when we laugh! 

Animals share the planet with us and deserve our respect and devotion. Keeping our planet healthy and safe for all life is the best way to show you care! 

Animals Are My Favorite People by Tiny Rescue: Animal Collection

Related Content: 

• 10 Animals That Actually Laugh
• UCLA Study Finds 65 Animal Species Laugh
• Eyesight Plays Key Role in Elephants’ Balance, Study Finds
• 5 Animals Who Grieve Like Humans
• Hilarious Expression or Careful Communication? What Dog’s “Side-Eye” Means

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