Cats are often portrayed as solitary, poised, or even standoffish creatures. Yet cat parents understand that they are more nuanced than that. If you have come back home after having interactions with another cat and were met with a frosty shoulder or a disappointed stare, the thought ‘do cats feel jealous?’ might have crossed your mind.

The answer is yes, though not in the same manner as humans do. In this article, we will cover how jealousy manifests in cats, its causes, and what steps you can take to reduce your pet’s insecurity.

Can cats feel jealousy?

Humans may experience jealousy differently, but cats perceive a shift in environment or attention as a form of competition, change, and even insecurity. Soft jealousy in cats is more connected to their desire for order, control, and security.

Jealousy manifests itself when:

• A new pet (or kid) joins the house
• Their favorite human pays more attention to a different animal
• They feel that important resources (food, attention, sleeping spots, etc.) are in danger of being taken away
• Changes from the norm
• A habitual cat will become jealous or stressed if they feel their security is being threatened.

Signs Your Cat Is Jealous

Felines convey their thoughts and emotions through intricate body language. If your cat seems jealous or insecure, here’s the most likely range of behaviors it will exhibit:

• Aggression: If you notice hissing, swatting, growling, or even scratching at other pets (or you!!) out of anger, this is clearly aggression and must be treated as such.
• Attention Seeking Behavior: With jealousy and social isolation, your cat might also become an attention-seeking “monster” who will meow more than what is acceptable, bump you, or even sit on top of your computer and block your screen.
• Hiding or Avoidance: Try to look for a sulky cat that is hiding beneath her beloved chair or is sitting on the couch. Jealous cats tend to withdraw and sulk instead of going to their usual favorite spots.
• Marking or Territorial Behavior: Jealousy can also lead to a need to claim their territory. This could mean outside the litter box, excessive scratching on the furniture or rubbing against objects (and you) more than usual.
• Destructive Behavior: Things like scratching on furniture or knocking off tables, usual objects are forms of stress and distress.

Early action will keep you from long-term negative consequences, so staying alert is essential.

Reasons Why Cats Might Get Jealous:

Other Cats 🐱

Weight the situation through the eyes of your existing pet. If the cat is the only pet in an already occupied space like a house, they could easily feel out of their comfort zone after the introduction of another cat

Dogs and Other Pets 🐶

Welcoming a new puppy or any pet that occupies space, attention, and resources can make your cat feel like they are losing grip on their territory.

Family Members and Babies 👶

A newborn baby introduces a new smell, sound, and routine, all of which can be disruptive to a cat’s calming environment. Family cats may become jealous of the attention directed towards the baby.

Your Other Cats 🙀

Cats have an excellent sense of smell. If you come home from petting another cat, rest assured your princess is bound to know—and she may not appreciate it!

A Change In Schedule 🔄

Cats thrive on a tight schedule. An abrupt change in your work hours, moving to a new home, or shift in household dynamics lap tend to provoke insecurities that elicit jealous behavior.

Ways To Mitigate Displayed Jealousy In Cats

If your cat happens to display jealous behavior, don’t fret—there are strategies to assist them in feeling more loved and secure.

• Ensure Each Pet Has Their Own Space: If enabling a new pet, ensure that your cat still has his/her safe space, be it a different room, a comfortable bed, or a day bed where they can watch everyone from a distance.
• Give Your Cat Plenty of Attention: Make certain you set aside time for your cat to engage in activities like playing, petting, or even just resting close to you.
• Maintain a Routine: For stability purposes, ensure feeding, play, and sleeping times are consistent.
• Employ Positive Reinforcement: Offer treats, toys, or even praise for desirable actions. In case of jealous behavior from the cat, ignoring the cat won’t help, but punishment will increase stress levels, so do not apply stressors.
• Stepwise Familiarization for New Pets or People: New animals, as well as people, should be introduced carefully and positively while allowing sufficient time for your cat to acclimate to them at a comfortable rate.
• Promote Active Relaxation: Feliway diffuser makes the environment calmer, while some apathetic toys are able to engage your feline mentally and promote active relaxation for the cat.

Are Certain Breeds More Jealous?

While all these breeds are different, Siamese, Bengal, Ragdoll, and Maine Coon cats are more social and affectionate than others, which may also lead to some jealousy if they feel neglected. However, it is more plausible that personality predominates over breed.

Final Thoughts: Do Cats Really Feel Jealous?

Indeed they do, but this is less about rage and more about possessing resources that are fundamental to their existence. Cats thrive on stability, security, and a solid routine; if we feel that these are being threatened, cats are likely to show signs of attention-seeking behavior and aggression.

If you ensure that your feline feels safe and loved, along with recognizing the signs proactively, you will be able to guide them through feeling truly jealous in a healthy manner.

EXTRA:

Do you want to understand more your feline? Discover the 10 signs your cat uses to show love—and how to truly understand their unique affection.
Read Blog Here

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