Content
- Are cats jealous?
- Cat jealous of another cat: signs
- Cats run away out of jealousy?
- Cat jealous of another cat: what to do
- How To Make Two Cats Get Along Through Socialization
- How To Make Two Cats Get Along Through Mutual Respect
- How to make two cats get along by preparing the house
- How to Make Two Cats Get Along Through Presentation
- How to make two cats get along with the help of the veterinarian
- How to calm down jealous cats
You've probably heard someone say that cats are very jealous of guardians, territory and even their toys. In fact, you've certainly heard or even said: "my cat doesn't accept another cat in the house because it's too possessive”. Or worse yet, maybe someone has already told you that the adaptation of cats to other cats it is a “mission impossible”. But how true is all this?
When two pussies "get together" under the same roof, is it really the result of one cat jealous of another cat? Or do these “strangeness” occur because the new kitten was not introduced correctly in the context of this house, causing a negative reaction in the other pussy?
In this new PeritoAnimal article, we'll talk about cat jealous of another cat, about adapting the kitten to the new home and how to make two cats get along well. Keep reading!
Are cats jealous?
First of all, it is necessary to understand if it is really true that there are jealous cats. Or, in other words, if the cats are jealous or if it's us, guardians, who attribute typically human emotions and feelings to pussies.
Jealousy is a very important adaptive emotional capacity for gregarious animals, that is, those that live in groups or communities, such as wolves or elephants, for example. Although this emotion is similar to human jealousy, it is not expressed in the same way, as the systems and codes of language and social behavior are different.
Jealousy in animals usually presents itself when an individual perceives the possibility of being deprived of something or someone they consider important or fundamental to their survival or well-being. And, when we talk about a companion animal, which has experienced a domestication process, the guardian establishes itself as its point of reference, because it offers it food, security, stability, protection, and - above all - the affection that allows you to generate a bond based on mutual trust.
But does it make sense to think that an independent animal like a cat is also jealous? The answer is: Yes do! Although they have not been completely domesticated like dogs and naturally tend to maintain more solitary habits, cats also see their guardians as their reference points. Thanks to them, they can feel protected in a safe home, free from parasites and impurities, with abundant food and many other resources that allow them to fully develop their physical and cognitive abilities, with an enriched environment.
Therefore, when a strange individual comes into this bond of affection, trust and mutual benefits, naturally the cat reacts negatively, driven by the fear of losing his reference figure. That's why we often hear reports about jealous baby cat, from another cat or another pet. To prevent this emotional capacity, which is completely natural in cats, from damaging the balance in your home, it is essential to know how to introduce a new member to the family, always respecting your pussy's adaptation times.
Cat jealous of another cat: signs
Another very common question from guardians is how to know that a cat is jealous of another cat. As each cat is a world full of possibilities and surprises, it is possible that jealousy is expressed in different ways, according to the cat's personality and the education it received from its guardians.
However, some common signs will help you to clearly see that you have a jealous cat. For example:
- The cat constantly tries to get the attention of the guardian, and may even show strange behavior and behavior problems;
- Your pussy is watching you intently as you approach, play or interact with the other cat;
- Therefore, it tries to interrupt the interaction between the tutor and the other animal;
- The cat exhibits negative body language when relating to the other cat, and may even show signs of aggression. For example, it is possible that you catch your cat “growling” at another cat.
Cats run away out of jealousy?
Generally, cats that are not neutered run mainly out of sexual desire, after identifying that there are females in heat. Other pussies can escape simply because they are used to taking walks outside the house, or even out of pure curiosity, since the streets offer thousands of stimuli, such as smells, noises, other individuals, among other things.
It is not very common for a cat jealous of another cat run away and abandon your home and your reference figure (your guardian), as this would pose a serious risk to your well-being. More likely, the jealous cat will hide, avoid interacting with the other individual, or exhibit the symptoms we've already mentioned. However, we can imagine that, in extreme cases, when feeling “left out” or despised by its tutor, the pussy decides to leave home, because it feels that the bond with its reference figure has been broken.
Cat jealous of another cat: what to do
Although jealousy is a natural reaction of cats, in this type of circumstance there are several guidelines that you can follow to prevent your pussy from feeling threatened for the presence of a new individual in their territory, and also to encourage the new member of the family to feel welcome.
Below, we'll briefly go over some of the steps you can – and should – consider when adopting a new kitten and introducing it to your pussy.
How To Make Two Cats Get Along Through Socialization
The best way to avoid the problems of jealousy and possessive behavior among cats is through socialization. During the socialization process, your pussy will learn to relate positively to other individuals and stimuli.
The ideal is to start socializing your kitten from the second week of life and until the second month, as during this period the puppy assimilates the basic codes of social conduct, that is, the norms that guided the behavior towards other people and stimuli during adulthood. However, it is also possible to socialize an adult cat, always relying on a lot of patience, affection and the help of positive reinforcement.
remember that a Inappropriate socialization is the main cause of a jealous cat.. So, before you decide to adopt a partner for your pussy, make sure he is properly socialized to live this experience.
How To Make Two Cats Get Along Through Mutual Respect
For guardians, it usually seems like a good idea to adopt a kitten to keep her pussy company, which is usually alone at home for a good part of the day. However, it is It is important to take into account your cats' personality and routine.. Your pussy doesn't necessarily feel the need to have the company of another animal, as you imagine it does.
Some pussies are naturally more sociable, while others prefer to live a more solitary life and enjoy an environment enriched with toys, scratchers, brain games, etc. So remember to get to know your feline companion better and consider whether it's better to have a cat or two at home (for you and him, of course!)
How to make two cats get along by preparing the house
As we mentioned, the arrival of a strange animal in the house can make your cat feel uncomfortable considering that its territories and the resources that are found in it may be at risk. To avoid disputes over territory and forced interactions, it is essential that each cat has its own belongings and objects, such as a bed, pots of food and water, litter box, toys, scrapers, among other things.
In addition, it is recommended not to place the new cat's belongings too close to her pussy's resting and feeding area. Basically, the idea is that cats only start interacting moved by their own will and not that they are forced to socialize or share objects or territories. In this article by PeritoAnimal, you can check other tips to prepare the house for the arrival of the new cat.
How to Make Two Cats Get Along Through Presentation
This is the most critical and important point of this process, how to favor the interactions of the new kitten with her pussy in a positive way? First of all, you will need respect each cat's adaptation times, especially of the newcomer who, perhaps, is afraid in the first days. Remember that adaptation is a gradual process and each individual has their own time.
But you can – and should – start to encourage interactions between the two cats, as long as they are already comfortable with each other's presence. When that time comes, for sure, these tips to get your cat used to the new kitten will be of great help.
How to make two cats get along with the help of the veterinarian
If you notice that your cat's behavior is very altered or becomes aggressive after the arrival of the new kitten, it is best to seek professional help. The first step will be to take your pussy to the vet to check if his health is okay, as some diseases and hormonal imbalances can cause various behavioral changes, such as hyperactivity, depression or aggression.
After rule out any health problems, we recommend talking to a professional specialist in education or feline ethology, as he will be able to identify the specific causes of inappropriate behavior of your pussy and guide a treatment focused on education and environmental enrichment.
How to calm down jealous cats
If your cat is very nervous or hyperactive in the presence of the other kitten at any given time, you can leave him alone for a few minutes until he calms down. In most cases, the correct stimulation of the interaction, using positive reinforcement to encourage both cats to assimilate each other's presence as something positive, proves to be effective in preventing these episodes of stress and promoting peaceful coexistence within your home. However, if this anxiety or nervousness presents itself constantly or very frequently, it will be necessary to take your cat to a veterinarian specializing in ethology.
In mild cases or occasional nervousness, there is also the possibility of using pheromones for cats to achieve decrease your pussy's stress level and prevent the episode from happening again. However, again we remember the importance of consulting a veterinarian before submitting your cat to any new treatment.
Check out more about jealous cats in our YouTube video: