Thinking about welcoming a fluffy feline into your family? In this article we’ve compared male cat vs female cat to help you decide which one would suit you best!
8 Significant Comparisons
Just like humans, cats have some gender distinctions. Male and female cats have many differences in their behavior, physique, habits, and personality traits. here is male cats vs female cats:
#1 Genitals
One of the main differences between the two different genders of any species is the genitals. Genitals are reproductive organs and play a significant role in the lives of both male and female animals. It’s usually tough to distinguish between the genitals of a male and a female cat. However, one can guess the gender of new kittens by the shape, size, and distance from the anus of their reproductive parts.
Distinctive Differences
Notably, the female cats have a vulva, and right above it an anus. If you want to determine the gender of your newly bought cat, you need to look carefully for its genitals. More specifically, a female cat would have a slit-type organ, and the male would have a penis and testicles. Moreover, male cats have testicles as well. But if the cats have already been spayed, it is much more complicated to determine the exact gender.
#2 Physical Appearance
For spayed cats, it’s best to look for physical differences in appearance. Like all other male animals, male cats have a heavy and tall build. They tend to weigh more and appear taller than female felines. In addition, they have broader cheeks and round faces to signal their strong masculinity. This feature in male kittens results from a hormone called testosterone, which only males produce. Female cats, however, lack testosterone and instead produce estrogen, which results in a different appearance. It needs to be noted that this comparison is only accurate sometimes, as other breeds have different-sized cats. Even in the same species, a girl cat can be larger than a boy cat.
#3 Sexual Maturity
Both male and female cats take their sweet time to reach organ and sexual maturity. But the timespan they need for maturing is a little different from each other. A male feline would need around nine months to more than a year to gain sexual maturity. In comparison, a female kitten can attain sexual maturity at only seven months. But just like physical appearance, sexual maturity also takes time, depending upon the breed and the cat’s nature. So do not get worried if your cat has delayed maturity – because every cat is different.
#4 Lifespan
The average lifespan of your feline friend might become one of your primary concerns while buying a cat, as you would love to spend as much time as you can with it. The average life span of cats, irrespective of gender, is 11 to 15 years. Life expectancy has more to do with breed than with gender. For instance, a cat breed called Siamese can have a life of up to 20 years. Therefore, if you want your cat to live longer, go for species with longer life expectancy.
#5 Health
A healthy feline is all a cat lover would want, as regular vet visits can make you and your cat tired and frustrated, not to mention financial stress. But there is no proof of one particular gender being healthier than the other. The overall health gets better if the cat is spayed. However, certain breeds, like the Maine coon, are more likely to get heart disorders. Besides, the male cat is more prone to UTIs (urinary tract infections) due to the size of its urethra, and the female cat is prone to having cysts and tumors. Although a less accepted fact, but male cats are also more likely to get injured and have infections due to their outgoing and aggressive nature.
#6 Urine Marking
Urine marking in cats is common and refers to the spraying of urine to mark territory. Males usually mark their territory with urine spraying outside the litter box. Mostly unneutered males do this practice as they have high levels of testosterone in their bodies. But neutered cats can sometimes also do it to feel safer in their territory.
Female felines are generally satisfied with a smaller area. They would be happy even if they have a territory of 320 feet to roam, as measured from their food bowl or bed. The female cat is more considerate when it comes to sharing its space. In addition, the female cat would only use urine marking for sexual signals rather than for marking its territory. On the other hand, the male would not submit his space and would also like to consider a domain of one mile from his bowl or home.
#7 Temperament
Having different temperaments depends not only on gender but also on the breed. Some breeds are known to be more aggressive than others. A male feline, however, is more aggressive than the female one. Females are somewhat shy and do not want to be in danger all the time, as they tend to fear fights and aggressive behaviors. Due to their shy nature, female cats are not very outgoing and will love staying at home in comfortable spaces. At the same time, a male would enjoy going out and exploring independently.
Affection and Loyalty
In addition, male cats are more friendly and loyal than female ones. They will cuddle easily and will take no time to warm up. A female will take more time to warm up to you and will only cuddle if she wants. The female cat also has to keep her loyalty at stake if she has her kittens because then she would have to share her dedication and love. Plus, they usually want to stay alone rather than live with a human or a fellow cat.
In contrast, male cats are free souls and do not have to share their loyalties, so they will only stay loyal to you. Plus, they like affection and are not shy to show their love. They would even love to cuddle with fellow male cats, whereas a female one would only cuddle with a boy cat.
Territorial Behavior
Another attractive personality trait that female cats have is being bossy. They will walk around your house as if they own it and love to attack someone threatening. They basically want to rule their surroundings, unlike males, who do not care about leading everyone around them.
#8 Intelligence
When buying a pet cat, many people want to know which one is more intelligent and will be a better learner. But let us tell you that there is no such thing as the more intelligent gender among cats. It might be breaking your bubble of imagination, but the truth is the truth. And the truth is that intelligence is a trait that comes as a result of surroundings and interaction with human beings. In a nutshell, cats exposed to a learning environment tend to learn and adapt better than cats with a less interactive environment. So, if your cat is a quick learner, it’s probably not because of their gender. It’s instead the environment it is living in.
Behavior When Neutered
It is vital to note that both male and female cats act differently when neutered. Therefore, it is heavily adviced that your pet cat should be neutered. When spayed, their sexual desires tend to decrease, and they have no urge to come on heat. This way, they will be calmer and control their frustration and anger. Moreover, they will be less likely to engage in urine spraying.
As we have already discussed, Female cats are not very friendly, but they become much more affectionate after spaying. On the other hand, male cats will become less aggressive after they have been spayed because they no longer need to be protective and fearful of their surroundings.
Factors That Contribute to The Personality of Cats Other Than Gender
Besides gender-based differences in a cat’s personality, some factors contribute to the personality and behavior of the specific breed of cat. Three main factors are discussed below.
Breed
All these differences in traits mentioned above are not just gender-based. Most of them also depends upon the breed of the cat. For instance, Van, a Turkish breed, are more likely to be hostile towards other cats and even humans. While Shorthair, a British cat, would be the least aggressive and hostile irrespective of their gender.
Environment
The environment also plays a significant role in shaping the personality of cats. The change in environment can make any cat hyper and insecure. Cats living in calmer environments tend to be more casual than those living in hostile surroundings.
History
Apart from gender history, a feline’s background also plays a vital role in the personality traits of both male and female felines. Those living on the streets tend to behave differently than those living in shelter homes or with their pet parents.
The Final Take
To conclude, the confusion of male cat vs. female cat is no less than the uncertainty of Shakespear’s “to be or not to be”. In fact, it becomes more crucial when considering adopting one little furry friend for yourself. Therefore, doing enough homework and research on both genders is always recommended to choose the one that’s more appropriate for you. Notably, experts believe that deciding to adopt a cat is a tough decision, but opting for the correct gender is even more critical. Both male and female cats have many exciting differences, mainly spinning around their personalities, behaviors, and time to gain sexual maturity. The article has already highlighted specific differences that help you be more clear about your decisions and get the pur-fect furry friend to add to your family.
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