Animals that grow up together very often stay close for life, and these fifty then-and-now photos show it beautifully. A fox curled up with a husky-type dog, a cheetah raised with a Labrador, kittens who still squeeze into the same bed years after outgrowing it: in each pair, the early photo shows two babies meeting and the later one shows a friendship that lasted.
There is a simple reason these bonds form. Young mammals go through a sensitive window for social learning. For puppies, the period between about eight and twelve weeks is considered the most important for learning to be comfortable with people and other animals, and puppies that miss it are more likely to be fearful as adults. Kittens benefit from staying with their mother and littermates from roughly six to twelve weeks, when play-fighting teaches them coordination and social manners. An animal that spends that window alongside another species often treats it as family afterwards.
Zoos even use this on purpose, as the cheetah story below explains. We have grouped the photos into unlikely friends, dogs, cats and lifelong companions, credited the owners where known, and finished with practical tips if you are thinking of raising two young animals together.
Unlikely friends from different species
Juniper the fox and Moose
Juniper, a pet fox who became one of Instagram's best-known animals, grew up with Moose, a dog with husky-like markings. The later photo, with both grinning into the camera, became one of the most shared animal friendship images online. Foxes kept as pets are usually captive-bred, because wild foxes do not adapt to home life.
Photo: juniperfoxx
Kasi the cheetah and Mtani the Labrador
Kasi, a male cheetah born at Busch Gardens Tampa on 17 January 2011, was hand-reared by keepers, who paired him with a yellow Labrador puppy named Mtani to help him learn to socialise. Male cheetahs naturally live in small groups called coalitions, and keepers expected the two to stay together for life. A year after they first met in April 2011, they shared a habitat full time and travelled with the park's education team.
Photo: Busch Gardens Tampa
Two ducklings and their two dog friends
Two ducklings perched on the heads of two patient dogs, a boxer-type and a white bull breed, in the first photo. Later the grown ducks still rest on their old friends. Ducks imprint on whatever they see first after hatching, which helps explain such unusual attachments.
Photo: lifeofpikelet
Oreo and Pumpkin the raccoon
Pumpkin, a raccoon raised in a family home with dogs, and her canine friend Oreo shared a close bond from her early days. Raccoons are wild animals and in many places it is illegal to keep one without a permit, so this is a friendship to admire rather than copy.
Photo: pumpkintheraccoon
A puppy and a black rabbit
A floppy-eared puppy snuggled a black rabbit when both were tiny, and they still rest together as adults. Dogs and rabbits can live together safely when the dog is calm and introduced young, but they should always be supervised because a dog's play can easily injure a rabbit.
Photo: Melamarth
Riff the rat and Osiris the dog
Osiris, a brindle dog, and Riff, a rescued pet rat, are shown nose to nose and later posing together. Their owner's account shares many photos of the dog's gentle friendships with small animals.
Photo: osirisandfriends
Milo the golden retriever and Stuart the guinea pig
Milo met Stuart, a long-haired guinea pig, when the little one was a baby. Years later Stuart still rides on Milo's head. Golden retrievers were bred to carry game gently in their mouths, and their soft temperament makes them famous for tolerating small companions.
Photo: milo_the_golden
Biddy the hedgehog and Charlie the puppy
Biddy, a pet African pygmy hedgehog, and Charlie, a golden puppy, met as babies; later they were photographed together on a forest walk. Hedgehogs roll into a spiny ball when stressed, so a relaxed hedgehog beside a dog is a sign of real trust.
Photo: biddythehedgehog
Callie the Australian Shepherd and Stewart the squirrel
Callie, a red merle Australian Shepherd, watched over Stewart when he was a tiny rescued squirrel, and the two later napped curled together. Orphaned squirrels should be taken to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator where possible, since they need specialised care to survive.
Photo: dog_and_squirrel
Peanut and Keeva: a pig and a French bulldog
Peanut the piglet and Keeva the French bulldog started out the same size. A year or so later the pig dwarfs the dog. So-called mini pigs often grow far larger than buyers expect, which is worth knowing before bringing one home.
Photo: kookieandkipper_minipigs
Dogs and cats who grew up side by side
Bubba and Rue
Bubba, a pit bull, rested his head on Rue, a tiny ginger kitten, and years later he still uses her as a pillow. Dogs and cats raised together early usually learn each other's signals, such as a cat's swishing tail or a dog's play bow, which prevents misunderstandings.
Photo: bubbalovesrue
Pitties and kitty
A white bulldog puppy and a ginger kitten sleep belly-up together, and later the grown cat grooms the dog's face. This pair came from a kitten rescue that often places cats with dog-friendly homes.
Photo: Kitten Rescue
Boots and Dale, four years later
A boxer shares a blanket with a ginger kitten, and four years on the cat sleeps stretched out on top of the dog. Boxers are known for being playful and patient, which makes them good companions for cats raised with them.
Lex and Leah
Lex, a pit bull, was the family's spoiled only child until Leah, a black puppy the family adopted, arrived. Their owners say the two quickly became inseparable, as the grown-up portrait shows.
Dogs who grew up together
Three Labradors, best buddies for life
A black, a yellow and a chocolate Labrador posed as puppies and again as adults, in the same order. The three colours come from just two genes, so all three can appear in a single litter.
Photo: rainbowchimp
Find the differences
A red-coated spaniel-type dog sits between two husky puppies, then the scene repeats outdoors once the puppies have grown. Northern breeds such as huskies grow fast and reach adult size within about a year.
"I forgot to water the other one"
A fluffy giant-breed puppy and a West Highland White Terrier began the same height. The owner joked that only one had been watered, because the big dog now towers over the terrier. Giant breeds keep growing for well over a year, so the size gap can open quickly.
Photo: Mookychew
Boxers, then and only three months later
A brindle boxer puppy slept on an adult boxer's back; three months later the pup was too big to fit there. Boxer puppies can gain several kilograms a month during their fastest growth phase.
Photo: ateart
A hound and a grey pit bull pup
A tan hound-type dog let a grey pit bull puppy climb onto her side, and the two later cuddled beside the Christmas presents. Older dogs often become mentors for younger ones, teaching them how hard they can play.
Photo: Medically
The blue boys
Two blue-coated Staffordshire Bull Terriers who grew up together, later shown in matching Christmas pyjamas. Their account, the_blueboys, is known for festive photos of the pair.
Photo: the_blueboys
Inseparable
A chocolate Labrador puppy with pale eyes rested its chin on a black puppy, and the grown dogs repeat the pose in the dirt. Many dogs keep the same sleeping habits they formed with a littermate.
Photo: imgur
Sharing the couch, then and now
A golden retriever and her pup shared the sofa; later the two goldens fill the whole couch. Retrievers love contact, and many owners say they never stop trying to sleep on top of each other.
Photo: princeandogre
Blue and Belle, four months later
An adult golden retriever posed with a small golden puppy, and just four months later the youngster was nearly as tall. Large-breed puppies do most of their growing in the first six months.
Photo: brittathisusername
Fiona and Shrek, three years on
Shrek, a white bull-breed dog, tolerated a tiny brown-and-white puppy perched on his back. Three years later Fiona is fully grown and still uses him as a pillow.
Photo: Imgur
Zena, adoptive aunt to King
Zena, an English Springer Spaniel, lay beside King when he was a boxer puppy. Now grown, King stands taller than her as they watch the garden through the door together.
Watson and Kerbal
Watson, a shepherd mix, and Kerbal, once a small puppy beside him on the carpet, are pictured as adults lounging in the same spot. Their owner calls them big and not-so-little brothers.
Piper and Cubby, from the same litter
Two Australian Shepherd puppies from one litter stayed together, later dressed for Christmas in matching hats. Littermates kept together can bond strongly, so trainers often suggest giving each some one-to-one time too.
The Great Dane puppy
A black Great Dane puppy sat beside a smaller dog, and soon after the Dane had grown to cover most of the sofa. Great Danes are among the tallest dog breeds and can reach adult height within about eighteen months.
Cats who grew up together
Then and now at the window
Two kittens watched the world through a window; years later the same two, now a large ginger and a black-and-white cat, sit in the same spot. Window seats are a favourite for indoor cats because they offer warmth and something to watch.
Photo: tMoneyMoney
Two ginger brothers found in a garden
Two ginger kittens found in a garden were taken in together and never separated. As adults they still hug while they sleep, a sign of strong social bonding between cats.
Photo: anyagrapes
Iris and Abyss, the odd-eyed twins
These white sisters both have one blue and one amber eye, a condition called heterochromia that is relatively common in white cats. Their matching looks made them stars on Instagram.
Photo: sis.twins
Lili and Renley outgrow their bed
As kittens, Lili and Renley fit into one round cat bed with room to spare. They kept sleeping in it long after they had spilled over the edges.
Photo: renley_lili
Black-and-white sisters
Two black-and-white sisters cuddled as kittens and later posed by the Christmas tree. One has a white chest patch shaped almost exactly like a heart.
Photo: izzyandthefluff
Kitty friends in tiny beds
Two kittens were tucked under small quilts in doll-sized beds. In the later photo, the grown cats lie in the same beds, which are now far too small.
Scottish Folds, then and now
A grey and a white Scottish Fold cuddled in a cat bed, and later the two hugged in the same bed. The breed's folded ears come from a gene that also affects cartilage, so responsible breeders and vets advise care around their joint health.
Photo: aein
Adopted brothers in a hammock
A ginger cat and a black cat adopted together kept sharing a window hammock as they grew. Their owner credits them as Barnaby and Stoche.
Photo: Barnaby Stoche
A trio on the blanket
Three kittens, two grey tabbies and a tuxedo, shared a patterned blanket, and as adults they still pile onto it together.
Two years later and still cuddling
Two tabby kittens hugged as newborns and, two years on, still sleep wrapped around each other. Mutual grooming and sleeping in contact are typical of cats that see each other as family.
Photo: arieljena
Tucker and Stewie
Grey kittens Tucker and Stewie began life curled together on a blanket. Later, fully grown, they share a cat tree.
Photo: Lindsey Mead
Nine years later, still best friends
A grey kitten and a tabby-and-white kitten slept side by side on a chair. Nine years later they still nap nose to nose. Many indoor cats live into their mid-teens, so a friendship like this can last a long time.
Photo: Mrcaptainpants
Their human, then and now
A ginger kitten and a calico kitten rode on their owner's shoulders, and years later he could barely hold both of them. The pose is a classic then-and-now format among cat owners.
Evin and Minnie
Evin, a ginger cat, took a near-identical ginger kitten named Minnie under his paw. Later the two look like a matching set in their cat bed.
Photo: jessi_joy716
Four years in the same basket
Two kittens shared a wicker basket a few months after birth. Four years later they still squeeze into it together.
Photo: roxmorgirl
Twelve months apart
A tuxedo kitten curled up alone, and a year later two tuxedo cats lounge together. Kittens reach close to their adult size around their first birthday.
Photo: imgur
Brothers
Two black-and-white cats slept in the same round bed as kittens, and still do as adults.
Brothers in ginger
Two ginger kittens were cradled in their owner's arms, and now the grown brothers soak up the sun on a garden chair.
Murphy and Toshio
Murphy and Toshio, two grey longhaired cats, are pictured sharing the back of a sofa. Longhaired breeds need regular brushing, and many cats happily groom each other's hard-to-reach spots.
Friendships that lasted a lifetime
Tigger and Lucky, best friends for five years
Tigger and Lucky, a ginger and a tabby cat, began as playmates and five years later still share a suitcase for a nap.
Remembering Sweetie
Their owner held four cats in her arms, and a year later only three. One, Sweetie, had died in between, a reminder that these photos also record loss.
Twelve years together, and goodbye to Aiko
These two cats were inseparable for twelve years until Aiko died on Thanksgiving Day. Their owner shared the photo in memory of a friendship that lasted almost their whole lives. Surviving pets sometimes seem to grieve, becoming quieter or searching for their companion, so extra attention helps.
Tips for raising two young pets together
- Start young, go slow. Introductions are easiest during the early socialisation window, but always supervise first meetings and give each animal a place to retreat.
- Feed separately. Separate bowls and spaces prevent food guarding, especially between dogs and cats.
- Respect size differences. A puppy that will grow into a large dog can hurt a small friend by accident. Keep play supervised until you know how they behave.
- Give each one individual time. Training, walks and play alone with you help each animal become confident on its own.
- Check the law and the species. Raccoons, squirrels and foxes are wild animals and often need permits. Ask a vet or wildlife rehabilitator before taking one in.
- See the vet together. Shared pets share parasites and illnesses, so keep vaccinations and treatments up to date for both.
Whether it is a fox and a dog or two kittens from the same box, the photos make the same point: early company shapes who animals become, and for many of them that first friend stays for life.
Sources: photos by the owners credited under each image, collected by Bored Panda; ZooBorns: new playpal for Kasi the cheetah cub; ZooBorns: a bond to last a lifetime, one year later; Wikipedia: Puppy; Wikipedia: Kitten.
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