Jealousy is a negative emotion that cats might be capable of feeling too.
Jealousy is a complex emotion, rooted in the fear of not receiving enough love. For animal lovers, an intriguing question arises: Can cats feel jealousy? And if so, how do they express this emotion?
The emotional world of pets and wild animals is still being studied. Whether our four-legged friends are truly capable of complex emotions such as envy or shame is something scientists cannot yet say with absolute certainty.
Studying animal emotions is a tricky business. After all, you can’t simply ask an animal what it’s feeling. While it’s possible to objectively measure stress hormone levels or brain activity in cats, for instance.
However, it’s still unclear whether these measurements are the result of specific emotions. It could also be that we humans are projecting our feelings onto cats to explain, for example, their aggressive behaviour.
What Exactly is Jealousy?
Commonly seen as more independent and wilful than dogs, cats have proven through recent studies to form close attachments with their owners. Behavioural researcher Kristyn Vitale from Oregon State University demonstrated that cats develop attachment patterns similar to those of children.
This is where jealousy comes into play. In (human) psychology, jealousy is defined as the fear of having to share the affection of a person or the fear of losing that person. If cats are capable of forming deep bonds with their owners, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that they might experience jealousy.
Cats and Jealousy: The Current Research
One of the few scientific investigations into this topic paints a nuanced picture. In a Japanese study, cat owners petted plush toys and cushions in front of their pets. As a comparison, strangers also petted both objects while the cat watched.
The cats showed a distinct interest in their owner’s behaviour. After their owner had petted the plush toy, many cats investigated it more thoroughly than the cushion. This behaviour could indicate jealousy. However, the cats exhibited no signs of stress. They also didn’t attempt to separate their owner from the plush toy, which would argue against the feeling of jealousy.
How do I know if my cat is jealous?
Whatever our feline friends truly feel remains their secret. Nonetheless, they can exhibit behaviours in our shared everyday lives that we would interpret as jealousy in humans – such as when a new partner enters the life of the cat owner.
Some cats respond to this change with aggressive behaviour. They might hiss, scratch, and seem to want to drive away the “intruder”. Others may meow more frequently and become clingier to their owner than before. Particularly sensitive cats may withdraw and not want to be touched at all.
Jealousy or Insecurity?
Cats are creatures of habit, and they value fixed routines and rituals. A new person in “their” territory can disrupt the usual daily routine, which some cats might respond to with marking behaviour or refuse their food.
Whether they do this out of jealousy or insecurity, more behavioural studies are needed to clarify.
When the Cat is Jealous of the Baby
Just like a new partner, a baby can bring massive changes to a cat’s life. It’s best to gradually acclimatise the cat to the new human housemate, allowing it to be present during feeding or changing. However, if the cat wishes to withdraw, it should always have the opportunity to do so.
What to do if the cat is jealous?
Whether it’s a new partner or a baby causing the behavioural changes, the cat must never be punished. Spraying it with water or shouting would only worsen the problems.
Instead, cat owners should maintain as much of their pet’s usual routine as possible. If the cat was allowed to sleep in the bed before, it should still be invited for cuddles.
If the baby is now in the family bed, or the partner has a cat allergy, consider setting up a cosy sleeping space for your feline friend – ideally with a blanket that smells like its beloved owner.
Maintain Familiar Rituals
Despite the changed circumstances, your feline friend should still receive plenty of attention. Cat owners should continue to lavish their pets with extended cuddling sessions and play periods. Of course, only if the cat is willing. It should never be forced.
The new partner should initially ignore the “jealous” cat. Many cats don’t like being stared at directly or crowded, as they perceive it as a threat. Instead, the new partner could occasionally drop a treat to win the cat’s favour.
Rewarding Desired Behaviour
To defuse the situation, create additional retreat spaces. Cosy cat caves and baskets offer safety and a place for your cat to hide.
If the cat behaves desirably by being peaceful towards the baby or new partner, reward it immediately with a treat, warm words, or a stroke. If the cat refuses to eat over an extended period, develops bald patches in its fur, or the marking behaviour persists, it may indicate something deeper than jealousy. To rule out an illness, you should present your cat to the vet. Additionally, a pet psychologist can help tackle these issues.
Are Cats Jealous of Other Cats?
When two or more cats are introduced, claws might come out. The resident cat can see the newcomer as an unwanted intruder, now competing for food and the owner’s attention. This behaviour might be interpreted as jealousy from a human perspective.
For successful tips on introducing cats, we’ve put together a guide for you in our advice portal.
When two cats argue over food or strokes, this can be seen as jealousy.
Conclusion: Can Cats Feel Jealous?
Whether cats experience jealousy is still a matter of debate among experts. Some behavioural scientists advise against projecting our own feelings onto our pets too strongly and recommend seeing the world from their perspective. After all, every emotion serves a specific evolutionary purpose, and not all emotions are helpful in every context.
Whether jealousy is beneficial to the coexistence of cats remains to be seen. Some researchers, however, suspect that cats might indeed feel something akin to jealousy.
A study titled “Communication and Social Bonding of Cats Towards Their Owners and Peers” is currently underway at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover. As soon as the results are available, cat lovers will learn more about the emotional lives of their beloved pets – and perhaps even whether cats can feel jealousy.
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Natalie Decker
"A life without a pug is possible, but pointless," Loriot once said. I would unreservedly agree and add: "A life without horse, cat and rabbit as well!" My heart beats for all animals big and small and I have the great fortune to be able to write about my passion as a freelance author. With my articles I would like to raise awareness for animal welfare and give useful tips to animal lovers.
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