Are animals ticklish?

[MatthewC]

This has always made me curious.

Are animals ticklish like we are? Like, is it possible that they socially interact with each other in this manner, and perhaps even laugh in their own way? I think they might be. Sometimes I like to annoy my dog by gently tickling his hind paws as he is sleeping, they jerk back like a person's would. I'm pretty sure that is a genuine ticklish reaction. Heh, either that or it it just a sign of annoyance. But I do find it a little interesting whether other species share a similar trait we take for granted.

 

[XoXblondieXoX]

pahaha yeah, my cat has ticklish paws well same when she is napping they jerk back like a person's would as well. xx

 

[milagros317]

Chimpanzees are definitely ticklish and understand the concept of tickling. They laugh but not the same way that humans do.

Other mammals are likely ticklish although they don't laugh.

Research in this area has been summarized in a chapter in this book by Robert Provine:

http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/0670893757?_encoding=UTF8&coliid=&colid=

(The whole book is about laughter; one chapter is about tickling.)

 

[RosieCreek]

We stayed at a wildlife lodge in Nepal years ago and one of the guides said the wild boars were extremely ticklish. I'm not sure if it's true or not, though.

 

[sillywiggles]

lol my cat has tickles spot on her paw and her back a little bit its funny

 

[eric33]

MY CAT ALSO...LOL

lol my cat has tickles spot on her paw and her back a little bit its funny

When he sleeps on my lap to get him to move i poke him in his right hip,.....it,s too bad he,s not de-clawed...🙄