The Psychology of Pet Jealousy: Can Pets Feel Envy?
One behavior exhibited by pets may be jealousy if it turns clingy or aggressive, generally in response to changes in its relationship, like the introduction of a new pet or owner. During those times, these behaviors might mean that they are anxious about something else taking place between them and another member.
Austrian scientist Friederike Range performed a study supporting the idea of jealousy in dogs, where they showed jealousy when their owners interacted with rival objects. The functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed to precisely assess the brain activity involved in these experiments.
1. The Bond
Dogs and cats have jealousy-inducing behaviors. Most likely, this arises from the very strong bond each forms with its owner, wanting to secure his or her attention and affection.
The jealous behavior seen in human infants is very similar to that of pet dogs: wanting what another has, to attempt to prevent them from having it, coupled with fear that the relationship will change or dissolve altogether. If they do indeed experience some form of jealousy, classified as an emotional state, it has been, to date, difficult to study such a phenomenon in domestic dogs because of their close attachment to their owners.
The study of jealousy in animals has adopted experimental methods previously used to investigate jealousy in human infants. The researchers found significant differences in how dogs behaved when their owners interacted with a stuffed dog versus buckets, books, and pumpkins; their behavior might have been influenced more by their owners' treatment of the stuffed dog than by the mere presence of it.
Using fMRI to scan the brains of the dogs that participated, the scientists found that certain parts of the amygdala activated when the owner's gazes went to fake dogs rather than other objects. This would mean that some parts of the dogs' brains are connected to jealousy.
2. The Surroundings
Jealousy arises through several confluences of opposite feelings such as anger, anxiety, fear, and resentment. It can intensify when it is felt that resources—such as attention or food—are lacking; therefore pet owners should work on mitigating jealousy by dealing with potential sources of contention while emphasizing equal treatment.
For example, perceived inequality; the idea that one dog is getting more treats or playtime than another dog—may evoke feelings in both dogs that lead to jealous behavior. Hence keeping consistent routines of feeding, playtime, and cuddle time prevents feelings of inadequacy and builds a sense of security, thereby reducing jealousy-aggression. New pets or children should be introduced into the home slowly, giving existing ones time to adjust so as to limit jealousy-related territorial disputes between them and newcomers.
A study conducted by researchers in 2021 observed how dogs behaved when interacting either with a fleece cylinder or realistic fake dog hidden behind a barrier, concluding that when their owner pet the rival fake dog they pulled harder at their owner's leash when seeing the owner petting another rival fake dog even though they could not see through the barrier; therefore, logically interpreted as supporting a "primordial type" of jealousy in dogs akin to how human infants recognize unfair treatment and react.
3. Resources
Similar to humans, there are many varying scenarios that may provoke jealousy in pets. Routine changes, an altered family dynamic, or sharing resources such as food bowls or toys may trigger a jealous response; if aggression is exhibited as jealousy in such cases, your pup should be examined by your veterinarian immediately, since these behaviors can lead to physical injury or more serious health concerns if not treated.
Jealousy comes with a bouquet of negative feelings triggering various behaviors ranging from attention-seeking and reparative to destructive and aggressive. Dogs showing aggression-based jealousy with babies or children must be carefully monitored and trained using counterconditioning methods.
In 2014, researchers applied modifications to their infant experiments of mirror self-recognition to dogs. One-third of the dogs wedged themselves between their owner and the stuffed dog being stroked by the owner, whereas 57.11% pushed or snapped at it. Such results indicate that dogs have limited self-awareness and might experience the emotion "jealousy" for any attention from human beings, much in the way an infant would. The prevention of jealousy, therefore, would involve a routine that is followed regularly, slowly introducing changes, and providing separate areas for eating, playing, resting, and grooming. Reducing competitive or jealous feelings can also be encouraged by providing sufficient and accessible resources; reinforcing good behavior is another excellent way to diffuse jealousy and reduce aggression. The importance of reinforcing good interactions cannot be overstated!
4. Attention
Another option is that any normal dog or cat that suddenly acts the diva the moment the newcomer enters the house is simply one jealous animal. Jealousy unleashes on numerous attention-seeking behaviors, such as excessive barking or whining, aggression; while dogs will demand reassurance from you about their place in the family through getting extra cuddles and affections; or food toys will be territorialized like beds or favorite spots for napping.
Wherever the root may lie, it triggers a response based on inequality. Jealousy varies in intensity, but it is provoked nonetheless. In contrast, human beings display very deep feelings while seeing their pets triggering jealousy on softanwhoop.com.