You did the responsible thing. Your cat is neutered. So – why is your neutered cat mounting other cats like it’s baby-making season?
Don’t worry – your cat’s not broken. This weird and sometimes funny behavior is actually more common than you’d think. And no, it’s not always what it looks like. And yes, spayed females can also exhibit this behavior.
Before you start scolding your cat like a hormonal teenager, let’s look at why your fixed cat might still be getting frisky.
1. It’s a Power Move (Not a Sexy One)
Mounting can be a dominance display in multi-cat households. In our own home, we’ve seen our older male cats mount a younger male – but interestingly enough, not our younger girls. Whether we know it or not, our cats in a multi-cat household form a hierarchy. Sometimes – as in our case – the older cats will let the younger cats know who’s ‘boss’ in various ways.
2. Cats Get Stressed, Too
Mounting isn’t always about dominance or leftover hormones – sometimes it can be a stress response. Changes like a new pet, house guests, or even just moving a piece of furniture can throw your cat into a mini meltdown. Pay attention to when this behavior happens, and it will help to understand if this is a self-soothing situation.
3. Pent-Up Energy = ‘Weird’ Behavior
Cats are natural-born hunters, not couch potatoes. When they don’t get enough playtime or stimulation, their energy needs an outlet. Sometimes that outlet is pouncing on a wand toy… and sometimes, it’s mounting a sibling while they’re just trying to nap. Daily play sessions can help redirect that energy into something less… awkward.
4. Health Check: Always a Good Idea
If this behavior suddenly starts, don’t rule out a medical cause. Mounting can sometimes be a sign of urinary tract issues or other discomfort – and any sudden change in a behavior should be evaluated. Pay attention to anything else that may be off: Is their appetite, energy level and litter deposits normal?
And if your cat was neutered recently – or neutered later in life – some sexual behaviors may stick around longer or become ingrained habits.
So, Why Is Your Neutered Male Cat Mounting Other Cats?
In short: It’s not unusual, and it’s not always sexual. It could be dominance, stress, excess energy, or even a health issue. This is not a behavior to scold. Our job as cat parents is to play detective, try to understand the why, and make sure our cats are healthy, happy, and not emotionally traumatizing their housemates.
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