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Why do my unfixed cats act like lovers then growl at each other?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | unneutered | 1 year and 11 months old | 8 lbs

have a male and a female cat, both cat's are not fixed. The female was a feral cat that the male cat brought home, she learned to trust us. They are both very loving to us humans but they follow each other around like lovers but if they accidentally come face to face they growl at each other until the female cat, in most cases, will lay her head down on the ground sideways and make a very high pitched growl and the male walks away. Why are they doing this? Do they love each other or hate?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on November 15th, 2016

If neither cat is fixed, then the female's behavior could be related to mating. When a female cat is in heat, she can be aggressive to males. Queens (unspayed cats) can be very selective about whom they mate with, and your female may not consider your male a suitable mate. She is communicating that to him with her sounds and behavior. To prevent hormone related behaviors, which include your male spraying urine in the house, I would have both the cats fixed.
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