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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

What is this - cat humping?

33 replies

FushandChups · 30/12/2014 23:25

Seems to be a new thing - last couple of days - but my male car suddenly seems to be humping just before he settles down.. so he sort of does a very quick jiggy thing while he is paddling with his paws.. He is also licking his bits a lot more than normal (or maybe not and I am just noticing it more because of the humping)

Could this be worms? I was assured he'd been wormed just before he joined our family about 2 months ago but this is the only thing I can think it to be? And dogs do that weird bum dragging thing so wondered if this was the feline equivalent Sad

He is neutered btw so hope he hasn't just morphed into a frisky bugger!

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 30/12/2014 23:38

Male cats, even neutered ones, do sometimes hump things (one of mine likes to hump my fluffy robe).

However if it's out of character then I'd be a bit worried. And the licking bits thing is in fact very worrying.

I'm concerned about urinary crystals (causing blocked bladder) or cystitis. Both cause cats to behave strangely and lick their bits.

Does he have a litter tray or does he wee outside? Do you have just the one cat? If you have a tray and just one cat - check it for urine. If there's a normal amount then that's probably ok, but you need to watch for any odd behaviour when he uses his tray. If you don't have a tray can you get one tomorrow and shut him in so you can investigate? Or better still shut him in tonight and put some newspaper over some plastic and hope he gets the idea.

If it's a blocked bladder that needs treating immediately or it could be fatal.

Hopefully it's just an sudden odd quirk of behaviour, but sudden licking of genitals is often indicative of serious problems.

RubbishMantra · 31/12/2014 01:57

Both my cats enjoy humping. Several times a day, goes on for about 10 minutes, accompanied by VERY loud purring.

Sound familiar at all?

Original poster
FushandChups · 31/12/2014 12:32

Thanks both - he does have a tray and he is using it normally. I do know that he was only fed dried food before he came to me so am now worried about the crystals Sad

He is booked into the vets on Friday for a general check up anyway so will keep an eye on his weeing etc.

Another thought following a quick google is that perhaps he is trying to be dominant - he is being quite badly bullied by neighbouring cats at the moment (see other thread about big black menace!) and wonder if he's just trying to assert himself indoors?

I'm not sure if it's regular humping as such though - it's very fast and quivery, iykwim... His purring doesn't seem overly different but he was also at it on DDs fleecy dressing gown?!

Oh - am really worried now. Might call the vets and see if I can get him in this afternoon Sad

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 31/12/2014 12:42

It's not the humping that's a sign of anything sinister - it's the licking of the bits which is often a sign of pain or discomfort. That's what's worrying me. However if he's using his tray normally then really that's fine and I wouldn't panic.

Original poster
FushandChups · 31/12/2014 13:19

I've just spoken to the vets as your earlier comment worried me - particularly as I have a friends cat who is prone to crystals and it is quite scary and awful for the cat.

They've asked me to check his tray to see if there is any discharge with his wee as could be systitus due to the bullying but also they agree with you in that he is obviously uncomfortable and so it could be early stages of crystals.

So am heading home to have a check and also see if he is going in and out of the tray a lot. I can then get him checked later if needs be as vets open late today.. Poor boy Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
FushandChups · 31/12/2014 16:18

His bladder is blocked Sad He's still with the vet to have bloods and a catheter to try and relieve him so just waiting to hear. Had to take him to a vet about 15 miles from home as mine was booked solid so am now just sat in the car, worried about him... poor boy!

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 31/12/2014 16:52

Oh no. Poor boy. He'll be ok. You've acted promptly.

weaselwords · 31/12/2014 17:12

Thank goodness you noticed! Lucky cat.

Original poster
FushandChups · 31/12/2014 20:49

We're home - they knocked him out to have a look and they think it is stress related as once the catheter was in, there wasn't much wee so he is passing it. Bit of a state in there though so he's got two weeks of tablets, special food and I need to keep him in for a while to settle him again Sad

All I can say is thank goodness for insurance - I have an excess of course but it cost me just shy of £500 which I can't really spare right now (can you ever!)...

but he's home and happy again - and doesn't seem to hate me so Happy New Year lovely Litter Tray peeps Wine

OP posts:
thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 31/12/2014 20:56

Humping furniture? Sorry am quite naïve about this I've never seen a cat hump anything (just stray cats mating)! Blush

My two girls, do that paddling thing with their paws on a sheepskin rug and purr and nuzzle it - that's no the same thing, no?

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 31/12/2014 20:57

Aww just read your update - poor love, do you think it's the other cat bullying him that's causing it?

Original poster
FushandChups · 31/12/2014 22:20

I am sure it is the other cats causing him so much angst.. as mentioned on my other thread, one of them even came in the house and my puss just let it Sad

I am investing in some sort of super soaker so whilst he's in for the next couple of weeks, I can give them a good seeing to if I spot them in our garden!

And yes - seems humping is more common than I thought. . particularly if the boy has been left a bit late to neutering - it's then a bit of a habit! Am hoping it's all related to his bladder issue as it did make me feel a bit uncomfortable, having this big cat humping my chest at night Blush

OP posts:
thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 31/12/2014 22:53

Do you know the neighbour who's cat it is? If so it might be worth sorting a rota out for when the cats get let out - ie. neighbours: morning, yours: afternoon?

Also if their cat is getting in your house, it might be worth getting one of those electronic chip collars that will only let your cat in and nothing else.

...Sorry, to be not much use, my two are indoor girls, DH's cat used to be a right old outdoor tom cat - and he WAS the bully! ...DH cat, not DH Grin

Also the humping sounds pretty full on - I'm sure I'd notice if my two starting doing that!

RubbishMantra · 03/01/2015 01:11

Ah, bless you and FushCat. Nice one for acting so promptly.

My two have a humpy cushion, which they both make use of at least once a day, so I need to be more vigilant watching their humping behaviour. Confused Oh well.

Original poster
FushandChups · 07/01/2015 22:35

Dcat is still exhibiting symptoms Sad Not as severe as before but there is still more licking of his genitals than I would like to see and am worried he's still in pain.

I have ordered some Zylklene from amazon as he's had that before and it really chilled him. I've also changed his food and am keeping him in more (although other cats are using our yard out the back as a fighting ring - two cats really scrapping out there this evening!) so not sure whether stress levels have abated at all.

For other reasons, I am seriously considering a move and this just makes me want it more..

Should I speak to the vet again or shall I wait to see what he's like once he's on the Zyklene? He still has about a weeks worth of meds from his visit last week but am guessing the steroid injection has worn off..

OP posts:
RubbishMantra · 07/01/2015 23:44

Maybe give the vet a call tomorrow to ease your mind?

Apologies if it's already been suggested, but do you have a feliway?

Poor old Fushcat.

Original poster
FushandChups · 07/01/2015 23:49

I don't at the moment - is it better than the Zyklene. . I plumped for that s he's had it before and it really chilled him out but if Feliway is better, perhaps that's the answer Sad

I really feel for him - even though he is currently snuggled up with his bum rammed against my face.. lovely boy Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
FushandChups · 10/01/2015 08:57

We're back at the vets this morning as he is no better and his humping and licking is just getting worse again Sad

I had to go and get some specialist litter so I could get a wee sample for today and now he won't use his tray!! He puts one foot in there, realises it's not his normal stuff, and immediately backs off. He is absolutely bursting as he hasn't gone since I put it in last night Sad

This is surely just making his condition worse? Roll on 10 o'clock - although still got to get him in his carrier!

So worried

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 10/01/2015 12:53

Oh no. I hope they can get to the bottom of this. Poor boy and poor you.

RubbishMantra · 10/01/2015 18:49

It sounds really stressful for you and your lad. Sad

Re. the Feliway, you can use it alongside the Zylkene.

Fluffycloudland77 · 10/01/2015 18:55

I think Cozie holds a saucer under senior boy to get a sample.

Feliway works in synergy with zylkene. They can catherter him again to get a sample?.

I'd just put normal litter in and let him wee, poor boy must be bursting.

You can add a teaspoon or two of boiled water to food to get more water in if he needs it.

Original poster
FushandChups · 11/01/2015 00:52

Thanks all for your thoughts Smile

The vet said he seemed really well and his bloods and urine sample (she took one directly from him at the surgery) were also normal.

I started him on Zyklene tonight and she also gave me some more anti - inflammatory in a syringe to give orally. I haven't plugged in the Feliway as he doesn't really have a spot but might start that tomorrow too.

I think if I try anything else, he will pop Smile One great piece of news is that he didn't hump or lick himself like mad any of the times when he climbed on for cuddles tonight... which is the first time since the symptoms started creeping back in. Obviously, he could just be shattered and want to just flop but here's hoping he's slowly turning a corner...

Will take the DC out for a loooong swim tomorrow so hopefully they will also be calmer as they've got a crazy excess of energy at the moment which I am sure doesn't help my poor cat!

OP posts:
RubbishMantra · 11/01/2015 08:22

The feliway does quite a large area, so just put it in the room he spends most time in. Or if he floats about, maybe in the room where most of his things are, like tray, food, flap etc.

Hope FushCatand his Ring O' Fire improve soon. Smile

Original poster
FushandChups · 17/01/2015 00:12

Argh -poor cat is still at it (fevered humping followed by an intense wash of his privates!)..

I am still waiting on my insurance to pay out and the last bunch if tests showed he was fine - he's eating well, using his tray well, happy in himself although pissed off I'm still keeping him in... I can't afford another £150 to tell me he's fine and here's some more meds which seem to do the trick for 2 days and then he's back to humping Sad

Could he have a bacterial infection? Vet suggested this as a possibility but involves using an external lab with lots more cost.. and I hate the fact it's down to money but I have spent about £700 this month alone - and he's still doing it! Once the insurance confirms payment - which they bloody better do - I won't be so panicky and will take him back but am at a loss right now..

He has special urinary dry food and cereal free wet food, has Zyklene every morning, Feliway plugged in - I can't believe the symptoms are still there..

Sorry - bit of a vent and I know it's not his fault but I just want him well Sad

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 17/01/2015 03:52

Oh no, poor cat (and you of course!). Thank heavens you've got insurance. I have no suggestions to make I'm afraid but you have my sympathy and it's great that you're doing your best for him.