12 Surprising Facts About Male Cats - #9 is Disturbing

Male cats (often called toms) have a few quirks that set them apart.

Below you’ll find what’s known about their behavior, health risks, and genetics—plus practical tips you can use at home.

Behavior in male cats

Territoriality & roaming

Male cats, especially if intact, tend to have larger home ranges than females and may roam farther during breeding season.

In owned or colony settings, social structure depends heavily on resources (food, shelter), not just sex. PMC+1conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com

What to do: keep your tom neutered, enrich the environment (vertical space, play, scent work), and consider outdoor restrictions for safety and wildlife protection.

“Caterwauling” (the loud yowl)

That dramatic nighttime yowl is called caterwauling, not “winepress.”

It’s a loud, drawn-out vocalization linked to mating behavior and attention-seeking, and it can occur in both sexes (commonly in queens in heat). If it’s new, rule out pain or medical issues. VcaPetMD

Urine marking & the “tomcat” odor

Urine marking is more common in intact males and comes with that strong “tomcat” smell. Neutering changes urine odor and often reduces spraying, though a minority of neutered cats may still mark (≈10% of males; ≈5% of females).

Combine neutering with behavioral management and environmental tweaks. VcaPráctica Veterinaria de HoyASPCA

Health: What’s different in males

Neutering & life expectancy

Across large datasets and recent life-table research, neutered males live longer than intact males, and females live slightly longer than males overall.

One widely cited analysis found neutered males lived ~62% longer than intact males; newer studies confirm the sex gap (females ≈ +1.3 years) and the benefit of sterilization in both sexes. AVMABanfield Pet Hospital®PMC+1SAGE Journals

Urinary risks & red flags

Male cats have a longer, narrower urethra, so they’re at higher risk of urethral obstruction (a true emergency).

Watch for straining, frequent trips to the box, crying, licking the genitals, or blood in urine—seek veterinary help immediately if you see these. Veterinaria CornellAVMA

Genetics & curiosities

Why so many orange males?

Roughly ~80% of orange tabbies are male due to X-linked inheritance.

In 2025, two studies pinpointed the orange (Sex-linked orange) locus to ARHGAP36 on the X chromosome: a small deletion drives pigment production in melanocytes.

Males (XY) need one copy to be orange; females (XX) usually need two, otherwise they appear calico/tortoiseshell. ChewyCell+1PubMedLive Science

“Right-pawed” vs “left-pawed”

Studies show sex-linked paw preference: males more often left-pawed, females more often right-pawed (population-level trend, with individual variation). ScienceDirectPubMedbio.psy.ruhr-uni-bochum.de

Where “tomcat” comes from

Tomcat (adult male cat) is attested in English since the late 18th century, popularized by an earlier book titled The Life and Adventures of a Cat, whose male hero was named Tom. Diccionario Etimológico En Líneaoed.com

Mating myths to correct

“Do cats get stuck after mating (like dogs)?”

Dogs often have a copulatory tie; cats do not. In cats, copulation is brief (often seconds), the queen may cry out, groom, and mate again multiple times over 24–48 h because they’re induced ovulators. Vca+1

“Male cats are always more affectionate/talkative.”

Not necessarily. Personality varies by individual and environment (socialization, enrichment).

Free-ranging cats can live solitarily or in groups depending on resource distribution. PMC

Practical checklist (quick wins)

• Neuter on time to reduce roaming, fighting, spraying, and boost longevity. AVMAPMC

• Watch for urinary red flags (straining, frequent posturing, vocalizing at the box) and seek emergency care if suspected obstruction. Veterinaria Cornell

• Reduce caterwauling with enrichment, routine play, and by keeping intact cats separated; vet-check if the sound is new. Vca

• For marking, pair neutering with litter box optimization, vertical space, and blocking outdoor cat views.

Caring for Male Cats: Practical Takeaways

Whether your tom is bold or shy, thriving comes down to evidence-based care and everyday consistency.

Prioritize timely neutering to curb roaming and spraying, build a calm routine with daily play and enrichment, and keep litter boxes clean and inviting.

Stay alert to urinary red flags—straining, frequent trips, or vocalizing at the box—and contact your vet immediately if you see them.

Remember that personality is individual: offer patient socialization and plenty of vertical space so he can choose closeness on his terms.

With proactive veterinary checkups and a home that meets his needs, your male cat can live comfortably—and for longer.

Enjoy This Video Tutorial About Cats

Source: The Purring Journal

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