A Cozy Collection of Animal Cuddle Puddles for Anyone Who Could Use a Hug

Celeste Mello • Writer and Editor

Nov 6, 2026 10:45 AM EST

When was the last time you gave someone you love a good hug?

If someone came to mind while you read that, I hope you get to hug them soon. I'm already thinking about the people I'd like to see. My mom, my friends, the people I'm always happy to spend time with. And you know what? We could hug them a little more often. We actually should. Hugs literally improve our mood.

These animal cuddle puddles are making a pretty good case for it themselves. I look at everyone curled up together and want to settle down beside them. Is there room for one more? I'd like to be that comfortable, please. I can bring a blanket and something sweet to eat. I'm very good company when I've had a snack.

And yes, people have studied this. In a 2022 study published in the Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, researchers followed 94 adults for seven days. Participants reported how often they hugged people and how they were feeling. On days with more hugs, they tended to report a better mood. That doesn't prove that only the hugs caused the improvement, but it does show a connection between everyday affection and how people felt.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to start your Caturday with the funniest felines on the internet!

01

via goldenretrieverlove.official
02

via peakwildlifepark
03

via purrsandbeansnz
I like that they looked at something so ordinary like a hug. I don't usually stop after hugging a friend to think about how I'm feeling. I'm probably already asking what we're going to eat. But when I think about why I enjoy those moments, I come back to feeling loved and comfortable with someone. I can be tired around them. I can sit beside them and enjoy being there.
04

via mermaid.kayleigh
05

via mermaidmorgan.lajolla
06

via threegoldiesonepyr
07

via twoprettymutts
08
Would drain my bank account to lie down and let them crawl all over me.

via sloth_lovers_life
09

via lonepinekoala
I also love a hug when I'm happy. If a friend has good news, I want to squeeze them. If I haven't seen my mom in a while, I want to hug her when I arrive. We should pay more attention to those chances to show affection because it feels good. Well, I consider myself an affectionate person. I know some people just don't feel like hugging anyone because they are just not affectionate kind of people. I, on the other hand, am that kind of person who hugs her friends when I arrive at their houses and shows them affection every time I get the chance. Anyway, I get it if you don't show affection that way. But it is also proven that a hug feels right. So next time you are with someone you love, pause for a hug first. You'll feel better. I promise. Try it.
10

via thetoledozoo
11
This is what I call going with the flock

via dr**nkfailz
12

via fabulous_doodle
13

via threegoldiesonepyr
14

via backcountryimage
15

via humanebroward
What I like about it is feeling welcome with someone I trust. Someone's glad I'm there, and I enjoy that before we've even decided what we're doing. If I've had a tiring day, I appreciate being able to relax and spend time with someone who cares about me. I can tell them what's going on when I'm ready. So these little cuddle puddles have me wanting to arrange one of my own. A cozy afternoon, someone I love beside me and enough time to stay there for a while. I'm sending these pictures to my girlfriend right now. I hope she understands that I'm suggesting plans for tonight.
16

via memimalistic
17

via terricole
18

via vermontshepherd
19

via murphymooseduo
20

via natgeoanimals