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Discovering the sex of your new cat can be a challenge, especially for inexperienced cat owners. The characteristics that distinguish male cats from female cats are not always obvious, and it becomes even more difficult with kittens or neutered males. However, there are certain signs and behaviors that can help you determine the sex of your cat. In this article, BeaCon pet will help you the best ways to determine the sex of your feline companion, whether they are a kitten or a grown cat with . By learning these techniques, you can have a better understanding of your cat’s gender and provide them with the appropriate care they need.
Sexing Kittens
When it comes to determining the sex of newborn and young kittens, it can be a bit tricky. Kittens are so immature that it’s nearly impossible to tell their sex when they’re just a few weeks old. However, as they reach six to eight weeks of age, their genitalia becomes more visually obvious. Keep in mind that the penis is not normally visible in male cats, so it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to see or feel the scrotum. However, the apparent lack of a penis or testes does not necessarily mean that a kitten is female.
A common method used by breeders to identify the sex of younger cats or neutered cats is by using “punctuation marks.” To do this, gently raise the kitten’s tail. Start by petting them gently and try scratching their lower back, as they may raise their tail automatically as they start to purr.
- Female cats: When looking at a female cat’s genital area, also known as the space just under her tail, it will look like an upside-down exclamation point (¡) with the long slit of the vaginal area below the anus. The anus and vagina are typically only about half an inch apart. In kittens, the anus and vagina may both look like dots, and they may be even closer together.
- Male cats: The male cat has a larger separation between the anus and the penis, with the testicles in the middle. Both of these openings look more like dots, circles, or a colon (:) than slits or lines.
Sexing Grown Cats
Determining the sex of a grown cat can be done using the same techniques as for kittens. This method usually works well for both neutered and unaltered cats. However, if a cat has not been spayed or neutered, it will be easier to determine their sex based on appearance and behavior.
When cats are spayed or neutered, there are no obvious behavioral differences between the genders. Apparent differences in behavior are likely related to individual cat temperaments.
- Unneutered male cats, also known as tomcats, will have readily evident testicles and a broader jowl. They also exhibit unique behaviors as they reach maturity. Unneutered males tend to be more active and aggressive, and they are more likely to mark their territory through urine spraying.
- Unspayed female cats will go into heat roughly every two weeks when in season. During this time, their behavior can change drastically as they attempt to find a mate. Unspayed females are typically more demanding of attention and vocally louder.
- Neutered cats, whether male or female, do not display typical male or female behaviors. Neutered males are generally more passive than unneutered males, and spayed females do not go into heat.
Sex-Based Differences in Appearance
While all cats look very similar, there are some colors and physical indications that are unique to a particular gender. It is extremely rare for a male cat to have tri-colored calico or orange-and-black tortoiseshell fur. So if you have a calico or tortoiseshell cat, chances are it is female. On the other hand, it is uncommon for a female cat to have orange or ginger-colored (or orange-and-white striped) fur. If you have an orange cat, there’s a good chance it is male.
A cat that has given birth is more likely to have visually obvious nipples, although both males and females have nipples. Female cats going through heat may also have a small amount of mucoid vaginal discharge, and a pregnant cat will have a low-hanging, distended belly.
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Remember, understanding the sex of your cat is important for their overall health and well-being. By being aware of the sexual characteristics of both male and female cats, you can provide them with the appropriate care and attention they need.
