In simple words, jealousy means having the desire to possess something somebody else has or experiencing anxiety, anger, and despair due to real or imaginary insecurities. Our matter of concern here is – Do dogs get jealous like humans?
Will your furry precious look at the new fur baby at home with envy? Is it because you give more attention to the new entrant than the already settled one at home? Well, by the looks of it, it seems very obvious that your in-house pet pooch wants to reclaim you.
Undoubtedly, your jealous fur baby looks adorable while trying to grab your attention; however, when left unchecked, such behaviors can quickly transition to depression, aggression, or other chronic health issues.
Consider being prepared with dog insurance, so your pets have a medical backup during unexpected health scenarios and emergencies. It is worth noting that pet insurance cost can be much lower than the vet bills you might have to pay during unplanned visits, which is why you must contemplate buying a policy. Meanwhile, read this article to learn if dogs get jealous and the common signs of jealousy.
Do dogs get jealous?
The actions of a jealous dog are strikingly similar to those of envious humans. It is easy to decode your puppy’s emotions by paying attention to its facial expressions, vocalizations, and body language. For the unversed, it helps to know that jealousy is a complex emotion with various undertones and is molded by past experiences.
It is widely believed to be a survival instinct. For instance, puppies belonging to the same or different litter compete for basic resources like food, water, toys, treats, and mating partners. The other significant factor having a major role in eliciting the feelings of jealousy in a puppy are social factors like cultures or households encouraging the habit of jealousy.
While some puppies have this trait from birth, others might pick up the quality due to environmental challenges, poor interactions with human parents, and compelling social scenarios. With proper planning and showing equal love, care, and affection to every resident fur baby, puppy parents can set their fur babies up for a win, and themselves emerge winners in the process.
Also, remember that jealousy is not limited to specific dog breeds. The separation anxiety, fear of losing their human parent to somebody else, and struggle to guard their human parent, a vital resource, can translate to jealousy and other negative behaviors.
Signs of jealousy in a puppy
You need to be adept at identifying both the obvious and subtle signs of jealousy in a puppy. Some common signs of jealousy include –
- Never leaving your side when you are at home.
- Getting in between you and the new puppy.
- Whimpering when you pay attention to others.
- Pressing its body into you, refusing to get up from your lap, bumping against your leg, not letting go of your hand, looking sadly into your eyes.
- Hissing and growling when you take care of the other pet.
- Performing tricks, playing pranks, destroying things, and engaging in other behaviors to get your attention by hook or crook.
- Peeing and pooping in prohibited places.
It can be a time to introspect; if your puppy is not too happy with your attitude, you should probably think again as to where the fault lies and how to resolve the issue. You should be positive enough to make needed changes from your side to reassure your little pupper that it always stands as your older furkid.
While this is one problem you might face in your multi-pet household, there can be several others, particularly health issues. Consider purchasing dog insurance because not all medical conditions are avoidable, and summoning medical help can sometimes be necessary. Pet insurance cost can be much less when compared to fat vet bills you may have to deal with during distressing health situations, which is why you must contemplate purchasing a policy.