Senior Golden Retriever Treating Bunny Like 'Her Baby' Will Put You In Your Feels
Animals can often form unlikely friendships, whether in the wild or living under the same roof as pets. There have been many popular social media pairings, like a horse greeting a feline and an American bulldog befriending a bearded dragon, and now we can add a senior golden retriever and a bunny to the ever-growing list, as this sweet TikTok video once again proves that such a pure interspecies friendship is quite possible.
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"My senior dog thinks my bunny is her baby," states the video, which shows the older pooch lying down next to and licking the pet bunny, who looks to be happily asleep. "It's obviously her baby, they're literally the same colors," noted one person in the comments section, as another added, "Chosen family at its finest ❤️."
Meanwhile, another viewer pointed out, "The bunny is here for it." Sadly, this pet duo had to say their goodbyes when the bunny passed away, but that floppy-eared spirit lives on in such a sweet moment together.
Why dogs sometimes baby other pets
Dogs have a unique way of deciding that another animal needs looking after, and when they treat a cat, rabbit, or other small pet like a baby, they are usually tapping into natural caregiving and social instincts.
If another pet in the household is young, like a puppy, it can give off scents and signals that dogs associate with vulnerability, and dog behaviors like licking and grooming are familiar ways for them to bond and offer comfort. But it isn't always just about the caregiving dog seeing the other animal as a baby, as pups are highly social and can form strong attachments with other adult animals too.
Sometimes, dogs associate a particular pet friend with comfort and companionship, and behaviors like grooming and cuddling are ways of reinforcing that bond. In some cases, a dog may simply have a naturally nurturing personality and treat a smaller pet as one who needs a little extra attention. Of course, a dog's affection doesn't automatically mean every interaction is safe. Small animals can be easily injured, even when a dog appears gentle, so their time together should always be supervised.