How to determine the sex of a kitten?

It can be difficult to determine a kitten’s sex, particularly for first-time pet owners. Due to their small size, kittens can have very subtle features. Nonetheless, you can quickly determine whether your kitten is male or female with a little perseverance and the appropriate method.

When the kitten is calm, it is possible to gently examine its genital area, which is the crucial area to focus on. You can determine a kitten’s sex by observing the clear differences between male and female kittens. Let’s look at the simplest ways to accomplish this so you can be sure you can distinguish between them.

How can you find out the sex of a kitten?

There are multiple methods for figuring out a kitten’s sex. None of them are regarded as 100% accurate; a thorough inspection of the animal’s genitalia is far more trustworthy. If you are unable to perform an examination, take note of any additional outside indicators. Consequently, a cat and a male cat are different:

  1. By color. It is believed that you can distinguish a male cat from a female cat by looking at the color of the animal"s fur. For example, a tricolor color is most often found in females. While red fur is most often found in male kittens. Tortoiseshell fur is a brighter indicator, since it can only be found in cats.
  2. By face. In small newborn kittens, the shape of the muzzle is the same for both boys and girls. However, with age, it can also be used to determine the sex of the kitten. For example, female cats have a small and slightly elongated muzzle, while male cats have a large and round muzzle.

When is it best to determine the sex of a kitten?

When is a good time to find out a kitten’s sex is a question that many pet owners have. Veterinarians advise that the most obvious indicators of gender differences in furry animals emerge around two months of age. Then, with just a quick examination, you can tell a boy from a girl even if you have no prior experience.

You can, of course, do this a little earlier, but there’s a chance you won’t get the truth. You have probably heard numerous stories about how a kitten who was originally named Vasily eventually changes to Vasilisa and gives birth to kittens as a result of an incorrect gender determination.

Experts advise against touching, lifting, or turning over young kittens who are younger than three to four weeks old. Allow the animal to acclimate to its surroundings so that it doesn’t find the examination to be a stressful experience.

How to conduct an examination – what is allowed and what is not?

Examining the fluffy one thoroughly is the best method for determining the sex of a kitten. How can I do everything right and not make mistakes? In the course of the examination, it is required to:

  • hold and turn the kitten over as carefully and gently as possible;
  • lay the kitten exclusively on its stomach, and not on its spine;
  • do not conduct an examination of very small cats (up to 3 weeks);
  • monitor the reaction of the kittens" mother, if she is not delighted with this idea, it is better not to touch the babies;
  • avoid a large number of unnecessary movements.

There is never a situation where you should:

  • lift the kitten by the tail;
  • carelessly and abruptly turn the animal over;
  • tear the kitten away from feeding for the examination;
  • holding small fluffy ones (aged 3-4 weeks) for too long in your hands – this can affect the animal"s thermoregulation;
  • press hard on the kitten"s belly or genitals.

Setting up the appropriate location for the test and gathering all required supplies is also crucial. You’ll need the following for this:

  • a clean, soft, warm towel on which you will place the kitten;
  • an additional light source (if necessary).

How to distinguish a male kitten from a female

There are various methods to identify a cat’s sex even if its genitalia haven’t had time to develop. I’ll tell you about the most well-liked and efficient today. You will be 100% able to tell a female kitten from a male using these techniques.

You should carefully remove the kitten and set it on a towel that has been prepared before starting the examination. Raise its tail a little and observe the animal’s response. The procedure should be postponed if the baby is fearful.

The primary distinctions between boys and girls are evident from a very young age.

    The distance between the genitals and the anus in cats is much smaller than in small cats. This is one of the easiest ways to determine the sex of a kitten by eye.

Cats of different sexes also differ in the shape of their genitalia. If you see a colon when you lift the kitten’s tail and look, you have a small cat in front of you. You are holding a female kitten in your hands if you see the Latin letter "i" upside down.

The animal’s genitalia can be felt as early as three to four weeks of age. Locate the required location and lightly touch it with two fingers. Testicles in male cats start to form at birth. You will thus feel little formations in this situation.

There are also traditional ways to tell a girl kitten from a boy. But I strongly advise against taking them at face value. The methods used by these grandmothers are not so much signs as they are superstitions. For instance, it is thought that if a young kitten is drinking milk and its tail is up, it is a boy; if it is down, it is a girl.

Additionally, some people think that a kitten’s sex can be identified by its urine scent, with boys allegedly having a much stronger scent. Naturally, you can ascertain the sex using any of these techniques in addition to the others. But when compared to a one-minute examination, they are less informative.

Characteristic Male Kitten Female Kitten
Genital Distance Greater distance between anus and genitals Shorter distance between anus and genitals
Shape of Genitals More round, resembling a dot More slit-like
Fur Between Genitals More space with fur Less space with fur

It can be difficult to determine a kitten’s sex, particularly in the early going. But if you’re patient and pay close attention, you can usually tell by looking at the genital area.

Male kittens have a wider gap where the testicles will eventually develop, while female kittens typically have a shorter distance between the anus and the genital opening. Remember that as they age, it becomes simpler to distinguish between them.

See a veterinarian without holding back if you’re still unsure. They can assist you in ascertaining the gender of the kitten promptly, allowing you to be ready to attend to their particular needs.

Although it can be challenging at first, a kitten’s sex is typically determined by gently lifting its tail and examining the shape and distance of the openings. In contrast to females, who have these openings closer together with the genital area forming a slit, males usually have a wider gap between the anus and the genital opening, which resembles a small circle. Patience and gentle handling are essential because it’s easier to tell when kittens are a little older.

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Oleg Pashkov

Expert in matters and dietetics for cats and dogs. Studying the composition of feed and the effect of food on the health of pets - a priority area. I select individual diets for different breeds and ages, based on scientific data and many years of experience.

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