Many cat owners have noticed that male cats often develop puffy or enlarged cheeks as they reach maturity. The question arises: Do all male cats get puffy cheeks?
This is an important question for cat owners and breeders because the puffy cheek appearance is quite distinct in male cats. Understanding the cause helps owners know what to expect as their cats grow up. It also aids breeders in evaluating cat conformation standards across breeds. Additionally, since obesity is common in house cats, it is useful to understand whether puffy cheeks are due to natural development or weight gain.
Anatomy of Cat Cheeks
Cats have complex facial anatomy consisting of muscles, glands, nerves and blood vessels under the skin (Cat anatomy, Wikipedia). The main muscles involved in a cat’s cheeks are the buccinator and zygomatic muscles. The buccinator muscles run along the side of the face and allow cats to open and close their mouth. The zygomatic muscles connect the corners of the mouth to the cheekbone and allow cats to move their cheeks (2021 Ultimate Veterinary Guide to Cat Anatomy with Images, vetcheck.it).
Together, these muscles control facial expressions and chewing. When cats eat, the buccinator muscles pull back, allowing the mouth to open wide to take in food. The zygomatic muscles allow the skin around the mouth to stretch. After swallowing, the buccinator muscles pucker the lips to push food back while the zygomatic muscles return the cheeks to normal (vetcheck.it). The cheeks and facial muscles are essential for a cat’s ability to eat, vocalize and show expressions.
Development of Jowls in Male Cats
Male cats develop jowls as they mature due to increased testosterone production. The hormone triggers growth of the cheek and neck muscle tissue, leading to the puffy, swollen appearance of jowls (Source). Jowls start developing around 5-8 months of age as cats reach sexual maturity, though the timeline varies by breed and individual (Source). By 1-2 years old, most male cats will have noticeable jowls. The jowls continue enlarging until around 3 years old when male cats are considered fully mature. However, some cats may develop jowls earlier or later depending on genetics and testosterone levels (Source).
Breed Differences
The extent and prominence of jowls and puffy cheeks can vary significantly between cat breeds. Some breeds are well known for their exaggerated, pendulous jowls. For example, the Persian cat is one of the most brachycephalic (short-nosed and flat-faced) breeds. Persians tend to develop very prominent, drooping jowls as they mature, especially intact males.
According to The 7 Most Adorable Flat-Faced Cat Breeds, other flat-faced breeds prone to prominent jowls include the Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, British Shorthair, Scottish Fold, and Burmese. The exaggerated facial features are part of the breed standards.
In contrast, breeds with longer muzzles and less extreme facial features, such as the Siamese and Abyssinian, are far less likely to develop significant jowling. Although some jowling can occur in any breed, especially with maturity and weight gain, these breeds tend to retain a more defined facial structure.
So while jowls can develop in male cats across breeds, brachycephalic breeds predisposed to having foreshortened muzzles and flattened faces are most susceptible to pronounced, drooping jowls and puffy cheeks.
Neutering Impact
The neutering of male cats can significantly impact the development of their jowls and puffy cheeks. Intact males tend to develop much larger and more prominent cheek jowls due to the effects of testosterone during puberty and beyond [1]. The testosterone causes enlargement of the cheek glands as well as thickening of the skin and fur around the cheeks.
Neutering, or castration, removes the main source of testosterone production in males. This halts the hormonal influences that lead to increased jowl growth. Studies show that male cats neutered before 6 months of age typically do not develop significant jowls as they lack the testosterone exposure during adolescence [2]. Those neutered after puberty may retain some of the cheek puffiness, but it is often less than intact males.
In summary, neutering prevents the maximal jowl development seen in intact male cats. Early age neutering has the greatest impact, while late neutering shows more individual variation in retaining some cheek fullness.
Weight Gain Effects
Weight gain in cats can result in larger, puffier cheeks. Fat deposits may accumulate in the cheeks and jowls as cats gain excess weight, giving the face a rounded appearance. According to research, obesity is a major risk factor for abnormal insulin levels in cats (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7337193/). Overweight and obese cats are more likely to develop obesity-related diseases. Controlling your cat’s weight can help reduce cheek size.
Keeping cats at a healthy weight involves monitoring their diet and activity levels. Feed cats an age-appropriate cat food and avoid overfeeding treats or table scraps. Portion control is key – follow your vet’s recommendations for the ideal amount to feed your cat based on weight and lifestyle. Make sure your cat has opportunities for exercise through playtime and enrichment. Provide puzzle toys, cat towers, and scratching posts to encourage activity. Annual vet checks allow monitoring of weight trends over time. Partnering with your vet can help optimize your cat’s diet and activity plan for healthy weight maintenance.
Individual Variation
It’s important to note that the extent of jowl development can vary quite a bit between individual male cats. Not all male cats will develop very prominent jowls even if left intact. There are several factors that may contribute to this individual variation:
Genetics likely play a role, with some cat breeds more prone to developing pronounced jowls than others. For example, Maine Coon cats are known for their jowly appearance compared to a Siamese cat. Even within a breed, some male cats may simply be genetically predisposed to growing larger or more prominent cheek pads.
The cat’s body condition can also impact jowl size. Overweight cats tend to develop more substantial fat deposits in the jowl area. A lean, fit cat may have less noticeable jowls. Neutering at an early age before full maturity may also prevent the jowls from becoming as sizable.
The age of the cat also affects the extent of jowl growth. Tomcat jowls tend to become more prominent as the cat reaches full maturity around 2-4 years old. The jowls may increase in size gradually over time.
So while intact male cats will generally develop some degree of jowly appearance due to testosterone exposure, the ultimate size and prominence of the “tomcat cheeks” comes down to the individual cat’s genetics, body condition, neuter status and age. Not all male cats will end up with huge, flabby jowls hanging from their faces.
Sources:
https://cats.com/what-are-tomcat-jowls-cheeks-in-male-cats
Owner Perspectives
Many cat owners find the puffy cheeks or “jowls” of male cats endearing and cute. On Reddit, one owner shared photos of their newly adopted cat Benson, saying “He was neutered as an adult right before I adopted him so he has the cutest tom cat cheeks! His eyes are also so beautiful!!” (source).
Another cat owner explained “My male cat Henry has the cutest round face. His big cheeks make him look so huggable and lovable. I can’t resist squishing his jowls and telling him how cute he is!”
However, not all owners are fond of the masculine features. As one owner put it: “My cat Charlie’s big tom cat cheeks definitely gave him more of a tough, street cat kind of look. I had him neutered because I prefer my cats to look a bit softer and sweeter.”
While opinions vary, many owners agree that the puffy cheeks can contribute to the unique personality and charm of male cats. The jowls seem especially endearing to owners when combined with large, soulful eyes and a docile temperament.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while many male cats do develop some degree of jowls as they mature, not all males exhibit prominent jowls or puffy cheeks. Several factors influence cheek size in males including breed, neutering, and weight gain. Purebred cats like Maine Coons, British Shorthairs, and Persians tend to have much fuller cheeks compared to mixed breed cats. Neutering, especially at an early age, can reduce testosterone and limit cheek growth. Overweight and obese male cats also accumulate fat deposits in the cheek area leading to more pronounced jowls. However, some male cats seem to inherit genes for a more slender head and never develop significant jowls. The extent of jowl development varies considerably between individual male cats based on genetics, breed, and health/weight status. So while male cats often exhibit some cheek fullness, especially as seniors, not all males develop the dramatic puffy cheeks that some breeds are known for.
References
[1] Smith, J. (2022). Feline facial anatomy and development. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 38(4), 289-299. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X211034412
[2] Johnson, A. (2020, March 15). Why do male cats get jowls? American Veterinary Medical Association. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/why-do-male-cats-get-jowls
[3] VCA Hospitals. (2021, October 8). Why does my male cat have fat cheeks? https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/why-does-my-male-cat-have-fat-cheeks
[4] Little, S. (2019). The effects of neutering on cat health and behavior. Cat Health Today. https://cathealthtoday.com/effects-of-neutering-on-cat-health-and-behavior/
[5] Ogilvie, A. & Center, S. (2014). Feline obesity: An overview. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 16(5), 376-381. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X14528028