Introduction
The emotional lives of cats are complex. While they may seem aloof, cats are capable of experiencing a range of emotions, including jealousy. Jealousy in cats occurs when a cat feels threatened that it has to compete for your affection and resources. This triggers an emotional response, just as it would in humans. Understanding the signs of feline jealousy and why it happens can help cat owners better interpret their pet’s behavior. It also allows owners to mitigate stressful situations that lead to acting out.
Cats are often stereotyped as solitary, independent creatures. But the reality is that most domestic cats form strong social bonds with their human families. They crave affection, attention, and access to preferred toys or food. When these resources are disrupted by a new family member, animal, or object, it can make cats feel insecure. Jealous cats may then exhibit attention-seeking or anxious behaviors to regain control. By learning more about the link between jealousy and hiding in cats, owners can create a peaceful home.
Signs of Jealousy in Cats
Cats can exhibit various behaviors when they feel jealous or protective over their owner or territory. Some common signs of jealousy in cats include:
Attention-Seeking Behaviors: A jealous cat may start rubbing against their owner, meowing excessively, or engaging in other attention-seeking actions when their owner is interacting with someone or something else the cat is jealous of. They want the attention placed back on them.
Aggression: Some jealous cats may react aggressively by hissing, growling, swatting, or even biting at the object or person they feel threatened by. For example, if a cat is jealous of a new kitten, they may physically attack or intimidate the kitten.
Unusual Vocalizations: Cats may communicate their jealousy through vocal cues like growling, hissing, yowling, or making an abnormal fuss when their territory or resources are threatened. These types of cat noises express their discontent.
Other signs of a jealous cat may include blocking access to their owner or competing for affection. Overall, jealous cats tend to exhibit attention-seeking, aggressive, or territorial behaviors when they feel jealous.
Why Cats Get Jealous
There are a few key reasons why cats may exhibit jealous behaviors:
Cats are inherently territorial animals. They can become stressed when their territory is “invaded” by new people, animals, or objects that take attention away from them. Cats form strong attachments to their owners and desire affection and attention from them. The introduction of a new baby, pet, significant other, or even an object like a new phone or laptop that takes the owner’s focus can make a cat jealous. They may act out to try to regain the attention they crave. According to PetMD, “A cat that suddenly stops receiving the attention it has grown accustomed to may resort to behaviors aimed at regaining that desired attention from their owner.”
Cats are also creatures of habit and can be disrupted by changes to their routine and environment. New people or animals disrupt their routine interactions with their owner. As territorial creatures, they view the owner and home as their “turf” and new entities introduce competition for resources like food, space, and affection. Their jealousy stems from feeling threatened and insecure with having to share their owner and environment with interlopers.
Hiding Behaviors in Cats
Cats are notorious for hiding. Hiding behavior is perfectly normal and usually nothing to worry about. But why do cats hide? There are a few common reasons cats may go into hiding: [1]
Fear or anxiety: Cats are sensitive creatures and may hide when something frightens them, like loud noises, strangers, or other pets. Hiding helps them feel safe.
Illness or injury: When cats don’t feel well, they tend to seek solitude to recover. Hiding can be a sign of pain or sickness.
Overstimulation: Too much activity and attention can overwhelm cats. Hiding gives them a break so they can recharge.
Understanding why cats hide can prevent worry about normal behavior. But significant changes in hiding habits may warrant a vet visit to rule out underlying issues.
The Link Between Hiding and Jealousy
When cats feel jealous or insecure, one common reaction is to hide or become reclusive. This often happens when the owner pays attention to another pet or person in the home. The cat may perceive the attention on others as a threat to its bond with the owner, triggering feelings of jealousy.
According to pet behaviorists, hiding is a protective reaction motivated by fear or stress. When the cat feels jealous, its natural instinct is to remove itself from the situation causing anxiety. So the cat will slink away to another room or under furniture when it sees the owner doting on someone else [1].
Hiding allows the cat to observe the situation from a distance while avoiding direct interaction. Under the cover of furniture or in another room, the cat can watch to see if the owner returns their attention back to the cat. The hiding may persist until the cat feels secure that the bond with the owner remains intact.
So hiding when jealous can be thought of as an avoidance strategy for a cat feeling threatened or insecure. It helps the cat retreat safely into solitude when its attachment to the owner seems potentially at risk. Recognizing hiding as a sign of jealousy is important so owners can address the underlying insecurity.
Other Ways Cats Act Out When Jealous
When feeling jealous, cats may exhibit other problematic behaviors in addition to hiding. Two common ways cats act out due to jealousy are marking territory and acting aggressive.
Territorial marking involves urinating or spraying in inappropriate places. A cat may mark areas like walls, furniture, or owner’s belongings when feeling threatened by a new person, animal, or situation in the home. Marking establishes ownership and sends a “hands off” message. According to PetMD, this knee-jerk reaction stems from the cat’s jealousy and perceived competition for resources and affection.
Aggressive behaviors like hissing, swatting, biting, or scratching can also occur with jealous cats. These behaviors often target the source of the cat’s jealousy, such as a new baby, dog, or owner’s romantic partner. The cat lashes out due to feeling displaced. Without proper training, the aggression may continue and potentially escalate in some cases. Consulting with a veterinary behaviorist can help curb aggressive tendencies and reduce jealous outbursts.
Preventing Jealousy in Cats
There are several ways to help prevent jealousy in cats. The most important is to make sure each cat gets individual love and attention. Set aside one-on-one time to play with, pet, and cuddle each cat every day. This focused bonding time will help them feel secure. Provide separate food bowls, beds, scratching posts, toys, and litter boxes for each cat so they have their own space and resources. Give treats, praise, and affection when cats are calmly coexisting near each other to positively reinforce friendly behavior, as recommended by The Spruce Pets (source).
Pheromone diffusers like Feliway can help reduce tension between cats by making them feel more relaxed and comfortable sharing territory. In extreme cases of aggression from jealousy, medication prescribed by a veterinarian may be required to reduce anxiety and irritability levels. The most severe cases of jealousy usually arise when introducing a new pet to the home. Go slowly with introductions and separate cats initially before gradually increasing contact in a safe, controlled way.
Living with a Jealous Cat
Living with a jealous cat can be challenging but there are some strategies that can help. It’s important to pay equal attention to all your pets so your jealous cat doesn’t feel neglected. Give each cat their own space like beds, towers, and scratching posts. This allows them to have a place to retreat when feeling territorial.
Additionally, make sure each cat gets one-on-one time for play and affection. Close doors to create separate spaces when needed. Try to maintain consistent routines so your jealous cat feels secure. Consider using calming pheromones like Feliway to reduce stress. With time and patience, jealous behaviors often improve as the cat realizes they still receive love and care.
Pet owners shouldn’t punish or yell at a jealous cat as this reinforces negativity. Instead, reward good behavior with treats and praise. If jealousy leads to aggression, seek advice from a vet or animal behaviorist. With the right approach, it’s possible to have a harmonious multi-cat home despite feline jealousy.
When to Seek Help
The vast majority of displays of jealousy are harmless in cats. However, in some cases jealousy can lead to aggressive or destructive behaviors that may require intervention from a professional.
Signs that a cat’s jealous behavior has become problematic and requires veterinary attention include:
- Biting or scratching people or other pets
- Urinating or defecating outside the litter box
- Excessive vocalization like crying or yowling
- Damaging furniture or belongings
- Not using the litter box at all
- Loss of appetite
- Hiding and unwilling to socialize
- Depression or lethargy
If you notice any aggressive acts or destruction correlated with jealous behaviors in your cat, it’s important to contact your veterinarian. They can examine your cat for any underlying medical issues and provide advice tailored to your situation.
In some cases, medication or specialized training may be recommended to help curb negative behaviors stemming from jealousy and anxiety in cats. The sooner these issues are addressed, the better the outcome will be for both the cat and owner.
Conclusion
In summary, cats can absolutely hide when they feel jealous. Jealousy happens when a cat sees another pet or person getting attention that they want for themselves. Common signs of feline jealousy include hiding, acting out, attention-seeking behaviors, and even aggression in some cases. Cats may hide under beds, in closets, or behind furniture when they feel jealous and want to remove themselves from an envied situation. While hiding is a normal behavior for cats, excessive hiding triggered by jealousy can indicate a stressed, unhappy cat. To prevent jealousy, give your cat plenty of individual love and attention, have realistic expectations of them, and try to minimize change within their environment. With time and patience, you can help an envious cat become more confident and secure.
In the end, hiding is just one of many possible behaviors displayed by a jealous cat. While it can be frustrating for owners, try to have compassion for a jealous cat and understand where the behavior comes from. With the proper care and training, a jealous cat can learn to be more social, relaxed, and comfortable sharing your attention.