Do cats get jealous? Well, the answer is yes! Of course they do! Of course animals do too! They get really jealous... Have you ever been to a stray cat and thought it was cute, then petted it, and then when you got home, your house cat wouldn't come near you at all...? It happened to me just once... Since then, I've been so afraid that my house cat would dislike me that I can only watch stray cats from afar...
What is jealousy in cats? What causes it?
Cats have a reputation for being dry and cool, so who would have thought they'd be jealous? While it might make you feel a little happy, it's also a problem if your beloved cat dislikes you! How exactly do cats express their jealousy towards their owners? And what exactly causes it? Let's take a closer look at the psychology behind it, so you don't end up hating your cat because it's jealous.
Even when pet cats grow up, they are still children inside
Cats are creatures that naturally prefer to be solitary creatures. However, cats that have been kept by humans since they were young have the habit of loving their owners as if they were their own mothers. Cats that know the joys of eating, sleeping, and being petted remain children at heart even when they become adults. They will cling to humans for attention. Also, cats that are neutered at an early age often retain a childlike personality and tend to be jealous of their owners.
When keeping multiple pets, there is a sense of rivalry
Even one cat is irresistibly cute. But when the number of cats increases to two or three, the cuteness is more than doubled. Many people who keep multiple cats find the sight of cats snuggling up together irresistibly soothing. However, when you keep multiple cats, cats who want to monopolize their owners can develop a sense of rivalry with the other cats. The more affectionate a cat is, the less they like it when other cats are loved, and the more jealous they become. When you keep multiple cats, hierarchical relationships tend to develop among them, but rivalry can also lead to a deterioration in these relationships.
Does the smell of outdoor cats stimulate territorial awareness?
If you're a cat lover, you can't help but feel restless when you spot a cat while out and about. If a stray cat rubs up against you, you might instinctively touch it. But have you ever come home and found your cat sniffing your clothes and hands... After a quick check, it suddenly stalks off somewhere? That's jealousy born from a cat's sense of territory. Cats are territorial creatures, and they tend to be extremely averse to other cats entering their territory. While outdoor cats are certainly cute, they can carry serious illnesses. To avoid jealousy and to prevent infection, always wash your hands before handling your pet cat after petting a strange cat.
Actually, I'm quite jealous...
Some people say things like, "I don't know what cats are thinking," or "Cats don't come when I call them," but if you actually own a cat, you'll know that cats are incredibly affectionate and emotional. They might cling to their owner's feet and not let go, or they might sense their owner's arrival and wait at the front door... All of these adorable sights are irresistible to cat lovers. However, being emotional also means that cats are quite jealous. Their jealousy doesn't just extend to other cats. For example, it's common for cats to jump onto an open newspaper, blocking your ability to read it! Have you ever experienced something else? For example, a cat jumping onto your lap, blocking your smartphone screen, or passing over your computer keyboard and typing incomprehensible characters? These are all expressions of the cat's desire to "look at me! Pay attention to me!" It's also common among cat owners to hear cats ignore you when you want to play, but then interrupt you when you're concentrating on something. Another example of a cat's jealousy is when a person lives alone with their cat, but the cat becomes angry as soon as the girlfriend (boyfriend) comes into the house.
Be careful not to make them jealous
Your beloved cat may be clingy and want you all to itself, or may become jealous... While this can be unbearable for an owner, it can also be troublesome if it goes too far. Extreme jealousy can also cause stress for the cat itself. In order to prevent your cat from becoming jealous, it is important for the owner to first understand what the cat wants. Extreme jealousy can also be a sign that the cat wants more attention. To prevent jealousy from causing stress to your cat, try spending more time with them, such as playing with toys or brushing them.
Things to note when keeping multiple pets
When keeping multiple cats, it's important to be able to clearly distinguish which cats are the most affectionate. Living together will help you understand each cat's personality, whether they prefer to spend time alone at their own pace or whether they crave attention from their owner. However, it's not a good idea to be overly affectionate towards one cat. It's important to show equal affection and not forget to show physical contact with the other cats. Especially when introducing a new cat to an existing cat, it's important to prioritize the existing cat, as it has its own territory. Being mindful of the hierarchical relationships between cats will help foster a good relationship between them. Cats are easily stressed by changes in their environment, and cats that aren't good at being affectionate tend to hide their ill health. When keeping multiple cats, be sure to frequently check their appetites, excretion, and other behaviors for any changes.
summary
Cats are truly emotional creatures. They can become jealous of their owner's behavior more than humans realize. Some cats become stressed over unexpected things, so it's important for owners to always be on the lookout for any changes in their health. A cat's jealousy is a sign of affection for its owner, asking for more attention. If you're a cat lover, there's nothing more satisfying than this. Understanding your cat's feelings will help you live a better life with your cat!
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