Not sure if you have a male or female kitten? The differences between male and female genitalia in puppies are less visible than in adults. But when you know what to look for, it shouldn't be hard to pinpoint the gender. A vet's advice can help you feel more confident, although even vets can sometimes be wrong.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Observe the Genital Features
Step 1. Make sure the kitten is in a safe and warm environment
While it may not be obvious, kittens are very vulnerable to the cold. Until they are able to warm themselves, they rely on the heat of their mother's body to find warmth; this is one of the reasons why separating a kitten from its mother can harm its health. To avoid causing problems of any kind, follow these guidelines when picking up a kitten and trying to determine its sex:
- Make sure you are warm, indoors.
- Do not separate the puppy from the mother for more than 5-10 minutes.
- Do not place it on surfaces that "absorb heat", such as marble countertops and wooden floors, as they will draw heat away from the puppy's body.
Step 2. Gently lift the kitten's tail
Checking his genitals directly is the surest way to determine gender. The puppy will be (understandably) reluctant to let its tail lift and expose its genitals. Always move gently, handling a kitten in an awkward way or with too sudden movements can hurt him and the little one may try to attack you to defend himself. Do not hold it by the tail as it is very fragile.
- Calmly stroke it for a few minutes before gently placing it on a soft, clean fabric and lifting its tail. Eventually, if you see that it shows resistance, give up the operation and postpone it to other times, and in this case return it immediately to the mother.
- Place the kitten upright with its head facing away from you.
- Lift its tail without pulling or jerking it.
- If he is reluctant to let himself be inspected under the tail, ask a friend to help you. He can gently hold the kitten in his arms while you carefully lift his tail.
- You can try to have the kitten voluntarily lift its tail by scratching it right where the tail connects to the back.
- The kitten has two openings. The upper one is the anus, while the lower one constitutes the male or female genital organ.
Step 3. Check the shape of the lower opening
If you have more than one kitten, you can compare the two genitals with each other, so it may be easier to tell the difference.
- The female's genital opening is similar to a small vertical slit. Seen together, the anus and its sexual organ look like a lowercase "i".
- The genital opening of the male, on the other hand, is similar to a small circular hole. Seen together, the anus and its genitals appear as a colon (:).
Step 4. Check the distance between the openings
The anogenital distance of the female is less than that of the males, so you can also use this criterion to distinguish the two sexes.
- The female's genital opening is located higher and closer to the anus.
- That of the male puppy is further from the anus.
Step 5. Pay attention if you notice the testicles
They are not always evident in the male puppy, but sometimes it is possible to notice them. Make sure you never touch his genitals forcefully. The penis is particularly delicate; if you try to extend it hard (since it is normally retracted), you can do permanent damage to it.
- Look carefully at the space between the genital opening and the anus. If you see a small bulge or pouch, it is likely the scrotum, therefore, the kitten is male.
- If you can't visually notice the scrotum, you can feel it when the kitten is at least a month or two old. To feel his testicles, try gently pinching the area between the anus and the genital opening. You should be able to feel a small, pea-sized lump or two. Keep in mind that very small male puppies - those that are less than a month or two old - may have their testicles retracted into the inguinal canal and you may not be able to hear them yet.
Method 2 of 2: Observe Non-Genital Features
Step 1. Evaluate the color of the hair to associate it with sex
This aspect can also provide information on the sex of the cat.
- The chromatic characteristics of calico cats (with large black, white and orange spots) and tortoiseshell cats (marbled black, orange / brown and, sometimes, white), are genetically linked to the X chromosome and are visible externally only if the animal has two X chromosomes. Since females have two X chromosomes while male cats have only one, males cannot exhibit these color combinations unless they have a rare genetic disorder.
- Orange (striped) brindle cats are most likely male.
Step 2. Watch out for signs of heat (estrus cycle)
After about 6-10 months (but for some breeds as early as 4), several unsterilized females begin to show signs that they are "in heat" (scientifically referred to as "estrus"). This period can last from 2 to 19 days. The average cycle for a female who does not mate is about 8 days, but it is often even shorter if the kitten has mated, as intercourse induces ovulation. When in heat, the cat exhibits some very characteristic behaviors, which, when they occur, can make you realize that it is female. Among these you can observe:
- Start meowing louder, with greater frequency and intensity. Over time, the meows grow in volume and begin to resemble howls.
- Shows a strong need to go outside.
- She becomes extremely affectionate, even with inanimate objects.
- It behaves as if "offering" itself to a potential mate, leaning on its front legs, hyper-extending its back and lifting its tail and entire rear into the air.
- He sprays urine.
Step 3. Check if the urine odor is strong
When an uncastrated male becomes sexually mature, they often develop a habit of spraying strong-smelling urine.
- A male cat can start spraying out of the litter box, even if he is usually well trained.
- Urine has a really strong, unmistakable smell that most people find unpleasant.
Step 4. Evaluate the cat's physical and facial characteristics
You will likely not be able to distinguish noticeable differences in physical characteristics until the cat reaches sexual maturity. When it becomes mature enough, however, you can look for details in its peculiarities.
- The uncastrated male tends to be lean and muscular, with thicker skull and jaw bones.
- It is commonly said that the uncastrated male has a "stallion's tail". A collection of glands at the base of the tail secretes too much of an oily substance called sebum. This secretion can cause some effects in this area, including a greasy and dull appearance of the hair; absence, thinness or irregularity of the hair; blackheads; rashes or infections on the skin; even a bad smell.
Warnings
- Avoid picking up kittens that are less than 3-4 weeks old. When they are this young they can absorb an excessive amount of human odors and their mother may not recognize them anymore; in this case they would reject them and consequently they could also die from lack of heat and nutrition.
- If the kitten is reluctant to be touched, the mother may sense his discomfort, fidgeting and defending him if she thinks her kitten is in danger. Always make sure the mother is calm before picking up her baby. If, at any time, you see that the mother-cat gets angry or is in trouble, leave the kitten and return it to her.
