Help! I Think My Cat is Obsessive-Compulsive! (Vet Answered)
This question has been answered by a vet
Veterinarian & Animal Behaviorist
With nearly two decades in veterinary medicine, Dr. Paola brings hands-on experience across multiple species. A graduate of the University of Guadalajara, she specializes in preventive care, animal welfare, and positive reinforcement training.
The Question
“I have another question about my cat, Rayne. I feel sometimes that he might be a little obsessive-compulsive. For example, he’s always digging in the air near his food dish. I know that they have that instinct when they are in the wild and they’re trying to hide their food from other animals. There are no other animals in our household, but he’s doing it
quite obsessively now.
He’s also digging at my bedsheets, not making a spot to sleep, but just digging. During the night, he also goes into a kind of mating ritual. I think I read that that has something to do with having testosterone still in him, but he is neutered. He’s going to be five years old in August, so I thought that by now, that would have subsided. Do you have any idea about any of these behaviors?” – Charmaine
Quick Info about Rayne
Hi Charmaine,
It sounds like you’re very in tune with Rayne’s behavior, which is so important when supporting a cat with strong instinctual drives or lingering behavioral patterns. The air-digging near his food and the repetitive digging at your sheets are both behaviors rooted in natural feline instincts. Many cats will “bury” their food, even in a domestic setting, mimicking caching behavior meant to hide resources from potential competitors. The sheet digging can be a comfort behavior or a sign of increased arousal, especially if he’s doing it frequently or with intensity, outside of the usual nesting or settling routine.
Now, regarding the mating-like behaviors and the concern about lingering testosterone, it’s important to note that after neutering, circulating testosterone typically declines significantly within a few weeks, often between 4 to 6 weeks post-surgery. However, if Rayne was neutered as an adult or shows persistent signs that resemble sexual behavior months or even years later, it’s wise to consider the rare but clinically significant possibility of retained testicular tissue. This condition, known as cryptorchidism, occurs when one or both testicles fail to descend properly and remain in the abdomen or inguinal canal. If functional testicular tissue is present, it can continue producing testosterone and trigger hormone-driven behaviors.
If Rayne was neutered early and has shown these behaviors consistently since kittenhood, they may be more habitual or behavioral than hormonal. However, it is important to note that even neutered males can retain some sexual behaviors, especially if they were neutered after reaching sexual maturity. However, if these behaviors emerged or worsened long after surgery, a physical exam, along with hormonal testing (such as measuring serum testosterone or LH levels), might help rule out the presence of residual testicular tissue.
I hope this helps!
– Dr. Paola