To tell if a kitten is male or female, follow these key steps:
- Gently lift the kitten's tail to examine the area beneath. The first opening just under the tail is the anus. Below the anus is the genital opening, which differs in shape and position between males and females
- Female kittens : The genital opening is a vertical slit or teardrop shape, located close to the anus, almost touching it. The short distance between the anus and genital opening makes the two appear very close together
- Male kittens : The genital opening is round, resembling a small dot, and is positioned farther from the anus, with a noticeable gap between the two. This gap is where the testicles will develop. In young males, testicles may not be visible but can sometimes be felt as small oval lumps under the skin between the anus and genital opening
- A simple way to remember is: male = circle, female = line (vertical slit)
- Coat color can also provide clues: tricolor (calico or tortoiseshell) cats are almost always female, while orange or ginger cats are more often male
- Kittens can usually be sexed reliably from about 3 to 4 weeks old, when their sexual organs are developed enough to distinguish
- Handle kittens gently and keep them warm during examination. If unsure, ask a veterinarian for help
In summary, check the shape of the genital opening and the distance between it and the anus: males have a round opening with a wider gap, females have a vertical slit with a shorter gap
