Female cat humping is when a female cat mounts or thrusts against another cat, object, or human. It’s a natural behavior that mimics mating. While less common than in males, female cats may hump for several reasons related to hormones and mating instincts.
Reasons Female Cats Hump
Female cats hump for many of the same reasons as male cats. The main reasons a female cat may hump include:
In heat/estrus cycle – Unspayed female cats go into heat multiple times per year and are eager to mate during this time. Humping and mounting behaviors are driven by the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone during heat cycles. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), cats remain receptive to mating behaviors for around 2-19 days per cycle [1].
Dominance – Cats hump to show dominance, especially if there are multiple cats in a home competing for status. Humping is a way to establish the hierarchy. The dominant cat may hump other cats, people, and objects to display their position as the “top cat.”
Attention seeking – Some cats hump to get a reaction from their human. It can be a learned behavior if the cat sees it gets rewards like petting, pushing them off your lap, yelling, etc. Negative attention is still attention in the cat’s mind.
Stress/anxiety – Humping and thrusting motions can be self-soothing behaviors for a stressed or anxious cat. Events like changes in routine, new people or animals in the home, loud noises, or inadequate enrichment can cause acting out.
When Does it Happen?
Female cats typically display humping behavior when they are in heat according to Catster (https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/cat-humping/). The feline estrus cycle causes increased hormones that trigger mating instincts and drives female cats to hump pillows, blankets, other pets and even their owners’ legs. This usually occurs every 2-3 weeks and lasts about 4-6 days as the cat goes into heat.
Humping may also be seen in spayed female cats as a sign of stress according to Rover (https://www.rover.com/blog/cat-humping/). Changes in environment, new people or animals, or other disruptions can cause anxiety that leads to repetitive humping behaviors. This tends to be focused on specific objects or surfaces in the home.
Some female cats develop a habitual humping behavior where they mount and thrust against people or objects over and over, even when not stressed or in heat. This may indicate an underlying medical issue, so consult your vet if it becomes an ongoing issue.
Who Do They Hump?
Female cats are most likely to hump other cats, but they may also hump people and objects. Here are some details on who female cats tend to hump:
Other cats: Unspayed female cats in heat will hump both male and female cats to initiate mating. Spayed females may hump cats of either gender as a show of dominance.
People: Some female cats, especially if they were taken from their mother too early, will hump or “mount” their owners. They see their human as a mother figure and engage in this kitten-like behavior for comfort and security. It’s not sexual in nature.
Objects: Female cats may hump soft items like stuffed animals, blankets, and pillows. This could stem from nesting or maternal behaviors. The object stimulation mimics the tactile feeling they’d get from nursing kittens.
Is it Normal?
Female cats humping and mounting behavior is usually normal, but can sometimes indicate underlying health issues. Most experts agree that humping and mounting among female cats is typically a harmless behavior that does not require intervention [1]. It is often seen as a normal part of feline social behavior and play.
However, in some cases, humping in female cats can signal medical problems. Conditions like a urinary tract infection, hyperthyroidism or neurological issues can cause increased humping behavior. If the humping is excessive, accompanied by other symptoms, or new in a previously non-humping cat, it’s a good idea to get her checked out by a vet [2].
So in summary, female cat humping is common and usually harmless, but may occasionally indicate health problems that should be addressed.
Health Issues it Can Indicate
Female cat humping can sometimes be a sign of an underlying health issue that requires veterinary attention. Here are some of the most common health problems that may lead to increased humping behavior in female cats:
Urinary tract infection – A UTI causes irritation and inflammation of the urinary tract, which can lead to discomfort and pain, especially during urination. The constant urge to urinate combined with discomfort may cause a female cat to display humping behavior [1].
Hyperthyroidism – An overactive thyroid gland produces excess thyroid hormone, speeding up metabolism. This can lead to restlessness, irritability, and increased activity like humping in cats. Treating the hyperthyroid condition often resolves humping [2].
Dementia – Cognitive dysfunction in senior cats can cause behavioral changes like increased vocalization, anxiety, and aimless pacing or humping. Medications may help manage dementia-related symptoms [3].
If a female cat suddenly starts humping frequently, it’s important to schedule a veterinary exam to check for potential underlying illness. With treatment for the condition, the humping behavior often subsides.
[1] https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/cat-humping/
[2] https://www.rover.com/blog/cat-humping/
[3] https://vethelpdirect.com/vetblog/2023/05/20/why-do-cats-hump/
Stopping the Behavior
There are a few effective ways to stop your female cat from humping, including:
Desexing or spaying your cat if she is not already can help calm those hormones and urges to mate. According to Rover, spaying your cat before her first heat around 6 months old can prevent 90% of mammary tumors. It’s best to speak to your veterinarian about the right age to spay your cat.
Using synthetic pheromones like Feliway can help relieve stress and curb those mating urges. Pheromone diffusers release calming pheromones into the air to promote relaxation. This can dissuade humping behaviors stemming from anxiety or stress.
Increasing playtime and attention is also key. Make sure your cat is getting adequate stimulation and bonding through interactive play sessions. Try playing with wand toys or getting her chasing balls and toys at least a couple times a day. More exercise and attention from you can help curb unwanted behaviors.
When to See the Vet
Occasional humping in cats is usually harmless, but excessive or sudden humping can sometimes indicate an underlying medical issue. It’s a good idea to schedule a vet visit if your female cat is humping constantly or aggressively, especially if the behavior is new or accompanied by other symptoms. Some signs that warrant a vet exam include:
- Increased frequency or intensity of humping
- Signs of pain, discomfort, or irritation around the genital area
- Changes in urinary habits, like straining to urinate or going outside the litter box
- Appetite changes or weight loss
- Lethargy, restlessness, or other personality changes
Excessive humping could potentially be caused by a medical issue like a urinary tract infection, bladder stones, or ovarian cysts. It’s important to rule out any underlying conditions. Your vet can do a physical exam and recommend any necessary treatment to help resolve hormonal or behavioral causes if humping persists.
Caring for a Female Humper
If your female cat has developed a habit of humping, the key to changing her behavior is having patience and providing outlets for her energy.
Try to refrain from scolding or punishing her when she humps, as this can increase her stress levels. Instead, interrupt the behavior by redirecting her to play with a toy or giving her a treat when she disengages. Praise and reward her when she seeks attention in more appropriate ways.
Make sure she has plenty of opportunities for active playtime and physical activity like climbing cat trees and chasing toy mice. A bored or under-stimulated cat is more likely to hump. Interactive playtime also helps relieve pent-up energy.
It’s a good idea to have your vet examine her to rule out potential health issues like urinary tract infections that could be contributing to the behavior. An annual checkup can identify any problems.
With consistent positive reinforcement of preferred behaviors and providing adequate physical and mental stimulation, you can curb your female cat’s humping tendencies. But have patience – changing habits takes time and effort.
Summary
In summary, female cats humping behavior is relatively common, though often misunderstood. While the act of humping is natural cat behavior, it can sometimes indicate underlying medical issues. The main reasons female cats hump are due to hormones, lack of stimulation, dominance/territorial behaviors, or medical conditions like urinary tract infections. Though you may want to curb the behavior, it’s best not to punish or scold a cat for humping. Instead, address the root causes by providing more interactive playtime, spaying if not already done, cleaning areas, using synthetic pheromones, or seeing a vet if it seems compulsive. With patience and care, the behavior can usually be managed. The key is gaining an understanding of why female cats hump in the first place.