Neutered Male Cat

Question
QUESTION: Hi there,

I adopted two cats (one male, one female) 2 months ago and they went outside for the first time yesterday. They were found abandoned together and get on very well. Both have been neutered, however since going outside I have caught the male trying to mate with the female whilst playfighting. Although they playfight all the time, the attempted mating has never happened before and I was just wondering if it was normal behaviour? She doesn't cry like mating cats normally do, but she does cry out and I don't like hearing her in distress. Is this normal? Is there anything I can do to stop him?!!

Thanks

ANSWER: Hello,

Can you tell me how old they are? Did you get them from a shelter or was it you that found them, do you know they are both neutered because the rescue centre neutered them?

Thank you

Kelly

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi

We adopted them from a shelter who had them neutered before they put them up for adoption. From what we were told, they were found abandoned together on a field, Lucky (male) is just over a year and Princess is about 8 months I believe.

Thanks

Katherine

Answer
Hi Katherine,

Many male cats that are castrated at a young age (under 6 months) are generally less likely to show sexual related behaviour such as this, this may be because we have neutered them before they are fully sexually mature and have not experienced any mating related behaviour. It could be said that much mating behaviour is innate although many of us feel that there is a certain amount of learned behaviour involved also. If Lucky was not neutered until over 6 months of age then he has probably already experienced and 'learned' this type of behaviour. During season the scent, noises and other stimuli he may be experiencing from other cats within the area are 'triggering' this behaviour. Being outside with all the stimuli around, playing intensely with princess is probably taking him to a very hightened sensory overload, in otherwords, he is getting over-excited!

My advice I'm afraid is to do nothing. If you try and intervene you could cause more problems. Princess will make it very clear to him that she is not receptive to his advances, and yes, she may howl and scratch at him, but this is her way of letting him know that this is not acceptable. Trust me, he will learn this lesson eventually.

I do hope this has helped you a little. Unfortunately in feline behaviour problems sometimes the best course of action is to let nature take it's course, let Princess show him this is not acceptable to her, she can do this far better than we could!

Thank you

Kelly