Introduction
Determining the gender of a cat is an important part of being a responsible pet owner. Knowing whether your cat is male or female allows you to provide proper veterinary care, manage reproductive behaviors, and understand personality and temperament differences that may exist between the sexes.
Identifying a cat’s gender can be done in several ways. Examining the physical characteristics of the genital region is the most definitive method. There are also some behavioral tendencies and personality traits that can help clue owners into whether their cat is male or female.
Understanding the differences between male and female cats allows owners to make informed choices regarding spay/neuter surgery, interacting with other household pets, and meeting the individual needs of their cat. This article will provide an overview of how to determine a cat’s gender, the terms used to identify male versus female cats, and the implications the sex may have on a cat’s personality and health.
Male Cats
Male cats are commonly referred to as “tomcats” or simply “toms.” The term “tomcat” originated from the Middle English word “tom” which was a slang term for a male cat [1]. Other common terms used to refer to male cats include:
- Gib – An old term used to refer to a neutered or castrated male cat [2]
- Moggie or moggy – British slang terms for a male cat of no particular breed [1]
The term “tomcat” is still widely used today to specifically refer to an unneutered male cat. In general, a male cat can simply be called a “tom” once it reaches maturity around 6-10 months old [3].
Female Cats
Female cats are commonly referred to by several different terms, depending on the region and context.
Some of the most common terms for a female cat include:
- “Queen” – This term is commonly used in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia to refer to an unspayed female cat. It refers to their role of giving birth to and raising kittens in a colony or clowder of cats. The term “queen” connotes the authority and prestige a mother cat has among her kittens and other cats.
- “Molly” – In the United States and Canada, “molly” is one of the most common terms used for a female cat. It is a general gender identifier and does not indicate reproductive status.
- “Dam” – “Dam” is the technical term used by breeders and in the cat fancy for a female parent of kittens. It refers specifically to a breeding female cat who has produced several litters.
- “Kitten” – A young female cat under one year of age is usually called a kitten, or “kitty” as a nickname or term of endearment.
There are some key differences between geographical regions. “Queen” is more common in British English, while “molly” is more common in North American English. Among breeders worldwide, “dam” is universally understood as referring to a female cat who has had kittens.
(Sources: https://spotpetins.com/blog/cat-tips/what-is-a-female-cat-called, https://www.cattipper.com/tips/2022/what-do-you-call-a-female-cat.html)
Neutered/Spayed Cats
When a male cat is neutered (castrated), his testicles are removed. This means he can no longer reproduce. A neutered male cat is referred to as a “tomcat” or “gib” cat [1]. The medical term for neutering a male cat is orchidectomy.
For female cats, spaying (ovariohysterectomy) involves surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus. A spayed female is called a “molly” or “queen” [2]. After being spayed, the female can no longer go into heat or become pregnant. The primary purpose of spaying/neutering cats is pet population control.
Some gender-specific terms like “tomcat” and “molly” are still used after neutering/spaying. However, the universal terms “domestic cat” or simply “cat” can also be used without reference to gender.
Kitten Gender
Identifying the gender of a kitten can be challenging until they reach 4-6 weeks of age. Here are some tips for determining if a kitten is male or female:
Examine the genital region. In female kittens, you’ll see a vertical slit which is the vulva. In males, you’ll see a circular opening underneath the anus which is the scrotum. The testicles may or may not be descended at this young age.
Look at the distance between the anus and genital opening. For females, the distance is very short. For males, the opening will be further away.
Feel for testicles in the scrotal area. Gently palpate the area with your thumb and forefinger. If you feel two small, oval-shaped bumps, the kitten is likely male. According to The Humane Society, testicles may not descend until 8 weeks of age.
Observe urination. Female kittens squat to urinate while males stand to spray. However, kittens may not exhibit normal urination behavior until a bit older.
Coat color and markings are not reliable indicators of sex. Only an examination of the genital region can definitively determine if a kitten is male or female.
Importance of Spay/Neuter
Spaying or neutering cats is very important for several reasons. Spaying female cats prevents them from going into heat and having unwanted litters of kittens. It also eliminates the risk of uterine infections and uterine and mammary cancers later in life (Source). Neutering male cats reduces marking and spraying in up to 90% of cats. It can also reduce roaming, fighting with other males, and howling (Source).
In addition to health and behavioral benefits, spaying and neutering helps address the serious problem of pet overpopulation. Millions of unwanted cats and kittens are euthanized in shelters every year. Spaying and neutering cats allows them to live healthier, longer and happier lives while reducing the number of homeless animals.
Breed Differences
There are some notable differences between cat breeds when it comes to gender. For example, orange tabby cats are much more likely to be male. In fact, it’s estimated that only around 20% of orange tabbies are female (1). This is because the gene that causes the orange coat color is carried on the X chromosome. Since females have two X chromosomes, the orange color is often overridden by another coat color gene. Males only have one X chromosome, so if they inherit the orange gene, it will be expressed.
Another breed where gender distribution is uneven is the calico. Calico cats have a tri-colored coat of orange, black, and white. The vast majority of calicos, around 99%, are female (2). This is because the calico pattern requires two X chromosomes, meaning it is very rare for a male calico to occur. If a male calico is born, it is almost always sterile.
While gender differences in personality and behavior aren’t as pronounced in cats as in some other pets, there are some tendencies. For example, Siamese cats tend to show more pronounced gender differences. Male Siamese are often more affectionate and attached to their owners, while females can be more aloof and independent (3). However, these tendencies may vary from cat to cat.
(1) https://be.chewy.com/behavior-pet-facts-are-all-orange-cats-male-all-calico-cats-female/
(2) https://be.chewy.com/behavior-pet-facts-are-all-orange-cats-male-all-calico-cats-female/
(3) https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-44324-x
Regional Differences
There are some regional variations in the terms used for male and female cats:
In the United Kingdom, male cats are often called “toms” while females are called “queens.” This is the most common terminology used by breeders and veterinarians in the UK (Source).
In the United States, “tomcat” is commonly used for males and “molly” or “queen” for females. “Kitten” is used for young cats of either gender.
In Australia and New Zealand, “tom cat” is common for males and “molly” for females.
There are also some regional terms like “gib” for a male cat and “tib” for a female cat used in parts of England. In Lancashire, female cats can be called “furrybags.”
While there are some local variations, “tom/tomcat” and “queen” are the most widely used terms for male and female cats in English-speaking countries.
Historical Use
The concept of gender identity in animals, and specifically cats, is relatively new. While humans have long associated gender norms and stereotypes with pets, especially cats and dogs, the idea of animals having their own internal sense of gender is a more recent development.
The term “catgender” and related xenogenders originated in online LGBTQIA+ communities in the 2010s. These terms are used by some people to describe their own gender identity and how it connects to felines. According to the LGBTQIA+ Wiki, catgender falls under the xenogender umbrella, meaning genders that “cannot be contained by human understandings of gender”.
While the terminology is modern, throughout history cats have been anthropomorphized and assigned human attributes like gender. In ancient Egypt, cats were associated with feminine deities. During the medieval ages in Europe, cats were believed to be the companions of witches. And modern tropes portray male cats as independent and female cats as nurturing.
The catgender label allows people to move beyond stereotypes and express how they truly experience gender in relation to felines. It provides language for a complex felt sense of self. However, since catgender and related terms are new, research is limited on their historic significance.
Conclusion
In summary, there are several key terms to know when discussing cat gender. Male cats are referred to as toms, while female cats are referred to as queens. Cats that have been spayed or neutered may be called neutered males or spayed females. Kittens are referred to with gendered terms from birth.
While a cat’s biological sex is determined at birth, some cat owners feel their cats express a gender identity akin to human gender identities. The term “catgender” refers to someone whose gender identity aligns with feline attributes. This concept connects to the broader idea of xenogenders, or non-binary gender identities associated with animals, objects, or concepts.
Understanding cat gender terminology can help owners better understand their pets. It also sheds light on how some people perceive gender as extending beyond the male/female binary. With greater awareness, we can build more inclusive communities for people and animals alike.