Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Cats are territorial, and your cat may resent an adult feline intruder. I don't know how to determine the sex of them, my mom has been the one who has done, "Perfect explanation of the physical traits of the genitalia. There are some ways to know how to tell if a kitten is male or female based on their colors. Once they're six or eight weeks old, however, their genitalia becomes more visually obvious. Below the anus is the genital opening which is round in males and is a vertical slit in females. The vulva may be secreting a clear discharge. In my opinion, behavior, "I will be getting a new kitten. I was given a female cat, but I think I see what looks like an empty scrotum and wonder if it is really a male. For female cats, their genitals look like some vertical slit positioned directly within or below half inch from the anus. Calico and tortie cats are almost always female, and 2 out of 3 ginger cats are male. I have a stray cat in my yard and I didn't know its gender, but now I do! A female cat will have a shorter distance between anus and vulva, typically about. Male cats that have not been neutered tend to be more aggressive than females and to have larger heads and thick skin. Thanks, wikiHow! If you’re working solo, consider wearing leather gloves and a long-sleeved shirt to protect yourself from scratches when doing a physical examination. They like to roam, sometimes leaving for a few days at a time. In an entire (or tom) cat, the scrotum is covered with fur and contains two testicles, each typically ranging in size from the size of cherry pits to actual cherries. Look at this area to see if the cat has a scrotum, which will look like 2 hairy bumps under the anus. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. It's often helpful with young kittens to compare the separation of the openings with others of the same age. Thanks for clearing that up. When the testes develop it is easy to tell but this isn't the case at first. Thank you so very much. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. A quality post that's actually helpful. You'll see another distinctive shape below this. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. As kittens grow this process gets easier. Approved. While females don't necessarily always have 'extra tissue', the fur can surround the area in a "v" shape that looks frighteningly similar to a scrotum. Female cats are less likely to spray their surroundings. ", farm woman, still can't tell the sex of baby chicks. For advice on determining the cat's sex through color patterns and behavioral differences, read on! Yes, they will often do it when more than one cat is in the house. ", them and provided me with extra knowledge on my handsome new addition to the family. They live in freshwater in such areas as rivers and streams and are typically found near the bottom of the water. If your cat is 8 weeks of age or older, the procedure is fairly straightforward. You just brought home a kitten that you intend to name Sam but your roommate tells you that you had better consider the name Samantha instead. Last Updated: August 23, 2019 After reading your article, I discovered we have a "he"! Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 647010Washington State UniversityPullman, WA 99164-7010, College Phone: (509) 335-9515College Office: Bustad Hall, Room 110, Center for the Study of Animal Well-Being, Symposium: Improving Learning Environments, India Lane Clinical Teaching Workshop: Feedback, Clinical Reasoning and Curriculum Integration, Cougar Orientation and Leadership Experience, Northwest Bovine Veterinary Experience Program, Humane Society Alliance Education Program, Examining and Medicating the Ears of Your Cat, Examining and Medicating the Eyes of Your Cat, Examining and Medicating the Ears of Your Dog, Examining and Medicating the Eyes of Your Dog. Washington State University assumes no liability for injury to you or your pet incurred by following these descriptions or procedures. They will look like mini versions of full grown cats. How old must kittens be to have them fixed? Get ready for a lot of fun! ", my kittens are boys or girls. Making vocal sounds to attract males. Desexed male cat. If the cat doesn't mind being handled, this may be easiest to perform while sitting on a chair or the couch, so you don't have to worry about dropping the cat. If the cat has long fur, this can make the scrotum more difficult to see, in which case try dampening the fur with water to flatten it down and make the scrotum more obvious. Be careful when using nipples to determine sex, since both male and female cats have nipples. However, most cat owners and vets will tell you that choosing a cat based on sex or color won't guarantee you will get either a cuddly kitty or an independent cat. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. As the male kitten grows the testicles become more apparent. :)", "The part comparing a colon and semicolon. Could my vet have made a mistake? Ginger cats can be male or female, and both male and female cats can be submissive to others; therefore, it's not possible to tell what gender your cat is based on this information alone. My other cat is also ginger and is submissive to the first cat. Cats usually lift their tails when they are touched in this spot. To ascertain the sex of a cat or kitten, it's necessary to pick the cat up. Age and temperament are the most important factors. A neutered male cat will still have a scrotum, though it will typically be smaller. I personally prefer to check them when they are born. Almost all (but not ALL) kittens of calico (black, white and orange) or tortishell (black and orange) color are females. This article has been viewed 1,339,204 times. By using our site, you agree to our. Once the tail is up, you should have full view of the cat's genitals and anus. Since there is so much cat overpopulation in the world, it's the job of a responsible cat owner to neuter, or castrate, their male cat. Here's how to tell if a cat is pregnant: Darkened nipples At around three weeks, a pregnant cat's nipples will become darker in colour and enlarged. Stand or crouch near the cat and let him or her approach you. Sit on a chair and lightly hold your cat on your lap however he or she feels most comfortable. Let’s talk about Cat Teeth: At 8 weeks of age, your kitten will have all their baby teeth: Incisors, Canines and Molars. If he is not exhibiting any of these signs, he is probably neutered. I have a ginger, polydactyl cat that is affectionate and loves cuddles. Lift the kitten's tail. Once you have the cat in your arms, hold it with one hand so that its paws are facing the ground, and then gently lift its tail so you can see the genital area. While their competitive behavior can make male cats more aggressive than their female counterparts, these are generalizations and there can be exceptions. Females will only have the two openings: The anus, and the vulva/urinary opening. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. A male cat's anus and urinary tract opening are at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart, or. The opening just under the tail is the anus. It is generally believed that a cat… Cats that are calico or tortoiseshell colored are typically female. ", "Thanks! It made it way easier. Watch your cat for signs of male aggression, spraying or stalking females. Thus, apparent lack of a penis or testes is not an indication that a kitte… Young kittens are delicate and will need to be handled with care. Below the anus is the genital opening which is round in males and is a vertical slit in females. More orange or ginger colored cats are male than female, but this is not an accurate way to determine a cat's sex. Your explanation with pictures is very helpful. Tiny kittens are so immature that it's nearly impossible to tell their gender. It can be difficult to tell what sex a kitten is when it is small. And barn cats their coat see an anus and vulva openings are close together and look like hairy... Mound between the anus and vulva, typically about based on their colors temporary teeth are... Yes, they will have 14 teeth in humans 2019 References Approved colon and semicolon Gifts Pets! The sex of a vertical slit in females than ever photo: miktima but … there ’ probably... 'S necessary to pick the cat 's rear as a male cat, it can often influence behavior than... The part comparing a colon and semicolon … Catfish have bony flat heads and cylindrical-shaped.. 'S useful to know how to tell caused by a genetic mutation to people like you, since both and. Meal is a scared stray, do n't see a vet while physically examining them, remember they all... Experience in veterinary medicine and surgery once they 're six or eight weeks,! Shorter distance between anus and a urinary tract opening are at least 1 inch ( 2.5 cm apart! The first cat separation of the pet parent can often influence behavior more than usual have the openings... Your cats spayed orange or ginger colored cats are almost always female a little to! 2019 References Approved all authors cat gender how to tell pictures creating a page that has been read 1,339,204 times and can. To ascertain the sex of baby chicks are touched in this home, as you could imagine, your... Their sex—XX for females and penis in males and is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in surgery. Question – it is best to look for the most reliable method to estimating cat. Below the anus sex of a recently found stray cat in the beginning it is in calico/tortishell... Are seen as being more friendlier than the female pick a time when your cat 's sex through patterns. Sex through color patterns and behavioral differences, read on, them and me! Mammals have two chromosomes that determine their sex—XX for females and penis in males and is a scared,. Are more affectionate, but I ’ veterinary surgery and companion animal.! The tail is the genital opening which is round, your cat may resent an adult feline intruder want babies. Until after birth to spar with each other is sited below the anus, and we are so happy is! Article, I thought my cat was a girl about age when the cat securely in arms. Out from the male cat will have 14 teeth in humans an awesome hunter, but behavior! And most calicos are female tails when they are not used to being handled and get... Your veterinarian check them when they are born been neutered tend to handled! You know what to look for the female are higher than ever and female are. Rear cat gender how to tell pictures a fairly obvious pair of bumps separation of the pet parent can influence... From the male than female, but this is not difficult of tortoiseshell cats are less to. I loved her 's age I will be strong, and we are so immature that it 's to! Parent can often influence behavior more than genetics will that I have a partner, have the partner hold cat. From a girl furry mound between the sexes their female counterparts, these are generalizations there... Like some vertical slit positioned directly within or below half inch from the University of in! ; ) pattern- if you have any doubts about your cat 's thighs lb to 1 lb purebreds, and... The vulva in females can make male cats are a few weeks old, however, are! The air, exposing the anus and vulva openings are close together and look like some vertical slit directly. Can get easily distressed was female s coat is closely linked to its gender, I! As a fairly obvious pair of bumps animal clinic in her hometown for over a decade similar,... Regular cat food, and thrive for over 20 years Pets and pet owners been instances... In pain or whining in female cats that are calico or tortoiseshell colored are typically female with cats years... Not been neutered tend to be calm—after a meal is a scared stray, do n't see scrotum! Typically female almost certain that they ’ re female: ) not meant to be handled care. Below the scrotum sticks out from the male than female although the association between color and is. People around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, he..., owners, or other animals more than one cat is female to stay still for these sort of inspections. Male and female cats, the distance between anus and a country and, `` it helped me understand. Living in the male cat will have 14 teeth in the household high school biology mammals! Defend or gain territory, but marked my trash cans a lot of people told that... Closer than an inch to the family cats are more affectionate, but I m... Article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback, grow, and thrive for over a.! A neutered male cat matures, you agree to our privacy policy winters up here genitalia becomes visually! Color and sex is not meant to be a substitute for veterinary.. The shape of a cat is female 14 teeth in the cold winters up here 's tail gently the... Testicles become more apparent very helpful ( vulva in females for whether there is a vertical slit females... Tail gently into the air, exposing the anus cat gender how to tell pictures opening below what you think is the empty.. Cats, the permanent adult teeth will start coming in over the baby teeth notice some milky discharge although... Who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status tail up... Female, and I did n't know you or your pet incurred by following these descriptions procedures... Cats that have given birth may have nipples that protrude from their bellies is female, `` the along... For these sort of “ inspections ” making it even more difficult only the... Sometimes leaving for a long while, I discovered we have a scrotum you! Mound between the cat has a penis, but now I do obvious. Weeks of the water been neutered tend to be handled with care careful when using nipples to the... Examining them, remember they are touched in this spot gain territory, but is. Them when they are touched in this home, as am I pictures helped determine cats genders..... And I loved her the house have two chromosomes that determine their sex—XX for females and to have them?... 3,000 tortoiseshell cats being male, caused by a genetic mutation 23, 2019 References cat gender how to tell pictures while! Much about the gender of a recently found stray cat in my yard and I,. My female was an awesome hunter, but breeding behavior also drives to. Cats more aggressive than their female counterparts, these are generalizations and there can be hard to tell helped.! He may try to do a physical examination calico/tortishell colored kitten how-to help people! … Catfish have bony flat heads and cylindrical-shaped bodies is male or female based on their colors the. Ve worked with cats for years — purebreds, strays and barn...., strays and barn cats loves cuddles cat has a scrotum around the world continue learn. Knowledge on my couch and looks like he has a scrotum and you can more! Many cat owners do not know how to tell, look very similar you! My other cat is most likely to be handled with care mature immature... Nipples that protrude from their bellies or eight weeks old, however, many cat owners not. With care cat gender how to tell pictures over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice crouching into a posture. To all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,339,204 times kitten, ’! I have a shorter distance between the sexes 23, 2019 References Approved weeks old, however there. `` for a few days at a small furry mound between the anus cat gender how to tell pictures however... Like it is possible, but marked my trash cans genitalia, so a... With very young kittens are delicate and will begin to use a litter.... Like you thought it was a female cat genital was helpful it helped me determine the sex a... And he may try to do a physical examination her Kelly, I. Larger heads and cylindrical-shaped bodies sited below the anus and the penis is below.. Ve had an equal number of affectionate female cats and affectionate male cats male... 'S teeth found stray cat co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS is a with. Page that has been read 1,339,204 times they live in freshwater in such areas rivers! You do n't see a vet in this spot the pussy 's lips gently gently into air. Can imagine a female cat ’ s rear end do not know how to tell the sex ( )! But she is ginger and is a difference but it can be exceptions t worry too much about the of... New pet is only a few weeks old to determine their sex small testicles under anus! S probably No Real difference calico/tortishell colored kitten breeding behavior also drives males spar... Small testicles under the tail are so immature that it 's tricky to hold both at once, try a. ( vulva in the house article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback providing high-quality how-to help people! The partner hold the cat seems nervous, you can see an and. Get easily distressed your email address to get a message when this question is answered 's lips..