Does you pet get upset when you show attention to someone else, 2-legged or 4-legged?
While their emotions may not be as complex as ours, we as animal lovers have always known that our pets are feeling creatures. Not that we needed confirmation, but we have validation from studies performed by scientists and animal behaviorists.
Our pets express their emotions a bit differently than we do. As an example, your dog or cat has been the only pet in the house and has had your complete attention. Suddenly, you introduce a new baby, a partner or a new pet to the household. Some of your attention is focused on this new being. Your pet begins to feel left out, his number one spot in your life is being usurped by a stranger. He feels threatened and may become destructive or show some aggression.
Gradual introductions over a period of time will help alleviate your pet’s fears and help to minimize any show of aggression. Check our articles on introducing a new baby or a new pet to the home. Continue to give your pet attention and time. Never leave a new baby or a new pet alone with the older pet.
If despite all your attempts, the jealous behavior continues, consult with your veterinarian and/or an animal behaviorist.
On a personal note: Whenever I pet one of my dogs or attempt to train one and give a treat, the others will immediately seek my attention. Their feelings of jealousy may not be on the same level as ours can be, but they feel them just the same and demonstrate that emotion that’s hard to miss.
While we’re on the subject of pets and emotions, do they feel guilt? I don’t know about cats mainly because they probably feel they have nothing to be guilty about.
But some dogs do appear to show signs of guilt or at least some understanding if they’ve done something not quite right. If you’ve ever been greeted by your dog with his tail between his legs, you know something is going on that you won’t be happy about. Although he may appear guilty, he probably won’t remember what he’s done, so just ignore the problem and clean up the mess. Try to discover the reason for the behavior. What appears to be guilt may be simply a response to your anger, harsh words or “the look.”
Never punish your pet for unacceptable behavior. It doesn’t work. Instead, using positive methods, praise and treat your pet when he does something correctly.
Related Articles
- How to Prepare Your Pet for a New Baby
- How to Introduce a Cat to Your Dog at Home
- Introducing a Dog to a home with a Cat
