Can Cats Feel Jealous?

Perhaps, one of the most controversial things about an unpredictable cat’s soul is jealousy. Here, owners have split into two camps: those who know that their felines can become green with envy and those who don’t want to “humanize” pets.

But, as we know, the truth is always somewhere in the middle. So, today we’d like to combine the two mentioned points to help you understand better what a cat’s “jealousy” really is and how it differs from our feelings.

And, of course, we kindly ask you to make yourself as comfortable as possible by grabbing your fav coffee and glazed doughnuts while reading our little FAQ article.

Shall we start? 

What is Cat’s Jealousy in Simple Terms?

Like most people, cats can be jealous of someone (or even something!) that may steal his big strange cat mom or cat dad, i.e., you. However, our furry buddies don’t feel the same as we do. Felines are predators, so their jealousy is much more aggressive than ours. Hissing, biting, and other aggression forms are kitties’ defense mechanisms, which they cannot control, but we can.

Therefore, instead of taking offense at that mark, you should know how to deal with it. Cats deserve to live happily, without stressful moments and negative emotions. We think you undoubtedly agree with this one, our feline brother or sister, aren’t you? 

How (Not) to Trigger Feline’s Jealousy?

It’s a significant section as it directly concerns your cat’s mental health, explaining why your chunky boy is angry. Of course, you’re unable to avoid all triggers from this list. But, at least, you ought to know why your kitty is irritated and what you can do about it.

So, the most common triggers of a cat’s jealousy are: 

1. new family members (people, pets, or even items);
2. lack of attention;
3. sudden changes in day-to-day routine;
4. Loss of personal space.

But don’t be scared, as all these triggers of cat jealousy can reduce by paying more attention to your chunky prince, his daily schedule, habits, and needs. 

Just be more patient and heedful to your cat’s emotional & physical state, so any of these things couldn’t stress your tiny friend too much. 

Can You Make Your Cat Feel Less Jealous?

If you’re determined to own one more pet, knowing that your cat will bully him and hate you after such an action, there are some tips to help your cat accept a new family member. For example, you can reward your furry ball for friendly communication (like playing or non-harmful chasing) with a person or pet he didn’t get used to.

 As your cat is mad about tasty food (just like all of us), he may associate the object of his hate with something he loves so much. And that’s how your cat will become true friends or at least peaceful cohabitants with new kith and kin.

Thank you for reading!

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