Can Cats Get Jealous of Other Cats? Jealousy over the presence of another cat is very common. All cats have different personalities, and some will be made insecure and display jealousy more easily than others. It is important to watch your cat and observe their cues and triggers.
Signs of Jealousy in Cats
Do cats get jealous of other cats? Sometimes, especially if they perceive more attention is being given to a new kitten, for example, or in households with multiple felines. After all, there's only so much room on the highest perch of the cat tree.
Cats are often stereotyped as standoffish and aloof, even to the people who love them most, but the truth is that cats can be just as protective of their people as dogs are of theirs.
It was a notion often sneered at by some, but researchers have uncovered evidence confirming what pet owners have always known. Our pets — and other animals — can become jealous and act just as fiercely as we humans do when we're concerned someone is moving into the heart or our significant others.
While many people think that cats are standoffish and aloof, the truth is that they are loyal, loving companions (just like dogs). The key is that cats show their love in very different ways than dogs. Usually, those expressions of love are fairly subtle, so we miss them.
Short answer: yes. When their needs for companionship are not met, cats can become depressed. They can also get separation anxiety. Unfortunately, feline separation anxiety often goes unnoticed until it becomes severe.
Cats tend to favor one person over others even if they were well-socialized as kittens. Cats are expert communicators and gravitate towards people that they communicate well with. Look for communication cues from your cat, such as your cat approaching you in search of food or petting.
Some cats are simply clingy by nature, with some purebred cat breeds like the Siamese and the Abyssinian known for their clingy personalities. But in some cases, clinginess can be a sign that something is up with your kitty; therefore, it's important to pay attention to what might be causing this behavior.
In a multi-human household, it seems that cats will choose one family member they want to spend more of their time with. According to a study done by the nutrition company, Canadae, they discovered that the person who makes the most effort is the favorite.
Behaviors that look like signs of embarrassment may come from your pet's fear of upsetting you or anticipating getting into trouble. Pets can pick up on our moods and body language, and they can tell when we're not happy with them.
The attitudes with which cats show that they are offended
It doesn't mean that she has been mistreated, but she may simply have felt neglected, or she may have got out of the habit of seeing you, fearing, at some point, that you would never be coming home again.
The Best Way to Stop Your Pet's Jealous Behavior
The best thing to do to thwart jealous behavior is to ignore bad behavior or move to another space if your pet keeps interfering. If you have multiple pets, give each animal their own food dish, water dish, litter box, bed, etc.
Hissing, growling, biting, slashing, or digging their nails into your skin are fairly clear indications that a cat is not happy with you. Of course, some cats do play a little rough, and most cats will give a love bite now and then, but if your cat bites you hard enough to break the skin, that is one pissed-off cat.
Cats can show affection by bunting. When they rub their scent glands against your ankles and hands, it's a surefire way to indicate that they like you. Purring and other vocalizations also show that they trust you and your presence. Cats vocalize to communicate with you.
Burmese are often considered to be the most affectionate cat breed. They love being with people at all times and crave close physical contact, making them the ultimate companion cat for a devoted family. They will follow their owner from room to room and prefer to cuddle up on the sofa or sleep in bed with them.
Cats form attachments to their owners that are similar to those that dogs and babies form with their caregivers. You really are more than just a source of food to your cat: A study published Monday finds that cats see their owners as a source of comfort and security, too.
If your TV is on all day when you're home, leaving it on while you're gone may be calming for your cats since it mimics what things are like when you are there. However, if they're not used to having background noise all day, you may be better off leaving the TV off.
They can remember a person's face for up to 10 years! And kitties become seriously attached to their humans, so in case you were wondering, yes, your cat remembers and misses you when you're gone for a few weeks, and they absolutely mourn when a trusted companion drops out of their life.
Cats have excellent long-term memories. Studies show that it is around 200 times better than that of dogs. Cats have been known to retain information for up to 10 years but are highly selective about what they remember. In short, they will only recall what benefits them.
While a cat's gender doesn't seem to make a difference in terms of affection, Posluns notes that studies of cat personality also suggest it has little influence on the type of relationship with their owner. But in contrast, "an owner's gender has a much more significant impact on the cat-human bond," she says.
Female Cats Are More Independent
Even after spaying, the maternal instinct remains strong in females. While they aren't as apt to display in-your-face affection, female cats are intensely loyal and devoted to their owners.
Zak studied 10 cats and 10 dogs to see how much affection they had for their humans, and it turns out dogs love their owners almost five times more than cats do, according to the Huffington Post.