Cats can engage in homosexual behaviors, including same-sex mounting and grooming, but whether they can truly be considered "gay" in the human sense of sexual orientation is unclear. Scientific evidence shows that about 10% of animal species, including cats, exhibit homosexual behavior, often driven by instincts, dominance, sexual frustration, or other complex motives rather than sexual orientation as humans experience it. Most experts consider that labeling cats as gay may be anthropomorphizing their behavior since cats are primarily driven by instinct and not consistent sexual preference. Spaying or neutering generally reduces such behaviors. Therefore, while cats can show same-sex sexual behaviors, calling them "gay" as a sexual orientation is not supported by scientific consensus.