Do Dogs Feel Jealousy? Unpacking the Science Behind Those Puppy-Dog Eyes

Do Dogs Feel Jealousy? Unpacking the Science Behind Those Puppy-Dog Eyes

If you’ve ever been giving another pet some love and suddenly felt a cold, wet nose nudging in, just know, you’ve made your dog very jealous.

For decades, the consensus was that jealousy was a complex human emotion, requiring sophisticated cognitive abilities, such as self-awareness and an understanding of social relationships.

But more scientific evidence is challenging that notion, suggesting that our dogs are indeed capable of experiencing a primordial form of jealousy. And a heavy one.

This post delves into the fascinating research to answer the question:

do dogs feel jealousy?


Table of Contents


Key Takeaways

  • Yes, dogs experience jealousy: Multiple scientific studies, including one published by the NIH, provide robust evidence that dogs exhibit jealous behaviors.
  • It's a "primordial" emotion: Canine jealousy doesn't require complex human-like thought. It's an instinctive reaction to a social rival threatening a valued relationship.
  • Behavioral signs are clear: jealousy in dogs manifests as attention-seeking behaviors (such as pushing and whining), attempts to break up an interaction, and sometimes even aggression.
  • Brain scans back it up: Neuroimaging studies show that scenarios triggering jealousy activate the amygdala in dogs, a brain region linked to emotional arousal and aggression.
  • Management is possible: Through consistent routines, equal attention, positive reinforcement, and sometimes professional help, you can manage jealous behavior and foster harmony in a multi-pet household.


What is Dog Jealousy: From Humans to Hounds

In human psychology, jealousy is more than just envy.

It's a social emotion that arises in a "triangle" of relationships when an interloper threatens a valued bond.

 

A landmark study published by the NIH proposed that a "primordial" form of jealousy exists, one that doesn't require complex self-reflection.

This is believed to have evolved to protect essential relationships, such as those between parent and offspring, from rivals.

This functional perspective opens the door for jealousy to exist in other social species.

Dogs, with their deep bonds to human caregivers, are prime candidates. The authors hypothesized that if jealousy serves to protect social bonds, then a species as socially attuned as the dog might indeed experience it.


Dog Jealousy Study: Snapping at a Stuffed Rival

The first experimental evidence for canine jealousy came from a clever 2014 study by Harris and Prouvost, which adapted a method used to study jealousy in human infants.

 

The experiment

Researchers observed 36 dogs as their owners ignored them and showered attention on three different objects: a realistic, animatronic stuffed dog that could bark and wag its tail, a novel object (a jack-o-lantern pail), and a pop-up children's book.

The results were striking.

Dogs were significantly more likely to exhibit jealous behaviors when their owners interacted with the fake dog. These behaviors included:

  • Snapping or aggressive displays: 25% of dogs snapped at the stuffed dog, compared to almost none when the owner interacted with the other objects.
  • Getting between the owner and the rival: Dogs actively tried to break up the interaction, a behavior considered a hallmark of jealousy.
  • Pushing or touching the owner: They used physical contact to redirect attention back to themselves.

 

Critically, the dogs largely ignored the owner when they were reading the book.

This suggests their reaction wasn't just to a loss of attention, but specifically to that attention being given to what they perceived as a social rival.

The study concluded that "these results lend support to the hypothesis that jealousy has some 'primordial' form that exists in human infants and in at least one other social species besides humans."

 

Inside the Jealous Canine Brain

Behavioral studies are powerful, but what's happening inside the dog's brain? This section is a bit more sciency for those who are extra curious.

A groundbreaking study led by researchers at Emory University used fMRI on awake, unrestrained dogs to find out.

The dogs were trained to lie still in a scanner while watching their caregiver give a food reward to a realistic fake dog or simply drop it into a bucket.

View of the fake dog through the scanner bore. The caregiver placed food in a tube positioned behind the dog’s muzzle to simulate feeding.

 

The findings revealed a key neurological correlation.

Dogs that scored higher on dog-directed aggression showed significantly more activation in the amygdala (a brain region that processes emotions like fear and aggression) when they saw the fake dog being rewarded compared to the bucket.

In simple words, jealousy has a clear neurobiological basis. The brains of more aggressive dogs show a more emotional response to a social rival receiving a reward from their beloved owner.


Beyond Fake Dogs: Jealousy in the Face of a Real Rival

One critique of the initial study was the use of a fake dog.

Would dogs react the same way to a real, breathing rival? A subsequent study, published in Nature's Scientific Reports, addressed this by using both familiar and unfamiliar real dogs as rivals, alongside familiar and unfamiliar objects.

The results confirmed and refined the earlier findings.

Dogs showed more "jealous" behaviors (like trying to get between the owner and the rival) specifically towards the social test partners (the other dogs) and not the objects.

This confirms that the trigger is social in nature.

Adding another layer, studies from the University of Auckland demonstrated that dogs could even imagine a jealousy-inducing interaction happening out of sight.

Dogs pulled harder on a lead to reach their owner when they merely inferred the owner was petting a rival dog behind a barrier.

This indicates a more complex cognitive ability to mentally represent social scenarios that threaten their bond.


Is Your Dog Giving You the Green-Eyed Stare? 9 Common Signs of Jealousy

So, what does jealousy in dogs look like in everyday life? According to PetMD, jealous behaviors can range from subtle to obvious. Here are nine key signs to watch for:

  1. Aggression: Growling, snapping, or even biting at the rival (animal or person).
  2. Pushy Behavior: Physically inserting themselves between you and the rival.
  3. Attention-Seeking: Whining, barking, or performing tricks to divert your focus.
  4. Clinginess: Following you around more than usual, demanding physical contact.
  5. Inappropriate Elimination: Having accidents indoors to express upset (always rule out medical issues first).
  6. Resource Guarding: Protecting toys, food, or sleeping areas from the perceived rival.
  7. Destructive Behavior: Chewing items or causing chaos when feeling ignored.
  8. Scaring Off Strangers: Aggressively barking at guests who receive your attention.
  9. Withdrawal: Some dogs may sulk or leave the room when jealous.


Reduce the amount of text from the infographic

 

Common Triggers: What Makes a Dog Jealous?

Understanding the triggers can help you prevent situations before they escalate. Common scenarios that spark jealousy include:

  • A New Pet: Bringing a new dog or cat home is the classic trigger. Your existing pet may feel their resources and affection are threatened. Proper introductions are crucial. Having separate dog beds and food bowls can help reduce initial tension.
  • A New Human: A new partner, roommate, or baby can shift the dynamic in the home, causing a dog to feel sidelined.
  • Affection Toward Another Animal: Simply petting another dog at the park or giving the cat a cuddle can be enough to trigger a jealous reaction in an insecure dog.
  • Changes in Routine: A new work schedule or a change in walking times can create insecurity, which may manifest as jealousy.
  • Inconsistent Attention: If one dog in a multi-dog household consistently receives more praise or treats, the other may become jealous.


Corrected Dog Jealousy Infographic


 

Managing the Green-Eyed Monster: How to Handle a Jealous Dog

If you recognize jealous behavior in your dog, don't despair. With patience and consistency, you can manage it effectively. Here are strategies recommended by behaviorists and sources like American Kennel Club:

1. Prioritize Consistent Training and Routine

Dogs thrive on predictability. A consistent daily routine for feeding, walks, and playtime makes them feel secure. Reinforcing basic obedience commands like "sit," "stay," and "leave it" gives you control in tense situations. Using the right dog training gear can make this process smoother.

2. Provide Equal and Individual Attention

In multi-pet households, make a conscious effort to give each pet one-on-one time. This could be a separate walk, a special play session, or quiet cuddles. When you give one pet a treat, give the other one one too. This promotes fairness and reduces rivalry.

3. Manage Introductions Carefully

When introducing a new pet or person, go slowly. Use scent swapping (exchanging blankets) before a face-to-face meeting. Keep initial interactions short and positive, with plenty of treats for calm behavior. Never leave a jealous dog unattended with a new baby or animal.

4. Reward Calm, Desired Behavior

Instead of scolding jealous behavior (which can increase anxiety), proactively reward the behavior you want to see. If your dog lies down calmly while you pet the cat, immediately praise and treat them. This reinforces that good things happen when they are patient.

5. Create Safe Spaces

Ensure each pet has their own retreat, like a crate or a comfortable dog bed in a quiet room. This gives them a place to de-stress and feel safe away from any potential rivalry.

6. Know When to Seek Help

If your dog's jealousy escalates to aggression that you cannot manage, or if it's causing severe stress in your household, consult a professional. A certified dog behaviorist or your veterinarian can provide tailored advice and rule out any underlying medical issues contributing to the behavior.


 

Conclusion: A Deeper Bond Through Understanding

The question "do dogs feel jealousy?" has been answered with a resounding yes by modern science.

From behavioral observations to brain scans, the evidence is clear that our dogs experience a form of this complex emotion.

It's not a sign of spite or malice, but rather an instinctive response to a perceived threat to one of the most important relationships in their life: the one they share with you.

 

About the Author

Written by Enrico Crispino, founder of Real Barks and lifelong dog enthusiast. With years of hands-on experience hiking with dogs across diverse terrains, Enrico combines practical expertise with in-depth product knowledge to guide pet owners toward safer, happier outdoor adventures.

Back to blog