Why is my neutered cat humping?
He was recently neutered. Neutering stops most unwanted cat behaviors, like mounting, humping, and spraying. However, it can take up to 12 weeks for the hormones to leave your cat’s body completely. If your cat was recently fixed and he’s still humping, don’t worry—he’ll most likely stop after a couple of months.
He was neutered at an old age. Cats who were neutered after a year old are more prone to humping behavior. This is because the behavior is ingrained in him, not necessarily caused by hormones. Your cat has most likely learned that he enjoys humping, which is why he keeps doing it.
He’s bored. Cats who don’t have enough stimulation and playtime will hump to release energy. He might also hump to get your attention if he’s feeling neglected.
He’s feeling stressed or anxious. A cat will sometimes hump to let you know he’s in distress. If you and your cat are experiencing changes (like introducing a new pet or moving to a new home), he might be humping you to let out his feelings. This is especially common in older cats who are used to routine. When that routine gets disrupted, it can make him anxious, which can cause a change in behavior.
He has a UTI or other health issues. It’s rare, but humping is sometimes a sign that your cat has a urinary tract infection (UTI). If your cat is straining to urinate, crying while urinating, or has blood in his urine, take him to the vet right away. UTIs are fairly common in cats. Usually, you can treat a UTI with antibiotics.
How to Stop Your Neutered Cat from Humping
Play with him. If your cat is feeling bored, he might want you to play with him more. Be sure he has lots of toys, and try to play with him at least once a day. Activate his natural hunting instinct by using a string toy, or use a laser pointer to get him up and moving around. In general, younger cats need more play time than older cats. If you have a cat younger than a year old, try to play with him twice a day. Give your cat enrichment by giving him access to windows so he can look outside. Cats are fond of playing. That is how they learn to hunt as kittens. Let them play with things they can chase. For example, you can use a fishing pole-type toy that can mimic the motion of birds flying in the air that they can chase.
Increase his territory. Cats love to run, jump, and play throughout the house. If your cat is feeling bored or claustrophobic, try adding cat shelves or a cat tree to utilize the vertical space in your home. Not only will this release more energy, but it will give him enrichment and curb his boredom. Their territory also includes their litter box. In general, you should have 1 litter box per cat plus 1 more. If your cat has too few litter boxes, he might be feeling stressed or anxious, which could be why he’s humping.
Reduce his stress to keep him calm. Give your cat a safe space where he feels comfortable. If your home is going through changes right now, be sure your cat has a bed or a blanket that he can curl up on. Try to get back to your normal routine as fast as possible to curb his behavior and reduce his stress.
Walk away and tell him firmly to stop. To teach your cat that humping isn’t okay, get up and leave him alone whenever he does it. If he starts to mount you or get on top of you, immediately push him off of you and get up. Tell him firmly, “Stop,” or, “No.” Wait a couple of minutes before coming back into the room and giving him attention.
Reward his good behavior. When you tell him to stop humping and he does, give him a treat and some pets. Or, if you notice the warning signs that he was about to hump, but he doesn’t, praise him and give him a treat. Signs that your cat might be about to hump you include: Dilated pupils Offering affection Purring and kneading aggressively
Avoid punishing him. Using a squirt bottle or making loud noises won’t work to deter your cat—it will only make him afraid of you. Instead, focus on noticing his good behavior so he learns what to do instead.
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