How Can I Tell the Difference Between a Girl & Boy Kitten?

Determining the gender of a new kitten can prove a tricky endeavor, particularly when the cat is very young. This has led to many a young male cat beginning life with a female name and vice versa before the cat's owner realizes the mistake. But once you know the basics of a cat's external reproductive anatomy, it is a fairly straightforward process to determine the gender of your new kitten.

Instructions

    • 1

      Take note of the coloring of the kitten. If its coat is calico (white with patches of black and brown) or tortoiseshell (mottled orange, brown and black), this is one of the easiest ways to determine the kitten's sex. Calico and tortoiseshell coats do not usually occur in male cats, so if your kitten has either of these colorings, it is very likely that you have a female.

    • 2

      Wait at least two weeks after birth before attempting to determine the sex of a kitten by checking its anatomy. Even seasoned veterinarians and cat breeders have been known to have a difficult time figuring out the gender of very young kittens.

    • 3

      Hold the kitten still by gently holding the skin at the scruff of its neck and lift the kitten's tail. You should see the kitten's anus immediately under the tail and another opening below it, which are the genitals. If the kitten has long hair, you may need to have another person assist you by holding the hair out of the way so you can see the area clearly.

    • 4

      Look at the kitten's genitals. For a female kitten, the genital opening is just below the anus and has the appearance of a small vertical slit. A male kitten's genitals are farther down from the anus and have a rounder shape. If the kitten is older than four to six weeks of age, you may be able to see or touch the testicles on a male in the area between the anus and genital opening; they feel like two small peas.

    • 5

      Contact your veterinarian if you still have not been able to determine the sex of your kitten after looking at its genitals, or if you notice any abnormalities in the kitten's anatomy. Anything that doesn't look quite right could be a sign of a serious medical issue that needs to be taken care of promptly so your kitten can live a long and healthy life.