12 Fascinating Facts About Male Cats😱
1. Male Cats Are More Likely to Be Left-Pawed
Just like humans can be left or right-handed, most cats also have a dominant paw. Cats use their dominant paw for various tasks, such as reaching for food, walking up stairs, or stepping over objects. Interestingly, paw preference differs by sex: females usually prefer their right paw, while males tend to favor their left. A study found that 52% of male cats showed left-paw preference, while 16% showed no preference, leaving only 30% with a right-paw preference.
2. Male Cats Have a Shorter Life Expectancy
On average, male cats live one to two years less than female cats. However, this is based on averages, not a firm rule. Factors like whether a cat is indoor or outdoor play a significant role. For example, outdoor cats live an average of two to five years, while indoor cats typically live 10 to 15 years. Neutering also plays a key role in a cat’s life expectancy.
3. Neutered Males Live Longer
Neutered male cats live 62% longer than their unneutered counterparts. This is because neutering reduces the risk of diseases like testicular cancer and lowers aggression, making neutered cats less likely to get into fights. Fewer fights mean fewer chances of contracting deadly diseases like feline AIDS or leukemia, which are often spread through bites and scratches.
4. Most Male Cats Aren’t Fatherly (Except Siamese)
In general, male cats show little interest in their kittens, leaving the care to the mother. However, Siamese males are an exception. This breed is known for being extremely affectionate, with reports of Siamese males grooming and showing affection towards their young.
5. Male Cats Have a Mating Call
Male cats have their own mating call called "caterwauling." This distinct sound lets female cats know they are available and warns other males to stay away. It’s a common behavior among unneutered males trying to attract mates.
6. Unneutered Male Cats Are Called Tomcats
Unneutered male cats are often referred to as "toms" or "tomcats." This nickname likely originated from the book The Life and Adventures of a Cat, which featured a promiscuous male cat named Tom. The term "tomcating" also evolved to describe promiscuous behavior.
7. Male Maine Coons Are Supersized
The Maine Coon is the largest domesticated cat breed, with males often weighing between 15 to 25 pounds and measuring 19 to 40 inches long. In fact, a male Maine Coon named Barivel holds the Guinness World Record for the longest domestic cat, measuring over 3 feet long.
8. Most Orange Tabby Cats Are Male
Up to 80% of orange tabby cats, also known as ginger cats, are male. This is because the gene for orange fur is linked to the X chromosome. Since males have one X and one Y chromosome, they only need one copy of the gene to be orange, while females need two.
**9. Male Cats Sometimes Kill Kittens**
Although rare in domestic cats, male cats, especially wild ones, have been known to kill kittens. This behavior can stem from confusing kittens for prey, reducing competition, or eliminating rivals' offspring to mate with the female.
10. Male Cats Are More Solitary
In the wild, male cats tend to be more solitary than females to avoid competition for food and mates. Domesticated male cats, however, are less solitary due to being neutered and having food readily provided.
11. The Most Popular Male Cat Name Is Oliver
In 2021, "Oliver" was the most popular name for male cats, according to a report by Nationwide Pet Insurance. It was also the most popular name in 2020, indicating a trend among cat owners.
12. A Male Cat’s Temperament Influences Their Kittens
Studies show that a male cat’s temperament can influence their kittens’ personalities. Bold and confident fathers are likely to have bold and confident kittens, while timid fathers may pass on timid traits to their offspring.