"Animal" received a positive response from music critics. Natalie Kaye of
Contactmusic.com described it as a "solid pop song", before adding that the "infectious" chorus is "irrefutably something you'll end up whistling in the shower". Similarly, Ian Wade of
BBC Music commented that it "takes approximately one play for its catchiness to cluster bomb your memory bank", and John Bergstrom of
PopMatters called it "sharp, catchy pure pop" with a chorus that "charm[s] [its] way into your brain". Rudy Klapper of Sputnikmusic commended lead singer Wyatt's "chameleonic" vocals, calling them "a highlight from the beginning". Neil Ashman of
Drowned in Sound commented that it "boasts a number of indelible hooks worked around its staccato synth blasts". Jordan Bimm of
Now described "Animal" as "catchy and creative" and said that the horns and the "playful vocal hook" will appeal to listeners who enjoyed
Britney Spears' "
Toxic" (2003), a production of Miike Snow members Karlsson and Winnberg. Sam Richards of
NME viewed "Animal" as an "impressive piece of sleight of hand" and compared its sound to that of The Police, "while remaining bearable". Ben Hogwood of
musicOMH said that it sounds like a "lost Police song given a new, vividly coloured change of clothes". Hogwood furthermore said that this applied for the album as a whole. Commercially, "Animal" was a minor chart success. It made its first chart appearance on 16 August 2009, on the
Scottish Singles Chart at number 50. The single also peaked number 98 in the issue dated 22 August 2009 of the
UK Singles Chart. "Animal" achieved some airplay in Russia, spending five weeks in the lower ends of the
Tophit airplay chart and peaking at number 297. In December 2013, the single was certified platinum by the
Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the band's first certification, indicating 1,000,000 digital sales. ==Music videos==