Several questions

[So-Crafty]

Okay, I've got two questions I'm hoping someone could help me with.
Some background info:

My parents cat, Maui (12yo neutered bronze Egyptian Mau) is a very retired show cat (we have been his forever home since he was 3). From kittenhood to the time he was 3 he was being shown (he's a champ! ) and being studded out. He has been an energetic, loveable boy his entire life and my heartcat. Enter Maddie, we adopted her when she was 8 weeks old. Her Mom was a stray and she her color reminded us of our old cat, Muffins. She was spayed before we adopted her. She is about 2 years old (wow!) She is unlike any cat I've ever met before. I wouldn't call her withdrawn, because she has her moments. I personally think she is deaf we love her either way and we do what we can for her.

I've been trying really hard to socialize Maddie since I've moved back home. I did this with Maui when we first adopted him and he is a completely different cat then the one we brought home. Basically I bring her in my room with me at night, hold her, introduce her to new things. Plastic bags, bookbags, papers, magazines. Smells of drinks (like tea, soda - she can't have them, I just am getting her to relax in its presence), smells of food (fruit, chips, cookies, popcorn, other things). I try to get her used to different textiles (the satin feel of my comforter, flannel of my sheets, denim, etc.) We all spend time with her and she's getting a little better day by day. We still have not mastered the art of being held or cuddling while sitting (she's okay if we're moving while upright), or not being fearful at being picked up. We can't figure out why she's this way she's never been hit or been dropped. I use lots of positive things, treats, bird feathers (her favorite. I have a cockatiel and when he molts I save his feathers for her, it's cheap and she loves them - not him.)

Lately, however, if Maui comes in the room with us, right before I turn in for the night I will hear yowling and Maui will be gripping her scruff in his mouth and trying to, well, mate with her. She is terrified and it's always her that is yowling. I haven't been able to find a way to break them up without traumatizing her. I didn't know that altered pets still did this. Is this normal? how can I break it up? Should I break it up? Yes, I'm sure they are both altered.

The second thing is this: Maddie likes to eat the bird seeds that my bird kicks out of his dish. Should I be worried about this? Is she lacking something in her diet that these seeds contains? I vacuum in the evening when I come home, but she still finds them.

[Catlady711]

All my cats are spayed/neutered and I still have cats trying to 'mate', but it's usually males with males, they're not gay, in the animal world it's a submission thing not sexual. I break it up when I see it because whoever is on the bottom is usually protesting.

As for eating things, cats sometimes just eat things for no reason. I have one that is obsessed with Q-tips, one with little wads of cat hair on the floor, one that loves plastic silverwear, and one that loves twist ties. Needless to say I have to keep the house picked up pretty good or we'll end up in the ER someday.

If your cat is acting fine, has energy, plays, eats, pees, poops, and looks healthy it's probably just a weird cat habit. If your cat is not doing those things normally then a vet check is in order. I wouldn't encourage the seed eating, but if the cat is ok otherwise I wouldn't get too worried about it.

[So-Crafty]

Thank you for answering my questions. One still remains, however...do I break them up while they are engaged in this activity? Or do I let them finish?

[Catlady711]

Thank you for answering my questions. One still remains, however...do I break them up while they are engaged in this activity? Or do I let them finish?

Well mine don't get ornery towards anyone when they're doing that so I just give a swat on the rear and a 'no' to whoever is on top. Usually they run off a ways and glare at me and the one I rescued gives me a look like 'thank you.

If yours are heavily into it or are acting agressive, a good dousing with a squirt bottle with a firm 'no' should discourage it I'd think. Yeah the one not doing anything wrong gets a bit wet too but it would give them some peace. It's worth a try anyways.