Do Dogs Get Jealous? Understanding Canine Emotions

Jealousy is a feeling that haunts people throughout their lives. We are jealous of our mother towards our brothers and sisters, and we do not want many people to know about our favorite show, and we are possessive towards our partners. Do animals have such an emotion? Do dogs get jealous of us?

The nature of jealousy is a complex question. This emotion is caused by hormones and evolution, manifesting as our desire to form long-term bonds with loved ones. This has allowed us to create strong families and other social circles. But is it necessary for dogs? Let's find out!

Can Dogs Feel Jealousy? What Science Says

Dogs are social animals, and many of their reactions and emotions are similar to ours, including jealousy. Research has shown that dogs can be possessive, jealous, and envious. One of the main studies around this is an experiment from the University of California in 2014. Let's take a closer look.

26 dogs and their owners participated in this operation. The owners interacted with three objects: a stuffed dog, a pumpkin, and a book to understand can dogs get jealous. The stuffed dog made sounds and completely imitated a real pet. Here are the results:

Owner’s Focus of Attention	Dogs' Reaction	Jealousy Display (%)	Typical Behaviors
Plush Dog (barking, wagging tail)	Strong jealousy	86%	Barking, trying to get between owner and toy, pawing, biting the “rival”
Plastic Pumpkin (inanimate object)	Mild reaction	42%	Curiosity, occasional attempts to get attention, little to no aggression
Book (owner reading aloud)	Almost no reaction	22%	Patient waiting, rare attempts to seek attention

Conclusion: Dogs were mostly jealous when their owner interacted with another “living” creature (even an artificial one) but showed almost no jealousy when the owner's attention was directed at an inanimate object.

Why is this experiment important for a question why do dogs get jealous? It confirmed that dog jealousy is not just a learned behavior or fear of losing food but an innate emotional response. 

This study was the first scientific evidence that dogs experience jealousy in the same way as small children (similar to the reaction of children under 2 years old to their parents' attention to other children). In addition, it showed that dogs are aware of social dynamics and can perceive other creatures as competitors for the owner's attention.

Why Do Dogs Get Jealous of Other Dogs or Puppies?

Dogs can experience jealousy when they see their owner paying attention to another dog. This is due to their instincts, social behavior, and attachment to their owner. Here are some reasons why dogs get jealous of each other:

• Competition for resources. You are your dog's main food source, attention, safety, and everything else. You are its main resource, and it is afraid of losing it. This causes selfish feelings and a desire to “win you back.”
• Instincts and hierarchy. Dogs are distant ancestors of wolves and are used to living in a herd, having their leaders. How does this manifest itself in everyday life? For example, to prove themselves as the main one in front of a new dog and show their place in the current social stratum.
• Changes in the usual way of life. New events that change your life and your pet are always stressful. Dogs get used to your schedule and easily adapt to the normal routine. But changing their habits for the sake of an unfamiliar animal? Oh, hell no!

Most dogs quickly cope with jealousy when a new puppy appears. The joy of a new friend and constant companion quickly covers any traces of jealousy. However, in some situations, you must pay more attention to dogs jealous of other dogs.

Signs Your Dog Is Jealous of a New Pet

We know from experience that jealousy can be difficult to recognize and work through, even for humans. Now imagine that you have four paws, a new puppy at home, and zero skills for dealing with your emotions or the opportunity to go to a psychologist. Not much fun, right? So you should pay more attention to this behavior of your pet:

• Attention-seeking. If your pet tries to push you with its paws, lick your hands and face, or get between you and the “rival” when you are busy with the new puppy, this may be the first sign that dogs can be jealous.
• Aggressive or anxious behavior. This is the second red flag to watch for. If attention-seeking does not help, your pet may start barking or whining when you pet the puppy. They may even show aggression by attacking the new family member. Pay attention to the posture: the more tension in how the dog stands, the more the dog is jealous of a new puppy.
• Destructive behavior. If time goes by and the behavior only gets worse, you may notice that your pet is damaging furniture or wallpaper, throwing things off shelves, or marking territory. This is a reaction to the fact that it cannot cope with the stress of jealousy and misunderstanding the situation, and he needs your help.
• Changes in appetite and mood. This behavior is rarely manifested by jealousy, but these signals indicate problems. If you notice that the dog has begun to eat less or more slowly, sleeps more, is bored, or shows signs of anxiety and depression, this may indicate a severe stage of jealousy.

If animals show several of these signs, dogs can feel jealousy. It is important not to scold the pet but to help it adapt: pay attention, encourage calm behavior, and provide equal conditions for all animals in the house.

Do Dogs Get Jealous of Humans, Like Partners or Babies?

The birth of a child or the move of a partner into your home is a rare and significant event in your life. Dogs are empathetic animals, and most likely, your pet will pick up on your enthusiasm and rejoice with you. But your friend is bored or aggressive towards the new face in the house. What is going on?

Can dogs feel jealous of other people towards their owners? Yes, observations show that they can feel uncomfortable, especially if they were previously the only object of your attention.

In addition to typical problems such as territoriality and the struggle for attention and resources, a lifestyle change is also important here. More voices, noise, foreign smells, and things. This can be stressful and unfamiliar for a dog, causing anxiety.

However, such behavior does not always mean jealousy. Observe your pet, its behavior, and reactions. Try to recreate the experiment of the University of California to understand if your dogs get jealous easily. Often, their aggression or need for attention can be associated with stress and fear of change, and the animal simply needs time and adaptation.

How to Manage Jealous Behavior in Dogs

Okay, we've covered the dog's behavior, signs, and jealousy causes. Can we help somehow? Of course! Our pets depend on our emotions, moods, and decisions, and they require our presence. Here are some tips to help restore your trust and connection:

• Give your dog enough attention. Plan time for walks together, play more frequently, praise, and buy toys. The dog must remember that it is important and valuable to you. Otherwise, it will achieve this through negative behavior.
• Create positive associations. Associate the process of the appearance of a new pet or person with something pleasant so that the dog has more positive associations. Praise them for friendly behavior, give treats, and pet them to understand how to manage your dog's experience of jealousy.
• Do not encourage jealous behavior. The more often and actively you react to barking or whining, the more vividly the dog will remember that this behavior leads to an attention boost. Do not let that slide. However, scolding is also not a good idea, as it can lead to aggression. The ideal option is to ignore and encourage only calm behavior.

Understanding why dogs are jealous is the first step in managing their behavior. Jealousy in dogs is rare, but it is a normal pattern and a reaction to a new pet. Give them time to get used to each other and be close. Remember that your bond is about time together, care, love, and sharing emotions, and try to maintain your usual behavior to maintain routine and familiar things in the pet's world.

Get To Know Dog Habits Better With FlatRover

Jealousy in dogs is one of the types of stress. Minimizing it means leaving your pet relaxed and calm. Going on a trip and can't take your best friend with you? No problem! Sitters from all over the world are ready to help you and your animal for free! Give them a chance with FlatRover. Here, you will find:

• Convenient service. Browse new sitters, learn about their experience and skills, and choose the best candidate for your pets.
• Detailed profiles. Leave descriptions of your animals, their photos, and requirements for the sitter to find the perfect traveler faster.
• Rating and filter system. Speed up the search for a suitable candidate with the help of other people's reviews and the overall rating. Need specific requirements? No problem: search by category will help you find the right person for your pet.

We unite owners and sitters, creating a great space for them to communicate and help! Register on FlatRover to become part of a community of enthusiasts and animal lovers!

FAQ

Do dogs get jealous of new dogs or puppies?

Yes, this can happen if you have not prepared your pet for the arrival of a new family member. Most often, this quickly passes when the dog understands that the new pet is not an enemy and you still love it. Just stay alert and attentive, and the adaptation will be quick and successful.

Why are dogs jealous of partners or babies?

Dogs form strong bonds with their owners and may feel left out when a new person, like a partner or baby, gets more attention. They may fear losing their special place in the family. If you ask yourself if dogs can feel jealous, you need to know that it can be triggered by less time and attention you give your pet, as well as a change in routine and behavior. Try to renew your bond by walking and playing with your dog more.

What are the signs that my dog is feeling jealous?

Look out for aggressive behavior, signs of anxiety, a tendency to mark territory, damage things, or the “rival.” These may indicate stress or jealousy that you need to address.

How can I stop my dog from being jealous of other pets?

“Will my dog get jealous if I get another dog?” It can happen. To stop your dog from being jealous of other pets, it's important to introduce them gradually and ensure both pets feel secure. Reinforce calm behavior with praise and treats and avoid creating situations where they feel they need to compete. Provide separate resources like food bowls and beds to avoid competition, and spend quality time with each pet individually.

Do dogs experience jealousy the same way humans do?

Our emotional capacities vary, so dogs cannot sense jealousy like we do. However, we can still understand them. Their jealousy stems from a desire to maintain their bond with their owner and a fear of losing attention or affection. Research has shown that dogs exhibit jealousy when their owners interact with other pets or even inanimate objects that seem to take attention away from them, suggesting they somewhat understand social competition.