Many people want to know if a kitten is a boy or a girl. This can be difficult because the body parts of a newborn kitten are very tiny, and they may be hard to see. This is why many people are unsure about sex at first.
How to Tell Sex of a Kitten is easy when you know what to look for.
The main way to tell the sex of a kitten is looking at the shape and space between the two openings under the tail. You can often check the kitten yourself, but be sure to handle a young kitten carefully. If you are unsure, a vet can help to identify the sex of a kitten.
When Can You Tell a Kitten’s Sex?
A kitten’s sex can usually be guessed from shortly after it is born.
If the kitten is very young, it may be too small to see easily. With tiny body parts or fur covering the area, the sex might not be clear. When the kitten is growing bigger, the signs are easier to identify.
When the kitten is still with the mother, keep the check brief. It is best to do it when the kitten is warm and content.
How to Tell the Sex of a Kitten
You can tell the sex of a kitten by gently looking under the tail.
Follow these simple steps:
- Wash and dry your hands.
- Keep the kitten warm.
- Support the kitten gently in your hand.
- Hold the tail up gently and look.
- Look at the openings and the space between them.
- Repeat with another kitten if you have one.
Do not pull at the tail or squeeze the kitten. You only need to take a quick peek.
If you are using an older kitten, you will see two openings, the shape of these and their proximity to one another shows the sex of the kitten.
How a Female Kitten Looks
A female kitten has two openings close together. These are the anus, the small opening on top, and the vulva, the slit-like opening below. It may look like an upside-down letter “i”.
The small distance between the openings is a good sign that the kitten is female.
How a Male Kitten Looks
In a male kitten, there are also two openings – the anus, on top, and the penis opening below. These openings are further apart than in a female. There may be a small bump or bulge between the openings, where the testicles are. Sometimes the testicles will not be felt in a very young kitten.
The shape and space between openings is more reliable than searching for testicles.
Look at the Shape and Space
In a female:
- The openings are very close to each other.
- The bottom opening looks like a slit and is very narrow.
- The space between is minimal.
In a male:
- The openings are further apart.
- The bottom opening is rounder, and a bulge may be felt between them.
These signs are easiest to see if you have two kittens to compare.
When you check your kittens, you might find that some are close between the openings while others are spaced apart.
Can Fur Cover the Area?
Yes. Fur can hide the openings, especially if the kitten has long hair. No need to cut the fur, just move it gently aside so you can see the openings.
You might need to use some extra light.
Make sure you do not burn the kitten by shining a hot light directly on it. If the area is still difficult to see, ask a vet to check your kittens.
Does Color Help To Find Out Sex?
Not always. Some coat colorings are almost always female, such as tortoiseshell or calico. There are not many males with this coloring.
But don’t use it as proof, and do not assume that a kitten is a boy because it is orange, white or black.
A long-haired kitten may be difficult to see due to the fur.
What About the Face, Size or Behavior?
No. There is no reliable way to use these things to tell the sex of a kitten.
You may have heard that boy kittens are more playful or girl kittens are quieter, but this is common opinion and it is not always true.
Every kitten has its own personality, and sex does not predict how large a kitten will be.
When Should I See a Vet?
If you are unsure about the sex of a kitten, a vet can identify it.
It may be wise to get the advice if:
- You are having difficulty identifying the openings.
- The kitten is young.
- The area is swollen.
- There is blood or abnormal liquid.
- The kitten seems to be hurt or angry.
There may be something different about the body, or your concerns may be affecting how you see the area.
A vet can give you professional guidance on the sex of a kitten, and assess the health of your pet.
Easy Ways to Avoid Mistakes
People often make some simple mistakes that can lead to incorrect guessing of a kitten’s sex:
Looking for Testicles Only
Often a very young male will not have felt or seen testicles.
Do not assume the kitten is female if you cannot see testicles.
Relying Only on Coat Color
Some kittens will be male or female regardless of color.
Waiting for the Kitten to Grow Up
If you are unsure now, wait until the kitten is bigger. Or, you can still look closely and it will often tell you whether it is male or female.
Being Rough
Sometimes the best way to check is quick and gentle.
Being Rude To a Kitten
Remember that a very young kitten may be delicate, and a check need only be brief. It is best not to pull or squeeze the kitten too tightly.
If you have more than one kitten, you may see that some have close-together openings while others are apart.
How to Remember the Difference
A quick visual rule can help you remember the difference between female and male:
- Female: Close together with a narrow bottom opening.
- Female: slit.
- Male: farther apart with more round bottom opening.
- Male: round.
Conclusion
Knowing how to tell sex of a kitten can be simple once you know what to look for. Check under the tail and look at the shape and space between the two openings. Female kittens usually have openings that are close together, while male kittens usually have more space between them.
Be gentle when checking a young kitten. Do not pull the tail or squeeze the body. If you cannot tell, or the area looks unusual, a vet can help you identify the kitten’s sex safely.
Lauren Wilson is a content writer at Nameiix.com who loves finding beautiful, creative, and meaningful names. She writes about baby names, girl and boy names, nicknames, and fun naming ideas. Lauren keeps her writing clear and easy to read so readers can quickly find a name they love.
