Are male cats bigger than females? The answer is probably yes. Male cats are taller, and an intact male has rounder cheeks than a neutered cat. Testosterone in the male cat’s blood helps him develop fuller cheeks, which are designed to attract female cats and humans. On average, male cats are two to three pounds larger than female cats. But why are male cats bigger? The reasons may surprise you.
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Chimerism causes male cats to be bigger than female cats
The cause of chimerism in cats is unclear. Basically, it has to do with the fact that their two sets of DNA are completely different, originating in two separate zygotes in the womb. The X chromosomes, the genetic material that determines colour, are from different sets of cells. Females inherit one color from their mothers, while males inherit the other.
Despite this, most people tend to focus on tortoiseshell or red-and-white males. However, this phenomenon does not only affect male cats. Blue and black-and-white chimeras are also possible. In fact, Jeremy Angel documented a male that was blue-black-white in Japan back in the 1980s. The blue-black-white chimera was probably a XY/XY chimera with a mixture of dilute and non-dilute coat pigment.
Male tortoiseshell cats are chimeras. This split coloration is caused by two embryos merging. Human fertility treatments, such as IVF, have not been proven to increase the chances of chimerism in cats. Chimerism in cats is rare. It is also a genetically predisposed trait. If you want to know why male cats are bigger than females, read on!
Male cats have more angular cheekbones
If you’re a cat lover, you’ve probably noticed that male cats have more angular cheekbones than females. The difference isn’t so much because of gender, but rather the shape of their cheeks. Male cats have blockier cheekbones and thicker snouts, which allows them to survive more attacks from female cats and to win the affection of the females. Their angular cheekbones are similar to those of bulldogs, but they’re not as exaggerated as the ones of these cats.
Male cats’ faces tend to be larger and more rounded, while females tend to have more delicate, feminine facial features. They also tend to have broader cheekbones than their female counterparts. The shape of their snouts depends on how they were de-sexed, but males generally have bigger cheekbones and a blockier, more angular face. The width of their nose wings is also wider on male cats.
Male cats have smaller urethra
A larger urethra means less room for the urine to pass. It is not uncommon for male cats to experience urinary blockages. However, this is rarely a problem for female cats. The male urethra is longer and wider, and narrower as it enters the penis. When the urethra becomes blocked, material can accumulate and cause a urethral plug, which can lead to life-threatening obstruction.
The symptoms of a blocked urethra are similar to those of idiopathic cystitis. A partially blocked urethra causes abnormally high pH and electrolytes in urine. The condition affects approximately 10% of feline cases seen in small animal clinics. While the cause is unknown, many factors can contribute to a blocked urethra, including infection, cancer, or injury. Inflammation of the urethra may also cause a narrowing of the tube. Male and female cats are both susceptible to urethral obstruction. In some cases, obesity or a diet consisting mainly of dry food may also contribute to a clogged urethra.
Male cats are more prone to lash out if they’re frightened or in pain
Feline aggression is very common, especially among male cats. They are less likely to defend themselves if they feel threatened or in pain than females do. Cats also display aggression in stressful environments, including households with multiple cats and fighting between them. They also tend to act out the dynamics of human families. So how do you prevent your cat from acting out?
Pain-induced aggression in cats can be directed toward objects or people. Even well-socialized cats may exhibit aggression when an object or a person touches a tender area. Pain-related aggression is typically associated with dental disease, soft tissue injuries, arthritis, and other medical conditions. Aggression that occurs suddenly is also often caused by neurological problems, such as dementia, deafness, or cognitive decline.