Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/weird behavior

Advertisement

Expert: Dear Tabbi - 6/4/2008


Question
Hi.
Recently I adopted a  1 year old (approx) male cat that used to come to my door to get feed. I also have a 1 year old male cat living with me. they seem to get along pretty nice. The thing is, my old cat use to bite my new cat's neck and pretend he (the new one) is a female cat.. i didn't know what to do, but I didn't disturb them while they were doing that cause non of them seem to be bother by it, and beside there was no sex, they just posed as if there was.
Anyway, now that doesn't happen anymore but now, my new cat (the one that was at the bottom, heh)is fallowing me everywhere i go and whenever I sit or lay in bed he would come to my lap or my chest and he starts making these moves and spraying all over the place.
I don't know what to do because when I ask him to stop he gets sad and sometimes he goes away for a couple of days.
I pet them both a lot, what could it be?

PS. I hope you understood what I mean, English isn't my native language and I couldn't find the exact words to describe my cats behavior

Answer
Cindy,

Don't worry, your cat's behavior is universally understood!

My guess is that you do not have your cat neutered, and his behavior is because he is in heat. He is marking his territory...and you are included in his territory! And my guess is that when he goes away for a couple of days, it's not because he's sad...it's because he is out "tomcatting". Do not get angry with him because it is just nature, but on the other hand, do not pet him when he gets like that because it can stimulate him more.

Get your new cat fixed. You will have alot nicer cat for it without the behavior problems.

Tabbi  

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

Experience

Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

Education/Credentials
***********

Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.