Welcome to our Peculiar Pet Facts series, where we investigate the quirks of our pets and explore the science behind them.
Valentine’s Day usually means lots of cuddling and ear scratching with your favorite dog or kitten. But while he’s not the only loved one in your life, Valentine’s Day can also bring with it grunts, hisses, and potty “accidents” that seem quite deliberate. We don’t know for sure if some pets experience jealousy the same way people do, but their attention-seeking behaviors can certainly turn a Valentine’s Day red into jealousy green.
Signs of Jealousy-Type Behavior in Pets
You’re cuddled up on the couch with your four-legged best friend and your human best friend is sitting next to you. Immediately there is a low growl coming from the other side. Sound familiar?
Although some experts don’t believe the human emotion of jealousy applies directly to pets, there are certainly attention-seeking behaviors in some animals that resemble jealous behavior. Breaking, scratching, growling, hissing and pushing his way between you and anything he’s not happy with, whether it’s a person, pet or object, can all be signs that your pet is unhappy with the attention you are giving. to someone (or something) else.
Your pet may also try to get your focus back on him by doing something naughty, going potty outside of the designated area (including marking his territory), vocalizing, or any other behavior to attract. attention.
New Research: Dogs Respond to Social Interactions They Can’t See
The jealousy-like behaviors that some dogs display when their owner pays attention to other dogs can also occur when they simply “imagine” their owner petting another dog. A recent study observed how dogs pulled hard on their leash when a realistic fake dog was placed next to their owner and then a barrier was used to block the view of the owner interacting with the fake dog.
The dogs pulled harder on the leash (trying to reach their owner) during the test with the fake dog than when a fleece cylinder was used in the same situation as the control. This video explains the study and the results in more detail. The study supports evidence that dogs show jealous-like behaviors in certain situations, even when their owner’s interactions are out of sight.
How to deal with a jealous animal
If your pet is showing signs of jealousy, it’s a good idea to try ignoring their attention-seeking behavior. Instead, try distracting them with their favorite toy or game and be sure to reinforce their good behavior with rewards.
Attention-seeking behaviors can also be signs of other medical problems or conditions, so speak to your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s behavior.
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