If a Male Cat Is a Tom, What Is a Female?

You’ve probably heard the terms “tomcat” or “tom” in reference to cats, but do you know what those terms mean? Have you ever wondered what a female cat is called?

Naming conventions for cats tend to be informal and casual, so it’s unlikely that your veterinarian will use a term like “tom” to describe your cat. If you’d like to know more about the terms “tomcat” and “tom,” and whether there’s a female cat name, peruse the questions and answers below.

Q1: What does the term “tomcat” mean?

“Tomcat” is an informal term for an unneutered male cat; it is not a medical classification. The term is thought to have originated from the 1760 book ‘The Life and Adventures of a Cat,’ in which the main character was a male cat named Tom. Tom avidly pursued female cats, hence the term “tomcat” being used to describe male cats that roam and fight for mates.

Any unneutered male cat could be called a “tomcat.” Still, the term is typically reserved for outdoor male cats that are aggressive and roam long distances to mate, displaying behaviors such as spraying to mark territory and vocalizing loudly to attract females and fend off other males.

Q2: Is there a specific term for a female cat?

You may ask yourself, “If a male cat is a tom, what is a female?” There isn’t direct equivalent female cat terminology, but unspayed female cats used for breeding are commonly called “queens.” Outside of the cat breeding world, a female cat is simply called a female cat, even if she is unspayed.

Q3: What other cat sex terms might owners encounter?

There are a few cat sex terms that would be helpful for you to be familiar with:

• Neuter/castrate: ‘Neuter’ and ‘castrate’ refer to surgically removing a male cat’s testicles.
• Spay: A spay, also called an ovariohysterectomy, is the surgical removal of a female cat’s uterus and ovaries.
• Kitten/kit: A young cat, either male or female.
• Tomcat: An informal term for an unneutered male cat.
• Queen: Cat definition is "an unspayed female cat used for breeding."

Remember that “queen” is used primarily in breeding circles, and “male cat” and “female cat” are used in casual conversation to describe a cat’s sex.

Q4: Do these terms matter for daily cat care?

The terms described in the previous section have little influence on daily cat care. What is most important is to know a cat’s sex, overall health, and reproductive status.

Reproductive status is highly relevant to a cat’s overall health, so knowing this information is far more important than whether a cat is called a “tomcat” or a “queen.” Your vet will note your cat’s reproductive status in their veterinary records, helping to guide discussions about your cat's health.

Q5: How can I tell if a cat is male or female?

You can look for anatomical differences, such as testicles on a male, but the testicles on a domesticated male cat aren’t always easy to locate. Female cats have a vertically oriented vaginal opening near the anus.

If you’re unsure about your cat’s sex, your veterinarian can confidently determine whether your cat is male or female. Most veterinarians will check a cat's sex during a wellness exam or when administering vaccinations.

Health Over Categorization

The term “tomcat” has been around for hundreds of years and is informally used to describe an intact male cat that roams far and wide in search of a mate. However, the term is not an official medical classification of male cats. Additionally, there is no female equivalent to “tomcat,” but the term “queen” is used to describe intact female cats used for breeding.

Rather than trying to memorize a list of terms, focus on your cat’s health and behavior, along with what your cat needs to enjoy a good quality of life and overall healthy well-being.