Learn how to Spot the Distinction Between Male and Feminine Cats—What to Look For · Kinship

Learn on to study extra concerning the variations between female and male cats.

Primary takeaways

• There are variations between female and male cats in each their bodily and behavioral traits.

• These variations are rather more muted in cats who’ve been spayed and neutered and who reside indoors.

• The generalizations about gender don’t apply to all particular person cats so make sure to not make assumptions primarily based on gender alone.

• There are essential well being concerns to bear in mind reckoning on whether or not you’ve got a male or feminine cat.

The most important variations between female and male cats

The most important variations between female and male cats are bodily. To state the apparent, male cats have a penis whereas feminine cats have a vagina. Bodily, males are inclined to be bigger and heavier, whereas females are sometimes extra petite. Males who will not be neutered are inclined to have bigger heads with large, full cheeks. 

Behaviorally, male cats are reported to be extra territorial and may present extra aggression in the event that they will not be neutered. Nevertheless, many different variables affect the habits of cats, so it shouldn’t be doable to distinguish between female and male cats primarily based on their behaviors alone. 

Professionals and cons of male vs. feminine cats

For cats who’re intact, that means not spayed or neutered, there are some basic concerns to bear in mind. For instance, intact male cats are inclined to:  

• have extra of a want to roam and can strive to sneak exterior seeking to mate

• are extra prone to getting injured once they are out roaming

• are inclined to get into extra fights with different cats over territorial competitions

Intact feminine cats will: 

• go into warmth routinely, which additionally entices them to flee to search for mates

• be very vocal and needy when in warmth, which some pet mother and father discover distressing

• be probably to get pregnant in the event that they encounter a male cat, including the complication of a litter of kittens that you could must look after unexpectedly. 

Nevertheless, many different elements affect cats’ habits and their chance of being a very good companion. In the case of persona, a lot is primarily based on elements resembling how effectively a cat has been socialized, their breed and genetics, and particular person personalities, no matter their gender.

Bodily variations between female and male cats

Female and male cats who’re intact are inclined to have extra bodily variations of their appearances. When cats are spayed and neutered earlier than puberty, these variations are inclined to be minimal and even non-existent. This contains: 

Dimension and weight

As a basic rule, male cats are inclined to be bigger and heavier than feminine cats. Breed and total well being additionally play a giant position of their measurement, although. You’ll be able to anticipate the common feminine Maine Coon to be a lot bigger than a male Siamese, for instance. Equally, cats who’ve entry to good preventative well being care and ample diet will develop a lot bigger than stray cats who’re getting by on no matter they will scavenge. 

Genitalia

Exterior genitalia is probably the most apparent strategy to distinguish female and male cats. Intact males may have testicles which are simply seen underneath their tails. All male cats even have a penis that’s seen externally, whereas feminine cats have a vagina. The space between the anus and penis in male cats is bigger than the space between the anus and vulva in feminine cats. The general form of their exterior genitalia can be completely different, with males having a tubular-shaped penis that will be extruded by urgent gently on the encircling pores and skin. 

Feminine cats who’ve had kittens are inclined to have enlarged mammary glands, with all of the nipples on their stomach changing into swollen and extra seen, particularly in the event that they are actively lactating.  

Face and physique form

Gender may have an impression on a cat’s total look. Intact male cats may have giant, rounded heads with distinguished jowls and bigger total our bodies. Chubby cheeks develop after puberty and can linger in male cats who’re neutered after reaching sexual maturity. Cats who’re neutered early in life won’t develop these giant cheeks, nevertheless.

Coloration variations

Some coat colours are linked to gender. Orange coat colour, calico, and tortoiseshell markings are linked to the X chromosome. Since males solely inherit one X chromosome, in the event that they have one copy of the gene for orange coat colour on their X chromosome, they can be orange. Since females have two X chromosomes, they should inherit two copies of this gene with a purpose to be orange, and this is the reason there are extra male orange cats than females. When feminine cats inherit just one copy of this gene, their coat can be some variation of tortoiseshell or calico. Almost all tortoiseshell and calico cats are feminine since this requires two copies of the X chromosome.

Behavioral variations between female and male cats

Essentially the most constant behavioral variations between female and male cats are influenced by their hormones and their drive to breed. Due to this fact, cats who’re intact and reside outdoor in colonies with different cats are inclined to have probably the most dramatic habits variations between the genders. For cats who’re spayed and neutered and reside indoors, a lot of the drive for these reproductive behaviors disappears, limiting the affect of gender on their habits. 

Moreover, bear in mind that habits and temperament are influenced by so many different elements except for gender and are extremely particular to every particular person cat. 

Territorial habits

Intact male cats are identified to be extra territorial, with a bent to roam and defend their territory. This results in extra fights between intact male cats,and accidents from battle wounds as effectively as trauma from roaming outdoor, together with hit-by-car accidents. Intact male cats are additionally extra probably to spray urine as a means of marking their territory. Neutering your cat and retaining them indoors will cut back all of those behaviors considerably. 

Playfulness

There aren’t any documented gender variations in playfulness between female and male cats. It is a trait that’s most affected by an particular person cat’s habits, as effectively as how a lot they had been socialized as kittens, and whether or not they have realized to play within the methods we’re accustomed to. 

Affection towards caregivers

This can be not a gender-based trait however is extremely influenced by socialization and the age at which cats work together with people. Cats who’re dealt with by people frequently in early kittenhood are most probably to indicate affection in direction of people and have interaction in behaviors resembling following them round, snuggling on the sofa, and greeting their favourite people on the door. Gender solely performs a position in that intact male cats are inclined to have extra testosterone than different cats, which might make them behave extra aggressively in direction of people as effectively as different cats. 

Mating and breeding habits

Mating and breeding behaviors are extremely influenced by intercourse hormones. Each female and male cats have a powerful drive to breed. For intact males, this leads them to wish to roam and seek for mates, so they may typically strive to sneak out of the home to accomplish that. For intact feminine cats, their warmth cycles will be very intense. That is once they are receptive to mating, main them to be very vocal, needy, and likewise intent on sneaking out of the home to go looking for a mate. Spaying and neutering eliminates the majority of those behaviors, particularly whether it is accomplished earlier in life earlier than cats attain sexual maturity.  

Aggression

Intact male cats are extra probably to be aggressive of their try to defend their territory. Intact male cats are inclined to battle with each other and a few research have reported intact male cats present extra aggression in direction of folks as effectively.  

Spraying

Urine spraying is often accomplished by intact male cats as a strategy to mark their territory. Nevertheless, each female and male cats can spray urine. Spraying indoors by spayed or neutered cats is commonly an indication of behavioral stress, resembling competitors between cats, anxiousness, or medical issues.

Ought to I spay or neuter my cat no matter gender?

Sure, it’s best to spay or neuter your cat as a result of spaying and neutering have many essential influences on each habits and well being. First, most of the undesirable behaviors related to intact cats will be averted in the event that they are spayed and neutered. Second, cats who’re intact are at larger threat for sure well being issues, together with sure cancers.

Male vs. feminine cat well being issues

For cats who’re intact, there are plenty of well being issues related to gender. First, feminine cats who get pregnant will be at threat for problems, together with dystocia, or issue giving start, as effectively as uterine infections referred to as pyometra and mammary gland infections referred to as mastitis. Also they are at a a lot larger threat for mammary most cancers, which tends to be very aggressive in feminine cats. All feminine cats are at threat for urinary tract infections resulting from the proximity of the vagina to the anus. 

Intact male cats are at an elevated threat of damage resulting from their tendency to roam and battle with different male cats. This may put them at threat for hit-by-car accidents as effectively as wounds and infections from preventing. All male cats are additionally at an elevated threat for urinary obstruction resulting from their anatomy since they’ve a protracted, slender urethra that will be extra simply blocked by small particles within the urine. 

Are there variations between male vs. feminine cat lifespan?

Feminine cats are inclined to reside longer than male cats. Regardless of this statistic, way of life and total well being have a far higher impression on lifespan than gender. Intact males are inclined to roam and battle, rising their threat for damage and an infection. Intact females are at larger threat for mammary most cancers and uterine infections. Outside cats of both gender face extra hazard and have shorter life spans in comparison with indoor cats. Cats who’re unvaccinated and don’t obtain routine preventative veterinary care additionally don’t reside so long as those that obtain common veterinary care. 

What analysis has been accomplished on male vs feminine cats?

Analysis has recognized the that the majority constant variations between female and male cats are tied to bodily traits resembling: 

These measurements assist set up averages and illness threat elements. 

Nicely-designed analysis research have additionally demonstrated that persona traits do not appear to be immediately influenced by gender and that elements like socialization have a a lot larger impression.  

Do you have to get a male or feminine cat? Elements to think about

When deciding between adopting a male or feminine cat, there’s no proper or mistaken reply. In the event you are searching for sure aesthetics, resembling an even bigger cat, a extra petite cat, or cats with sure colour patterns, this may increasingly affect which gender you concentrate on. In the case of persona, nevertheless, there aren’t any ensures, so it is best to undertake the cat who clicks with you fairly than searching for one in all a particular gender.

Are male or feminine cats extra affectionate?

Analysis has additionally proven that in relation to a cat’s stage of affection, early dealing with, socialization, and genetics are much more impactful than gender. Due to this fact, it makes extra sense to think about every cat as an particular person with a singular persona and temperament. 

What mixture of cats get alongside higher?

Within the wild, feminine cats type cooperative colonies to assist in caring for kittens, however this acceptance isn’t mechanically prolonged to each cat. Cats of both gender are able to being the most effective of pals or bitterest of enemies.

No matter gender, cats who develop up collectively are extra probably to bond than cats launched as adults. That doesn’t imply that grownup cats can’t develop into pals, nevertheless. When introducing grownup cats, those that have been spayed or neutered are inclined to get alongside a lot better than cats who’re nonetheless intact. Hormones drive a whole lot of aggressive and undesirable behaviors. 

In the event you’re contemplating including one other cat to the combo, simply make sure you make a correct introduction. 

FAQs

Is there a distinction in grooming wants between female and male cats?

No, grooming wants are most affected by the size of a cat’s fur, with long-haired cats needing extra care, as effectively as breed-specific traits that affect the sort of fur and grooming capabilities. For instance, brachycephalic breeds with smushed faces, like Persians, may have extra issue grooming themselves and can want extra care. 

Is it higher to have a feminine or male cat?

There isn’t a goal reply to this query; the persona of an particular person cat can be rather more probably to affect their compatibility. Gender will affect reproductive concerns, nevertheless, so should you positively do not need your cat to have kittens, don’t get an intact feminine cat except you intend to have her spayed.

Are boy or woman cats calmer?

There isn’t a clear-cut reply to this query, as habits is influenced by many elements except for gender alone. Nevertheless, cats who’re intact can be extra influenced by their hormones, and intact male cats are inclined to be extra territorial and aggressive towards different cats. 

Do male cats spray greater than females?

Intact male cats are inclined to spray extra as a strategy to mark their territory.  Whereas neutering helps lower the incidence of urine spraying, it’s not assured to eradicate the habits utterly. Even spayed and neutered cats can spray urine, and this tends to occur resulting from stress, resembling the introduction of a brand new pet, competitors between pets within the house, and/or anxiousness.

Ought to I spay or neuter my cat no matter gender?

All cats must be spayed or neutered no matter gender. Spaying and neutering assist lower undesirable behaviors, cut back the danger of sure ailments, and improve total lifespan. 

References

• Barry, Kimberly J, et al. “Gender variations within the social habits of the neutered indoor-only home cat.” Utilized Animal Habits Science, vol. 64, no. 3, July 1999, pp. 193-211.

• Bamberger, Michelle, et al. “Signalment elements, comorbidity, and tendencies in habits diagnoses in cats: 736 circumstances (1991–2001).” J Am Vet Med Assoc, vol. 229, no. 10, November 2006, pp. 1602-1606.

• Bradshaw, John. “Sociality in cats: A comparative evaluate.” Journal of Veterinary Habits, vol. 11, 2016, pp. 113-124.

• Koyasu, Hikari, et al. “Sociality of Cats towards People Can Be Influenced by Hormonal and Socio-Environmental Elements: Pilot Examine.” Animals, vol. 13, no. 1, 30 December 2022, pp. 146. 

• Merenda, Monica Estella Zambon, et al. “Progress Curve and Vitality Consumption in Male and Feminine Cats” Subjects in Companion Animal Drugs, vol. 44, 2021.

• Pitakarnnop, T, et al. “Feline (” Anatomy, Histology, Embryology, vol. 46, no. 3, June 2017, pp. 294-303.