Have Emotional Bonds With Owners, Study: Domestic Cats Can Feel Jealous

Illustration of whether cats can be jealous (Pexels/Tranmautritam)

YOGYAKARTA – Cats are known as furry pets that are both cute and 'sassy'. They express emotional closeness by stroking their face and body to their owners. But do they feel jealous when their owners interact with other cats, other animals, or other people in front of them?

There have been many studies on cat interactions with their owners. However, research that explores more specific aspects, such as jealousy, has not been widely carried out. Reported by Psychology Today, Friday, June 17, a study on cat jealousy was conducted in 2020 by Bucher, et al.

Jealousy cats are depicted in a number of videos, when their owners interact with other animals. Jealousy is also described in dogs who become depressed when separated from their owners. This proves the existence of a close emotional bond. So it makes sense for cats to feel jealous of their owner's divided attention as well.

Illustration of whether cats can be jealous (Pexels/Cottonbro)

The Bucher et al. study examined 52 cats with an average age of 5.9 years. The cat has lived with its owner for at least 6 months. Researchers visited a cat's house or cafe with a plush doll in the shape of a cat and fluffy pillows of the same color and texture. The doll represents a 'social rival' while the fluffy pillow represents a non-social object.

They then observed the cat's reaction to its owner or stranger. For 15 seconds the cat owner interacts with the pillow cat. During this time the domestic cat is gently restrained. After the voter stroked the pillow cat, the researchers observed the cat's movement while freely exploring the environment.

The results of this study indicate, as long as the owner strokes the pillow cat, the cat at home is more focused on the object being petted. After the petting session, the cat is still observing the object. In this study the cat did not show distress. But what is highlighted is that cats have a bond with their owners. Regardless of the object, they – the cat in the house – pay more attention to the actions of their owners.

According to Karen Wu, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology at California State University, Los Angeles, house cats do show jealousy given their focus on objects after their owners pet a stuffed cat. The relatively apathetic attitude towards foreign conditions shows that their behavior has something to do with the bond that exists with their owner. But while feeling jealous, cats don't exhibit negative emotions or behaviors as found in dogs and human babies through the same paradigm.