Cydric and Victoria, both neutered, have just done the best impression of mating that I've ever seen.
Cydric sidled up to Victoria from the back, grabbed her by the scruff, then attempted to penetrate her (I don't think he managed this). Victoria moaned, but wasn't too bothered, in fact she behaved very much like a female in heat except that she hadn't exhibited any signs of this beforehand.
Cyd 'paddled' his back legs and kept hold of Victoria.
I was torn between not interfering and separating them; but as Victoria was making normal female mating noises (as seen on youtube) I left them to it. It went on for longer than I would have expected, probably because he didn't penetrate her, nevertheless, when he let go of her she attacked him as per normal cat mating behaviour.
He then gave his 'bits' a wash while she just looked all dreamy.
I've only described this in detail because I don't think it was a display of dominance on Cyd's part, rather an attempt to mate.
I'm totally confused by this behaviour between two cats who were neutered before reaching maturity and who have no history of sexual behaviour. Polly, a cat I used to have, was neutered by the rescue she came from at the age of six, so the fact that she allowed local toms to have their wicked way with her didn't surprise me: she was used to kittening. But these two have never experienced this behaviour.
Could this be in some 'grief' response to the disappearances of Fred and George?
Has anyone else had neutered cats who've done this?
How should I respond if they do this again?