35+ Unusual Animal Friendships That’ll Melt Your Heart

Friendship is a valuable aspect of life that goes beyond boundaries such as age, location, and even species. It cannot be confined to a particular category. Surprisingly, some animals have established close bonds with unexpected individuals. Examples of such friendships include a dog or a cat, a monkey and a deer. These relationships demonstrate that there are no set guidelines when it comes to forming friendships.

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Bubbles and Bella

Indeed, it is a fact that friendships can take many forms. This is particularly applicable in the instance of the friendship between Bubbles the elephant and Bella the black Labrador.
Bubbles and Bella became acquainted at a Safari park where Bubbles was taken for safety after being rescued from those who wanted to harm her. Bella, who had already been living there, developed a close bond with the massive pachyderm. As a result, the two have a frequent habit of swimming together.

Bea and Wilma

Although the title may suggest a TV show about senior ladies, the truth is quite different. Bea the giraffe and Wilma the ostrich have an extraordinary relationship that defies expectations. To describe their bond as strange would be putting it mildly.
While residing at Busch Gardens in the United States, the two animals crossed paths and formed a bond. Although they have access to a vast 65-acre space to roam alone, they frequently choose to mingle, commonly near the pool area.

Tinni and Sniffer

In the forests near Tinni’s house in Norway, she encountered Sniffer, a wolf fox, and the two quickly formed a strong bond. They spent a lot of time together, going on walks through the lush forest. Their friendship was unbreakable.
Togeir Berge owns Tinni as a domesticated pet and he is the one responsible for capturing delightful pictures of their daily strolls. Berge admits that it can be challenging to keep up with the lively companions, but he strives to do his utmost.

Torque and Shrek

The appearance of this duo alone is sufficient to convince anyone that animals are more adept at emotions than humans. When he was parted from his mother, Shrek, an owl, was still very young.
The reason for this was that the handlers were scared that Shrek’s mother might cause him harm when stressed. Luckily for Shrek, the six-month-old greyhound dog, Torque took a shine to him, and now the two are great friends.

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Fred and Dennis

One day, while on a walk, Jeremy and his golden Labrador named Fred encountered a small duckling who had recently lost her mother to a fox and was feeling very sad.
Fortunately, Jeremy and Fred opted to welcome her into their small circle and gave her the moniker Dennis, and presently, the dog and the duckling enjoy each other’s company and despite being a little unique, they are remarkable companions.

Mabel and the Puppies

When most individuals think of the name Mabel, they tend to conjure up an image of a typical maternal caretaker. However, in this instance, Mabel refers to a chicken who possesses all of the traits of a loving mother to this group of young dogs and more.
Immediately upon being taken back to her owner’s place, Mabel developed a strong fondness for his litter of pups. Even when the mother dog ventures to the yard for recreation, Mabel is always present to provide the young ones with warmth and care.

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Milo and Bonedigger

Although the lion is considered the ruler of the jungle, it appears that even the highest ranking animals require companionship occasionally.
Bonedigger the lion was suffering from a disease that left him permanently hurt when he met Milo, a tiny dachshund. The 11-pound dog soon took the 500-pound lion under his wing and five years later, the duo is still going strong in the friendship department.

Sher Khan, Baloo, and Leo

This is a story that brings The Jungle Book to reality. It’s a true account of the friendship between three unique animals – Sher Khan, the tiger, Baloo, the bear, and Leo, the lion. These animals were rescued together after suffering through various difficulties at the hands of cruel individuals.
Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary in the US provided the necessary care and comfort for the distressed animals. Besides the necessary care, they built an inseparable bond among themselves. It’s a fact that tragedies strengthen the bond among individuals, whether animals or humans.

Mani and Candy

It’s difficult to ignore the fact that their friendship and they themselves are very charming, even though they may seem strange as a pair. Manni, a little wild boar who was malnourished, was discovered in a field located in Southwest Germany.
After being brought to the Dahlhaus family, he was acquainted with Candy, a Jack Russell Terrier who keeps the household as a pet. The two diminutive creatures have become fast friends and are frequently spotted frolicking together on the lawn.

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Kasi and Mtani

This is a timeless story about two buddies who’ve grown up side by side, but as they’ve gotten older, they’ve gradually become distant. However, this isn’t a story about human friends, it’s about the bond between Kasi the cheetah and Mtani the Labrador.
The two were brought up together at Busch Gardens, and spent most of their youth together, much to the delight of their caretakers. However, as Kasi grew older, he started paying more attention to the female cheetahs. The two old friends don’t spend as much time together as they used to, but can still be seen running around together on occasion.

Suryia and Roscoe

It is a commonly held belief that dogs are the most loyal companions of human beings. Similarly, orangutans, being our distant relatives, might establish a profound bond of friendship with these faithful canines.
Suryia, an orangutan, and Roscoe, a blue tick hound, reside together in a designated sanctuary in America that caters to at-risk animals. Despite Suryia belonging to a threatened category, Roscoe is not classified as such. Nonetheless, the sanctuary had to take in Roscoe as well since he followed Suryia to the premises.

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Kate and Pippin

Everybody has a friend who they grow up with, but soon they move out and you’re only able to see them when they visit again. Kate the Great Dane and Pippin the Deer have a similar story.
The duo grew up together after a young Pippin was taken under the wing by the warm-hearted Great Dane. However, as Pippin grew older, she moved into the forest to live and raise a family of her own. The two old friends get to see each other often, whenever Pippin makes it back to visit Kate and owner Isabel.

Anjana and the Tiger Cubs

Chimpanzees are a warm and friendly animal breed, and this is very evident in this story about Anjana. The Chimpanzee lives in the US Animal Reserve with her caretaker China York.
One day, the reserve adopted two white tiger cubs who had been separated from their mother. Anjana and China took the two little cubs under their wing and are now their main caretakers. The bond between Anjana and the cubs is unbreakable and a wonder to behold.

Albert and Themba

Just because two people didn’t have the best first meeting, doesn’t mean it didn’t change down the line. When Themba the elephant, met the sheep Albert for the first time at Shamwari Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in South Africa, he wasn’t exactly the most welcoming.
The young elephant chased Albert all through the refuge until Albert had to hide for 12 hours straight. However, since then the two have formed a strong bond and are now together most of the time.

Snowy and Gladys

It’s difficult to find peace between a cat and a bird, but friends Snowy and Gladys are an exception to this. The two-year-old chick Gladys was brought to live with her owners from the farm after escaping a fox.
Snowy the cat, who already lived there, soon became Gladys’s primary caretaker, bathing her and keeping her clean. Gladys even refused to part with Snowy when it was time for her to return to the farm.

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Mi-Lu and the Two Dogs

Mi-Lu, a Pere David deer, was born as a part of a twin set in captivity. However, his mother couldn’t give him enough affection as opposed to his sibling.
In stepped Geoffrey and Kipper, two resident dogs at Knowsley Safari Park, Mi-Lu’s home. The two dogs fulfilled the role of the parental figure for the baby deer, taking him on walks and snuggling with him, right up until Mi-Lu was healthy enough to be brought back to his herd.

Owen and Mzee

Age is just a number when it comes to two people who connect. The baby hippopotamus Owen was brought to the Lafarge Ecosystems Sanctuary in Kenya after being rescued, and who was the first animal he turned to? You guessed it. It was Mzee the Tortoise.
The frightened Owen ran straight to Mzee and hid behind her like he would his mother. Since then, despite a 130-year age gap, the two have remained fast friends, walking and feeding together every day.

Nia, Irma, Dema, and Manis

Abandoned primates Nia and Irma are residents of the Taman Safari hospital in Indonesia. And their best friends? They’re none other than month-old tigers Dema and Manis.
It might be unusual for a tiger and a wild orangutan to be friends, but this foursome makes it work. They’re often seen snuggling with each other and hanging out like friends usually do.

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Elsa and Hope

When the Australia Reptile Park closed down to the public in 2022, the animals only had each other to keep company. Amidst this time, two animals, who would have never otherwise had a chance to interact, became fast friends.
Hope, a wombat, and Elsa, a koala, ended up spending time together when Hope was placed in the koala sanctuary when her living quarters were cleaned. Soon, the keepers noticed that an unusual bond seemed to be forming between the two. Elsa and Hope even started greeting each other with kisses!

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Uijan and Sari and a Group of Otters

A family of orangutans has become a point of fascination for a group of otters at the Belgium Zoo Pairi Daiza. The orangutans Uijan and Sari, along with their son Berani, have been residents at the zoo since 2014.
Soon, the group of otters living there took a liking to the family, and now everybody had a great time playing together.

Kanchi and the Sheep

If you’re ever in a funk, nothing pulls you out faster than a friend. That’s what happened with Kanchi, a female rhinoceros who was down in the dumps at the passing of her partner.
Watching her go through every day getting sadder and sadder, the zoo decided that it was time for Kanchi to get a companion. The perfect companion for Kanchi turned out to be a sheep. Now, the friends have lived together for five years, and the unusual friendship is still going strong.

Hans and the Saint Bernards

Hans is indeed a lucky goat, having two Saint Bernards to keep her company whenever she wants. The goat Hans was adopted by Isolde Mattart, a Belgium resident.
Mattart’s two dogs, Julie and Basil, became Hans’ main companions, and the three friends started keeping other company. Now, the three are often seen sunbathing together, and even coordinating nap times.

Raami and the Goat

A friend in need is a friend indeed. Raami the monkey learned this lesson on his friend’s back. Raami was a resident of the southern area of India, and just like all monkeys very mischievous.
However, one day, exhausted after a long day, he decided to hitch a ride on his friend’s back, who was a goat. The moment was promptly captured by some quick-thinking photographers and is a beautiful testament to an unusual friendship.

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Amur and the Dog

Many a time, an animal loses their parent, and in steps another animal, often not even from the same species. This phenomenon is called cross-fostering.
For four-month-old Amur, who was separated from his mother in 2005, it was a dog that became his caretaker. The dog provided Amur with motherly comfort, snuggling with him and giving him comfort whenever the young cub wanted.

Barclay and Rudy

Pet owners love it when their two pets get along. It’s even more capture-worthy when the pets are not even the same species of animal. For owner Pam Ishiguro, the two pets in question turned out to be her dog and her duck.
While napping at his home in Southern California, Barclay the golden retriever received an unwanted surprise when Rudy the duck decided to rouse him from his sleep before he had to. You wouldn’t dare to do this unless you call the sleeping creature a friend.

Igor and the Baby Tiger

Some animals are intrinsically caring in their nature, and bond with other animals quite quickly. Such is the story of Igor, a German Shepherd belonging to Maria and Mario Tabraue.
Igor often accompanies his owners to their Animal shelter in Miami, which houses over 180 animals including lions, tigers, otters, and camels. Igor is instrumental in taking care of the orphaned animals and interacts with them regularly. One such animal who is very attached to the German shepherd is a baby tiger who resides at the shelter.

Kiko and Lobioto

Elephants and giraffes are not two animals that you would ever think would be friends. But when Kiko, a baby giraffe, and Lobioto, a baby elephant, met at the Kenya wildlife sanctuary, they instantly struck up a friendship.
The two orphaned animals were housed next to each other after being rescued. Soon, the two struck an interspecies friendship that made all the workers of the sanctuary delighted!

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The Cuddly Cat and Dog

We might use the adage fighting like cats and dogs when describing bitter yet childish rivalries, but not all cats and dogs hate each other.
This adorable photo of this pug and this cat cuddling together is sure to melt your heart. It also puts to rest the myth that all cats and dogs are enemies. Sometimes, even the bitterest of enemies can find common ground.

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Farm Friendly Cow and Sheep

While living on a farm together, many animals bond with each other. Since they spend days on end together, a friendship forms between many of them.
Just like this cow and sheep, who are posing for a pic just like two friends do. This, for all intents and purposes, is a dream team for a farmer. Their friendship is also a great way to ensure that peace reigns at the farm they reside in.

A Chick and a Cat

Another instance wherein a chick and a cat became a prime example of how even the most unexpected friendships can blossom into the prettiest ones.
These two fresh-faced and fluffy friends aren’t playing a game of hide and seek with each other. Instead, they hang out just like two friends would. It’s adorable to see them standing together for this photo, making a perfect pair.

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The Easter Bunny and Chick

If you’re looking for the perfect photo to frame around the house for your Easter celebrations, look no further. This adorable photo of these tiny creatures — a chick and a bunny — looks like it’s been taken right out of the cover of a holiday book.
The two unlikely friends probably spend their day hopping around in the grass, much to the delight of everybody around them.

A Giant Dog and a Small Horse

It’s very rare, almost impossible, that you would ever spot a dog and a horse pair where the bigger animal turns out to be the dog. However, that is the case between this unlikely pair of friends.
The giant dog is only a tad bigger than his horse friend, but compared to the norm, the dog and horse size differentiation is as unlikely as a friendship between them. It’s a miracle indeed that both these rare instances have come true for them.

The Kitten and His Tribe of Goats

Newborns attract others, that’s true. Turns out, it doesn’t matter if the newborn is a human or an animal. For this little kitten, this tribe of newborn baby goats was too enticing to not take a closer peek.
Now, from a peek, the friendship between this group has developed into a full-fledged snuggling session. The kitty seems to like his new sleeping place, bang in the middle of his friends.

A Kissy-Kissy Deer and Dog

A kiss on the cheek is the ultimate seal of a friendship. It signifies comfort and love between two friends. For this unlikely friend duo — a baby deer and a big, golden dog — it was indeed a mark of true friendship.
Since dogs and deers are both mostly gentle animals by nature, it’s no surprise that these two have seemed to form a deep friendship.

A Cat and Dog Hug

Another cat and dog duo, who look like they live together in the same house, seem to have bonded in the most unusual manner. So much so that the usually bitter enemies are gazing out the window in absolute peace.
Even more wondrous about this unlikely friendship is the little hug that the dog seems to be giving to his friend. Friendship can truly make the world go round.

The Space-Sharing Cat and Turtle

Some friendships are born out of pure necessity. We’re pretty sure that the cat started poaching in the turtle’s territory purely to enjoy the heating lamp he has access to.
But, over time, the heating lamp wasn’t the only good thing about that space. Soon, the cat and the turtle themselves became good buds and now the two enjoy sunning under the heat lamp together.

A Green Iguana and Marmoset

These two absolutely adorable animals love hanging out together whenever they meet. Looking at the green iguana’s face, it’s also possible that his buddy the marmoset is a funny one.
Just look at the smile on the iguana’s face, and you know that the marmoset probably just cracked a joke. Or maybe the two are just really happy hanging out together and just can’t stop grinning.

A Stinky Situation Between a Cub and a Skunk

This is a situation that one might think will definitely end in tears (we’re talking about a skunk here), but turns out that’s not the case.
The fact that this cub has an unlikely friendship with the skunk will save him from getting sprayed with the unbearable smell. So this is not a stinky situation, instead, this friendship is beautiful and unusual and absolutely adorable.

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The Lovely Pigeon and the Macaque

Nothing fixes a broken heart like the love of another. This heartbroken macaque was quite low after losing his mother. He was rescued from Neilinding Island in China but his recovery was very slow.
Recovery came in the form of a pigeon, who slowly became friends with the macaque. Now, the two friends are rarely apart and the trust between the two pals is quite evident in their actions.

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The Cat and the Three Sheeps

Everybody loves making new friends, but it’s an entirely different ball game when your new friends come with a group of their own and soon you become a part of them.
This cat had a similar experience when his friendship with a sheep turned him into an honorary member of their group. Now, the cat has multiple friends to play with, and it seems like the sheep enjoy the kitty’s company equally.

Just Horsing Around With the Cat

This friendship isn’t all that surprising as horses and cats usually are very civil to each other. Not only are they civil, but horses tend to adore cats.
This pair of pals were brought up together on a farm and have formed a deep bond of friendship. The cat often snuggles up to the horse for warmth and comfort, and the horse is always ready to provide some love and affection.

The Chick and the Dog

It’s a pleasure seeing two friends grow together, and the before and after photos are always a blast. Especially when the photos capture the duo going from childhood to adulthood.
This little pit bull and this beautiful chick lived together with their owner since they were very small. Growing up together seems to have cemented an unlikely friendship with the duo, and just by the photos, you can gauge that the friends are still attached at the hip.

A Pitbull, a Cat, and Some Chickens

What’s better than two friends having out? The answer is having a whole medley of them. Sometimes, the unlikeliest of friends, when they come together, make the best group of all.
Just look at this rag-tag group made up of a pitbull, a cat, and lots and lots of baby chicks. You just know that there is never a dull moment when these buds are all together.

A Pup and a Rabbit

Growing up with a friend who is slightly different from you can cause you to adopt their habits. Turns out, even with animals it might be true.
This puppy seems to have picked up on his bunny friend’s love for carrots. We can’t say for sure that the bunny is happy about having to share his food. But, as they say, all is fair in love and friendship.

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A Hawk and a Dog

It’s hard to imagine exactly what the circumstances were that led these two very unusual friends to start hanging out together. But, whatever the reason might have been, these two animals seem to get along splendidly now.
From the photo, it looks like they’re looking for treasure on the ground. Considering there is a dog involved, there is a strong possibility they might even find something!