Do Male Cats Purr More Than Females? The Surprising Truth

What Causes a Cat to Purr in the First Place?

More than just “I’m happy”

Okay, so first off — purring isn’t just a sign of happiness. Yeah, your cat might purr while curled up on your lap, looking like the poster child of feline peace. But cats also purr when they’re scared, injured, or even dying. Weird, right?

The sound is created by rapid twitching of the muscles within the larynx (voice box), combined with movement of the diaphragm. It's a whole body thing. Some researchers even believe purring has healing properties for cats. Like self-soothing. Sorta like when we hum in the shower after a bad day.

Is There a Gender Difference in Purring?

Anecdotes vs. science

Now to the burning question: do male cats actually purr more than females?

Short answer? Not really — at least, there’s no solid scientific evidence to say one gender purrs more than the other across the board.

BUT — and it’s a big “but” — a lot of cat owners swear their male cats are more vocal, cuddlier, and yes… purr a lot more. So is it real? Or just a coincidence?

Behavioral patterns can differ by sex

In general, male cats — especially when neutered — tend to be more affectionate. They often stick closer to their humans, seek out physical contact, and relax more openly. All of those things make them more likely to purr audibly and often.

Female cats, particularly if they’ve had kittens or aren’t spayed, can be a bit more independent or even territorial. Not always, of course — I had a tabby named Luna who was the clingiest thing ever — but statistically, that trend shows up.

So maybe it’s not about who can purr more, but rather who chooses to.

Hormones, Neutering, and Purring Habits

The testosterone effect

Unneutered male cats tend to be more territorial, aggressive, and constantly on the move. These guys? Not your typical lap purrers.

Once neutered, their testosterone drops, and their behavior often shifts drastically — they become calmer, more home-oriented, and yeah, sometimes extra snuggly. That’s when the purring comes in hot and heavy.

For females, spaying doesn’t always produce the same kind of personality shift. So in neutered cats, males may purr more simply because they’re chillin’ more.

Every cat’s different, though

Let’s not forget: cats are individuals. Like, seriously individual. One male cat might be a grumpy little loaf who never makes a sound, while a female could purr like a Harley engine all day long.

I once fostered a rescue — female, super skinny, missing half her tail — and she purred constantly, even at the vet. I thought something was wrong. Turns out, she was just... really, really into being alive.

What About Breed and Personality?

Breed can matter more than gender

Siamese, Ragdoll, Maine Coon — some breeds are just more vocal and affectionate than others. And by extension, they might purr more often.

A super social male Ragdoll will almost definitely purr more than a shy female Russian Blue. Or vice versa, depending on the individual.

So if you're basing purring habits on gender alone, you're missing a big part of the picture.

Early life matters too

Cats that were handled gently and frequently as kittens are often more comfortable expressing affection — and that means more purring. Trauma, neglect, or stress in kittenhood? That can shut down the purr response altogether, regardless of gender.

So… Do Male Cats Purr More?

Final thoughts (with a grain of catnip)

There’s no rulebook saying male cats purr more than females. But when you factor in neutering, behavior, and personality, it’s easy to see why so many people think they do.

Still, it’s not a competition. Whether your cat is a loud engine or a quiet observer, purring is just one way they communicate. Look at the eyes, the body language, the vibe. Cats are subtle — and honestly, that’s kinda what makes them awesome.

And hey, if your male cat purrs like crazy while flopping across your keyboard… maybe just enjoy it. You’ve clearly won the feline jackpot.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.