To tell if a kitten is a boy or a girl, you need to gently lift the kitten’s tail and examine the area beneath it, focusing on two main features: the distance between the anus and the genital opening, and the shape of the genital opening. Key differences:
- Female kittens:
- The genital opening is a vertical slit or teardrop shape located very close to the anus, almost touching it.
- There is little space between the anus and the vulva.
- The genital opening looks more like a line or slit.
- Male kittens:
- The genital opening is a small round dot (the prepuce), located farther from the anus, with a noticeable gap between the two.
- Between the anus and the genital opening, you may see or feel the developing testicles as small bumps or excess tissue, although testicles may not be visible until 6 to 10 weeks of age.
- The distance between anus and penis is wider than in females.
A simple way to remember is: male = circle (round genital opening), female = line (vertical slit genital opening)
. Additional clues:
- Coat color can sometimes help: tricolor or tortoiseshell cats are almost always female.
- Behavior and size differences are less reliable but sometimes males are more playful or vocal.
- If uncertain, a veterinarian can accurately determine the kitten’s sex.
In summary, the most reliable method is to look at the shape and spacing of the genital openings under the tail when the kitten is calm and relaxed
