7 Signs That Your Pet Is Jealous
First, you should understand how a jealous (or territorial) pet might act. Here are some of the signs that your cat or dog may be jealous:
Sometimes, this behavior might be directed at the object that is triggering the jealousy. For example, a cat may hiss at a new baby that has been brought into the family. A dog may bark at a new kitten that’s hanging around the house.
Other times, your pet may hiss or bark at you, particularly when you are giving your attention to the triggering object. Your dog that never barks may suddenly start barking at you every time you pick up the baby.
Your pet may try to claim your attention by being around you more than usual. Cats that aren’t normally lap cats may start crawling onto you; dogs may never want to be in a room unless youre there, too.
In contrast, your pet may act sulky and stop spending time near you. Cats are more prone to this than dogs are, but either type of pet may exhibit this behavior.
Your dog or cat may start licking itself far more than usual as a means of making up for the lack of attention it feels.
Animals may change their eating habits in response to the household change that is causing their jealousy. Animals that have ready access to food may overeat (this is more common in dogs). Alternatively, animals may not eat as much as normal (this is more common in cats).
If your pet suddenly starts tearing things up, chewing on things, or acting unusually wild in the house, you should ask yourself if he or she has a reason to be jealous.
Spend plenty of time with your dog. If you just got a new cat or you’ve been spending more time playing with your furry felines, your dog may feel left out. Take a few minutes to toss your dog’s favorite ball, spend a little time petting and cuddling with him, or take him on a special trip to the dog park for some quality bonding time.
Ignore your dog if he whines or barks while you’re petting the kitty. Continue to pet the cat and pretend the dog’s not even there. When your dog calms down and sits quietly, give him a few good scratches. Praising the dog when he is calm reinforces the thought that he has to mind his manners or he gets no attention at all.
Feed your dog and cats in separate rooms. Jealousy is often linked to food-guarding behavior, and your dog may turn green with envy if the cat steals a nibble from his bowl. Set the dog’s bowl in a quiet room, and close the door while he enjoys his meals.
Allow your dog and cats to spend time together. Introduce your pets slowly, and keep a close eye on them as they sniff and explore each other. Keep the interaction brief, and end on a good note with plenty of praise and treats. If either critter gets cranky, separate them and try again later.
Louise Lawson has been a published author and editor for more than 10 years. Lawson specializes in pet and food-related articles, utilizing her 15 years as a sous chef and as a dog breeder, handler and trainer to produce pieces for online and print publications.
6 Signs of Jealous Behavior in Dogs and Cats
Dogs and cats can undoubtedly desire all of your attention. Does your furry friend start acting weird when you show any of that attention to another animal or person? If so, they could be jealous, or the animal equivalent—competing for the most affection.
Here are a few signs that could mean your pet is jealous:
