Have you ever received a dirty look from your pet after caressing another animal? Has your dog ever pushed someone or something aside to be the center of attention? Maybe pets could get a little jealous too.
While jealousy has longtime been considered an exclusively human emotion, it sometimes is seen in the daily life of our pets.
This emotion isn't exclusively reserved for pets
Regarding pets, we don't always talk about jealousy in the complex sense of the term, as we do in humans. Instead, jealousy is seen as a social competition and fear of losing an important "resource". Oftentimes, that resource is... you. Your pet wants your attention, your affection, and wants to hear your voice. Sometimes, they even want your place on the sofa. It's perceived as a precious resource in their eyes. When another animal, or sometimes a baby, a partner, or even an object, “steals” a resource from them, some animals can react to this.
These everyday scenes speak for themselves
Has you ever seen a pet do one of these things?
- A dog intervene between their human and another animal during a hug.
- A cat purposely come and sit right on the keyboard or the book their owner is looking at.
- A rabbit stomp its foot or nibble gently to remind their owner that they are there.
- A parrot scream louder as soon as their human talks to someone else.
These behaviors are often interpreted as jealousy, and even though the behavior is more instinctive than emotional. It's surprisingly similar to what we see in humans.
Why are some pets more "jealous" than others"?
Jealousy seems to be more pronounced in animals that are highly social or strongly attached to their humans. Dogs, for example, have evolved alongside humans for thousands of years and are particularly sensitive to social interactions.
While cats are often known for their independence, they can also display jealous behavior, especially when they have formed a strong bond with their human.
The pet's personality also plays an important role whether they show "jealousy" or not. For example, an anxious animal, one that is very clingy or unaccustomed to sharing attention, would be more likely to react.
When a newcomer turns everything upside down
The classic scenario is when someone new comes along. Whether it's a puppy, a kitten, or even a human baby, some animals can start to feel left out.
The result of this: unusual behavior, mischief, regression, or more insistent demands for attention. This isn't “mean”, but a way of expressing the discomfort they are experiencing with the change.
Reactions that are sometimes very "creative"
Some animals try to regain lost attention in creative ways. For example, you might find:
- Cats that purposely sleep on another pet.
- Dogs that suddenly bring all of their toys at the same time.
- Exotic pets that become more expressive, even theatrical, in their interactions.
These situations, which could be amusing to observe, show how attentive our animals are to their social environment.
How do I calm these little jealousy crises?
The key lies in balance. Make sure to reassure your pet, keep spending quality time with them, and avoid comparing or putting them aside involuntarily.
It is also important to not involuntarily reinforce jealousy by giving attention to them only when they "protest" and demand it.
It's above all proof of attachment
Ultimately, while a "jealous" pet can sometimes be a little intrusive, it is above all a reflection of a strong bond and sincere attachment.
Behind these behaviors lies a simple message: “You matter to me, and I love our relationship.”.
And let's admit… that's also what makes our pets so endearing.
Originally written by Agathe Warlop (Yummypets) and translated by Jennifer Eubank (Yummypets).
