Can Pets Show Their Emotions Through Smiling?

Does your pet ever seem like they?re smiling at you? You know the look -- corners of their mouth turned up, eyes squinting, ears perked up. Is that really our pets smiling at us, or are we just seeing what we want to see? What might this smile-like look really mean?

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When pets position their mouths in a way that resembles a smile, it means that they are at ease and pleased with the current situation. According to the ASPCA, when the corners of their mouths are turned upwards slightly, it can be considered a smile. But that is not the only way our pets express pleasure.

How else do our pets show when they are in a good mood?

Dogs:

- Wagging their tail = I'm happy!

- Rolling their bodies all over the floor = I'm excited! Play with me!

- Ears that are pointing upwards = Is something about to happen? I'm ready!

- Exposing their bellies to be rubbed = Pet me! I trust you.

- Licking your face = I love you! (or "You taste salty!")

- Following you from room to room = Where are you going? I'll be your backup!

- Resting their head on your lap = I love you and trust you and PET ME!!

- A smile like expression with a slightly hanging tongue = I'm happy, relaxed, and maybe a little tired.

Cats:

- Meowing and purring = Hello, friend!

-If their tail is straight up and vibrating quickly with an arched back = Stand down! STAND DOWN!

- Grooming or licking you = I like you, but you are bad at cleaning yourself.

- Rubbing their bodies against you = MINE!

- Bringing you a ?gift? = Thanks for letting me stay here!

- Ears that are facing towards you = HI!

- Eyes with narrow pupils = Ahhh....so relaxed.

- If cats expose their bellies to you = I either want you to pet me or play with me. Touch my belly to find out!

Pets display their happy moods in many different ways, and what means one thing for one pet can mean something entirely different for another. How do your pets let you know that they are happy? Let us know in the comments section.