Let’s hear it for the feline boys! With several male cats and female cats in our household, we can say for sure that certain characteristics are specific to male cats. Stray male cats come across as ferocious-looking territorial felines dominating everything in the neighborhood. But when they get adopted and stay with humans, they come across as highly affectionate and playful babies. If you are planning to adopt a cat but are unsure how to take care of them, this article, Complete Guide for a Cat Safe Home, will definitely help.

We have put together 15 interesting facts about male cats.

1. Male cats are called tomcats or tom

The Life and Adventures of a Cat – a book published in 1760, has a promiscuous male cat character named Tom. The name became popular, and non-neutered male cats, thenceforth, were called tom or tomcats.

2. Caterwauling is a characteristic of male cats

Caterwauling is the loud cries of males to let their potential mates know that they are ready to mate. It is a mating call or a courtship call. Caterwauling performs the task of luring female cats that are in heat while deterring other male suitors.

3. Male cats are more affectionate compared to females

As per a poll conducted by veterinarians, males were rated to be friendlier than female cats. Neutered males may become more loving towards their cat parents as their desire to mate reduces after neutering.

4. Life expectancy of male cats

Male cats typically live one or two years less than female cats. Indoor cats may live for 10 to 15 years and outdoor cats, on average, live for 2 to 5 years. The world’s senior-most cat lived for 38 years and 3 days. The cat, Crème Puff was born on 3rd August 1967 and lived until 6th August 2005. Isn’t that interesting? Here’s an article from Oldest.org about the 7 oldest cats ever in the world.

Neutering male cats may also increase their life expectancy. This is because:

• A neutered male is less aggressive and will not get involved in catfights
• He has lesser chances of contracting diseases such as FIV (feline aids), FeLV (feline leukemia), or feline distemper (feline panleukopenia virus) that may spread during catfights

Let’s do everything we can to give our cats the best and longest life possible 🙂

5. Male cats have a strong desire to travel

A male cat’s wanderlust will not allow him to stay for long in one place. They may roam for miles in search of female cats in heat. The desire to defend or gain territory may also lead male cats to wanderlust. Their desire to roam may be strong during the mating season.

6. Which paw is dominant for male cats?

Research states that 52% of male cats had a left-paw preference. Female cats are mostly right-pawed. The reason is unclear. Did you notice which paw your cat prefers to use?

7. Disturbing truth about male cats

Feral male cats may kill their own kittens or kittens of other cats. Their natural instinct to hunt may lead to this act. A male cat wants no competition for food, females, and territory. Another reason is that he wants the female cat to go into heat and mate with him so that she can have his young ones. But there is an exception to this. Siamese male cats are known to be very loving towards their kittens. This breed is known to be loving and sociable.

8. Kitten personalities may be influenced by their father’s DNA

Studies have proven that a male cat’s personality can affect the personalities of his kittens. If the male cat is shy, their kittens will also be shy. Like father, like kittens.

9. Urine spraying in male cats

The method of warning other cats or unfamiliar people to back off without physical contact is “spraying,” or urine marking. Spraying may happen if:

• The cat has a desire to mate.
• It could be a medical problem like kidney stones, urinary tract infections, or cystitis.
• The cat may be stressed due to home renovation, entry of new people or pets in the house, boredom, and more.

Neutering cats may decrease the likelihood of spraying in 90% of cats. To know more about neutering cats, follow this link. 

10. When should a male cat be neutered?

Vets can neuter a male cat when it is 8 weeks old if the cat is in a shelter. If the cat is owned, then the appropriate age would be 4 to 5 months.

11. What are signs of sexual maturity in male cats?

Male cats can be sexually active between 6 and 12 months of age. Signs of sexual maturity in male cats are territorial urine spraying, wandering to far-off places, and constant meowing or yowling.

12. Tomcats have jowls

Male cats that are not neutered are commonly seen with huge cheeks or tomcat cheeks that are triggered by increased testosterone. These jowls provide protection to the cat’s face, eyes, and neck during fights. Cats neutered before they reach sexual maturity will not develop jowls.

13. Merlin is the loudest purring cat

Merlin, a black and white cat from the UK, holds the record for the loudest purr. His purr is 67.8 DB. Cats generally purr at around 25 DB. Read Merlin’s full story here. 

14. Stubbs was the mayor of a town in Alaska for 20 years

Stubbs, an orange tabby cat, was the mayor of Talkeetna, in Alaska, from July 18, 1997, till his death on July 21, 2017. A writer for Alaska Dispatch News stated that this news was false and this town had no cat as their mayor. Read more about Stubbs in this article from The Guardian.

15. Tommaso has inherited $13 million

Tommaso, a stray cat, inherited a $13 million fortune from his owner, Maria Assunta, who died at the age of 94 in the year 2011. Such is the love of cat parents for their beloved cats. Read Tommaso’s full story here. 

If you are a cat parent to a male cat, you know already that they are affectionate to both humans and other cats. It’s important to understand that mating, killing, and being territorial are survival instincts of male cats – and there is nothing right or wrong about it. By getting male cats neutered, cat parents can save them from the vicious circle of stress and anger due to sexual frustration.