Cat jealous of the dog or the owner? The behaviour of jealous cats

Is your cat jealous of the dog or of you? Don't worry — this is not an unusual situation. Cats can be jealous, especially when it comes to their space, because they are creatures of habit. As a result, a cat may show jealousy towards any new animal introduced into its environment, as well as towards its owner. Let's explore the behaviour of jealous cats and what to do about it…

Is the cat jealous of the dog or of its owner?

When we talk about jealousy in the animal world, we enter the realm of behaviour and ethology. Love, affection, hatred, resentment and jealousy are undoubtedly feelings that not everyone recognises in animals, since animals respond to natural laws aimed at survival and energy efficiency (maximum energy conservation). Unlike humans, animals do not like to waste energy unnecessarily — not even when they play: even then, they adopt strategies designed to achieve the most with the least effort.

There is no doubt, however, that pets show feelings towards their owners, especially dogs. As for cats, any self-respecting cat lover can say without a shadow of a doubt that they too become attached to their owner — and not only to the home or their surroundings.

One thing is certain: our cat can become jealous above all when new, sudden situations arise that disrupt a cat's routine. Cats are creatures of habit and highly independent — they love to move freely through their environment without obstacles or limitations. So when a new arrival comes along (whether you get a second cat, a dog, or welcome a baby) they may become unsettled and show signs of jealousy.

Generally speaking, jealousy in cats stems from a disruption to their freedom and daily routine. Of course, it also varies from cat to cat, because every cat has its own personality.

The behaviour of jealous cats

How do you recognise a jealous cat? Before answering that question, it's worth talking about your cat's character. This is your cat, so you should know its behaviour well — and therefore you should be able to tell whether it is a dominant cat or not.

A dominant cat, for example, is one that has no qualms about hissing at you or becoming aggressive if something doesn't suit it, while a less dominant cat may tend to hide away. Then there are the affectionate cats — those described as dog-like cats — who behave just like dogs: they follow you everywhere and ask for cuddles, cuddles, and more cuddles.

What matters is how well you know your own cat. We have identified three types of feline personality: dominant, timid, and affectionate.

It is not always easy to spot a cat's jealousy, because even within these three broad categories there are countless variations. You also need to take into account what has changed — in other words, who has arrived to disturb your cat's peace and quiet?

Referring to the three personality types mentioned above, it goes without saying that the dominant cat may show jealousy and become aggressive. When a new puppy or kitten arrives, it will be easy to see the cat hissing at the newcomer — it will show its claws and tend to guard its own space closely.

If faced with another adult cat or a dog, you will need to observe their characters. The newcomers may end up getting the upper hand and encroaching on the dominant cat's space, driving it away. These situations often end in scuffles which, when both animals are evenly matched, will lead them to ignore each other for the sake of a peaceful life. For instance, some dominant cats will accept the dog but not another cat.

A timid cat, faced with new arrivals — whether young or adult — may retreat into its hiding spots even more than usual. Meanwhile, the affectionate cat might demand even more cuddles from its owner, in an effort to take them away from the newcomer or newcomers. But what should you do if you discover you have a jealous cat?

What to do if you have a jealous cat

In these situations, it is vital to help the jealous cat understand that nothing has changed. The care, love and affection remain the same, as does its space. This means the newcomer should never be treated with more attention than your existing cat — regardless of whether the newcomer is a dog, another cat, or a new partner — especially in front of your cat, otherwise you will create insecurity in them.

A jealous cat cares very little whether the newcomer is a human or another pet, because its concern is to defend its own space and routine. So never give the newcomer (a dog or cat in this case) the existing cat's toys. Equally, you should never scold your existing cat if it shows aggression towards the newcomer.

When size matters — for example, you have a cat and your partner arrives with a Dobermann — try to prevent confrontations until they have had time to get used to each other. Once your cat understands that the newcomer will not change its routine, it will stop being a jealous cat.