Levels of Hormones in Felines
From LoveToKnow Cats
Hormones in felines can get out of wack just like in humans.
Visitors Ask Questions about Behavior that May be Related to Hormone Levels
Feline Hormone Levels May be High
We have two male cats that we got from the Humane Society. They are brothers. They were neutered before we got them home, even though they were over a year old. Now, they are about two years old. One of the male cats is humping his brother all the time! They have plenty of toys, scratching posts and seem to be pretty normal healthy cats. The brother that keeps getting mounted doesn't do much to stop it. This usually occurs at night, but does happen a lot during the day. It seems to be an obsession. The cat does not do this with stuffed animals or anything else. Just to his brother. Thanks for your help.
~~Cris
Expert Reply
Hi, Cris,
Although I have heard other pet owners complain about this problem from time to time in neutered male cats, the fact that your cat is doing this so frequently is of some concern to me. There are many reasons why a cat might hump another, but probably the most common reasons are dominance issues and hormonal imbalances. Since this is a recent behavior, I would probably take him to the vet and ask for blood work on his hormone levels. In fact, it might be a good idea to have blood work done on both cats to make sure nothing unusual is going on with the other cat receiving all the attention.
Although the behavior is something you don't want your cat to engage in when you have company over, since it is not bothering the other cat at this time, I would ignore it until you get those test results back. And if company does come over, put the cats in a separate room.
Another thing you could try as a temporary measure is separating the two cats when you are not there to monitor them and at night so you can rest. When you are home and your cat begins to hump his brother, tell the cat no and distract him with a favorite toy. When he stops on his own, praise him enthusiastically and give him a treat. It is very hard to train cats unless you use positive reinforcement.
I hope this helps. Let us know what the vet says about his hormone levels.
~~Lori
Renal Failure and Increased Sexuality
We have two cats. The cats are brother and sister and are seventeen years old. Both were neutered/spayed as kittens. In the last six months, we have been infusing the male cat with Ringers Solution because of his diagnosis of chronic renal failure. In the last month or so, he has begun to demonstrate excessive humping activity with his sister, both day and night and is clearly sexually stimulated. Could this be a hormone imbalance due to the weekly infusion of 200 ml of the solution? No other medications or dietary changes have occurred.
~~Dan
Expert Reply
Hi, Dan,
Ringers Solution is generally given to help with electrolyte depletion but is also commonly given to cats with renal failure too. The only side effects are usually some pain and swelling at the site of injection and I couldn't find any documentation for an increase in sexuality in cats taking this solution.
More than likely, the male cat has some type of hormonal imbalance which is probably tied into the other issues he is experiencing as he ages. Hormonal imbalances can be common in elderly cats. I would have the vet test him for high hormone levels and see if this is the issue, which can be corrected with appropriate medication.
I hope this helps and please check back and let us know if this was the problem. Good luck!
~~Lori.
Comments
Hi Debbie,
Sometimes that "bonkers" behavior is amusing out of our feline friends. He sounds like a lot of fun :)
-- Contributed by: LoriSoardlol Ghibli is bonkers but bonkers with character. Actually this site has helped me immensely. I read about one ladies Shushing technique and I try it on Ghibli when he gets too rough and it works a treat. It doesn't hurt him, it doesn't break my heart. I feel like I finally have some power HAHA!!! So I'm a silbling? :( I thought because he only comes to me when he is scared and is with me all day he feels safer with me. He definitely knows how to play my husband and I off against each other because he wont leave me alone for one second, even to use to bathroom (he sits on my knee or on the back of my shoulders, or climbs into my pj pants or jeans and sits and waits for me to finish lol but he sits on my shoulders and my husbands also and is just fascinated with what we are doing while he looks down) but I think he likes to think he is being dominant over us because on our shoulders he is almost higher (my husband is 6'6 and I am 6'1) he will sit on our shoulders for as long as he is ready (not us) I must admit, I am softer on him than my husband, I play with him and always want to hug him etc...but my husband doesn't play with him and never walks in the door without giving or buying Ghibli a treat. Ghibli waits for the time when he knows his Dad is coming home and looks out the back window where the car is parked and when his Dad walks in with the shopping bags he screams and throws himself (hard) at his Dads feet and flips and rolls) until his Dad gives him his cat treat or toy. I admit also it kind of makes me jealous because I had to beg my husband for 6 years to have a cat (my husband doesn't really like them he has always had dogs, I was never allowed dogs so always had cats) but my husband adores Ghibli, his life has been so uplifted by this trouble making, class clown. He knows how to play us but thanks to this site we have abit more power. He uses my husband for treats and me for everything else but I know he loves me because he doesn't leave my side. Like I said before if I go outside to the bins or put food out for the hedgehogs or birds he screams for me and almost tries to ram the window in. My husband has to come in and calm him down. When I get back in he gives me big cuddles and starts purring again then will get in a huff with me for leaving him lol He knows he rules the roost. It's always all about Ghibli, even if he thinks he is human lol And he hasn't tried to hump me once since I got your advice and is actually letting me give him more affection (even if it is only for a few seconds longer than usual) it means alot to me. As for the shower thing, he will even wait for my husband to finish his shower and then he jumps in. When I fill the sink up to wash my face he jumps in before I get a chance and have to leave the plug in the sink until he is done YET!!!! he hates the rain lol Like I said 'Bonkers' but we love him so much.
-- Contributed by: Debbie BlackHi Debbie,
That's hilarious about the shower. And they say cats don't like water!
I think it is probably a pecking order thing. He sees you as more submissive, it sounds like. This isn't to say that he doesn't love you dearly, but it may be that he sees your husband more as a parental figure and you as a sibling figure.
Let me know how the retraining goes and if this situation improves.
-- Contributed by: LoriSoardThis page has been accessed 334 times. This page was last modified 05:18, 19 January 2008.
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