What Are Tomcat impertinence ?
Chunky , squishy , and oh - so - pinchable , there ’s nothing cute than cat cheeks . Some breeds , like theSiamese , have lean grimace while others , like theBritish shorthair , have rounder facial feature . But sometimes you ’ll see a computerized tomography with impossibly huge impertinence — these are call " tomcat buttock . "
characterise by their almost swollen coming into court , these chubby cat cheek are normally seen on unneutered males . But what causes these pumped - up cheeks , anyway ?
Photo: Марина Красавина / Adobe Stock
Why Do Tomcats Have Large Cheeks?
To put it merely : testosterone . Chubby brass are specific to unneutered manlike computed axial tomography , but it ’s important to bang that not all unneutered males train these egotistic cheeks . The impressive jowl are also not fat , but rather thickened skin .
According to Best Friends , a nonprofit that partner with animal welfare groups across the U.S. , testosterone levels alone wo n’t make a guy ’s cheeks ultra - chunky . But that testosterone does do males to wander and get into fights — and this behavior can make a computerized tomography ’s cheek grow .
" [ The cheek ] increase in size mostly due to scrap , when the body develops scar tissue , " state Melissa Lesinsky , board member , cobalt - founder , and aesculapian and adoption coordinator atSouthern Arizona Cat Rescue . " The with child jowls also furnish protection to their face , heart , and neck opening during competitiveness with other males . "
Could Something Else Be Causing My Cat’s Swollen Face?
Testosterone levels and scrap are n’t the only factor that can make a cat ’s cheeks to become vain . If your altered , indoor house cat suddenly has tumefy in the brass , it could alternatively be splice to various other health stipulation , including :
These conditions can be painful for your kitty . If you notice any abnormal swelling or puffiness , it ’s important to meet your veterinarian for an appointee as soon as you could .
At What Age Do Male Cats' Cheeks Start Getting Big?
Lesinsky enunciate a qat will start develop his ruffianly impertinence skin when he reaches sexual maturity . agree to VCA Animal Hospitals , most cats make sexual maturity when they ’re around 6 months old , though this can motley depending on the time of year .
What to Do If You Find a Chubby-Cheeked Cat Outdoors
If you ’re enjoying a warm saltation Clarence Shepard Day Jr. on your porch and suddenly a cat-o'-nine-tails with egotistical brass walks across your yard , he ’s likely a roaming ( and unneutered ! ) male person . And he should n’t be cut .
Trap - Neuter - Release , or TNR , should be your go - to programme , Lesinsky says . This practice involves humanely trapping the kat and getting him neutered . If the cat is feral and clearly uncomfortable around humans , bring out him back where you ground him . If he ’s friendly , Lesinsky say to take him to a shelter or rescue that can find him a forever home .
TNR can mean the deviation between a long , respectable life and death for bountiful - cheek big cat . Unneutered , free - roll manful computed tomography live an norm of less than two geezerhood , according to the Spay - Neuter Assistance Program ( SNAP ) . get a stray fixed also aid with overpopulation . Female cats can farm an average of three litters each year , according to SNAP , and the average bit of kitty per bedding material is four to six .
" Neutering has many health benefits , " Lesinsky says . " In my years , I ’ve met so many big tomcat that have huge jowls who became the biggest teddy bears once moved indoors . "
Chubby cheeks are precious on babies , but they ’re also adorable on cats . Best Friends .
Oral Cavity Tumors . Cornell Feline Health Center .
Estrous Cycles in Cats . VCA Animal Hospitals .
