I apologize if this gets lengthy but I'm trying to give as many details as possible.
I got two unrelated kittens last summer, probably two or three months apart in age. They seemed to adjust well to each other's company and we all were living happily ever after with my father.
As soon as the local vet could spay my female, I made an appointment. Things went well and there weren't any complications.
I decided though that if I could, I wouldn't neuter the male (youngest of the two). They're both strictly indoors and he is extremely well-behaved. He has no feelings toward the outside world and was just happy as could be inside with the family.
During these months, the female was much more affectionate than the male. She LOVES to be handled and will meow you to death for you to pick her up. She absolutely loves attention. The male, however, isn't as affectionate but doesn't mind being handled.
A couple of months ago I moved from my father's house to my own place. I was unable to take the kitties with me and my father was fine with me keeping them at his place. I thought this was best any way since there are 3 children and my father to keep them company.
I came home roughly a week and a half ago and have found some disturbing things.
For one, my youngest brother is being vicious to the now-highly-skittish male. Today I caught him stepping on his tail (more like crushing it really) and laughing as the poor little guy was trying his best to run away. I believe that the male cannot meow as I've NEVER heard him make a peep so I have no idea how long my brother was standing there, hurting the poor little cat.
I've concluded that he must be harming the male cat because he isn't as affectionate and my brother could instill terror in the little guy. I've not one seen my brother even mess with the female cat, and she is just as loving as ever. I have seen him chase down the small male and hold him in his arms, not letting him go through the struggles (which I made him let him go because the cat was horrified).
Now, things with the brother will be handled. He's been having some really bad issues and he'll be seeing a therapist soon to work these things out, hopefully. This isn't the problem.
The problem is, my male is now beginning to hump my female. She can't be in heat--the vet removed everything, ovaries included. I've caught him humping her every chance he could get. What's stranger is--he's humped her more obsessively after I found my brother harming him.
Now, I spoke with a friend about this and he says it sounds like some sort of dominance issue. He also said he's never heard of a cat that humped for dominance but if the little guy feels he needs some sort of authority maybe he's lashing out in this manner.
He also said that I should let the male continue as it may serve as some sort of help for him. He thinks that if the male feels he is dominant over SOMETHING then he will be able to warm back up to people and will eventually stop.
My female doesn't mind the humping. She practically sleeps through it even (yes, I've seen her SLEEPING while he went to town). She doesn't appear to be bothered by the activity at all and there isn't any spats between them over it.
Anyway...questions...
1. Should I have my male "fixed" or not?
2. Should I allow him to continue humping the female? If not, how do I get him to discontinue?
3. Should I be concerned over his humping of the female?
4. Should I take the female into the vet for a check-up to make certain EVERYTHING was indeed removed?
5. How can I reassure the little guy that we aren't going to harm him?
6. I feel horrid saying this but...should I rehome the kitties?
Thank you for any responses to any of the questions. Please feel free to add in any additional information.
I got two unrelated kittens last summer, probably two or three months apart in age. They seemed to adjust well to each other's company and we all were living happily ever after with my father.
As soon as the local vet could spay my female, I made an appointment. Things went well and there weren't any complications.
I decided though that if I could, I wouldn't neuter the male (youngest of the two). They're both strictly indoors and he is extremely well-behaved. He has no feelings toward the outside world and was just happy as could be inside with the family.
During these months, the female was much more affectionate than the male. She LOVES to be handled and will meow you to death for you to pick her up. She absolutely loves attention. The male, however, isn't as affectionate but doesn't mind being handled.
A couple of months ago I moved from my father's house to my own place. I was unable to take the kitties with me and my father was fine with me keeping them at his place. I thought this was best any way since there are 3 children and my father to keep them company.
I came home roughly a week and a half ago and have found some disturbing things.
For one, my youngest brother is being vicious to the now-highly-skittish male. Today I caught him stepping on his tail (more like crushing it really) and laughing as the poor little guy was trying his best to run away. I believe that the male cannot meow as I've NEVER heard him make a peep so I have no idea how long my brother was standing there, hurting the poor little cat.
I've concluded that he must be harming the male cat because he isn't as affectionate and my brother could instill terror in the little guy. I've not one seen my brother even mess with the female cat, and she is just as loving as ever. I have seen him chase down the small male and hold him in his arms, not letting him go through the struggles (which I made him let him go because the cat was horrified).
Now, things with the brother will be handled. He's been having some really bad issues and he'll be seeing a therapist soon to work these things out, hopefully. This isn't the problem.
The problem is, my male is now beginning to hump my female. She can't be in heat--the vet removed everything, ovaries included. I've caught him humping her every chance he could get. What's stranger is--he's humped her more obsessively after I found my brother harming him.
Now, I spoke with a friend about this and he says it sounds like some sort of dominance issue. He also said he's never heard of a cat that humped for dominance but if the little guy feels he needs some sort of authority maybe he's lashing out in this manner.
He also said that I should let the male continue as it may serve as some sort of help for him. He thinks that if the male feels he is dominant over SOMETHING then he will be able to warm back up to people and will eventually stop.
My female doesn't mind the humping. She practically sleeps through it even (yes, I've seen her SLEEPING while he went to town). She doesn't appear to be bothered by the activity at all and there isn't any spats between them over it.
Anyway...questions...
1. Should I have my male "fixed" or not?
2. Should I allow him to continue humping the female? If not, how do I get him to discontinue?
3. Should I be concerned over his humping of the female?
4. Should I take the female into the vet for a check-up to make certain EVERYTHING was indeed removed?
5. How can I reassure the little guy that we aren't going to harm him?
6. I feel horrid saying this but...should I rehome the kitties?
Thank you for any responses to any of the questions. Please feel free to add in any additional information.
