Tomcat Tomfoolery
I was going through some old photos and found some of Domino when he was a feral tomcat. He demonstrates the classic secondary sexual characteristics of an unneutered male cat. Unneutered male cats may or may not be feral and male ferals may or may not be unneutered depending on if they are part of TNR (Trap/neuter/release program). All unneutered cats are prone roaming and territorial aggression which neutering curbs. But unneutered males are called tomcats unless they are purebred cats meant for breeding and they’re called studs. Confused yet? The only thing we want to say is: neuter/spay!
The fat jowls and thick neck are nature’s way of protecting the most likely areas to be injured in territorial fights and during mating. Most cats these days are neutered before reaching puberty and never develop these features. Since Domino was neutered his cheeks remained just as fat but his thick neck has softened. His neck used to be an impenetrable as armor and now it’s pliable and responds well to massage. We think he is just as charming and sexy as ever and…
19 Comments
Lee
I’m leaving my Bubbas’ parts and pieces where God put them. There is no imperical evidence sustaining the practice of wholesale spaying/neutering of feral feline populations. Nature can take care of itself! If you really want to help felines, take the time to do a little research and boycott the companies that use felines in their research. Be well! Domino is a handsome man!!! ♡♡♡
Layla Morgan Wilde
If we leave cat and nature, they will and do reproduce. Your Bubba can father hundreds of unwanted kittens a year. I’m well aware of cats and research but the kindest research proves spay/neuter does work.
Anonymous
And sadly, this is the attitude of so many unthinking people. There is a ton of empirical evidence (I assume that’s what you meant) in favour of neutering. Your ‘Bubba’ is more likely to fight, more likely to stray, more likely to contract FIV and a host of other fighting-related disease, not to mention siring a load more kittens, that will likely be unwanted and keep the rescue system full to bursting. I certainly agree that nature takes care of itself, but your cat is not in ‘nature’. He lives with you and is therefore domesticated. He will also be disrupting the lives of other responsible owners who have had theirs neutered/spayed/vaccinated, by fighting with and impregnating their cats, so it is not just your own life you are disrupting. You self-righteous moron.
Kimiaaaa
This comment is one of the most ridiculous things I have read in awhile. Congrats on that haha 😂. Soo …. apparently no “imperical (which you spelled wrong btw it’s ‘empirical’) evidence suggesting the practice of wholesale spaying/neutering feral cats”. The word wholesale does not make any sense in that sentence either. Girl TNR and other spay/ Neuter clinics aren’t Costco ??? So I just had to comment on this ignorant post. Nature could have taken care of itself and I’m sure it did prior to humans interference and domesticating far too many species; now there is a surplus of certain species that have been left in the wild who have to adapt to survive (even invasive species in certain countries). For example- the domesticated cat (feline catus) that we are speaking of. Then you say if people really cared they should do some researching on their own and boycott companies that use felines in their research. Poor “Lee”, you are so oblivious to what is actually happening. Your cat(s) are not spayed/ neutered, probably not vaccinated, or tested for FeLV/ FIV nor are being protected from external (fleas and ticks etc) or internal ( numerous parasites). And you’ve been allowing your cat(s) to go outdoors, also to procreate with any female / male cat they come across. So please do some research on the things I have mentioned plus on this website and many other credible websites. Speak with your local veterinary office or humane society; they can provide you with information containing credible sources- such as scholarly journals, articles, books, and research studies to back up their findings/ opinions. So … Please do not spread your clear lack of knowledge on the internet without doing some actual researching on your own. Let’s all do our best to help the kitties 🐈⬛ 🐈 🐱 and other animals too!
Pauline
Quality articles or reviews is the main to be
a focus for the viewers to visit the website, that’s what
this web site is providing.
Hairless Cat
Hi Layla,
I always spay or neuter my foster cats if it hasn’t been done already.
However, the one thing that has always bothered me is neutering a male before they reach sexual maturity.
I neuter them early anyways, but then they don’t get the protection of the thicker neck and jowls, which leaves them vulnerable should they get in a fight some day. It nags at me a bit when I bring them in to get neutered.
I also can’t help but wonder if they don’t grow as much or get as muscular as a result. That bothers me too but isn’t enough to stop me from the benefits of neutering them early.
Good article.
=^-^= Hairless Cat Girl =^-^=
Oui Oui
Domino is very manly with or without jowls and a thick neck! BTW, we didn’t know that before, how interesting how nature looks after us! Our Carl also has a “small”, sweet voice. The mom loves it except when he sings in the middle of the night.
Penelope Cat From Hell
Me thinks Domino is very studly!
Kisses
Nellie
The Island Cats
Well we learned something today! We didn’t know unneutered male cats had big cheeks and thick necks! That’s because we’re neutered males! Spay/neuter! That’s the way to go!!
Wally & Ernie
Abby
Domino we all think you are so handsome!
purrs
>^,,^<
♥Abby♥Boo♥Ping♥Jinx♥Grace♥
Katnip Lounge
I just LOVE me some Tomcat jowls…but it’s not worth the kittens, that’s for sure! Our Maui when he came in was quite the stinky tom, and he’s still got that wide face.
CATachresis
I didn’t know most of that! Very informative, thanks xx
Anni
I was quite shocked when I rescued my big tom from outside. Big in lots of places I had never seen! 🙂 He has softened up quite a bit too now that is is neutered.
Brian
You are always the handsome mancat Domino!
Random Felines
We agree – SPAY & NEUTER!!! (that being said, mom admits to loving her some big tomcat cheeks to squeeze…..)
Pam Kimmell
Hey Domino! We formerly ferals are “livin’ the life” aren’t we?
Kitty Hugs, Sammy
Kathryn
Oh, that really explains a lot. I always sort of wondered if that was why Domino had heavy jowls. He is so cute.
Now, as to why Cheddar looks and sounds like a girl…. Hmmm. Just one of those pretty boycats who squeak.
boomermuse
@Kathryn, maybe Ched is a metrosexual 😉
@Pam & Sammy, you bet!
@Random Felines, I have to admit I love Domino’s super-sized cheeks!
@Brian, thanksand we think more handsome since neutering.
RavynG
I have noticed through the years that boy cats have sweet little meows and the girl cats have rougher/deeper voices. My boys will meow pretty for me and the girls croak! I even call my sweet petite little Myssi “Crocky” because she sounds like crocodile babies calling mama! And I notice that all boy cats have sweeter meows–feral and inside, neutered or not. But both genders chirp and click the same.