How do animals know that you’re smiling?

I’m generally talking about pets, of course.

I’m trying to imagine other creatures in the animal kingdom that actually show their teeth when they’re smiling, as opposed to the vast majority that show their teeth when they are being aggressive, or play fighting.

When a human smiles, it’s generally with a calmness and stillness that is meant to relax the animal you’re caring for, but for the animal, they see a rather large creature with glaring teeth, barely moving.. often a good summation of an animal ready to pounce.

This is meant to be light-hearted, but I am certainly still curious. I mean, even some wild animals are met by humans with a kneel and big ol’ smile.

submitted by /u/Sandpoint-Idaho
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from Pets https://www.reddit.com/r/Pets/comments/fl2utk/how_do_animals_know_that_youre_smiling/