Author: Melissa Boldan, DVM

In This Article Summary View 6 More +

In This Article What Is Whelping? View 4 More +

In This Article Summary View 5 More +

WRITTEN BYMelissa Boldan, DVM Veterinarian Dr. Melissa Boldan graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. She initially practiced mixed animal…,Jealousy is defined as a desire to possess something that someone else has, or a feeling of unhappiness or anger because you fear someone you love is liked by another. But do dogs get jealous like humans do? Do they feel jealous when we spend time with or give attention to other pets or people? Can Dogs Get Jealous? In short, dogs do get jealous, and those feelings of jealousy are strikingly similar to human jealousy.   You may be able to read some of your dog’s emotions through their body language, such as happiness or sadness. In the study of human psychology, jealousy has always been considered a complex emotion with undertones of several different feelings, and it’s shaped by experience. Researchers across the globe have determined that dogs feel jealousy as well. There are several theories regarding the origin of jealousy. Some psychologists believe jealousy is a survival trait. Siblings compete for resources, and romantic partners guard their mates to ensure propagation of their line. Other researchers believe there are social factors at play, with certain cultures or households encouraging jealous behavior. This debate remains true for dogs as well. Some researchers hypothesize that jealousy is predominant in certain dogs innately (from birth). Others believe that a dog’s environment and interaction with pet parents foster stronger feelings of jealousy.

In This Article Summary View 5 More +

In This Article Pregnancy in Dogs View 4 More +

In This Article What Is a Normal Temperature for a Dog? View 4 More +

In This Article Why Is My Dog’s Stomach Making Noises? View 2 More +