Why A Neutered Cats Humps And How To Stop It!

When your adorable Maine Coon cat starts humping everything in sight, it’s not surprising you wonder, why does my neutered cat hump things?

Read on to discover the unexpected reasons behind cat humping, and how you can stop this unwanted Maine Coon behavior.

Neutered cats hump things for a variety of reasons, including old age, exerting dominance, recently neutered, stress, anxiety, territory marking, boredom, or urinary tract infections. Medical conditions can also cause Maine Coons to excessively hump, so it is important you contact your vet immediately to rule out any possible underlying health issues.

Cats sometimes hump when they need to assert dominance over other animals.

However, if your male neutered cat has begun humping things that never attracted his attention before, like human visitors or family members, it is important you investigate further.

Keep reading to find out the common reasons why a neutered cat might hump.

We also discuss ways to reduce or eliminate this undesirable Maine Coon cat behavior, so if this is a Maine Coon problem you are currently experiencing, this article is a must-read for you!

7 Causes Of Cat Humping

Why does my neutered cat hump things?

Cat humps are natural and develop for various reasons, hormones being the most significant.

Male cats will hump female cats as part of their mating ritual. They may also hump other male cats in the family, which most experts consider to be dominant behavior.

There are numerous explanations for why does my fixed cat hump things.

The primary causes of Maine Coon cat humps include:

1. Recent Castration Surgery

If your male Maine Coon cat has been neutered within the past month and is still humping everything in sight, try not to be overly concerned!

It can take up to 12 weeks for the hormones in the Maine Coon cat’s body to disperse.

Thus it is perfectly normal to observe cat humps in the first few weeks following neutering (source 1).

2. Maine Coon Neutered At Older Age

Cat humping may have become a learned behavior if your Maine Coon cat was neutered after their first birthday.

Even after the hormones have left your Maine Coon cat’s body following neutering, the cat may still feel the urge to hump things.

This is the best age to neuter a Maine Coon kitten.

3. Anxiety Or Stress

Your Maine Coon may be feeling anxious or stressed.

Cats have delicate spirits and are far more susceptible to anxiety and stress than we believe.

Any event that alters the environment of your Maine Coon cat, such as moving to a new home, having new visitors, or bringing a newborn home, might cause stress.

An extended period of stress can make your cat ill. Consequently, if you suspect your cat is feeling agitated, contact your veterinarian immediately (source 1).

4. Cat Needs More Territory

Cats enjoy scavenging for areas where they can explore or be alone.

If your home is small and your Maine Coon cat is constantly vying for food, bedding, and toys with other cats, they may be frustrated or stressed.

The physical manifestation of these frustrations may be humping.

5. New Kitten

Occasionally, cat humping is an attempt by one cat to assert dominance over another.

Therefore, if you have recently welcomed a new kitten or cat into your home, your older Maine Coon cat may attempt to hump it, to assert dominance. This is another indication of stress.

You should also take into consideration that cats develop social maturity between the ages of 2 and 4 years.

Whilst your Maine Coon kittens may have gotten along well when they were little, as they age, you may observe them beginning to hump one another. This is their method for determining which of them is currently dominating.

6. Cat Wants Attention Or Is Bored

Your Maine Coon cat may be bored and searching for an outlet for pent-up energy.

They may hump if they are:

• Feeling frustrated
• Do not have enough toys to play with
• Want attention from their owners

7. Urinary Tract Infection

Your Maine Coon may be suffering from a urinary tract infection since cat humping is an uncommon but not unheard-of symptom of this cat health problem.

Contact your vet immediately if you notice any of the following behaviors, in addition to cat humping (source 1):

• Urinating outside the litter box
• Straining to urinate
• Urinating more frequently with little urine in the box

How To Stop A Neutered Male Cat Humping?

Now that you know why does my fixed cat hump things, other cats or even people, let’s look at how to stop a neutered cat from mounting:

1. Reward Good Conduct

It will never help the situation if you punish your Maine Coon cat.

Instead, punishing a cat may result in an increase in mounting behavior rather than a decrease in stress.

Always use positive reinforcement when training your Maine Coon cat, and reward it with a treat or your attention when it behaves well.

2. Increase Playtime

Spending time with your Maine Coon cat and helping them get plenty of exercise will help them burn off extra energy and satisfy their natural desire to hunt.

Sometimes cats need encouragement to play, so try a variety of toys to determine which they prefer.

These are my favorite Maine Coon cat toys.

You may discover that after regular play sessions, your Maine Coon cat is sleepy and content rather than bored and agitated.

This increases the likelihood that they will nap rather than search for anything to mount.

3. Increase Your Cat’s Territory

Providing Maine Coon cats with additional areas to expand their respective territories might also be beneficial.

Maine Coon cats enjoy climbing, so consider buying one of these extra-large cat trees which are great for both exercise and increasing territory.

Here are some ways to increase your Maine Coons territory, without having to buy a bigger home:

• Cat Steps: Install cat wall steps for your Maine Coon to explore.

• Vertical Spaces: Installing a cat perch will increase the number of vertical spaces in your home, thereby increasing your Maine Coons territory.

• Catio: Add an outside enclosure for your Maine Coon cats. A catio in the yard will allow your cat to freely enjoy the outdoors whilst also remaining safe.

4. Use A Second Cat Litter Box

If you have more than one cat living in your home, consider purchasing a second cat litter box.

Ideally, provide your Maine Coons with one litter box per each cat.

Ensure the litter boxes are always clean and in a secluded part of your home.

5. Minimize Stress Levels

Keeping your cat’s routine as predictable as possible will help lessen their stress by allowing them to anticipate what to expect.

Ensure that your cat has a safe spot to retire to when it desires peace.

Give your Maine Coon plenty of attention, if they want it.

This is especially vital if you have just brought another cat into the home. Taking time to comfort them shows them you still value them.

Consult a veterinarian if your cat’s nervousness is extreme. In some instances, medication may be necessary.

6. Enhance The Surroundings

You cannot constantly entertain a Maine Coon cat, nor can you avoid leaving the house.

Therefore, make sure your cat has enough to do whilst you are away from home by stimulating them with:

• Toys
• Scratching Posts
• Cat Trees

If you suspect your Maine Coon cat is bored, place a cat tree, chair, or bookcase next to a window to enable them to look outside.

Installing a bird feeder in your yard also makes for a terrific distraction!

Even mobiles or colored ropes that blow in the wind can work; anything that attracts your cat will suffice.

How To Stop Male Cat Mounting Female

Male cats tend to be territorial and may mount a female cat if she is less determined than he is.

This is typical behavior for male cats, especially senior males that wish to maintain their status in the household pecking order.

There are several ways to prevent male cats from mounting female cats, including:

• Neutering: Ensure your male cat has been neutered. Neutering prevents undesirable tendencies like roaming and mounting other animals.

• Make A Noise: If your male Maine Coon cat is about to mount your female cat, clap your hands or drop a book on the floor.

• Stuffed Toy: Offer a stuffed toy to a male cat that is determined to hump so that he may leave your other cat alone.

• Litter Box And Toys: Provide your male cat with a litter box and some toys in a separate room. If he does not have access to toys, he may find the female cat a suitable substitute.

Why Does My Neutered Cat Hump Things?

Maine Coon cats are the largest domesticated cat breed in the world, weighing up to 25 lbs in weight.

They are strong, heavy-boned cats that have long and rectangular bodies reaching up to 40 inches in length.

Their bushy long tail resembles that of a raccoon and adds to the perception that Maine Coons are bigger than they look.

As you can appreciate, the Maine Coon’s size is a clear defining physical trait of this large cat breed and one of the reasons this large cat breed became famous.

So, why has your neutered Maine Coon cat started humping things, such as:

• Blankets
• Your arm
• Your Leg
• Blankets whilst kneading

Whilst cat-humping behavior is common if a male cat is still sexually intact, rather than neutered it can become an undesirable Maine Coon behavior if the male cat is neutered.

The best age to neuter a Maine Coon kitten is between 4-6 months since it helps to stop or reduce cat-humping behavior.

If neutering is meant to reduce or eliminate cat humping though, why is my cat humping things still?

Conclusion

So, why does my neutered cat hump things?

It is important to spend time trying to determine why your cat is humping so that you can determine how to stop this Maine Coon behavior.

If you have any concerns about the health of your male cat, it is best to consult with your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Related Questions

Cat Humps While Kneading

Cat humping has been linked to stress and anxiety. This is most likely to occur if there has been a change in a cat’s environment, e.g. new baby, house move, or cat territory battles. Boredom is another reason why cats hump.

Why Does My Cat Hump My Leg at Night?

Cats frequently climb on clothing, cushions, and even your leg. Both males and females exhibit mounting behaviors, regardless of whether they are intact or neutered. This action may result from a stressful event, in which climbing may provide respite from tension or be an enjoyable activity.

Cat Bites And Humps My Arm?

Some Maine Coons do this in an attempt to interact with their owners. They may also be feeling lonely or experiencing boredom. To stop this, try playing with your Maine Coon more, using cat toys.