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Why is my older unneutered male cat mounting the younger one?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 7 years and 8 months old | 25 lbs

Yes my question is about my 2 cats both male not fixed, my 8yrs old male (Socks black male) has started mounting my 6 mo. old male (prince white male) in the past 4 weeks and we have been trying to keep them separated and then the whole house starts ringing when socks starts his (loud) meowing. What do y’all recommend???

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

Published on February 21st, 2018

Socks and Prince are adorable! Thanks for posting pictures!
Mounting behaviors are often dominance related and not sexual. So, since Prince has now reached sexual maturity at 6 months of age, Socks may be trying to make it clear to Prince that Socks is the more dominant cat. This can be a problem if it causes fighting, but is a normal behavior. The only solution I could offer you would be to have Prince (or both cats) fixed. And certainly if they are fighting with each other, then they will need to be separated.
Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Stacey Anstaett, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on December 22nd, 2019
It may be related to dominance. It could also be stress related. Make sure both cats have their own "resources"-- food and water bowls, and have at least 3 litter boxes in your home. (the recommended number of litter boxes is the number of cats in the home +1 . Have scratching posts available and cat trees are also great. Here is an article I think you may find helpful. This website in general has great information about cat behavior, so you may find additional helpful info if you click around on the site. Thanks for asking PetCoach!
https://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/why-does-my-neutered-cat-try-to-mount-other-cats/
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Hello. This is just a way for your older cat to demonstrate dominance over the younger one. It is not sexual. As the kitten matures, this will put everyone on more equal ground & the behavior will stop. Just shoo the cats apart ( don't get loud or angry because you do not want to make either cat fearful of the other ), or distract them with a toy or treat, & eventually they will learn to live peacefully with one another. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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