How to distinguish a male kitten from a girl: a newborn, in the first days of life

What will you learn from the article?

1. What you can and cannot do when you first try to identify a male cat
2. How to distinguish a boy from a girl kitten Distance between the anus and genitals
3. Shape of genital organs
4. Manifestation of the shape of the testicles in male kittens at 3 months
5. Tactile palpation of the genitals of kittens
6. Coloring can tell you how to find out the gender of a kitten
7. Non-standard folk methods

Agree, it is quite difficult to determine the gender of a small kitten, especially a newborn. You have to seek help from a veterinarian or wait 10-12 weeks (2-3 months) before the gender is obvious. Learn to do it yourself at an earlier stage .

The article contains all the necessary information for the owner of the animal, supported by a photo in order to learn how to distinguish a cat from a cat. It will also be useful to learn how to properly feed a kitten at 10-12 weeks.

Is it possible to determine the sex of newborn babies?

To start raising a kitten, it is very important to determine the gender as early as possible (preferably in infancy). This way you can apply the correct taming techniques to the tray, scratching post and bathing, as well as select the right food, vitamins and get the necessary vaccinations.

At first glance, it is almost impossible to understand for sure whether a newborn baby is a boy or a girl, due to the structural features of the body. Don’t despair and seek help from a veterinarian or a familiar felinologist!

As a rule, a cat's litter gives birth to babies of different sexes. This feature will help you almost unambiguously identify boys and girls among babies. To determine the sex, you just need to compare the kittens' genitals.

The baby’s body is still very weak, so you need to act with extreme caution:

• gently grab the kitten by the scruff of the neck (as a mother cat does) and place it, belly down, in your palm;
• then carefully raise the baby to eye level, so that you can easily inspect everything;
• slowly lift your ponytail;
• begin visual gender determination.

Photo: the example shows that the genitals of newborns are different, a boy on the left, a girl on the right

You should know that the genitals of newborn kittens are just beginning to form. Therefore, pay attention to the distance between the genitals and the anus: in girls it is much smaller than in boys.

When visually inspecting, be careful not to scare or harm the newborn kitten. If the baby begins to meow pitifully, his mother will become seriously worried: she will start calling her children, constantly dragging them to new shelters.

You can also observe the behavior of newborns. Usually girls are calmer, sleep a lot and eat more willingly. Boys squeak more often, looking for new adventures, climbing on their mother or crawling around the house.

Never “check” the floor too often or forcefully. Firstly, you will only become more confused in your conclusions, and secondly, such actions create a lot of stress for both the mother cat and her babies.

Try to consider the following tips:

• do not lift kittens by the tail;
• do not take babies away from their mother during feeding;
• do not try to feel something in the pet’s genital area - you can damage the fragile organism;
• It is better not to touch the kittens unnecessarily, as the alien smell can frighten the mother cat and force her to abandon the children.

Non-standard folk methods

Folk omens are not as reliable as medical advances, but they also work. They can be used to test your own intelligence or the frequency of coincidence of observations with real facts.

In the face

It is enough to look at the baby's head to determine its gender. Girls have a thinner, more graceful, elongated muzzle. In males, the head will look more massive. However, you should not trust this method unconditionally.

By voice

It is believed that boys are “chatty” and love to squeak and meow for no reason. In both humans and cats, boys will have a low and rough voice, and girls will have a high and thin voice.

By weight

There are two ways to determine the sex of a kitten by weight: either by weighing the baby daily, or by comparing it with other kittens in the litter. Boys grow faster and gain more weight. They also eat more than girls.

At what age can you accurately determine the gender of a kitten?

It is possible to find out absolutely exactly who the kitten is only after two months. By this time, sexual characteristics have already developed quite strongly.

Photo: at two months of age, cats and seals become different

The babies begin to lead an almost independent lifestyle, gradually moving away from their mother. The difference in behavior, look, habits and even daily routine between boys and girls will be immediately visible.

As a rule, cats are quite soft, affectionate, very active and playful. Their gaze is particularly attentive and kind. Cat girls love attention and love to be carried in your arms like princesses.

But boys grow up to be real pranksters! They will be happy to engage their brothers and sisters in games. The kitten boys are ready for pranks; mischievous lights immediately begin to play in their eyes.

If you don’t notice their approach in time, they will bite your hand, pull your hair, jump, and try to bite other pets by the ear and tail.

You can also pay attention to the color and shape of the muzzle. This method is effective and allows you to draw a certain conclusion at an early age.

How are cats different from cats?

While kittens are small, they are equally funny, playful and cute. But with age the difference becomes obvious. You can rely on these differences because cats are animals that are largely driven by hormones and reflexes.

As a result of many years of observations, the following most characteristic signs of behavior were identified:

Cats are more independent and restrained in showing love to their owner. They often show hunting instincts and are more playful, often “hunting” their owner, attacking from behind cover. They are curious and consider the house to be a common territory, so they must be aware of everything that happens in it.

Kitties are more affectionate and easy-going. They are clean people who tidy not only their own fur, but also the fur of other animals in the house, and can even wash their owner. More often they require attention and manifestations of love from their owners. Also, cats can bear offspring in the future.

Determination methods

Among modern felinologists, various methods are used to determine the sex of kittens. There are both quite simple and traditional methods, as well as those using high technology.

By genitals

The easiest and most reliable way to find out who your pet is is a simple visual assessment of the animal's genitals. The main advantage of this method is the opportunity to find out the sex of the baby as early as possible.

It is recommended not to touch newborn kittens until they reach three to four weeks of age. Mothers of babies are very worried!

Next, you will learn how to determine the sex of a kitten. At 1 month, the babies are already strong enough and can be carefully examined.

Girls have a vertical stripe (vulva), which from a distance resembles an inverted letter “i”. Also, the genitals of cats are located almost close to the anus. If you notice a colon under your pet's tail, it means it's a boy.

Photo: the area under the tail of cats and cats is very different

Also, small cats have small swellings in this area, the testicles. They will be formed only by two to three months. But there were cases when girls, due to the structural features of the body, had similar testicles, and in boys, the testicles were “hidden” in the abdominal cavity for up to three months.

Controversial situations often confuse owners who have encountered this for the first time and do not know exactly how to determine the sex of a kitten. At 2 months, the characteristic differences between girls and boys are clearly outlined.

The character and description of the British Fold cat breed is discussed in the article: British Fold cat.

Where to buy a Russian blue cat in Moscow, read here.

By color

Many people suggest determining the sex of an animal by its color. This method should not be underestimated or taken as a joke. In fact, by the number of colors on the fur coat and the pattern, you can easily distinguish cats from male cats.

A certain set of genes and a combination of chromosomes are responsible for the appearance of fur. Biological analysis in research has shown that only cats are tricolored.

For such a combination, two X chromosomes are needed, which only female individuals have. Very rarely, abnormal tortoiseshell (multi-colored) cats were born, but they were infertile.

Photo: only cats have a tortoiseshell color.
Different coat pigments are directly linked to genes and gender. Statistics have revealed that cats are most often completely red.

Photo: seals can boast of red coats

By behavior

It would seem that cats and cats are very similar to each other. They are excellent hunters, loyal companions and avid sleepers. How to determine the sex of a kitten? At 3 months you can notice slight changes in the behavior of babies.

After just a little observation of the brood, you will see that girls and boys have their own habits and behavior:

• teenage cats try to be like adults in everything, sharpen their claws and rub their faces against various objects, marking their territory;
• girls are more active than boys, they play with pleasure for a long time and sleep much less;
• cats are often more sociable, they like to sleep with people, hug and kiss;
• girls usually demonstrate their independence and relax alone;
• beautiful pets are more clean: they lick themselves more often and require a neat bed and toilet;
• boys behave more confidently and slightly arrogantly.

Despite the fact that the behavior of cats and seals is different, you should not rely entirely on this method.

By palpation

Sometimes it can be difficult to determine the gender of a kitten purely visually. Palpation will definitely help resolve your doubts and will not cause any inconvenience to your pet.

Another advantage of this method is the ability to determine the sex of the baby at a very early age.

Photo: palpation should be carried out as carefully as possible

Carefully take the kitten in your palm and lightly feel the area under the anus.

If you feel slight swelling, it means this is a boy. These will form testicles by two months. For female cats, the area under the tail will be smooth without protrusions.

However, sometimes the palpation method misfires. Some cats have peculiar swellings (due to the peculiar structure of the body), which can easily be confused with male genital organs. Also, in small cats, the testicles are often located in the abdominal cavity.

You can also determine the sex of your pet by the hair in the area under the tail. Take the kitten and gently run your finger over the area between the anus and the genitals. Girls in this area have practically no hair, but boys have quite thick hair.

Other

In addition to the above methods of determining sex, there are other, less used, but still effective methods.

They are very different: there are both innovative (using high technology) and quite traditional (based on the physiology of the pet).

You can definitely determine the sex of your pet using a DNA test. Experienced specialists at the clinic will conduct an analysis and give an accurate conclusion within a week.

However, not all cities have equipment for a complex test, and the procedure is quite expensive. This method is not common, since it is possible to determine the sex of a kitten in a simpler way.

It is also worth paying attention to the difference in the development of girls and boys. Puberty begins earlier in cats (at six months) than in boys (at seven to twelve months). Therefore, using the sign you can confirm what gender your pet is.

Also, cats, as a rule, mark their territory more often and scratch things they like more often. Girls are comparatively more careful; they take care of the environment around them.

Seals have more odorous urine, which is due to the natural need to clearly mark the boundaries of their territory.

Some people manage to determine the gender of their pets by their faces. If you take a good look at these animals, you will notice that cats have smoother and more refined features, while cats, on the contrary, are a little rougher and tougher. The size of the head also varies. Girls have significantly smaller heads than boys.

Photo: cats and female cats have different shapes and sizes of faces.
The physique of animals is also a clear indicator of their gender. Kitties have a thinner and more flexible body. The impression of extraterrestrial grace is created. But cats have a stronger, stockier body, designed for the need to defend their own territory.

However, this method has a major disadvantage. Baby kittens have almost the same body type, which makes it very difficult to determine the sex visually.

Differences in appearance

Males differ from cats in their muzzle.
The British cat has wide bones, is muscular, and squat due to short, strong legs (cobby type). High cheekbones, with a round skull on a short strong neck. Ears are indirectly set. It is the cheekbones that give the expression of such a cat’s face a businesslike, serious look, “cheekiness.” Representatives of this breed have a massive tail of medium length. The undercoat is thick and developed. The British breed is designated in documents as BRI:

• BRI SH - British Shorthair;
• BRI LH - British Longhair.

Among the representatives of the British breed, sexual dimorphism is developed, when by the appearance of the animal one can immediately determine its gender: cats are larger, more powerful, cats have a more graceful body, their muzzle is more accurately sculpted.

Both the “British” and the “Scots” do not experience aggression towards children

The Scottish Fold (Scottish Fold) also comes from Great Britain. Most often, the muzzle expresses frivolity, causing emotion in a person. The skull is rounded, reminiscent of an owl's head. The neck is clearly visible, the body is slightly elongated. The jaws are strong, the chin is strong. One of the criteria by which experts distinguish these cats is grace. Scottish dogs are lighter and more agile. The paws of the “Scots” are thinner and longer, and the tail is much more mobile.

Scottish kittens are more playful than representatives of the British breed

Scottish Folds have one important distinguishing feature: curled ears, which, according to the breed's exterior, should not extend beyond the contour of the head. Kittens are born with normal ears; they begin to curl when the kitten reaches 30 days of age.

Cat breeds also differ in skull shape

In the litter of “Scots” you can also often find a straight-eared kitten (straight). If both parents are lop-eared, the level of genetic risk is significantly increased. The coat of the “British” and “Scots” is equally thick and short. As for tactile sensations, the fur of a British cat is more like plush, while Scottish cats are a little fluffier.

Scottish Folds are identified as a separate species and are labeled SFS; Straights are usually designated SSS or SCS in pedigrees.

A professional can easily notice the difference between cat breeds, but an ordinary animal lover will have to take a closer look

Caution when handling kittens

When examining babies, you need to be as careful as possible. The kittens' bodies are not yet strong enough, so even an accidental awkward movement or slight use of force can injure the pet.

Photo: you need to be careful when examining kittens

It is very important to consider the age of the kitten. Newborn babies should not be separated from their mother until they reach one month of age.

You need to lift the kittens carefully by the scruff of the neck (in no case by the tail!), holding it lightly. Try not to hold the baby in your arms for more than two minutes, otherwise his mother will be very worried.

If you are going to palpate, try to palpate as gently as possible. Accidentally pressing the wrong button can lead to a tragic outcome.

Determining the sex of a kitten is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. With just a little practice, you will be able to distinguish a boy from a girl even by the outline of his face.

A flea and tick collar for cats is discussed in the article: fleas on cats.

How long does a Russian blue cat live, see on the page.

Learn about caring for your cat's fur from this information.

Colors

In addition to obvious signs and observation of habits, the color of the animal will also tell about the gender. Here are some nuances of the cat's palette:

• The tortoiseshell or tri-color color can only appear in girls. This is caused by genetics: to combine all three classic colors, a pair of X chromosomes is required, which is typical for girls. In cats, the black-white-red color can only appear in the event of a genetic failure or disease.
• A color called Calico (a type of tortoiseshell) also belongs to girlish “outfits”.
• Only a cat can have a completely red color, as well as a hint of cinnamon.

Regarding spotted cats, there is no exact definition based on color. Red and black pets may have white spots, regardless of gender. However, it has been noticed that the combination “red and white” is more common in boys, and “black and white” cats are more often found.

Final table

Sex differences between male and female cats can be presented in the form of a table that combines folk methods and objective criteria:

Of course, the presence of a scrotum and a DNA test are 100% guaranteed to determine the sex of a pet.

How to tell the difference during puberty

The situation changes when the time comes for love, then it is much easier to distinguish animals. Cats begin to mark their territory with particular zeal. Therefore, very soon your house or apartment will become saturated with a very specific smell. It is better not to prevent your pet from going outside to satisfy his sexual desires, otherwise you will experience his teeth or claws on yourself.

Sometimes the male sex even begins to take revenge for house arrest: they spoil expensive shoes or furniture.

In the face

How can you tell if a kitten is a boy or a girl? Look at the animal's face. Cats are distinguished by wide facial expressions, plus everything is thinner and softer, it has a small oval, while a cat has wider cheekbones and a nose, a rough shape.

Determining sex by face and habits is too difficult for a novice breeder.

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By body structure

You can also check the animal’s build: cats are more fragile and smaller in build, unlike cats. Also, the skull of a cat, the muzzle itself is smaller than that of cats. Cats have a wider chest and massive paws, but much in this case depends on the breed, the individual characteristics of the animal itself: if the parents were large, the kitten will inherit their genetics in body structure.

It is easy to make a mistake in determining gender based on body structure.

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Adult animals

There are situations when it is necessary to determine the sex of an animal in adulthood. However, it is not always possible to catch the cat for a thorough examination. Difficulties in determining may also arise if the cat has been neutered. In this case, signs that will help determine the sex of the animal will come to the rescue:

• The method of determining the distance between natural holes is also suitable for adults. Even in castrated cats, you can determine the place allocated for the testicles.
• The muzzle will tell you who is in front of you. In cats it is rounder and wider, while in females there is an elongated face. The male's nose has a wider wall. This method of determination is suitable in the case of comparison. In another situation, an inexperienced person is unlikely to notice the difference if there is only one “sample”.
• Watch your gait. Cats are elegant and graceful, they walk quietly and smoothly, as if they are “swimming.” Cats have a more “predatory” gait. A cat walking on a walk resembles a small copy of a tiger - its “shoulders” lower its paw to the ground with importance and taste.
• Cleanliness. This is not to say that cats are sloppy, but in comparison with females they still lose. The cat spends a lot of time grooming itself; it licks itself with or without reason. You can also find a cat in a disheveled state: with a rumpled ear after sleep and traces of cobwebs on its face after a walk.
• Schedule. Cats are businesslike, they constantly look around and “make inquiries” about the affairs of their household. Cats, on the contrary, explore the territory and prefer to sleep at home.

The methods presented are not extremely useful in determining the sex of an animal, but will be interesting for cat lovers and novice cat lovers.

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