How to determine the sex of a kitten yourself

It can be difficult to determine a kitten’s sex, particularly when they are very young. But if you’re patient and pay attention to details, you can figure it out on your own without a veterinarian’s assistance.

This post will walk you through a few easy steps to determine the gender of your new furry friend. We’ll also go over some crucial indicators to watch out for and typical errors people make when attempting to ascertain their kittens’ gender.

By the time it’s all over, you’ll be able to tell the difference with greater assurance, so make sure you’re ready for all the joys and responsibilities that come with raising a kitten.

Characteristic	Male Kitten	Female Kitten
Distance between genitals and anus	Greater distance	Shorter distance
Genital shape	Round opening	Vertical slit
Behavior as they grow	More active or adventurous	More reserved or calm

At what age is the sex determined

It is possible to identify anatomical differences between kittens of different sexes from birth. The following are the primary helpers in identifying a small pet’s gender:

1. The age of the kitten: the older the baby, the easier it is to determine the sex.
2. Experience of communication with kittens by the person conducting the examination.
3. The ability to compare the anatomical features of several kittens.

Features of a newborn kitten’s sexual life

Each kitten’s sex is accurately determined as soon as it is born by a veterinarian or seasoned breeder who takes in multiple cat births a year. Newborn kittens only differ in terms of anatomy, of course.

Applying the understanding of how professionals differentiate them is simple if:

• you are observant;
• have good eyesight;
• your beloved kitty has gifted you with a sufficient number of kittens, among which there are most likely both male and female cats – for comparison.

A newborn cat’s reproductive organs have the following distinguishing characteristics when they appear:

1. The openings of the "causal places" look like a colon.
2. The distance between the anus and the penis is 1-1.5 cm (possibly more if we are talking about kittens of large breeds).
3. If you look closely, you can see the scrotum.

Anatomical information about the matching organs in newborn cats:

1. The appearance of the opening of the anus and the loop (vulva) is similar to the sign "semicolon" or the letter i.
2. The distance between the openings is 0.5-0.7 cm for small breeds.
3. The hair in the area between the openings in cats is usually less dense than in their brothers.

Determining the sex in the first weeks

The kittens’ primary sexual traits become more apparent as they get older. At two months of age, the scrotum of male cats can be easily observed, while the absence of this feature in female cats allows for an accurate sex determination. Several weeks later, new techniques for identifying sex emerge:

• male cats become noticeably more active than female cats;
• male cats more often exhibit dominant behavioral traits, the desire to lead in games;
• more successful results in the fight in boys for the mother"s nipples during feeding, and later – for the best pieces in the bowl.

It is crucial to remember that the indications listed here are merely suggestions; they do not establish the kitten’s membership in the purported sex.

How to prepare for the examination of a kitten

Prior to the test, it is required that you:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with odorless soap.
2. Be sure to ensure that your hands are warm.
3. Prepare the examination site: it should be comfortable and well lit.
4. Ensure a calm environment in the room where the examination will be carried out.

What is actionable:

1. If the kitten was born in your house, you need to make sure that the cat-mother calmly lets the kittens.
2. Before the inspection, ensure the kitten calm, handle it affectionately, hold it in both palms, carefully stroke, calm the baby so that he is not afraid and does not squeeze his tail to his stomach. Ideally – choose the moment when the kitten fed and sleepy.
3. Inspection: turn the kitten with an abdomen up, holding his hind legs and tail with your fingers in the palm of your hand.

What is not possible to do:

1. You can’t take the baby from a cat if it is nervous, angry or feed kittens.
2. Carry out a rude inspection with the use of force if the kitten resists: press, pull by the paws or tail, hold on the skin fold in the walker area (for the “scrub”).
3. To inspect, without washing out of the skin, extraneous artificial smells, irritating cats (soap, detergent, perfume).
4. Inspect with cold hands. We remind you: the body temperature of cats is more than 2 degrees higher than human. The usual temperature of cool fingertips for people is perceived by a small kitten as an ice-cold heating pad, which can ruin the entire examination. If necessary, use a clean towel heated with an iron or a warm rubber heating pad wrapped in a towel or diaper, and try to warm your hands during the examination.

Determination by sex

The closest suitable age for examination is one week if the kitten’s gender is unknown at birth. The baby’s eyes stay closed (which ensures greater calm during the examination) even if it is a member of the long-haired cat breed and has grown to a mature enough size to not yet have a fur coat on. While there are still differences in vision at this age, they are more noticeable than they were right after birth.

Measurements are one indirect method used by conscientious breeders to ascertain the differences. They begin the moment of birth and are carried out every day, with detailed records on every kitten. In order to measure, you’ll need:

• electronic scales;
• "marking" the kittens, if there are several (green stuff is often used, which is used to mark the paws if the kittens cannot be distinguished in any other way);
• notebook.

At the same time of day, each kitten is weighed individually, and records are kept. Male cats frequently gain weight much more quickly than female cats.

Although this cannot be regarded as an exact method of determination, the pattern found can be used as a guide.

Palpation is another indirect method that is taken into consideration. When examining the kitten, carefully run the pad of your finger along its abdomen. Male cats have a noticeable bulge, whereas female cats do not.

It can be difficult to determine a kitten’s sex, but with a few straightforward pointers, you can do it at home with ease. You can tell a kitten is male or female by closely examining its genital area and measuring the distance between its genitals and anus. Being able to determine your kitten’s sex will help you plan for its future and provide early care.

Determining sex in other ways

There are a few more ways to figure out a kitten’s gender. We’ll talk about which ones are trustworthy and to what degree below.

By color

When it comes to a black, pigeon, or patchwork (tricolor) kitten, pigeons are a very dependable option. Turtle kittens occur in 99% of feline cases. This can be explained by the fact that two genes, "black" and "red" (red), form the basis of every color. Black and red are "lightened" by the hues of blue and cream.

Since the female X chromosome is the one that transmits the color gene, cats cannot differ from one another: XY: One color, either red or black, passed down from the mother. Color genes are carried by two chromosomes in cats: XX – this means that it is possible for both red and black genes to be transmitted simultaneously, giving rise to the tortoise’s color.

Due to a genetic deviation (excess x-chromosome: xxy- giving an unexpected second gene gene), turtle boys are extremely rare births. Consequently, "tricolor" cats are sterile at birth. Every other color is typical for both genders.

By voice

This approach may be said to be somewhat successful: it’s thought that cats tend to have more high overtones in their voices than low ones. In actuality, a lot of cats have a fairly soft contralto; some cats’ voices, on the other hand, sound threatening and unfeminine.

By face

A girl’s face is thought to have more delicate, subtle outlines, whereas a cat’s "portrait" is thought to be more roughly sculpted, with wider cheekbones and a nose bridge. Naturally, this approach cannot be regarded as trustworthy in practice. Like with humans, "facial features" are inherited from one’s parents. This increases the likelihood of both the stern features of some four-legged ladies and the subtle aristocratic features of a cat’s appearance.

Furthermore, some cat breeds—the Maine Coons being a notable example—have a breed phenotype that forces them to resemble ferocious, wild predators regardless of gender. There are also varieties of elegant, well-boned cats whose features so closely resemble those of their male counterparts that an untrained observer could easily become confused.

By weight

Although it is theoretically possible to determine an animal’s sex based on weight, the method’s reliability is quite low. In two situations, it can be deemed relatively dependable:

1. If daily control weighings of the litter show a consistently high weight gain of some kittens compared to others (the indicators vary for different breeds and individual body features of animals).
2. If size and weight are breed-forming characteristics and significantly exceed the indicators possible for cats, with a high degree of probability the luxurious dimensions belong to a representative of the stronger half. The disadvantage of this method is that by the time the indicative sizes and weight are reached, the animals have already grown enough to easily determine gender by anatomical features.

Veterinary method

By getting in touch with a veterinary clinic, you can accurately ascertain the gender of a kitten. A blood test is always an option if a visual examination by a skilled veterinarian fails to yield accurate results (e.g., when the length and thickness of a very small kitten’s fur "confuses the readings"). When this is the only option available and the outcome must be determined immediately for some reason, it makes sense to use this method.

Non-standard (folk) methods

Determining sex "by signs" is often as unreliable as some of the above. But it is worth knowing about them at least so that they do not confuse you:

1. By eyes. It is believed that "a male cat has an impudent look, and a female cat has a modest look". As we understand, eyes are the mirror of the soul, and there are hardly fewer "impudent" female cats than male cats.
2. By genital fur — male cats have thicker fur. The method is more related to real observations of cat owners than to folk methods. However, when dealing with kittens, it is hardly possible to trust the density of baby fluff in "secluded places".
3. Over a saucer of milk. One of the "grandmother"s" methods claims that a male cat will run to a bowl of milk with its tail raised vertically, while a female cat will do the opposite, lowering it. You could look for real physiological justifications or refutations of this version, if not for one "but". Contrary to popular belief, milk is harmful to cats, and it is not recommended to experiment with it. But with cream or sour cream – you can. The truth about them is silent in popular beliefs.

At first, identifying a kitten’s sex may seem difficult, but with some perseverance and close observation, it becomes simpler. The shape and spacing of the openings in the genital area of a kitten usually allow you to distinguish between a male and a female.

Remember that age matters: newborn kittens may share similar features, so it’s best to check a few weeks later when the features are more distinct. It’s crucial to handle them gently throughout this process to keep the kitten from becoming stressed.

It is usually a good idea to get confirmation from a veterinarian if you are unsure. You’ll get more comfortable determining a kitten’s sex on your own with a little practice.

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