Cats are the most popular pets kept in our homes. However, they have some peculiar behaviors that keep us scratching our heads, such as scratching themselves on your favorite sofa and leaving it full of fur, spraying on various spots in the house, or your cat being used to humping you. Humping can be seen in both male and female cats and can be embarrassing if your cat humps your visitors.
The following are reasons why your male cat is humping you:
1. To Gain Your Attention
If you have not been around for long or your cat feels that you have ignored it for long, it will hump you to get your attention and some playtime together.
2. Recently Neutered
After neutering, it takes up to twelve weeks for the hormones to diminish in your cat’s body. Hence, your cat will still hump for some days after neutering. However, old cats may not stop humping, as it is already a learned behavior.
In some cases, a cat may have cryptorchidism, a condition when a testicle fails to descend or testicles aren’t removed, hence they still produce sex hormones.
3. To Show Affection For You
Cats are not able to communicate verbally; hence, the use of body language to pass a message. Your cat will hump you to show that it loves and cares for you.
4. A Cat Humps When Stressed or Anxious
A cat will hump to help relieve its emotions when stressed. Stress in cats can be triggered by a new pet or visitor, aging, or some illness. Oftentimes, the humping will be accompanied by spraying or aggression.
5. Medical Condition
If your cat has any health problems, it can hump when in pain as a way of soothing itself. Medical conditions such as neoplasia, bladder concerns, infectious diseases, adrenal gland problems, and other urinary tract infections can lead to humping.
6. Out of Boredom
Your cat will get bored and frustrated if it lacks enough stimulation.
Cats combat boredom by seeking their pet parents’ attention, thus the humping. Other signs that may be seen in a bored cat include overeating, disinterest in everyday activity, and destructive behaviors.
7. Hormones
Humping is part of cats’ sexual act. If your cat is intact, it will hump things around it and even you whenever there is a surge in its sex hormones. Neutered cats can also hump if they are fixed later in their lives and have already learned to hump.
So, do male cats try to hump their owners?
Yes, male cats will try to hump their owners from time to time. It’s a natural behavior for neutered and unneutered male as well as female cats; hence, you should not raise any concerns. However, the behavior should not be encouraged and ought to be stopped before it becomes habitual.
Why Is My Boy Cat Trying to Hump My Girl Cat?
You may have noticed some worrying behaviors between your male and female cats; for instance, the male cat is trying to hump the female cat.
The following are some of the reasons why your boy cat is humping your girl cat:
1. Mating
Since humping is part of their sexual repertoire, your male cat will hump the female when they are mating.
2. Learned Behavior
If your cat has been humping from an early age, the behavior becomes habitual. Hence, the cat will hump out of habit even if it’s neutered.
3. Play Behavior
Cats can hump when playing or bonding.
Why Do Cats Make a Hump in Their Back?
Below are some of the reasons why cats make hump in their backs:
1. Stretching
A cat will hump its back when stretching after a long nap to flex its muscles to remain lumbar.
2. Being Aggressive
It’s natural for cats to respond defensively to intruders. A cat will hump if it feels threatened to appear large and more intimidating.
3. When On Heat
An unspayed female cat will hump its back when she is ready for mating. The cat will also be overly affectionate, constantly meowing, moving her tail, and rolling.
4. A Way of Communication
Cats use body language to communicate. Arching their back is a sign that they want attention or to play. It’s also a way of being defensive if they feel threatened or uncomfortable.
5. Enjoying Petting
If your cat humps when you are petting it, then it’s a sign that your furry friend is happy and enjoying the sensation.
6. A Sign of Fear
When afraid or stressed, a cat will arch its back to scare away the threat.
7. When Grooming
When cleaning itself, a cat will arch its back to reach hard-to-reach places like the base of its tail.
8. Your Cat Is Playing
Cats start back arching in kittenhood. The poof and pounce is usually a mock play stimulating the hunting sequence.
9. Showing They Are in Pain
An arched back that doesn’t go back to normal posture is a sign that your cat is in pain. The cat will also start to hide, have a reduced appetite, reduced mobility, decreased or increased vocalization, and there will be a change in its grooming habits.
Should I Let My Male Cat Hump?
No, you should not let your cat hump, as it will learn that it’s good behavior and can even try it on your visitors.
If your cat is sexually active, it’s normal for it to hump; however, if it has been neutered early in its life, then there is a need to get concerned, as it means that something is not right.
You can stop male cat humping behavior by:
1. Neutering
If your cat is not neutered yet, consider doing so to keep the sex hormones in check. Once your cat stops producing the sex hormones, it will cease to have the urge to mate, hence no humping.
2. Reward Good Behavior
Give your cat its favorite treat or toys, or spend more playtime together if it behaves well and stops humping you to reinforce the good behavior.
3. Offer Distractions
When you see that your cat is about to hump, redirect his attention to something else. You can offer it a toy or play games with your cat.
4. Never Punish Your Cat For Humping
If your cat humps you, don’t hit or yell at it. Just walk away and tell him firmly to stop. Punishing your cat leads to more humping as your cat perceives it as a way of receiving the much-desired attention.
5. Provide Enough Resources
To prevent competition amongst your cats, which can lead to conflicts and increased stress levels, always properly introduce your pets whenever you buy a new one.
6. Increase Vertical Space
Ensure that your cat has more space to explore. Install several cat trees, shelves, and window perches to enable your pet to stay active and be well-stimulated.
7. Reduce Stress, Anxiety and Boredom
Give your cat enough attention, mental stimulation, and exercise. Also, identify any stressors and have them removed
8. Seek Medical Attention
Visit your veterinarian to have your pet checked and treated in case of any illness.
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