What Is a Female Cat Called — and Other Cat Name Facts
Someone drops a cat terminology question in conversation and you realize you’ve owned cats for years but never actually thought about this. What is a female cat called? You know it’s not just “cat” — there’s a specific term, and knowing it is one of those small facts that comes up more often than you’d expect.
While you’re at it: what is a cat cafe, and why do people keep mentioning them? What is a male cat called, beyond the obvious “tomcat”? The female cat is called something specific, and what is a spayed female cat called once she’s been fixed? These are the kinds of quick-reference questions this article covers, along with some context that makes the answers stick.
Female, Male, and Fixed: The Proper Terms
What Is a Female Cat Called?
An intact, unspayed female cat is called a queen. The term applies specifically to a female cat capable of reproduction. It’s used routinely by breeders, shelter workers, and veterinary staff. If someone says “the queen is in estrus,” they mean an unspayed female cat is in heat.
What Is a Spayed Female Cat Called?
Once a female cat has been spayed, she is sometimes called a molly — though this term is less universally used than “queen.” In practice, most vets and shelters simply say “spayed female.” You may hear “molly” in breeding and show cat circles. The female cat is called queen when intact and sometimes molly when spayed, but both terms refer to adult females.
What Is a Male Cat Called?
An intact male cat is a tom or tomcat. This one most people know. A neutered male is called a gib — again, a term used more often in breeding and veterinary contexts than casual conversation. A young male kitten before maturity is simply a kitten until he reaches reproductive age.
What Is a Cat Cafe?
The Concept Explained
A cat cafe is a type of establishment where customers pay to spend time with resident cats, typically while having coffee, tea, or light food. The concept originated in Taiwan in the late 1990s and spread widely through Japan before gaining global traction.
How They Typically Work
Most cat cafes charge a per-hour fee or a flat entry fee, sometimes with a drink minimum. The cats are resident animals, not for sale in most cases, though some cafes partner with local shelters so that the cats can be adopted. Rules usually prohibit waking sleeping cats, chasing animals, or bringing in outside food.
The Appeal
Cat cafes became popular partly because many urban apartments in Japan prohibit pets. The cafe provides the experience of spending time with cats without ownership. In the West, adoption-focused cat cafes have become a creative way to get animals more exposure and increase adoption rates for shelter cats.
Key Takeaways
A female cat is called a queen when intact and sometimes a molly after spaying. A male cat is a tomcat when intact and a gib when neutered. A cat cafe is a venue where customers spend time with resident cats, with the model pioneered in Asia and now found worldwide.
