They all deserve to feel like your favorite.
Many of us have multiple pets. We love each one of them.
And for the most part, I think most people treat them all fairly.
It’s important to remember animals are very aware of inequities.
Animals feel when they are favored less, loved less, or just looked at differently (because maybe they are the hard one)
They are even aware if one of the other animals gets a larger portion of a treat, an extra treat, extra enrichment, etc…
It breaks my heart when one animal feels resented, left out, less loved, less valued, or less important. It happens more than it should.
We can’t help but have preference as humans. To be the best guardian you can be, those preferences should never spill over into how your animals are treated, loved, or valued.
Animals are like kids. Rules and expectations should be consistent for all.
Privileges should be consistent for all.
Special gifts, treats, events should be consistent for all.
If there is one that gets the short end of the stick, treating that one as equally as your “favorite” will likely change the behavior for the better on the other. The other may stop being so annoying, may stop trying to do things you don’t like to get your attention, may stop struggling so much with everyday life.
The one that has been shorted will feel more loved, more equal, and more included. That makes a happier animal. A happier animal is a better behaved animal. A better behaved animal is easier to live with.
So always treat them all the same in every single way, even if your heart is pulled a little more towards one.
They all love you the same. They all want as much of you love and approval in return. They all deserve to feel like your “favorite”.