Do tomcats have teats?

If you notice small lumps on your cat’s belly, it may give you a scare. Are they ticks, tumors or something else?
The question arises whether they could also be teats. After all, these are present in some male mammals even though they serve no purpose.
If your male cat has lumps or protruding formations, you should take a closer look. Because it could well be pathological changes.

In this article you will learn whether male cats have teats and how you can distinguish them from lumps or tumors. We’ll also show you the importance of regular health checks and the myths that still surround hangovers, teats and breast cancer.

Do male cats have teats?

Yes, just like female cats, males, boars and males, male cats also have teats.
Of course, they do not fulfill the function of suckling the offspring after a birth. Nevertheless, they are formed.
So, if you find apparent nodules while petting, grooming or checking the physical health of your cat, it is not automatically a cause for concern.

Nevertheless, you should take a closer look, because the teats of male cats are usually very small and hardly noticeable. This makes them easy to confuse with other – problematic – formations.

How many teats do male cats have?

On average, cats and also males have six to eight teats, which are arranged in pairs.

However, more or less are also possible.
They sit parallel to each other running lengthwise on the chest and abdomen.

In cats and males, the teats are usually small and inconspicuous. In addition, they are hidden by the fur.

Therefore, they are usually only noticed when you extensively scratch, brush or examine your cat’s belly.

Then, however, you should look closely. Suddenly noticeable or even visible teats or lumps can also indicate a problem.

What do the teats of male cats look like?

In order to see the teats clearly, you must first stroke the surrounding fur outwards in a circle in all directions. This works best if you lightly wet your finger or use a washcloth directly.

The teats should be the same color as the surrounding skin and should be only one to two millimeters in size and protruding.

They are still clearly defined and look like tiny warts.

How can tumors be distinguished from teats?

Teats are non-irritating, inconspicuous and no more sensitive than the rest of the abdomen. They are arranged in pairs and parallel. In addition, they stand out clearly above the skin.

These characteristics do not apply to tumors. These manifest themselves as lumps under the skin and look like a swelling, at least initially.

When do you need to take your cat to the vet?

A visit to the vet with your male cat is always advised when one or more of the following apply:

• Discoloration
• Redness
• swellings
• Lumps around the teats
• discharge
• sensitivity to pressure and pain
• sticky coat
• heat development

Hair loss around the teats
Various problems are possible causes. Among them, for example, inflammations, benign or malignant tumors and hormonal fluctuations.

Can male cats get breast cancer?
Yes, just as in other male mammals, breast cancer can occur in male cats.

Mammary tumors – tumors in the breast area – are more common in cats and other female mammals, but males also have breast tissue that can develop cancer cells.

Therefore, palpate your male cat regularly and thoroughly. If you feel a lump near a teat, it needs to be checked out by a veterinarian.

This usually requires a biopsy or direct removal of the lump and subsequent examination of the cells.

The following applies: The earlier degenerated cells are detected and removed, the smaller the intervention and the better the chances of recovery.

Can hangovers produce milk?

The answer might surprise you, because it is: Yes, tomcats can produce milk.

They have the necessary tissue and glands. If a tomcat has the appropriate hormonal structure and is stimulated to do so, for example, by proximity to kittens, milk production can occur.

Among other things, this can result in milk stasis or mastitis.
However, such cases occur so rarely that even veterinarians with long professional experience are shocked as the following real example shows you:

The owner of a three year old, neutered Maine Coon male, while brushing out the coat on her belly, notices several hard nodules about the size of a grain of rice to a pea around the teats. Just a few days earlier, the tissue was smooth and soft.

Concerned, she immediately sought out a veterinarian. Once there, a female veterinarian and a veterinary assistant are amused that breast cancer is suspected – after all, this does not occur in male cats and male animals in general, they think.

After the palpation examination, the experienced veterinarian is as concerned as the owner herself, suspects breast cancer and immediately plans a biopsy.

During the minor procedure, he determines that the lumps are trapped and thus solidified milk.

Since neither the veterinarian nor the colleagues he consults have ever heard of such a thing, it is initially suspected that the male cat could be a hermaphrodite.

However, further investigations rule this out.

Due to the newly moved in, malnourished and adopted foster male, the Maine Coon apparently had more than just maternal feelings for the kitten. His body had also adjusted to caring for the orphaned kitten.

Do little cats already have teats?

Yes, cats and males are born with developed teats. So in this respect they are no different from humans, dogs or monkeys.

In fact, the teats are more noticeable in the first few days after birth because the fur is still very short. If you gently run your fingers over the belly, you can feel or even easily see the tiny protrusions.

Teats in male cats
It should come as no surprise that male cats have teats. However, many people still believe that they are found on female cats alone.

Therefore, you should never make the sex determination of kittens solely dependent on the nipples.

Likewise, you should perform frequent and accurate checks on adult animals. Male cats can also develop tumors on the chest – or simply have a tick stuck on the spot.