Feline superfetation explained in an INFOGRAPHIC

Feline superfetation explained in an infographic. by Michael Broad Superfetation Explained (in humans) How common in cats? The exact percentage of cats that experience superfetation is not well-documented, as it is considered an extremely rare phenomenon in feline reproduction. Most of the available information is anecdotal or comes from isolated veterinary case reports rather …

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INFOGRAPHIC explains trans-generational effects of prenatal stress in cats and other mammals

Trans-generational effects of prenatal stress in cats and other mammals in an infographic

‘Trans-generational’ means: through the generations i.e. something that is passed down or extends across multiple generations. In various contexts, it describes processes, effects, behaviors, or patterns that are inherited or transmitted from one generation to the next. ‘Prenatal’ means: relating to the medical and other care given to pregnant females before their offspring are born. I have converted this interesting research (cited below) into …

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Female domestic cats live longer than male domestic cats (big 2019 UK study)

Female domestic cats live longer than male domestic cats

Along the lines of humans, female domestic cats live longer than male domestic cats according to a very comprehensive UK study from an available population of 1.25 million cats under veterinary care across six veterinary groups during 2019-2021 (published May 7, 2024). The study is about lifespan (which I have discussed in another article) …

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Can cats be asexual?

Intact male tortoiseshell is asexual

I’m referring to domestic cats. The word “asexual” means to lack the desire to have sex. Both intact male and female domestic cats naturally desire to procreate and therefore have sex. It would be a rare cat indeed who was genuinely asexual because it’s in the DNA of intact domestic cats to procreate in …

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Domestic cat maternal aggression

Domestic cat maternal aggression is instinctive

Domestic cat maternal aggression is also referred to as maternal protective aggression. It’s what you think it is: a queen’s protective behaviour towards perceived threats to her kittens. It’s a natural instinct when she is caring for her young. In Peter Neville’s book Do Cats Need Shrinks? a client of his, Susan Swift, asked …

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Unneutered male cats have a more masculine facial appearance compared to neutered male cats

Tomcat jowls created by the presence of testosterone

This is a discussion about whether the neutering of male cats (castration) changes their facial appearance. It can also have an impact on their overall appearance indirectly i.e. lower metabolism leading to putting on weight. But I’m focusing on the face. My argument is that it feminises the male cat face by making it …

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Cushing’s disease in cats – it’s rare and more common in dogs

Cushing's disease in cats

Cushing’s disease in cats or hyperadrenocorticism is an endocrine disorder (endocrine system secretes hormones) in which the adrenal glands persistently produce an excess of cortisol, creating an imbalance of hormones in the body. Cushing’s disease appears to be sex-linked in that 75% of cases occur in female cats. The disease can affect cats as …

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Castration of male domestic cats increases hair length from short to medium

Does neutering male cats make then less strong?

In a study by A.G. Searle, University College, London, entitled Gene frequencies in London’s cats, which was carried out in the summer of 1947, it was concluded that “There is a significant tendency for male castration to increase hair length from short to medium… It is well established that castration inhibits baldness in Man.”

Castration cause hair to grow
Castration cause hair to grow. Extract from the report mentioned.

My research does confirm that castration of a man will stop the balding process. You can’t reverse baldness with castration but you can stop it getting worse. Mr Searle uses that information, which appears to be accepted by the experts, to support the notion that castration of male domestic cats leads to an increase in hair length from short to medium.

My research on the Internet produced nothing which supports that assessment. That does not mean that it is incorrect. It just means that it has not been discussed and/or any discussions have not been reported on the Internet.

Male cat neutering
Male cat neutering. Photo: O’Dwyer and Jones vets.

It is a very interesting thought nonetheless. This is partly because a very high percentage of male domestic cats are castrated i.e. sterilised or neutered to use another word. And nobody has ever told me that it might increase the hair length of a cat. And I would be confident in saying that a veterinarian has hardly ever if ever told their customer that their shorthaired cat is going to have medium length hair after the neutering operation 😉. And nobody has reported that effect on my website. And indeed, my cat’s hair length did not change after he was neutered. Or that, at least, is my impression.

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