When a kitten arrives, some owners don't care whether it's a male or female. The sweet, affectionate little one usually inspires confidence, has a good appetite, and doesn't cause problems. Therefore, when a new pet arrives, owners don't always wonder how male and female cats differ and what the kitten's future holds. On the other hand, for other owners, this question is crucial—they want a male or a female cat.
Even if you don't care about the kitten's gender, it's best to determine it right away—it determines the animal's name, behavior, and, most likely, its future. And given that the lifestyles and behavioral patterns of male and female cats differ dramatically, the breeder may immediately prefer a cat of a certain gender.
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Why is it important to know the sex of a kitten?
To avoid problems in raising and subsequently caring for your pet, you need to understand in advance the differences between male and female cats.
The characteristic sexual characteristics of your pet will help you determine some important questions:
- According to statistics, males of some breeds are valued in catteries an order of magnitude higher than females;
- To avoid making a mistake with the baby's nickname, you should immediately find out whether it is a girl or a boy;
- Most likely, the kitten will require certain veterinary procedures in the future – sterilization of cats and castration of cats, respectively.
The most important point is that upon reaching a certain age the cat will remain without sterilization, there's a chance of a new addition to the family—especially if it's a pet living in a private home with free access to the yard. This is the first thing prospective owners consider, as this sensitive issue won't arise with a male cat.
Basic methods for determining the sex of a cat
First of all, it's worth noting that even visually, newborn female cats are always larger than male cats, are more active, and are also more resilient. A male baby cat's face is always rounder and plumper, while a female cat's face is pointed and relatively small. Later, adult male cats tend to be more dominant in behavior and interactions with other male cats.
But over time, male cats become larger and more massive, more clumsy, and love peace and sleep, while female cats become graceful and active.
How to tell a kitten's sex by the shape of its genitals
To determine the sex of a furry kitten, place it on your palm, paws up, with its tail pointed down. You can visually determine the kitten's sex by the distance from the genitals to the anus. In female cats, these are located close together and, according to experts, resemble an inverted exclamation point—the dot above the line. In small male cats, the genitals are located further apart, forming a "colon" shape.
Many cat owners, based on their own observations, can confidently say that there are other ways to identify a pet's sex at 2-3 months of age. Sometimes, it's not difficult to distinguish a young male from a female by the density of the fur on their genitals. Male cats have thicker fur under their tails, while female cats have sparse, bald patches. In a growing cat, you can already feel the beginnings of the testicles—the firm lumps closer to the anus.
Determining the sex of your pet by its color
There are some characteristics that allow for accurate gender differentiation. Experienced cat owners know that the tortoiseshell color pattern is 99% exclusive to female cats. This is because only females can transmit both the red and black genes, which is how the tricolor coat is created. Male cats, on the other hand, acquire their coloring thanks to a single X chromosome. While male cats are sometimes born with three colors, this is a genetic abnormality (such animals are sterile from birth). However, red-colored cats are usually male.
How to identify a cat by its behavior
The behavior of kittens of both sexes remains very similar during infancy: healthy kittens are playful, active, and curious. But as the kitten gets older, it becomes easier to guess its gender based on its behavior. So, how do female kittens typically behave compared to male cats?
Female cats are willful, energetic, and self-sufficient. They are especially affectionate during their heat cycle. Male cats, on the other hand, are calm, often lazy. They are indifferent to any movement and are awake for no more than 4-5 hours a day.
That's why cats are considered real mousers, which can't be said about cats:
- Fluffy ladies are cleaner - this is evident in the fact that they lick their fur more often.
- Cats are easier to litter train.
- It is believed that cats love comfort and prefer to eat from a clean bowl.
- At 7-8 months, cats begin to go into heat, the animal becomes more aggressive, can meow loudly (attracting males), lie down on its stomach, raising its butt.
Male cats reach sexual maturity between 10 and 12 months of age, and closer to a year, they may begin marking their territory. In this situation, male cats tend to go outside, dart around the house, may more fiercely guard their territory from rivals, fight over other females, and sometimes display aggression toward other household members.
There's a folk method for determining the sex of animals: it's believed that small male cats always run to their food bowl with their tails raised, showing pleasure and concern. Female cats don't do this—their tails hang down while eating.
Differences in body structure between male and female cats
Males grow and gain weight faster, often becoming heavier and more compact (with proper housing and feeding, of course). Miniature cats are often smaller in size and weight, more graceful and fine-boned.
What other visual characteristics in the constitution of feline animals do breeders highlight?
- The structure of a cat's skull makes it easier to determine sex - their head and especially the frontal bone are smaller.
- Cats have large paws with more massive pads.
- The female cat's chest bone is less developed, but male cats are generally busty and majestic.
- The nipples are palpable in both sexes, but in small cats they are more pronounced and larger.
Another point is that cats' meowing is lower, rougher, and bassier.
We reveal gender identity using DNA testing
When a visual and tactile examination by an experienced veterinarian is inconclusive (for example, the kitten's coat thickness is confusing or the genitals are not fully developed), it is always possible to have a blood test performed and determine the kitten's sex using a DNA test.
When does it make sense to resort to laboratory testing, and what are the features of this method of sex determination:
- This is the only accurate way when you urgently need to find out the sex of your pet.
- The most expensive method—laboratory testing is expensive. This option is suitable for purebred pets.
- This is relevant if there is a clinic nearby and you have free time to contact them regarding this issue.
By 4-6 months, the kitten's gender will become clear. Patience and careful observation of your pet's behavior are the most cost-effective option.
How to distinguish a male cat from a female cat at a young age
Newborn kittens are quite difficult to differentiate by sex. They are not yet fully formed, their genitals are underdeveloped, making it difficult to accurately visualize their sex, their behavioral skills are not well-developed, and their coloring may change during the first few months.
What to do in this case?
- In this case, only a DNA test can give an accurate answer.
- A specialist examination will help you determine the sex of your pet. An experienced veterinarian can accurately determine whether it's a male or female based on the animal's weight, skull shape, and body type.
- The last option is to try to identify the pet by its genitals. This is especially useful if the animal isn't particularly furry. It's recommended to try this method when the baby is 2.5 to 3 months old.
It's easier to determine the sex of very young kittens by being able to compare them: if you have several kittens in front of you and one of them has already been assigned to a certain gender type, then the sex of the next one is easier to determine based on external comparative characteristics.
At what age is it easier to determine the sex of a kitten?
At the earliest stages, it's extremely difficult to determine the difference between a female cat and a male cat. It's easiest to begin manipulations at 3-4 months of age, when the kitten's genitals are more or less formed. By this time, it's also easier to distinguish the dominant behavior of a male cat from the light, neat figure of a female cat.
A six-month-old pet is already becoming intelligent and distinctive. At this age, it's easy to tell whether it's a male or female cat by its habits and behavioral characteristics.
Determining the sex of a young pet can be difficult. This is most likely necessary for naming the kitten. Once a kitten reaches 2-3 months of age, it will reveal its gender through its behavior, personality, and appearance. At a young age, there are no foolproof ways to determine the sex of male and female cats, other than DNA testing. However, by trying different methods, you can probably determine with at least a high degree of certainty which one you're dealing with.
Read also, How does a cat's pregnancy proceed?
