Broke my freaking heart how sweet he was being 😭

Hi everyone,
I need some advice regarding my two intact male cats.
The younger one is a 4.5-month-old DSH (Domestic Shorthair).
The older one is a 7-month-old Birman.
For the past couple of weeks, the 4.5-month-old has started constantly trying to mount the Birman. He firmly bites the back of his neck (scruffing him) and engages in full pelvic thrusting. The Birman usually just freezes because of the scruff reflex or tries to kick him off gently, but he mostly ends up just taking it.
This happens multiple times throughout the day, and lately, the kitten has started doing it at night as well, disrupting everyone’s sleep.
I talked to my vet about getting the kitten neutered, but the vet dismissed it, claiming it’s "just playful behavior" and that 4.5 months is too young to neuter him, telling me to wait until he is at least 6 months old.
From everything I’m seeing, this looks like clear hormonal mounting rather than harmless kitten wrestling. I’m really worried this will turn into an ingrained habit, create severe stress for the older cat, or lead to territory/litter box issues down the line.
Has anyone dealt with early sexual maturation like this? Is 4.5 months really "too early" to neuter a male kitten who is already displaying this behavior? Should I seek a second opinion from another clinic, and how can I manage/redirect this behavior in the meantime (especially at night)?
Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

Does anyone else’s cat do this? Her names Princess 👸 we got her as a rescue cat from a shelter when she was a kitten (now 4yrs old). Anyone know why some cats keep stretching like this whenever they see there owners?

She gets so dirty

He is 4 months old. We had him 3 days. Because of his eye infection, his vaccination got delayed. He is hospitalized now fighting parvovirus.

He has the best personality and is very strong. I believe he will survive.

Update 2:30PM: A doctor called me, our little baby has a little less fever and started meowing as he doesn't like the hospital environment. It seems Louis is fighting the virus well 💪

Edit: Thank you all for the support! It gave me much much strenght and very positive energy. Will update until he is home & healthy.

​I had to say goodbye to my sweet girl, Whiskers, at 19 years old. It has taken me a few days to process everything and post this, but I wanted to share a little bit of her legacy with people who understand.

​I adopted her back in 2013, and for the last 13 years, she was an absolute badass queen. She ran the household with an iron paw and kept four younger boy cats completely in line—none of them ever dared to cross her. She was far beyond a standard mouser; when bats somehow got into the house on two separate occasions, the male cats stood around clueless while Whiskers literally jumped into the air and caught them mid-flight both times.

​She was wonderfully picky about people food, though she made it her personal mission to inspect and smell everything brand new in the house. She had a few strict exceptions she loved: canned tuna, Thanksgiving turkey, the occasional bite of crisp lettuce, and McDonald's chicken McNuggets (provided I bit the skin off for her first).

​Over the years, she dealt with a lung condition that required steroid pills crushed up into tuna water or lickable treats, as well as frequent coughing fits. Whenever a fit hit, I’d jump into action to gently adjust her position depending on the situation, speak softly to calm her, and pat her sides until she could breathe easy again. We had our own little system, and she always trusted me to help her through it.

​Most importantly, she was my anchor. Through 13 years of major life shifts—loss, breakups, divorces, and tough times—she was the ultimate emotional support companion. She always had a sixth sense for when I wasn’t feeling well, and she'd immediately come sit with me.

​Over her final week, her body told us it was time. I made sure her final moments were gentle, peaceful, and filled with love—right down to enjoying her favorite lickable treat at the clinic while reminding her that her Daddy was right there with her.

​Thank you for 13 unforgettable years, Whiskers. You ruled this house, you took care of me when I needed it most, and you will always be loved and missed. Rest easy, sweet girl. 🐾🌈

The cat we fostered that were told already had an application so we could not adopt.

They offered us a meet and greet with the adopter to try and negotiate us keeping him. That didn’t happen. We got to the shelter and they took him and immediately brought him to the adopter. It was so disorganized. My fiancé argued, pleaded, we cried. The manager obviously didn’t care and was just “doing her job” we explained that we never got the notice that there was an interest and she said she did and it was lie after lie from her. She said the only person who could do anything was the lady in another building.

We went talk to her and told her that when they messaged us about the notice of interest, they messaged the wrong person so we never got it. (Someone had told my fiancé that) she went check the message logs and it must have been true because when she came out she said she was going to let us adopt him 🖤 BUT, we’d have to pay his medical fees and we can no longer do business with them. We said fine. Who would want to anyway?!

You guys, meet Nelson! Now in his furever home!

I made a post requesting some advice on how to correct some bad behavior. So happy to say, with a little tweaking of their play time, eating schedule and keeping certain rooms off limits, these guys have I think finally settled in. Behavior has made a 180, they’re more lovably and accepting of my (probably overwhelming lol) affection. We love these boys so damn much. Thank you everyone for the kind words and advice!

Yes, that's his name

We found him in our backyard with 2 of his brothers. But other 2 always ran when I tried to get near, but not this smol guy since he was the weakest of the bunch, barely able to move. On a rainy day, he was the only one left behind in the box, other brothers were gone, even after a few days later, no sign of 2 others cat

Meet Captain Pie, Scraper, Sparta and Luna.
Luna has a bit rebellious attitude, obviously

I am so, so, so scared. I’m scared that it’s too early and that I should reconsider his euthanasia appointment later today. Maybe I should reschedule it. I don’t want him to be gone.

Cinnamon was diagnosed with left-sided congestive heart failure about a month ago. Since then, he has had fluid drained from his lungs twice. His health has deteriorated so quickly. He stopped eating and started losing a lot of weight. He is so skinny now that I can feel his spine when I pet his back.

He was given an appetite stimulant, but unfortunately it didn’t help much. His fluid came back again last week, and i made the call to let him go. But now that the day is actually here, i feel so conflicted.

The hardest part is that he still sometimes seems like himself. He’s been eating his Churu treats, still using his litter box, still walking around, and still likes going outside. Last night, he even started eating a little bit of his food again. He even has a little energy left to wiggle his way out of my arms.

I’m so scared that maybe it’s still too early to let him go. What if I reschedule the appointment? What if I have another chest tap today to drain the fluid and prolong his life another week or two? I know that would probably just delay the inevitable, but I’m not ready to part with him. I’m terrified that I’m making the wrong decision and that's it's still too early and that I’ll regret it.

What would you do if you're in my situation...? I'm so devasted and scared and upset... I'm not ready for him to leave my life yet...

UPDATE: Thank you so much to everyone for your kind words, comfort, and for sharing your experiences with me. ❤️ Reading all of your comments helped me feel more at peace with my decision. I was able to find another vet who offers at-home euthanasia, and she will be coming tomorrow to help Cinnamon pass peacefully at home. In a way, I feel a sense of relief knowing that my baby won’t have to suffer or be in pain anymore...Today, I’m going to spoil him with lots of treats, snuggles, kisses, and all the love I can possibly give him 💞

She was my best friend. We just took her to the vet today thinking we would be bringing her back home but sadly that wasn't the case. She was suffering silently and tucking me into bed every night. She sat with me when I was addicted to drugs and I was coming down in the bed and my family hated me but she was there saying I still love you Dad. She got me through those dark times and I made it out the other side with her help. She didn't really mess with anybody else in the family except for me and I cherish the fact that she chose to spend her time with me up until the end and so I held her and pet her until she was purring happily before they administered the drugs. I got to tell her I love her and I'm forever going to be grateful for that and I held her as she left. I'm going to miss her until the day I die and if there's an afterlife I'll miss her then too. Maybe I'll meet her again one day. All I know is she was the best cat a guy could ever ask for and I never knew the depth of friendship one could gain with a cat until I met her. Rest in peace forever sweet girl.

I was driving home from work last week and I saw a kitten on the highway! I pulled over and grabbed it, and then called my mom. She took it while I checked the drainage ditch for the mom or any more kittens. We found none. The poor little guy was skinny, dirty, and so hungry he kept trying to nurse on my shirt.

Well, today at the vet they confirmed what we had suspected (and what I refused to believe) No Name here really is a boy! The vet said she’s only seen two other male calicos in her career.

He’s a little hellraiser, so my mom has decided to name him “Clive Barker, the Cat”

Yes, I'm expecting retribution

Was not expecting this beast when i walked in. Didn't realize i was now living in the hundred acre wood. Luna seems to love it so far.

signing the papers to have him euthanized was one of the hardest things i have ever done.

it’s been a little over a month now and i miss him more and more everyday. whenever i felt down i would always go hang out with him, but now he is gone. it’s hard to process that he’s now ashes in a box, when i look at his ashes i can’t believe it’s him. he was once a big beautiful cat and now he is only ash.

i’ve never really believed in heaven, but ever since he passed i really really hope it exists. i just want to see him again. and i hope i do one day.

he was the best cat, i felt so lucky to have him as my cat. i would really do anything to have him back with me. just to hold my baby again. he truly meant everything to me.

i love you forever and always, dexter

Think he’s enjoying the luxury of not being outside 😜