How to Determine the Sex of a Kitten

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This article was co-written by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Elliott is a veterinarian with more than thirty years of experience in veterinary surgery and pet treatment. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary surgeon. She has worked at a veterinary clinic in her hometown for more than 20 years.

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Not sure about the gender of the kitten in your hand? Compared to adult cats, the difference in the genitals of kittens is often not obvious. Things will be easier if you know how to identify. Although veterinarians are sometimes confused, some of their experiences below will more or less help you be more certain in the gendering of cats.

Table of Contents

Judging by Genitals

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Make sure the cat is in a warm and safe environment. Kittens are very susceptible to colds. Although they have a way of warming themselves, they are still highly dependent on the mother’s body temperature. Separating kittens from their mothers can be harmful to their health. Here are some guidelines that will help you to be able to hold and determine the sex of your kitten without compromising its immature immunity:

Place the kittens in a warm place in the house.
Do not separate kittens from their mother for more than 5 – 10 minutes.
Kittens should not be placed on a “heat-absorbing” surface such as granite or hardwood floors, as they can become cold.

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Gently lift the tail. Viewing the genitals is the most accurate way to determine the sex of a cat. A kitten may be uncomfortable when you touch its tail (which is quite understandable). Remember to always be gentle. Holding the cat a little too tight or too violently will cause it pain and resistance. Especially do not grab the tail and lift it because this part of the kitten is very weak.

Calmly pet the cat for a while before placing it on a clean, soft towel. Lift the cat’s tail. If the kitten reacts defensively, stop immediately and return it to its mother.
Place the cat in a position with its bottom turned towards you.
Lift the tail, but do not tug or pull.
If the kitten refuses to let anyone touch its tail, ask another person to pick it up while you gently examine it.
You can try getting the cat to lift its tail on its own by gently scratching the junction between its back and tail. ^{[1] X Research Source}
Under the cat’s tail there are two holes. Above is the anus, and below are the male or female genitalia. ^{[2] X Trusted Source Washington State University Cplege of Veterinary Medicine Go to source}

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Check out the shape of the hole below. If you have many cats, you can put two cats of the opposite sex side by side for direct comparison and things will be easy.

The female cat’s genitals are small and upright. In general, the anus along with this organ will look like a lowercase “i”.
The male cat’s reproductive organs are round and small. In general, the anus along with this organ will look like a colon ( : ). ^{[3] X Research Sources}

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Consider the distance between the holes. In female cats, the anus and reproductive organs are located closer together than in males, you can rely on this detail to distinguish.

The female cat’s reproductive organs are located closer to the top and closer to the anus.
The male cat’s genitals are located downward.

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Test the testicles. The testicles of male kittens are often indistinct but still detectable. However, never use force when manipulating a kitten’s genitals. Although their penis (usually hidden under the foreskin) can be pulled out for viewing, you should not do so as this can cause long-term damage.

Observe carefully the space between the two holes. If you see a bulge or look like a small pouch, it’s probably the scrotum and this is a male.
Kittens’ genitals are often not clear, so if you can’t find anything, wait until they are about one to two months old. To feel the testicles, touch the space between the anus and the genitals. You will see one or two pea-sized lumps. It is important to know that a kitten’s testicles are often hidden under the skin of the groin and can hardly be felt in cats less than a month or two old.

Judging by Other Traits

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Some special coat colors specify a clear gender. Looking at the coat color we can tell if it is a male or female cat.

Coat colors such as tricolor (lots of black, white, and orange) or fawn (with black, orange/brown veins and some white) are recessive genes that are regulated on the X chromosome. To represent coat colors On the outside, they must go together to form a pair of XX (XX is female, XY is male). If you see a cat with tricolor or fawn colors, it is almost certainly a female, except in some special cases.
Striped (striped)/orange fur is usually male.

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Watch for signs of heat. After about 6-10 (some species as early as 4) months of age, the un-castrated female cat will show the folk signs called “male stick” (scientific name for this period is “estrus”). A female cat can go into heat for about 2-19 days. For female cats without a mate, the average time is 8 days. If they have sex with a male cat, it will promote ovulation, making the cycle shorter. ^{[4] X Research sources Johnston, Shirley D. et al Canine and Feline Theriogenpogy Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 2001} The following characteristics are present in females during estrus:

Start meowing loudly, often and harshly. The intensity is increasing and sometimes like a howl.
Strong desire to go out.
Shows extraordinary affection even to inanimate objects.
Occasionally demonstrate a “ready position”: standing forward, rear legs spread out, buttock up in the air.
Xiao shoots out a ray.

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Check the smell of urine. Male cats that have not been spayed when they become in heat often have a habit of urinating strongly, urine is streaky and smelly.

Even though they are well trained, they can pee out of the toilet bowl.
Male cat urine during this time often has a very strong and unpleasant odor.

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Assess your cat’s body shape and facial features. Based on this, you can hardly tell the sex of cats until they start estrus. When the cat is big enough, we can see external features such as:

An unneutered male cat is usually low in fat and muscular with a thick skull and jawbone.
You need to know about “tail fungus” in male cats. Several glands at the base of the tail secrete a substance called sebum. This substance acts on the skin near the base of the tail, causing the hair in this area to produce symptoms such as: greasy, sticky; hair loss gradually thin and patchy; flecked with blackheads; erythema or skin infection; smelly.

Warning

Avoid holding kittens younger than three or four weeks old. Cats are too young to have the ability to retain human breath, causing the mother to refuse because she does not recognize them. This can cause the kittens to die from lack of nutrition and warmth. ^{[5] X Research Sources}^{[6] X Research Sources}
If the kittens resist because they don’t want you to hold them, the mother cat may become angry and defensive, thinking her baby is in danger. Make sure the mother cat is comfortable when you take her kittens away. If they are upset or upset, stop and return the kitten to its nest.

Steps

Judging by Genitals

Judging by Other Traits

Warning

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