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Cats

Jealousy In Cats – Are They Competitive?

Is Your Cat Kinda Jealous?
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So, Is your cat jealous? Felines might carry a bad reputation for feeling aloof, but that’s not the full story. They do know how to express their feeling.

Do cats get awkward when you discuss things like bringing home another pet?

The reply is not that much straight forward, and the key to understanding what’s going on actually means paying close attention to all your cat’s behavior.

As per reports, it is quite difficult to say whether dogs and cats get jealous like we humans do because they cannot speak.

For example, when a cat is competing with another cat or animal, it will display its survival instinct. It will compete for resources and that includes clean water and food.

Can we call this behavior as jealous? Experts say no. They consider this as competition for resources and not as jealousy.

Cats display territorial behavior over things and they are protecting things for their own survival.

We provide our pets with love, care, home, and food. We are their main source of supply.

And they would like to own us at cost and not share us with others. So, it is vital to identify the signs of jealousy in felines.

Signs Of Jealousy In Cats

Some cats show their jealousy by

  • Hissing
  • Growling
  • Swatting
  • Hiding
  • Ignoring the meals
  • Clingy behavior
  • Demanding more time than usual
  • Urine marking

Your feline may spray when the family welcomes a new pet and its turf encroached. You can also notice destructive behavior in a few cats.

Jealousy felines may sometimes chew the household objects in a random manner.

Causes Of Jealousy In Felines

You must know the reasons behind jealousy in felines. This will help you to deal with their jealousy behavior.

1. Sudden lack of attention – People’s eyes will be on the new baby or pet and your tabby lacks your usual attention in it. And, your cat may feel frustrated because of it.

2. Lack of happiness – The new pet or baby spends most of the time in your tabby’s preferred area in your home. It leads to unhappiness in felines.

3. Alteration in cat’s daily routine – Felines are routine-oriented animals and they wish stability. But, the arrival of new baby or pet may be the cause for alteration in your feline’s routine activities. So, your cat will feel stressed and indulge in destructive behaviors.

How To Deal With Cat’s Jealousy Behavior?

You can manage the jealousy behavior in felines in the following ways.

1. Keep the cat’s routine normal – Stick on your schedule for your tabby even after the arrival of new pet!

2. Provide more love and attention – More love and attention provide your tabby secure feel.

3. Keep its own possessions – Ensure that the new pet is not accessing your tabby’s belongings. This will help your tabby to have its own belongings and own space.

The above measures will reduce jealousy behavior in felines. But, hissing and hiding may also occur due to medical conditions. So, consult the vet for medical ailments if needed.

How Cats Behave When They Are Competitive?

Some cats might behave aggressively, hissing, and growling, and at times swatting. Other might refuse to take food or hide in their abode.

Some cats will try attention-seeking behavior by climbing and scratching all over you. They might pee in different places outside their litter tray.

This sort of behavior can happen due to various factors, but the most common of all is due to the entry of something or someone new.

It could range from – new people, a new baby, and a new pet. Vets can help by checking your cat and ruling out any underlying health problem.

If you find it hard to understand why your pet feline is peeing in different places, take him to a vet for further examination.

If your vet has ruled out any health issue responsible for this behavior, there are some simple ways to address this problem.

You should give your cat enough attention and love. Provide him with all the resources – food, toys, water, cat gear if any in plenty.

If you have brought home a pet, ensure that your pet’s own things are never touched. It might help reduce their feeling of anxiety.

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