Are cats jealous

It used to be that jealousy is a feeling peculiar only to a person, because it requires the construction of rather complex conclusions, forecasting the future and assessing the degree of threat in this very future for one’s own well-being due to the appearance of another living being. However, it has already been proven that jealousy is not a unique feature of a person: in any case, dogs jealousy inherent. What about cats? Are cats jealous?

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Are the owner’s cats jealous of other animals and people?

Cats, of course, experience emotions in relation to the owner, no one disputes this. However, researchers have proven that the safety base for a cat is still the house where she lives, her territory, and not a person. So it is hardly possible to say that the cat is jealous of the owner of other animals and people.

Nevertheless, some cats clearly perceive the intrusion of strangers into their territory with hostility. It is unlikely that the cat is jealous at the same time, rather, it protects the territory – like any territorial animal. Although this behavior may look like jealousy.

However, the final answer to the question of whether cats are jealous will be given by scientists if (when?) they develop ways to find out.

Why can a cat act like it’s jealous?

Most often, it seems to us that the cat is jealous when sudden and / or global changes have occurred in the life of the purr: for example, an unfamiliar person and / or animal has appeared on the territory that the cat considered its own. Especially if they encroach on resources that the cat considered her own – for example, on her favorite sofa.

Behavior that is similar to jealousy is especially common in cats that were not well socialized during childhood.

The cat may act like it is jealous if there has been a major change in the daily routine, for example, due to the owner’s new job, the feeding time has changed significantly.

Owners often talk about jealousy when a cat hisses, assumes threatening postures and/or rushes at objects that irritate her, scratches and bites. Or a cat may insistently demand your attention when, for example, you are addicted to a new computer game. Sometimes cats start ruining things and/or marking them. All this suggests that the cat is under stress.

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What should I do if my cat is acting like he’s jealous?

This can sometimes be difficult to resolve, but there are ways to help reduce or alleviate these behaviors and help your cat cope with the stressful situation.

1. Define a trigger. The first thing to do is to find out why this behavior of the cat is connected. Is there a new person or animal in the house? Have you had a child? Do you spend more time at work or do you have a new hobby? Has your cat lost access to their favorite places? Does a cat have free access to resources at all?
2. Give your cat more attention. Spend more time with your cat, buy toys that she can play with – both in your company and on her own if the cat loves affection, pet her more, treat her purr with her favorite treats when she is calm.
3. Make sure the cat has its own space. Is it possible for a cat to retire to a favorite place? Can she eat, sleep and go to the tray in a calm environment? Are her favorite toys being taken away from her?
4. Help your cat adapt to change. If you can’t get rid of the trigger that made your cat anxious, help the purr adjust to the change. For example, if the problem is in a new person or animal, treat the cat with your favorite treats, praise it, pay attention when there is an “enemy” nearby so that the cat changes its attitude towards this creature. Ask the person who is bothering the cat to feed it and interact with it safely. Give your cat unhindered access to resources – for example, if a puppy has appeared in the house, make sure that the cat has a “second tier” on which she can move freely.