Why Do Cats Hump Blankets? 5 Reasons & How to Stop

It's normal in some cats to hump, and you do not have to be very concerned about it. It's perfectly common for cats to hump now and then. You might still have this question: Why do cats hump blankets? Pent-up energy, stress, and anxiety, the need to show their dominance are a few reasons cats hump blankets. Cat humping is a widespread event that can be caused by several factors, the most prevalent of which are hormones.

Is It Normal for Cats to Hump Blankets?

For several factors, a cat humps a blanket. Anxiety, as well as bottled-up energy, are two factors that contribute to this type of attitude. Your cat may also hump a blanket to express dissatisfaction with being ignored or assert authority.

Blanket humping is a behavior seen in both male cats and female ones. If your little pet is humping your blanket, realize that it isn't just something they want to hump. However, even spayed cats may hump, especially if the cat had been neutered later in life. Alteration in a cat's familiar environment, such as a new place, a new animal partner, new people, or cats and other animals wandering around outside his home, may cause him to begin humping.

Cat humping can sometimes occur when cats require more attention or playtime. Other things that cats are known to hump include cushions, sofas, and toys. Some cats would target humans and other pets in the house.

Why Do Cats Hump Blankets?5 Common Reasons

Below are a few key reasons why cats could hump a blanket, any other soft object, or maybe even another cat.

Anxiety

Stress and worry have been linked to cat humping blankets. This seems to be more often when anything in the cat's surroundings has abruptly altered, as the arrival of a new family member, a migration, or even a neighbor cat visible through a window.

Boredom

Few cats hump blankets when bored or furious. However, you can altogether avoid the behavior by engaging with your little pet in some other ways. You can provide cat towers or other pet toys to your cat to relieve her of boredom.

To Assert Dominance

Cats utilize mounting action to reinforce their social status. Between the ages of 2 and 4, cats achieve societal adulthood. Before that, they may get along great, but then the cats' social position and status become more important.

Hormonal Imbalance Due to Being Unneutered

Humping of a cat is a very normal occurrence caused by various factors, and hormones are very significant of it. As male cats hump, an element of the sex act, intact female cats. According to most experts, even other male cats in the house might be humped by them, which is considered a dominating behavior. Castration also has a little effect on behaviors that are influenced by male hormones. The temperament, training, and personality of a cat are primarily determined by heredity and upbringing and are unchanged by male hormones. Castration is unlikely to bring a hyperactive cat to a halt or reduce hostility among humans. Castration before sexual development helps to stop secondary sexual characteristics like penile barbs, huge jowls, and glands in the dorsal region of the cat's tail from developing. If another cat is unavailable, you may notice your cat hump random objects like blankets and pillows due to hormonal imbalance.

Trauma

Any trauma, like a past accident, an illness, or surgery, can lead your cat to seek comfort. This can be in the form of humping your blankets or peeing on your clothes.

How Can You Stop Your Cat Humping Blankets?

In this section, I am going to offer you some suggestions to stop this humping from happening. However, in my opinion, the best method is "redirection," but let me explain…

Redirection

This is simple in concept but may take some practice to implement. Essentially you replace the blanket your cat is humping (or another item) and replace it with another desirable item. An item you are not worried about using. So, when your cat starts his "thing," you simply switch his "love object" with your desired item. It may not work the first time, but in time he will start to select the replaced item.

Sap His "Love Energy"

No, this is not what you are thinking You need to offer him a way to release more of his stored energy. This could be the reason why it's happening. For this method, you simply offer him more playtime and the opportunity to release this energy.

Pay Him More Attention

It may just be a simple case of giving him more attention. If that is the case you just need to show him more love. You can stroke or pet him more than normal and spend more time with him.

Release Some Anxiety

If your cat is feeling anxious, you can consider releasing some of this attention. An easy thing to try is a pheromone collar (Click here for my 3 best pheromone collars for aggressive or anxious cats). This can help to calm down some cats.

In Conclusion

Cat humping a blanket is a normal behavior in the feline world. It can be funny to watch your cat do it and even take interesting videos of him. But if it annoys you when your cat humps a blanket, you can train them to stop.