If you’re a true cat lover, then you have probably noticed that there are many different cat breeds with different personalities and appearances.
Among all of them, there are many cats with big heads, which makes their appearance even more interesting.
This usually refers to larger cat breeds; however, there are those whose heads are bigger relative to their small bodies.
Besides the actual breeds, you have probably noticed that cats with big heads are often males, or tomcats, which is why it’s often easy to differentiate them from females from a distance.
So, if you wish to learn why some cats have bigger heads, just keep reading and enjoy learning new things about our pet cats!
Why Do Cats With Big Heads Exist?
There are many cats with big heads, for different reasons. One of the main reasons is that male cats are usually bigger than females, and they also have bigger heads, which I will discuss later on in the article.
Another possible reason for cats having big heads is that it is part of the physical features of a specific breed.
Further on in the article, there are 13 breeds of cats with big heads, so you can check them out. But now, let’s ask why do male cats have bigger heads and if there are any benefits from having a larger head.
Male Cats’ Heads Vs Female Cats’ Heads
Male cats or tomcats usually have bigger heads than female cats. As it is the case with their overall physical appearance, male cats are slightly bigger than female cats in most cases.
When you see kittens, it may be difficult to determine whether the specific kitten is a male or a female unless you take a look at their genitals.
However, when it comes to adult and mature cats, it’s easy for many cat lovers to distinguish a tomcat from a female because males have bigger heads, stronger bodies, fatter cheeks, longer whiskers, and similar.
The right explanation for this lies in male cats’ hormones. Tomcats produce a male sex hormone called testosterone which is responsible for muscle development and allows them to grow strong, just like with humans, but not female cats.
As a result of these hormones, unneutered cats have stronger and bigger bodies as well as bigger heads.
Some female cats may appear to be larger than some males, and that usually depends on the specific cat breed, genetics, and the cat’s lifestyle.
Most experts think that male cats have bigger heads for a specific reason. For example, male cats, especially unaltered ones, are often very territorial, which may lead to many catfights. Their fat chubby cheeks protect their face from injuries during the fights.
Suggested: 12 Breeds Of Cat With Small Heads That Look Adorable
Why Don’t Neutered Males Have Big Heads?
Unneutered male cats usually don’t have big heads, but how is that possible?
If you neuter a young male cat before he matures, the testes, which are the main source of testosterone, are completely removed; therefore, the cat cannot develop such strong muscles and bones or have such a big head.
Although you can neuter your cat at any age, most experts usually recommend neutering your cats before they reach maturity, as that can be helpful in reducing unwanted behaviors.
Such behaviors include spraying, aggressive behavior, preventing accidental litters, and health problems such as cancers.
However, neutered cats have higher risks of bone fractures as their bones aren’t as developed or as dense as those in an intact male cat.
So, unneutered male cats won’t be as big and strong as intact ones, but whether you should neuter your cat or not depends on you, and you can always ask for veterinary advice.
13 Breeds Of Cat With Big Heads
1. Siberian Cat
Siberian cats are one of the largest cat breeds. On top of their large, long-haired bodies, they have a big head with pointed ears. As usual, male cats are larger than females and may weigh up to 17 pounds.
Besides being so large, these cats are extremely gentle and affectionate. Their favorite activities are cuddling and following their owners everywhere.
So, even though they may look big and fierce, they’re just big furbabies and very suitable for calm and easy-going families.
2. Maine Coon
Maine coon cats are one of the largest breed of cats. Not only do they have big, muscular bodies, they also have big heads, which is why they’re on this list. These cats may reach a weight of 25 pounds.
Their bodies are covered with long and thick fur, which allows them to maintain their body temperature during extreme colds.
Despite their large appearance, these cats are extremely energetic, intelligent, and friendly, which makes them so easy to socialize to ensure they are perfect and lovely family pets.
3. Norwegian Forest Cat
Just like the previous two cat breeds, the Norwegian Forest cat is another large cat breed that has a big head and strong body.
Moreover, their bodies are covered with a thick, water-repellent coat that allows them to survive in extremely cold places.
Still, these cats, too, are very friendly and can be great family pets, however, when it comes to other pets, they may need more time to adapt to them.
4. Ragdoll Cat
Ragdoll cats are definitely one of the sweetest cat breeds, in both their appearance and personality.
They have large bodies and big heads with fat cheeks. Male Ragdoll cats may weigh up to 20 pounds, while females are slightly smaller than them.
Besides their beautiful appearance, these cats are extremely calm and friendly. Because of their easy-going personality, they’re great family pets, especially for first-time cat owners or for families with other pets.
The best thing about Ragdolls is that they won’t mind being cuddled and picked up all the time, as that is their favorite activity.
5. Turkish Van
The Turkish Van is a beautiful big cat that appears to have a larger head. These cats may weigh up to 18 pounds, and they have strong athletic bodies, which allow them to be so energetic.
These cats are real sports cats because they adore different activities, such as swimming. However, even though they have high energy levels, they also enjoy cuddles and interaction with their favorite humans.
6. Ragamuffin
We can say that the Ragamuffin cat is a Ragdoll’s twin. They are very similar, which is why the Ragamuffin cat is on the list of cats with big heads too.
This breed is unusual because they only reach their full size when they reach 5 years of age. Male cats can reach up to 20 pounds, while females may weigh up to 15 pounds.
Besides their adorable appearance, they have even more adorable personalities. Just like Ragdolls, they adore attention and affection and lots of cuddles, which makes them perfect for families with children.
7. Persian Cat
Although these cats are characterized by their flat faces, they have really big heads. They have beautiful long hair, which may be difficult to maintain, and which comes in a variety of different colors and patterns.
Besides being one of the most popular cat breeds, Persian cats are also one of the oldest domesticated cats. The best thing about them, besides their appearance, is that they have an easy-going personality.
These cats are usually described as very lazy and adore cuddling and attention more than play or any kind of exercise activity.
Therefore, they need a calm environment where they’ll be able to enjoy and live a normal life without many changes in their routines or around them.
8. Savannah Cat
The Savannah cat is an exotic cat breed that is considered to be one of the biggest cats of all. There are several types of Savannah cats and, depending on the type, they may have different weights.
Some Savannah cats may even reach a weight of 30 pounds. Besides being energetic, these kitties are also friendly and intelligent. Still, as these cats have wilder genes, they’re not recommended for first-time and inexperienced cat owners.
9. American Bobtail
Among many tailless breeds, the American Bobtail is thought to be the largest. These cats have strong bodies and big heads, with large and round eyes.
The most distinct feature of the American bobtail cat is the tail which is small and curled and is more like a bunny’s tail than that of a cat.
Moreover, these cats may weigh up to 15 pounds, and they may have an exotic appearance due to their tails; however, these cats are very affectionate and can be great pets.
10. British Shorthair Cat
British Shorthair cats can be found on the list of cats with big heads because their round heads seem to be bigger than their bodies. Moreover, they have big eyes, rounded ears, and chubby cheeks.
They have short coats, but still, they appear to be very fluffy. These pedigree cats may reach a weight of 18 pounds.
When it comes to their personality, they’re very funny and clumsy, but also lovely and extremely friendly, which makes them so popular among cat lovers.
Although they’re not lap cats and may prefer to enjoy somewhere else by themselves, they still enjoy being the center of attention.
11. Chausie Cat
The Chausie cat breed is considered to be very rare, and it’s hardly surprising considering that these exotic-looking cats originate from the Egyptian jungles.
The Chausie cat breed may reach a weight of 20 pounds, and they have elegant, athletic bodies.
Despite their size, these cats are lovely, affectionate pets who adore interacting with humans most of all.
12. American Shorthair Cat
American Shorthair cats are medium-sized cats with strong bodies and larger heads relative to the size of their body.
Their soft short hair may appear in different colors and patterns. This breed is very popular among cat lovers because they’re extremely affectionate and playful but also intelligent.
They’re not too dependent on their humans, like other cat breeds, such as Ragdoll cats, but they still like interacting with their owners.
Even though these cats are great cat pets nowadays, in the past, they were excellent hunters, which is why people kept them around their homes.
13. Scottish Fold
The Scottish Fold cat has an interesting appearance due to its folded ears which is the result of a genetic mutation. Their bodies are long, but they may have short legs and necks, which makes their head seem larger than the rest of the body.
As far as their personality is concerned, these cats are very affectionate, quiet, and friendly. They can be extremely playful, but still, they prefer snuggling on the couch with their favorite human.
As Scottish Fold cats are extremely attached to their owners, they don’t like being left alone for long periods of time, which is an important thing to remember for everyone who plans on getting one as a new feline friend.
FAQ
How Does A Cat’s Head Size Affect Their Health?
Male cats usually have big heads and chubby cheeks that serve them as protection during cat fights or other possible injuries. But in many cases, a cat’s head size may affect its health.
This usually refers to specific cat breeds. For example, brachycephalic cats (cats with flat faces), such as Persians, may have many issues due to their head shape and size. The most common issues are respiratory problems, watery eyes, and severe eye issues.
What Are Some Other Features Of A Cat With a Big Head?
Usually, intact male cats have big heads due to the male sex hormone testosterone, which helps their body, muscles, and bones to grow stronger and bigger. Male cats are almost always slightly bigger than females, and other features they may have are long whiskers and fat chubby cheeks.
Final Words
So, if you have ever seen a cat with a big head, you have probably seen an adult male cat.
For some people, it may be very easy to distinguish a tomcat from a female cat as males have larger and stronger bodies, and bigger heads, along with long whiskers and chubby cheeks that serve them as protection.
Male cats are usually slightly bigger than females, and the reason for that is the male sex hormone called testosterone.
However, if you neuter your male cat before he reaches the age of maturity, he probably won’t have a big head or body due to a lack of testosterone as the testes are removed during the procedure.
There are several cat breeds that are known for their large heads, which I have discussed in this article.
Finally, I hope that now you’re able to answer the question, why do male cats have bigger heads, and that you’ll be able to distinguish them from females from now on without having to look at their genitals first.
Related Articles
• 10 Curly-Haired Cat Breeds You Have To Check Out (With Photos)
• List Of Biggest Cat Breeds On Earth (20 Domestic Cats)
• Top 18 Long Haired Cat Breeds: Grey Stunners (With Pictures)