Tuesday, March 19, 2024

How Can You Tell The Gender Of A Cat

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How To Tell If A Cat Is Neutered

This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 90% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 399,576 times.

Since there is so much cat overpopulation in the world, it’s the job of a responsible cat owner to neuter, or castrate, their male cat. Many male cat owners don’t neuter their cats because they think that since their cat won’t have babies, it doesn’t matter. However, your cat can mate with female cats in the area and contribute to the overpopulation.XTrustworthy SourceThe Humane Society of the United StatesNational organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfareGo to source If you’ve adopted an adult male cat and you’re not sure whether he’s neutered, you can learn to check and see if your cat is neutered.

Mummy’s Boy Vs Ice Queens

Myth: Male cats are more affectionate towards humans and bond really well with their owners. Female cats are aloof and, because of their mothering instincts, prefer other cats to humans.

Reality: This usually comes down to your cats individual personality. Some are very independent while others are happiest with their humans.

Most cats, male and female, prefer to live alone with just their owners for company. Just like wild cats, our feline friends tend to be loners.

Their upbringing plays a massive part in how affectionate they are towards you. If theyve been socialised since they were a young kitten, theyre more likely to happy and confident with you. Cats that havent been handled from a young age can be a bit more cautious around their human housemates.

 

How Do I Know If My Cats Male

A male cats genital area comprises the anus, the scrotum and the penis. 

The scrotum or scrotal sac contains the testicles, and is covered in fur. In newborn kittens the testicles are very small, about the size of a cherry stone. By the time the cat reaches adulthood, theyll be around the size of a cherry itself. So if there are testicles, you should be able to see and feel them. 

The penis is located right above the testicles in a little tuft of fur. You can see it between the cats back legs. 

In adult cats youll find the anus some three centimetres from the penis. In a newborn kitten, this distance is reduced. 

Once Youve Decided That Its The Right Time Gently Pick Up Your Kitten And Proceed To The Next Steps

To determine your kittens sex, raise their tail to observe the shape and position of the anus and genitalia.

  • Place the kitten on its front on a soft non-slip surface like a towel.
  • Lift up the kittens tail so that you can visually inspect the perineal area .
  • Both male and female kittens have two orifices in the perineal area. The top opening is the anus, and the lower opening is the genital opening: penis or the vulva . The key characteristic to note is the shape of the genital opening.

The Connection Between Kitten Coat Color And Gender

Can someone please help identify the gender of this kitten ...

According to Carlene Strandell, Director and Founder of Smitten with Kittens, a non-profit, foster-based kitten rescue that operates in Tallahassee, Fla., coat color may help you indicate the sex of the kitten. Three-colored cats such as and tortoiseshells are usually female. 

Fun fact: calico and tortoiseshell cats are almost always females because those color patterns are caused by sex-linked genes. Similarly, about 3 in 4 orange tabby cats are always male.

How To Tell Cat Gender By Face

The only really accurate way to know if you have a male or a female cat is to look at the cats genitals and make your deduction based on these. In some cases, however, this isnt possible. You can make a very good guess at a cats sex by studying the animals face.

Note that this only applies to cats that have outgrown the kitten stage and begun to develop their adult characteristics. When theyre born, male and female kittens are virtually indistinguishable; they can really only be sexed by examining the genitals, and even then this can be tricky for the lay cat owner.

READ ALSO: Why My Cat Hates My Dog?

The male cats face tends to be heavier and more jowly than the females. Overall, hell look somewhat less delicate and defined. Male cats tend to have a larger muzzle, with broader nose wings. Their foreheads tend to be larger and broader, and they often have blockier cheekbones than their sisters.

The whisker pads are usually more pronounced, although this will depend to a large part on whether and when the animal was de-sexed. A male cat who was neutered at an early stage in his development will have a much less masculine look than one who was neutered well into adulthood, or who is still entire.

Female cats dont undergo such pronounced facial changes during feline puberty. Their faces tend to be more pointed and narrower than the males, with a more slender muzzle and smaller whisker-pads. Their foreheads are less broad and their overall appearance less blocky.

Part 2 Of 2:using Alternatives To Check

  • 1Look for it in writing. When you’re buying or adopting a cat or kitten, ask if he comes with any paperwork. There may be a certificate or letter from a vet to prove that the cat has been neutered.
  • Also don’t be afraid to ask. If you are buying the cat from a pet store or adoption agency that doesn’t give you any paperwork, ask them if they know if your new cat has been neutered. It is not an indelicate question and makes you more responsible as an owner.XResearch source
  • 2Check his ear. If there is no information available when you adopt your cat, or if you found a stray cat, you can check his inner ear for tattoos. Check for tattoos or clipped ears. These signs usually mean the cat has been neutered.
  • There is one tattoo that doesn’t mean he has been neutered. If you see a letter M, that means the cat has been micro-chipped.XResearch source
  • 3Look at his lower body fur. When you pick up the cat, look at the fur around his lower body. If it is shaved or if it looks shorter than the rest of his fur, he may have been neutered. Vets have to shave off the fur in that area before performing the neutering operation, so it can be an indication.
  • This is not a foolproof method, so you should try another method in addition to this one.XResearch source
  • 4Notice if his urine smells particularly bad. Intact tom cats produce a particularly pungent and offensive smelling urine. If your cat produces very smelly urine, then he may be intact or just recently neutered.
  • How To Determine The Sex Of A Kitten

    When sexing kittens the easiest way to explain the difference is by saying that the distance between the anus and the urinary tract opening is much shorter in a female than in a male. Or to be blunt the holes are closer together in a girl than in a boy.

    It can be very difficult to determine if a young kitten has testicles as they are very small so I find it easier to just look at the distance between the anus and the urinary tract opening .

    It is also noticeable that the opening for the female is more elongated than the opening for the male. 

    Method 1 Of 2:determining The Sex By The Cat’s Physical Features

  • 1Approach the cat or kitten with care. To ascertain the sex of a cat or kitten, it’s necessary to pick the cat up. Some cats don’t like to be handled, so take a little time to let him or her get comfortable around you.
  • Stand or crouch near the cat and let him or her approach you. When the cat comes close, let him or her sniff your hand.
  • If the cat seems nervous, you may have to come back later or have a partner help you with the next step.
  • 2Lift the cat’s tail. Gently pick up the cat and cradle him or her in one arm. Use your free hand to lift the tail so you can examine the genital area.
  • If the cat doesn’t mind being handled, this may be easiest to perform while sitting on a chair or the couch, so you don’t have to worry about dropping the cat.
  • If you’re working with a partner, have the partner hold the cat securely in both arms while you lift the tail.
  • If the cat avoids having his or her tail lifted, try scratching him or her in the area where the tail meets the back. Cats usually lift their tails when they are touched in this spot.XResearch source
  • 3Look for genitalia characteristic of a male cat. The surest way to tell the difference between a male and female cat is by examining the cat’s physical features below its tail. Begin by looking for male genital features, which can be somewhat easier to spot.
  • A male cat will have an anus, scrotum, and penis, while a female cat will have only an anus and urinary tract opening.
  • What Is My Kitten’s Gender

    Determining the sex of a cat can be difficult at times, especially if there is no other cat with which to compare the anatomy. So how can you tell if you have a Merlin or a Misty, a Rex or a Ruby? Here are a few steps to tell what your kitten’s gender is

    If you’ve established a good relationship with the cat, pick him or her up and lift its tail. If the kitten isn’t responding well, you may want to solicit the assistance of a friend or family member. If the cat still isn’t lifting its tail, try scratching it where the lower back meets its tail; most cats lift their tails if you do this to them.

    Once the tail is up, you should have full view of the cat’s genitals and anus. A male will have a much greater distance between the genitals and anus than females ½ inch apart on a male kitten or over 1 inch apart on a male adult cat. Conversely, if the two are almost adjacent on a kitten or less than 1/2 inch apart on an adult, its a female.

    Need some more help determining the sex of your cat or kitten? Check out the pics below.

    Do Male And Female Cats Look Different

    Male cats do tend to be larger, more muscular, and female cats tend to be smaller and daintier, but this is not a rule that always applies.

    There are some sex-linked colour differences: nearly all tortoiseshell cats or calico cats  are female, while around 70% of ginger cats are male. Tabby cats are equally likely to be male or female.

    How To Tell The Sex Of A Kitten: Complete Guide

    Most cat people find it very difficult to tell the sex of their kittens, particularly when it comes to newborn kittens. They often resort to asking their local vet to help sexing a kitten for them.

    But, thanks to Kitten Lady, aka Hannah Shaw, you can work out how to tell the sex of a kitten all by yourself!

    In the video below, Hannah will show you in a quick and easy video everything you need to know about how to tell if a kitten is male or female, so that you can tell the the sex of your kittens. All done with the help of super cute rescued kittens Velouria, Margot, Phillip, Winston, and Barnaby!

    If you want more detail weve set out the complete guide for how to tell kitten gender under the video and in our illustrations below. 

    How To Tell The Sex Of A Male Kitten

    Gender Of Kittens

    For a male kitten, youll find a small hole near the base of the tail, but there will be a second rounded shape a bit further down than with female kittens. Because the anus and scrotum have a bit of space between them, there will be some fur between them. As a male kitten gets a bit older, their testes will grow larger and be easier to distinguish.

    RELATED: How to Determine Your Kittens Age Week-by-Week

    Signs Your Cat Has Diabetes

    Diabetes mellitus is a chronic, and potentially debilitating, condition in cats. The disorder is most prevalent among obese cats, male cats over eight years old, and those on a diet high in carbohydrates.

    Cases of feline diabetes are on the rise, and given the severity of the condition, it is important to take early measures to prevent or manage the health of your diabetic cat.

    Typically, diabetes is a disorder that results when the cells develop a resistance to insulin, a hormone that aids the entry of glucose into the cells. This causes a build-up of the glucose levels in the bloodstream.

    Diabetic cats mostly suffer from Type II diabetes, where the body cells can no longer adequately respond to insulin, leading to elevated levels of glucose.

    A complete diagnosis always requires a visit to the vet, but a closer look at your cat at home can tell you if theres a problem. Bring your cat to Dr. Minta Keyes for a check-up if you notice any of these signs:

    Sexing Cats Based On Genitals

    The only really reliable way to determine a cats sex is to look at the genitals. This is easier in older cats. In very young kittens, the males and females can be quite hard to distinguish if you dont know what youre looking for.

    To see the cats genitals, youll need to gently lift up the tail. If the cat is relaxed and amenable to being handled, this is easy enough. Its a good idea to sit down with the cat on your lap, so you wont drop the animal if things dont go well. If the cat doesnt co-operate with you lifting the tail, try scratching the animals back at the base of the tail. This often causes the cat to lift up its tail instinctively.

    A more nervous or hostile cat can be tricky to handle its better to have someone else hold the cat while you perform the examination. It might be necessary to wrap the cat in a towel or blanket.

    A male cat will have a scrotum and penis located just below the anus. In an entire tom, the testicles will also be visible. Neutered toms still have scrota, but theyre smaller and less pronounced. A female cat will only have an anus and vagina.

    Whatever the cats sex, its important that the cat be spayed or neutered as soon as possible. Your vet can advise you on whether the cat is old enough for the procedure. Its usually carried out at around five months, but may be performed earlier in some cases. De-sexing cats makes them happier and easier to care for, as well as protecting them against various diseases.

    Determining A Kitten’s Sex

    Visual cues will help you determine if a kitten is male or female. While this distinction may be difficult to tell with newborns, it’ll become easier the older they get. Knowing the sex doesn’t make any difference in how you raise them, and only determines whether the kitten will eventually need to be spayed or to be neutered. 

    Easy Ways How To Tell The Gender Of Kitten

    Determine the sex of the kitten that you just bring to home is quite difficult. It is not that easy to know how to tell the gender of kitten especially if they are just several months of age since the visible differences and appearances between male and female cats when they still kittens are more subtle than when they already became adult.

    4 Week Old Kitten Care Tips

    You may simply bring them to the vet to ask the expert what gender your kitten has, however even veterinarian can occasionally make a wrong judgment. That is why; you can learn some ways to tell the gender or sex of the kitten below.

    How Do I Tell Whether Kittens Are Boys Or Girls

    This is one of those tasks that sounds like it should be really easy but actually it can be surprisingly hard! Until they begin puberty , male and female kittens are incredibly similar.

    There are several different approaches that different people use to determine sex, and some are more reliable than others, so well have a look at all the common ways to distinguish the boys from the girls.

    Coat colour

    This can sometimes give you a good indication but its not always reliable!

    Tortoiseshell cats are almost always female the cat needs two X chromosomes to be a tortie or a calico . However, some chromosomal abnormalities and a condition called chimaerism can result in male torties, so dont rely on it!

    Ginger tabbies are usually male but again, not always.

    All the other common colours can be male or female.

    Facial features

    When adult, tomcats tend to have a leaner, more muscular build, a broader face and a heavier skull.

    However, these features are all driven by testosterone and are not present in kittens before puberty just as you wouldnt expect a young boy to have broad shoulders and a beard!

    The facial features of male and female kittens are sufficiently similar that it isnt possible to use them to tell the sexes apart.

    Sex-linked behaviours

    Some books suggest that urine spraying is an indicator that the kitten is a male however, although spraying is more common in adult tomcats, all cats will spray if theyre stressed, so this really isnt terribly useful.

    Later Signs Of Diabetes In Cats

    If a cat displays a combination of the following symptoms, they could be in critical condition and require intensive care. Later signs of diabetes include the following:

    3. Inability to Jump & Loss of InterestWhile the loss of interest may be a subtle sign, you can tell your cat is sick if you keep proper track of your cats activity. If your cat can no longer jump on furniture they used to be able to, they may be sick.

    4. Change in GaitDiabetes in cats can lead to weakness, which makes them walk flat on the back of the hind legs. Following the elevated blood sugar level, neuropathy affects the nerves in the hind legs, and the condition may result in permanent paralysis if left untreated for long.

    5. Lack of Appetite, Vomiting, LethargyThe health of your cat is in jeopardy if you notice these late symptoms of diabetes mellitus. Hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and gastroparesis can cause nausea in cats leading to vomiting, lost appetite, and lethargy.

    How To Tell If Your Pet Cat Has Been Spayed Or Neutered

    Cat spaying and neutering is a common, veterinarian-recommended procedure. If you get an adult cat, though, it can be difficult to tell if this process has already taken place.

    Having your cat fixed is a responsible way to control pet population as well as cat behavior. Spaying and neutering has also been shown to reduce the chance of cancer in the reproductive organs of your feline friend. Thus, its helpful to know if your cat has been spayed or neutered if you are adopting an adult cat. Here are some ways to ascertain their condition:

    The Bottom Line On Feline Diabetes

    I can

    If you suspect your cat is sick, visit your veterinarian as soon as possible. Excessive urination, thirst, heightened appetite, vomiting, lethargy, and inactivity are symptoms of diabetes mellitus. At The Cat Hospital of Tucson, were committed to helping pet parents care for their cats throughout their lives. to book an appointment for a check-up and diagnosis of your cat.

    How To Determine The Sex Of A Cat

    This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 21 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,403,510 times.

    Male and female cats and kittens look and act similarly, so it can be difficult to tell what sex they are just by watching their behavior. If you know what to look for, however, there are several key differences that will allow you to differentiate between the sexes. Newborn kittens will have immature genitalia, so wait until the cats are a few weeks old to determine their sex.

    How To Tell The Sex Of A Kitten: Examining The Genitals

    Many breeders describe the appearance of male and female kittens genitals as punctuation marks. We know this sounds a bit odd, but bear with us!

    A male kittens genitals look a little like a colon. The round anus sits at the top, with a gap between the anus and another rounded opening for the penis. Between the two sits the scrotal sac. This will be very small in young kittens, but its still possible to feel the testicles if you palpate this area gently. You should feel two small oval-shaped testes underneath the skin.

    As a male kitten develops, it becomes easier to see and feel the testes as they grow in size.

    Female kittens genitals look more like an upside-down exclamation mark. The round anus sits at the top and is closely followed by the vaginal slit.

    The gap between the genital opening and the anus is more pronounced in male kittens than females. You may find that as you examine different kittens, it becomes easier to tell the difference between males and females.

    Cat Questions: How Do You Determine The Cat Gender

    Cat Questions: How Do You Determine The Cat Gender?

    Do you know how to determine cat gender or sex?

    Is it easy for you to identify if your cat is a male or female?

    To make it easier for you, here is a quick technique:

    • Lift the tail of the cat.
    • Check the distance of the anus and the urinary track opening.
    • For female cats, the Urinary Track Opening is nearer to the anus.
    • For male cats, the Urinary Track Opening is at least ½ inch to an inch away from the Anus.

    You can also identify a cats gender by the punctuation mark the backside provides.

    Female cats have a genital area that looks like an upside down exclamation point. The male cats genital area looked like a colon.

    Still confused here is an illustration:

    Still dont get it? Here is a video:

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    The Differences Between Male And Female Cats

    Many people think that male and female cats act differently and swear that boys or girls make the better pets. But is that true?

    A lot of cat lovers swear that their boy and girl cats behave in different ways. So, is there really a difference between the ways boys and girls behave, or is it more complicated than that?

    Our vets have delved into some common myths to find out more!

     

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