Can My Dog Get Jealous?

by Angela Vuckovic

Published: May 24th, 2025

Iryna Demchuk.An/Shutterstock

You’re giving attention to a new puppy, petting the neighbor’s dog, or maybe even cuddling a baby - and suddenly, your own dog pushes in, whines, or wedges themselves between you and the “intruder.” It definitely feels like jealousy.

But is it? Can dogs actually get jealous? The short answer: Yes - sort of.

While dogs don’t experience jealousy in quite the same way humans do, they can show possessive, competitive, or attention-seeking behaviors that look a lot like it. Let’s break it down.

What Jealousy Looks Like in Dogs

Jealousy in dogs often shows up in subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) ways. You might notice your dog:

Pushing between you and another person or pet
Whining or barking when you give someone else attention
Pawing at you or demanding cuddles
Guarding toys, food, or even people
Acting out with sudden behaviors like peeing indoors or ignoring commands

These aren’t just “bad manners” - they’re signals that your dog is feeling insecure, left out, or uncertain about their place in the social circle.

Why Dogs Act Jealous

At the heart of it, jealousy-like behavior in dogs is often rooted in:

Attention shifts - especially if they were once your one-and-only
Changes in routine - a new baby, pet, partner, or roommate
Resource guarding - not just food, but people too
A need for reassurance - dogs are incredibly social animals who crave connection

They’re not being dramatic - they’re responding to what feels like a threat to their bond with you.

What the Science Says

Research backs up what dog owners have long suspected. A 2014 study published in PLOS ONE found that dogs exhibited jealous behaviors - like pushing or interrupting - when their owners showed affection to what appeared to be another dog (in reality, a stuffed dog). The behaviors mirrored how young children react to divided attention.

While dogs may not experience jealousy in the full, emotional complexity humans do, it’s clear they can feel possessive, left out, or protective of their relationships.

How to Help a “Jealous” Dog

The good news is, jealous behavior can be managed - and even prevented - with the right approach. Here’s how:

1. Acknowledge Their Feelings (Without Reinforcing Them)

It’s okay to comfort your dog, but try not to reward pushy behavior with attention every time. Instead, calmly redirect and reward calm, patient behavior.

2. Give One-on-One Time

Make sure your dog still gets regular undivided attention - walks, play, snuggles - especially if there’s a new pet or baby in the house.

3. Train for Calm Behavior Around Others

Use treats and praise to reward your dog for staying calm when you’re interacting with someone else. This helps teach them that sharing your attention doesn’t mean losing your love.

4. Avoid Comparisons

Just like people, dogs have different personalities. Some are naturally more clingy or sensitive. Instead of comparing, focus on helping your dog feel secure in your bond.

5. Be Consistent

Dogs feel more secure when the rules and routines stay steady. Consistency helps reduce anxiety - and that includes how and when affection is shared.

Final Thoughts: Jealous? Maybe. Insecure? Definitely.

So, can your dog get jealous? Yes - in their own way. They may not stew over slights the way humans do, but they do feel it when attention shifts, when routines change, or when their place in your heart feels uncertain.

The best remedy? Reassurance, routine, and respect. With a little patience and understanding, your dog will learn there’s always enough love to go around.

Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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Eating dirt can be a repetitive, self-soothing behavior for dogs experiencing separation anxiety, fear of loud noises, or other environmental stressors.Curiosity and exploration: This is especially true for young puppies. The world is a brand-new place, and puppies explore everything with their mouths. Dirt offers fascinating smells, textures, and tastes that they may be investigating out of pure curiosity, similar to how human toddlers put everything in their mouths.Attention-seeking behavior: Let’s be honest; seeing your dog eat dirt usually triggers a strong reaction from you. Perhaps you gasp loudly, quickly dash to stop them, or call out a firm “no!” If a dog learns that eating dirt gets them immediate attention, even if it’s negative attention, they might repeat the behavior just to get you to engage with them.Instinctual behavior: While highly domesticated, dogs still possess some primal instincts passed down from their wild ancestors. 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(photo credit: InesBazadar / shutterstock.com)Let’s talk seniors. Regardless of age, they all have different abilities. Some are still highly active while others may be less so. Cognition levels can also vary from one individual to another as can favorite pastimes. Bridge champion, master gardener, or avid swimmer…when talking about the ideal feline for an older adult, it’s not necessarily down to finding a low-maintenance, easygoing breed that will be content to sit on a lap and receive cuddles. Maybe it’s something a little more playful or interactive yet not as demanding in terms of time and maintenance.One of the easiest ways to suss up how appropriate a new feline will be for a senior is to check out the rescues and shelters. You will find a mix of mid-life and older animals with a personality and/or attitude already baked in. So, you know just how feisty – or not – said puss is going to be when she gets home.You will also find that most relinquished cats are of a mixed breed status. Mixed breeds have a broader gene pool and fewer heredity health issues -hence the reason for the number of “designer” dogs you now see. For cats, brachycephalic breeds such as Persians or Burmese can inherit respiratory issues while Siamese are prone to dental disease and Maine Coons to hip dysplasia. Of course, the cost to adopt a rescue is also considerably less expensive than purchasing a pure-bred feline which can often be a deciding factor for anyone on a fixed income.

Cancer Warning After Cat Had Her Ears Amputated Due to Sun Damage

Vets are warning owners of cats with light-colored ears to protect their felines from potentially cancer-causing sun damage. Gracie, a seven-year-old white cat, had to have both of her ear flaps amputated after tests showed cancerous cells in both ears. The damage to Gracie’s ears was caused by prolonged exposure to sunlight. Last summer, the Bracknell & Wokingham branch of the Cat Protection charity took Gracie in as a stray. The charity’s vets were shocked by the severity of the damage caused to the cat’s ears by too much exposure to the sunlight.The staff named the feline Crispy because of the damage to her ears. The then-six-year-old feline had both of her ear flaps removed at their base to prevent the cancer from spreading. As it turns out, that decision saved Gracie’s life, as vets are now sure the cancer would have spread all over her body.To compensate for the lack of both ear flaps, Gracie moves her head more to better locate sounds. One year later, and fully recovered after the surgery, Crispy has been renamed Gracy and has been adopted by Beryl and Tom Henry in Bracknell, Berkshire. The fact that Gracie had both of her ears amputated didn’t deter Ms Henry from adopting her. “I fell in love with her as soon as I saw her, and she was absolutely lovely,” Ms Henry told the BBC. “Inside she’s wonderful. Her looks don’t count… I love her to bits.”The Cat Protection charity advises cat owners to keep light-colored felines indoors while the sun is at its hottest. Providing outdoor shade areas and applying sunscreen to a cat’s ears and nose can also help keep vulnerable cats protected against sun damage. Nikki Butcher from the Cat Protection charity said: “Vets probably saved Gracie’s life by spotting the severity of the sun damage to her crispy ears and then treating her so effectively.” “Any cats that are light-furred or have unpigmented ears or noses are particularly susceptible to sun damage. If it’s caught early, it can be surgically trimmed. In Gracie’s case, because it was such extensive damage, then the decision was taken to take the flaps down to the base.”“Additional tests indicated that was a life-saving decision for Gracie as it could have spread to the rest of her body,” added Butcher. Sadly, Gracie isn’t alone. The Cat Protection charity has witnessed too many cats suffering the effects of sun damage that can be easily prevented. When it comes to keeping cats protected from the sun, it’s important to remember that sun protection isn’t just for summer. Light-colored cats can also get sunburns on cloudy days and in snowy conditions where UV rays reflect off the surface.Limiting your cat’s exposure to the sun during the hottest part of the day and applying vet-approved sunscreen for cats are the best ways to keep your feline safe and healthy. Keep in mind that not all sunscreens are safe for pets, and some are more effective than others. Avoid sunscreens that contain zinc oxide or para-aminobenzoic acid, as these ingredients are toxic to pets. To keep your feline protected during hot summer days, apply sunscreen to the most vulnerable areas of its body, including the nose, ears, belly, and areas with thin fur. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Flea and Tick Season Is Here: How to Protect Your Pets

As spring arrives and the days grow warmer, most of us start spending more time outdoors - and so do our pets. Long walks, backyard lounging, hiking adventures, and open windows become the norm. But with all that sunshine and fresh air comes something a little less welcome: flea and tick season.

How Do I Know If My Dog Has Tapeworm?

It’s never fun to think about your dog having parasites, but unfortunately, they’re a common part of pet ownership - especially when it comes to tapeworms. These flat, segmented parasites like to take up residence in a dog’s intestines, and while they might not cause dramatic symptoms at first, they’re definitely something to catch and treat as early as possible. So how can you tell if your dog has tapeworm? Here’s what to watch for and what to do next.Spotting the Signs: What Tapeworms Look LikeOne of the clearest signs your dog has tapeworms doesn’t come from their behavior - it comes from what you see. Tapeworms often break into segments, and those segments exit the body through your dog’s poop or around their anus.They look like:Tiny white or beige rice-like grainsDried yellow specks stuck to fur around the rearWriggling flat pieces in fresh stoolIf you see something that matches this description, it’s time to call the vet.Other Signs Your Dog Might Have TapewormsWhile many dogs don’t show strong symptoms at first, some do develop signs of discomfort or irritation. These can include: Scooting: Dragging their rear on the groundExcessive licking or biting at their hind endIncreased appetite without weight gainMild digestive upset, like loose stoolsIn rare cases - especially if the infestation is severe or prolonged - dogs may become lethargic, lose weight, or develop a dull coat.How Do Dogs Get Tapeworms?Most dogs get tapeworms by swallowing fleas infected with tapeworm larvae. This can happen when grooming or biting at itchy skin. It’s one reason why good flea control is essential - even if your dog isn’t scratching.Other potential sources include:Eating raw or undercooked meatScavenging on wildlife or garbageContact with contaminated environmentsGetting a DiagnosisIf you suspect your dog has tapeworms, your vet can confirm it through a stool sample. Bring a fresh sample to your appointment if possible. Sometimes visual identification of segments is enough, but lab analysis can also help identify other types of intestinal parasites.Treatment Is Simple - and EffectiveThe good news? Tapeworms are typically easy to treat with a deworming medication, usually given as a tablet or topical solution. One or two doses are often enough to clear the worms, but your vet may recommend a follow-up dose or test depending on your dog’s situation.

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