You sit on the couch, pet another cat, a stuffed animal or even the new kitten, and your own cat suddenly stares, comes closer, swats or squeezes in between. Is that jealousy? Researchers actually tested it, and vets have a clear list of the signs.
In short
- A study of 52 cats in Japan tested how cats react when their owner pets a fake cat.
- The cats reacted more intensely to the toy cat after their owner had petted it.
- Vets list resource guarding, swatting, attention seeking and scent marking among the signs.
- Scientists remain cautious: we can’t say for sure that cats feel jealousy the way we do.
What researchers tested
In a study published in 2020 in the journal Pet Behaviour Science, researchers including Kazuo Fujita of Kyoto University observed 52 cats from Japanese homes and cat cafés. Each cat watched its owner, then a stranger, pet either a realistic soft-toy cat, a potential rival, or a furry cushion.
The result: the cats, especially household pets, “reacted more intensely toward the soft-toy cat previously petted by their owner.” But they didn’t react differently depending on whether the owner or the stranger had done the petting.
So, is it jealousy?
The authors are careful. The absence of other jealousy-like behaviors seen in infants and dogs “precludes drawing firm conclusions.” In other words, cats clearly notice when attention goes elsewhere, but science can’t yet say they feel jealousy the way a person or a dog does.
The signs vets watch for
Veterinarian Lily Richards, interviewed by PetsRadar, puts it simply: “Jealousy may present as resource guarding, aggression, scratching and biting and also attention seeking.” She also lists:
- Scent marking around the house.
- Rubbing against the object of attention, or lying right on top of it.
- Stress signs: hiding, overgrooming, excessive meowing, destructive behavior, or peeing outside the litter box.
Those stress signs can also point to an illness, which is why a vet check is worth it if they appear suddenly. “They are very protective of my time and affection,” Dr. Richards says of her own cats. That’s why changes in the household, a new pet, a new partner or a baby, are often the moments when these behaviors appear.
How to reassure a “jealous” cat
Keep its routines: meals, play and cuddle time at the usual hours. Give each cat its own food bowl, litter box and resting spots, so nobody has to defend resources. When a new pet arrives, introduce it gradually. Cats are deeply attached to the people who respect them, which is why a cat’s favorite person is always the one who respects its limits.
The limit
One study of 52 cats, using a toy rather than a real rival, can’t settle the question. Every cat is different, and what looks like jealousy may be territorial stress, boredom or even pain. If behavior changes suddenly, start with the vet. And if you’re away a lot, remember that vets have put a number on how long a cat can be left alone.
That’s the story.
