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Question
We have a cat found abandoned at 4 to 5 weeks of age.He was fixed at 5.5 months. We have a blanket that he has started to hold in his mouth and humps on to the point of his pink member protruding. Is this a normal behavior for a cat?
Mary,
It's odd for a cat that was neutered so long ago to still be humping things. I think that this is more of a behavioral issue than anything but I would recommend that your cat sees the vet to rule out any potential medical issues. Your vet can also give you some tips on how to deal with this behavior and hopefully stop it as I'm sure you don't really want this to continue. I wouldn't be as concerned if you said that this kitty was sucking on blankets or clothing given his early age when you found him, but humping the blankets is a bit bizarre and my concern is that he will transfer that to human body parts at some point so I would recommend that you have your vet refer you to an animal behaviorist specializing in cat behavior to nip this in the bud. Personally I've dealt with only one cat that humped things and he did so prior to being neutered - he was one angry kitty when we had him neutered, let me tell you! Mind you having him neutered did stop the humping, however this kitty is already neutered according to your question.
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Answers by Expert:
Ali
Expertise
I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.
Experience
I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.
Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.
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