Science Encourages You to Share More Cute Pet Photos—Here’s Why!

Charming animal images are a fast way to uplift anyone’s spirits, and sharing these moments fosters a sense of community.

When someone shares a photo of a playful kitten with their parents or a video of an otter clasping paws, they participate in a phenomenon known as “pebling.”

“Pebling refers to a behavior exhibited by Gentoo Penguins, who offer pebbles as symbols of affection to potential partners,” explained Professor Ghalia Shamayleh, who led the study as noted in BBC Science Focus. “Our findings indicate similar behaviors among humans on social media.”

According to Shamayleh, the images, videos, and posts we share online serve as “the pebble equivalent for humans.” We send them to our loved ones as tokens of affection to reinforce our connections.

Animal-themed posts particularly enhance these “pebbles.”

The research, centered around social media accounts dedicated to pets, revealed that creators “infuse joy, love, and entertainment into their social media content.”

This often manifests through visual storytelling, such as taking pets on adventures or introducing them to family members. It also employs “Petspeak,” a blend of baby talk like “dogo,” “teefe,” and “sploot,” alongside playful language and slang.

Animals hold a universal charm. Who doesn’t enjoy seeing pictures of cute puppies or kittens?

In everyday settings, animals act as “social lubricants,” bringing people together to express “AWW” and lift their spirits. This effect becomes even more pronounced in the online world.

Initially, sharing an animal photo may suggest a level of unfamiliarity that prevents sending something more personal.

However, the research indicated that people thoughtfully consider the social media content they choose to share.

Shamayleh and her co-authors, including Professor Zeynep Arsel from Concordia University, analyzed several pet-focused media accounts to understand user interactions and conducted interviews with various content creators and fans.

They found that individuals utilize images and videos to evoke shared experiences among loved ones, reminiscing and reaffirming common histories.

For instance, one might send a friend a brief clip of two baby pandas attempting to stand, accompanied by the comment, “Just like in your first yoga class and mine.”

By selecting posts that resonate with the recipient’s interests, senders are able to convey a deeper understanding of their loved ones, by sharing videos of their favorite animals.

“By referencing the sender’s relationship alongside animal content, individuals digitally emphasize their bond, saying, ‘This reminded me of you and our connection,'” remarked Shamayleh.

So, the next time you come across a delightful animal photo or video, don’t hesitate to share it and show your loved ones how much you care.

About the Experts

Ghalia Shamayleh is an Assistant Professor in the Marketing Department at Essec Business School, specializing in sociocultural consumer phenomena through detailed interviews and observations. She investigates the implications of digital interactions on interpersonal and interspecies relationships.

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