Animal Welfare Professionals

I have a foster kitten of approximately 6 months old, neutered over a month ago.   I will be honest that I've never had a male kitten in foster who was neutered so 'late' (not really that late!).  He has been engaging in simulated mating behavior with a large cat bed--gripping it with his mouth and then, ahem, thrusting.  It appears to be a 'dry' activity.  He is not doing it to the spayed females in the household.  I'm just trying to get a feel for when this behavior may be dropping off as he eliminates remaining testosterone and other hormones from his system.  It was a full neuter.  I'm hoping he's not stuck with this behavior because it's a little off-putting to explain to potential adopters.

I think such behavior is normal due to physiology. It might be uncomfortable for your family but you have to consider raising another female cat for them to have a couple. It won't mate with everyone in your family anymore.

I did speak to the shelter vet who neutered him.  She said to give him 6 weeks post neuter to clear the testosterone, but that it also might be a comforting/enjoyable behavior for him, unrelated to hormones. and that we should try interrupting and substituting another enjoyable behavior.