Solstice, my ruddy Abyssinian, is out of sorts these days. There are still a couple of kittens hanging around, waiting on their new homes, and they irritate the heck out of her.

Solstice is lovable but high-strung and has a jealous streak wider than her body. She makes a point of snarling and hissing at the kittens if they so much as look at her.

This is the kind of scenario that those of us with multi-cat households deal with daily. It’s an ever-shifting landscape, and we never know what’s going to pop up.

Why Do Cats Get Jealous?

Cats can show jealousy because they feel threatened when their bond with their owner is challenged or their territory is disrupted. Their natural instincts to protect resources and relationships can cause them to react emotionally when changes occur in their environment.

Cats may get jealous due to:

• Their territorial nature, wanting to maintain control over their space and owner.
• A need for attention, feeling insecure when it is redirected to others like new pets or people.
• Changes in routine, household dynamics, or new additions that cause stress or anxiety.
• Competition for resources such as food, toys, or affection.

Jealousy in cats often manifests as behaviors like hissing, growling, increased vocalization, blocking access, or attention-seeking actions. Managing jealousy involves giving cats consistent attention, slow introductions to new pets or people, and creating separate safe spaces for each cat.

How Cats Show Jealousy

A number of cats living together aren’t so very different from a number of people living together. They hang out together, argue and make up. Sometimes 2 cats start out loathing each other. Then, suddenly and inexplicably, they call a truce.

They also can get jealous of one another. As John Bradshaw states in his book Cat Sense.

“All that jealousy requires is that the cat perceive that another cat is getting more of something than it should,”

Many years ago, my 3-legged Siamese, Christy, used to chase another female cat out of my parents’ backyard and down the field. She was so fueled by jealous rage that she completely forgot she was literally a paw short. And I’ve seen cats deliberately spray pet beds and toys that their housemates liked.

Not all cats show jealousy in the same way, of course. Some “react by swatting, growling or hissing as they encounter their new ‘rivals,’” Naomi Millburn notes:

“Other cats aren’t as direct in their approaches. More reserved felines might ignore their meals or hide away from everyone. They might display unusually clingy behavior, too.”

Giving the jealous cat extra attention and maintaining his favorite routines goes a long way toward making him happy, she adds. Keeping the new cat or kitten away from his toys and sleeping places also helps.

Sometimes a cat will start acting agitated or aggressive because he sees you fussing over his housemate. If that happens, says cat rescuer Pamela Merritt:

“we must continue our attention to the other…while verbally reassuring the cat that we still love them. We wait for a point when the cat is not showing bad behavior to transfer our attention to them.”

How a Jealous Cat Shows Itself

A jealous cat may display certain behaviors to express discomfort or insecurity when feeling threatened or ignored. Key signs a jealous cat might show include:

• Hissing, growling, swatting, or scratching at objects, animals, or people they see as rivals.
• Physically pushing between their owner and the source of jealousy, such as sitting on laps or blocking access.
• Destructive actions like chewing furniture, knocking over items, or shredding household objects.
• Marking territory outside the litter box or spraying to claim spaces important to them.
• Increased hiding, vocalizing, or clingy behavior as a way to cope with jealousy or stress.

These behaviors are a cat’s way of trying to control their environment and maintain their status and resources.

Getting the Balance Right

The more cats involved, the trickier keeping the balance becomes. A new addition can upset that balance if you don’t handle it carefully.

I favor giving the established cats a large chunk of attention. Don’t ignore the new guy or gal — that would be unkind and stupid — but make sure the others know their place is secure.

Nutrition plays a big role in easing stress and jealousy between cats. A balanced diet can keep your pets healthier and more content with Optimeal Cat Food and see how it can make a difference. We’ve put together everything you need to know in our Ultimate Optimeal Cat Food Editorial Spotlight, which covers quality, ingredients, and whether it may be a good fit for your cat.

Here are a few things you can do to make the transition easier:

Keep Up the Rituals

As Millburn points out, make a point of keeping up with them as much as possible. Set aside regular playtimes. One fishing toy isn’t going to cut it in a multi-cat household. Somebody will hog it, and the others will get left out. So go for 2.

Grooming can also help you give each of your cats some one-on-one time.

Spread the Love

Set up more than one feeding station. “Don’t ask cats to share one community food bowl,” advises cat behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett. “That can become an invitation to intimidation if one cat bullies another in an attempt to be the first one (or the only one) at the dinner plate.”

Likewise, have litter boxes scattered throughout the house.

Watch the tension brew in the background as one cat gets more attention than the other:

Best Toys to Keep Your Jealous Cat Happy

A jealous cat may act out when feeling ignored or bored. Providing engaging toys helps channel their energy positively and keeps them mentally and physically active. Toys that mimic hunting or encourage interactive play satisfy natural instincts and reduce jealousy-driven behaviors. Below, top picks for each type of toy will help keep a jealous cat entertained and happy.

1. Interactive wand toys: NOWFRESH Cat Wand Toy Set
2. Pom pom balls for solo play: SunGrow Cat Pom Pom Balls
3. Puzzle feeders that challenge their mind: Catstages Kitty Slow Feeder
4. Catnip-filled soft toys: Fashion’s Talk 18 Piece Plush Catnip-Filled Mice Cat Toys

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Getaway Places

In Mary Calhoun’s The House of Thirty Cats, Miss Tabitha Henshaw has a room set aside just for the cats.“There are so many cats here,” she tells her young friend Sarah, “they need a place to be alone sometimes.”

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It’s a good idea. Cat rooms, catios and enclosures can help alleviate the tensions in a multi-cat home.

My cats don’t have an enclosure or even a room all their own here. But they’ve found their own nooks and niches. For Fey and Violet, it’s the study; for Moonlight, it’s a shelf full of old quilts in the basement. But it could also be a special chair, a cat bed or a condo tucked away in a quiet spot.

Solstice and I are still working on this one. She hops up to join me whenever I sit in a particular chair upstairs. Her eyes close, and her tension immediately falls away. The kitten intruders have ceased to exist — for a while, at least — and she is utterly blissful.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

References:

For centuries, celestial events like eclipses have fascinated humans, drawing crowds to witness the rare occurrences of solar and lunar eclipses. While we prepare our solar glasses and cameras to capture these moments, a question lingers for every cat lover: How are our feline companions affected by these astronomical events? Let’s look at whether cats experience behavioral changes during eclipses, the potential dangers, and how cat lovers can ensure their pets remain safe and comfortable.

Behavioral Changes

Cats are creatures of habit, with their daily routines deeply intertwined with the natural light cycle. They bask in the sun, become more active during dawn and dusk, and rest when it’s dark. An eclipse, which alters the natural light and dark cycle abruptly, can indeed have a noticeable effect on their behavior.

During a solar eclipse, as daylight turns to an eerie twilight, cat lovers may observe their feline friends showing signs of confusion or restlessness.

Some cats might retreat, seeking shelter as they would at dusk, while others may become unusually curious, pacing around to investigate the sudden change.

It’s not uncommon for cats to respond to the shift in their environment by altering their usual activity levels, either slowing down and preparing for what they perceive as nightfall or becoming more alert due to the unexpected darkness.

Lunar eclipses, though less dramatic in changing the lighting conditions, can still affect cats. The subtle shift in nighttime light may not directly disturb their behavior, but the excitement and altered behavior of their human companions during these events can lead to increased stress or curiosity among our feline friends.

Potential Dangers During Eclipses

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The primary concern for humans during a solar eclipse is the risk of eye damage from looking directly at the sun, leading many to wonder if their cats face the same danger. Fortunately, cats are unlikely to gaze at the sun during an eclipse. Their instincts do not drive them to look upwards toward the celestial phenomenon, minimizing the risk of retinal damage.

However, the indirect effects of an eclipse, such as a cat’s response to the sudden change in environment or the heightened emotions of their human companions, can pose risks.

Anxiety and stress can lead to behavioral issues, and in their confusion or curiosity, cats may wander off or injure themselves.

How Cat Lovers Can Support Their Feline Friends During an Eclipse

To ensure that your cat remains unaffected by the eclipse, consider the following tips:

• Maintain Calmness: Cats are sensitive to their surroundings, including the emotions of their human family. Staying calm and composed can help reassure your cat that everything is okay.
• Keep Them Indoors: To prevent your cat from wandering off or becoming overly stressed by the changes outside, keep them indoors in a familiar and secure environment.
• Provide a Safe Space: If your cat tends to get anxious easily, create a comfortable area where they can retreat. Familiar items like their bed, toys, or a piece of your clothing can help soothe them. If members of your family will be running and out to check the progress of the eclipse, be especially mindful not to let your cat slip out. If you have a door dasher in the house, consider restricting your cat to a bedroom so there’s no change to bolt for the door.
• Stick to Routine: As much as possible, adhere to your cat’s regular feeding, play, and rest schedule to provide a sense of normalcy.
• Monitor Their Behavior: Keep an eye on your cat’s behavior during the eclipse. If they seem agitated or stressed, offer them extra attention and comfort.

While eclipses are monumental events for humans, their impact on housecats can vary widely. Most cats are likely to experience minimal direct effects from the eclipse itself, with any behavioral changes more closely tied to alterations in their environment and the behavior of their human companions.

By understanding the potential for stress and taking steps to mitigate it, cat lovers can ensure that their feline friends navigate the eclipse with as little disruption as possible.