Most feral cats have bigger heads than domestic cats. It can be due to a genetic reason, and hormone levels might sometimes affect this condition. Since feral cats are not neutered, it is also a reason that they have big heads.
Every feral cat has a specific personality and growth pattern. Thus, some feral cats have bigger heads and smaller bodies. On the other hand, some cats have both big heads and bodies. Hence, this article will discuss why feral cats have big heads.
Reasons For Big Heads In Feral Cats
There are various reasons why feral cats have big heads. Some of them are as follows.
1. Lack Of Neutering
Unneutered feral cats have higher hormone levels because neutering decreases a cat’s sex hormone production. Hence, feral cats grow to a bigger size. The male cat’s face gets chubby, and its testosterone levels are enhanced. It is one of the reasons why they possess giant heads.
When you neuter a cat, it reduces the chances of objectionable behavior and affects the size of his body. Unneutered cats tend to develop bigger heads because of their testosterone level and are more aggressive. Thus, when you bring a feral cat home, you must spay and neuter it first.
2. Genetics
Every feral cat comes from a specific lineage and has different genetic conditions. Due to their family lineage, some feral cats are giants. So, depending on the breed, you can see a variation in the head size of the cat.
Some feral cats may arise from domestic ones that ran away, and these cats are smaller. On the other hand, some stray cats descend from large wildcats. Thus, they have larger heads.
Advantages Of Cats Having Big Heads
There are certain advantages of cats having big heads.
Advantages |
How Advantageous Is It? |
Bite Force |
Feral cats have a higher bite force quotient. The bite force quotient is a numerical value representing the strength of an animal’s bite. Since feral cats have large heads, this essentially enforces their bite quotient. |
Protection from Fighting |
These cats have big heads, large cheeks, jowls, and a prominent snout. Additionally, the bones of such cats are more extended and dense. It not only provides them with protection while fighting but also creates a fierce look so that they can hunt prey.
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Differences Between Feral And Domestic Cats
We have discussed the head size difference between feral and domestic cats. The following are some other differences between the two.
1. Physical Differences
The most striking difference between feral cats and domestic cats is their size. Since feral cats have bigger heads, they are also stronger. Including the tail, the length of a domestic cat is a maximum of 80 cm, whereas, in the case of wildcats, it is 120 cm. Also, the fur of wildcats is thicker and more gray-brown compared to a typical domestic cat’s pattern.
2. Behavioral Differences
One of the most important behavioral differences between stray and feral cats is their association with humans. Since feral cats grow up in the wild, they have a defense mode, for which they become loud and aggressive when they see a human. Therefore, it is vital to be careful when domesticating them.
Since you know more about feral cats, you can learn how to bring them home to keep them as pets.
How To Domesticate Feral Cats?
The following are the steps to domesticate feral cats.
1. Let The Feral Cat Initiate Contact
When you are looking to tame a feral cat, you must let the cat come to you and establish contact. You can interact with it when you notice it hanging out near you, and it seems comfortable in your company.
2. Offer The Cat Food
Once the feral cat is comfortable with you, you can start interacting with it differently. One of the ways is by offering food to the cat at the same time every day.
You will notice that the cat comes to you often, which is an effective way of taming it. You can feed it with the Meow Mix Dry Cat Food, which has balanced nutrition and is suitable for a feral cat.
3. Desensitize The Feral Cat To Human Contact
For most cats, human activities can be frightening. It includes being touched, hearing other people speak, hearing doors open, and listening to music. The cat can become anxious due to all these noises.
Make sure the cat becomes accustomed to these noises so they aren’t frightening or distracting anymore. It could take some time, but gradually expose the sounds as you engage with it.
4. Do Not Pick It Up Until It Is Ready
It is essential to understand that feral cats are unaware of human touch. Thus, they might turn violent if you suddenly try to pick them up.
Try to get the cat comfortable around you for some time and offer them that space. As they become aware of your touch, they will start trusting you and come to you independently.
5. Invite The Cat Inside
After regularly interacting with your feral cat, you can invite the cat to your own space. The cat will only accept the invitation if it is comfortable with all the human sounds. You can invite it inside by leaving the door open or placing some food and water at your door.
6. Respect The Cat’s Space
Once you have welcomed your cat to your home, you must respect their space. You cannot expect the cat to be domesticated in your house instantly. Try to confine it to a small room with food, water, and a litter box.
Summing Up
There are various reasons why feral cats have bigger heads, but it is mainly related to lineage and genetics. It also has some inherent advantages. However, before you bring a stray cat home, follow a stepwise procedure to let them inside.
Although feral cats are larger and more challenging to train, you can quickly establish a rapport with them if they initiate contact. You will get to know the cat over time and eventually invite it to your house.
