How To Tell A Female Cat From A Male Cat

Neutered Male Cats Tend To:

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.

Difference Between Male And Female Cat Faces

Though the most accurate way to determine the sex of a cat is by examining its genitals, this may not always be quite easy to do. When trying to tell if a stray cat or any cat from afar is a male or female, there are a few characteristics in their appearance which can help tell them apart.

The face of a male cat tends to be heavier, with more pronounced jowls. They have broader foreheads, and their muzzles are wider with larger nose wings. They also have more defined whisker pads. The intensity of these features depends on the stage at which the animals were neutered. If done at an early age, the neutered male will have softer features than those that were neutered later in life.

Females can be identified by their softer, more slender faces. They are more narrow and pointed at the chin. Their muzzles are more slender as well, with the whisker pads being less pronounced. Facial features must be taken with a grain of salt when it comes to determining the sex of the cat, as the age of neutering plays a heavy role in their appearance.

Some cats can be instantly recognized by their coat color or pattern. For example, typically cats of the tortoiseshell and calico breeds are female. In some breeds such as the British shorthair, the male cat is much smaller than the female, making size an identifiable factor too.

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How To Tell The Sex Of A Male Kitten

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.

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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.

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Male Cat Intimidation Behaviors

When an interloper ignores these signals, a tomcat will put on a visual display of prowess, in order to intimidate and make the stray think twice about proceeding. The ASPCA explains what aggressive body language looks like:

• Stiff legged at the rear end, with the back sloping down toward the head
• Tail is held low or between the legs and may wag stiffly
• Pupils may be constricted or dilated
• Whiskers are held flat back against the face
• Ears are held sideways and stiffly
• Cat’s hackles are raised
• Cat is liable to growl or yowl
• Cat stares directly at his opponent and fixes his gaze without backing down.

Never attempt to intervene physically with a tomcat in this highly aroused state. He is likely to attack. If it’s essential to distract the cat to keep injuries from occurring, then throwing a bowl of water over him usually diffuses the immediate situation . You can also try banging pots together to make a loud noise to startle the cats out of trying to fight with each other.

Male Or Female Kitten

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Male Cat Body Language And Communication

Tomcats are prepared to fight to defend their territory, but this is usually the option of last resort. This is because fighting risks injury, and an injured cat can’t hunt and feed himself. The answer is a complex language of body postures, which signals the cat’s intentions in the ultimate game of call my bluff. The first tool in the tomcat’s artillery is scent, hence all that spraying and scratching to claim ownership.

Male Vs Female Cats Their Differences And Similarities

Male vs Female Cats, now this is an interesting topic. I can already hear both sides!

They say men are from Mars and women are from Venus. Cats are from Uranus! It’s not a dirty joke.

In astrology, Uranus is associated with independence, thrill seeking, eccentricity, ingenuity and capriciousness with a tendency to chaos.

While there is some superficial difference between male and female cats, they are, at heart, all cat.

Still, if you’re deciding what kind of cat to bring into your home even a superficial difference may be enough to affect your decision.

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Fur Coloration Is Very Telling

Facial fur coloration only differs across certain breeds of cats. For example, cats with tortoiseshell and calico fur are, more often than not, females. This has to do with genetics.

Two chromosomes determine the sex of your cat. A pair of X chromosomes results in a female cat. Meanwhile, an XY pair results in a male cat. Calico and tortoiseshell fur patterns are linked to these sex chromosomes. More specifically, they are linked to the presence of 2 X chromosomes, which can only be a female cat.

There are, however, some rare exceptions. Some cats can have 3 chromosomes rather than the typical 2. In such cats, its possible to have a male calico or a male tortoiseshell. Thats true if they have chromosomes that look like this: XXY.

Male cats that have calico or tortoiseshell fur are rare for a reason. They are sterile and cannot pass their genes onto future litters, even if they did mate.

Which Is The Best Thing To Do For A Male Cat

Beyond all doubt, spaying your female cats and neutering your male cats are two of the most important and responsible things you can do as cat owners. Not only does getting your cats fixed contribute to minimizing shelter populations, but it can also prevent spraying in male cats and reproductive cancers in females.

Determining the Sex by the Cats Physical Features Approach the cat or kitten with care. To ascertain the sex of a cat or kitten, its necessary to pick the cat up. Lift the cats tail. Gently pick up the cat and cradle him or her in one arm. Look for genitalia characteristic of a male cat.

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How To Know If A Cat Is In Heat

Oestrus in felines works differently than in dogs and is regulated by various factors related to their environment. If you’ve decided not to spay your cat, but don’t want her to get pregnant, it’s very important to know if your cat is in heat and how to identify some of the main signs. At OneHowTo.com we’ll explain in detail.

Cats reach sexual maturity very quickly, depending on the breed, the weather and the time of year when they were born. They can have their first heat between 5 and 10 months old. Some cats take a year to have their first heat, although this is less common.

Each cat can experience heat differently, and there are several factors that can determine this. To begin with, the cat must be well nourished. If it’s underweight for its age, it will possibly take longer to have its first heat.

Daylight hours are a determining factor in the onset of oestrus, so the more light there is, the more likely that the cat will go into heat. That’s why cats in the northern hemisphere will have their heat between March and September and cats in the Southern hemisphere will have it from October to March.

Similarly, if there’s a male cat in the house or nearby, the cat will go into heat for the first time faster, and will then do so on a more regular basis.

Another thing to consider is your cat’s breed. Shorthaired cats go into heat faster than long haired ones such as persians.

She may also urinate around the house during the first days of heat.

Is It True That Calico Cats Are Always Female

The answer to your question, how do I know if my cat is male or female? is a lot simpler in calico cats .

In over 90% of cases, a cat with a coat thats a mix of black, white and orange is female. This isnt just chance, its the result of genetics. Chromosomes are what define fur colour.

As you probably already know, in mammals males have an XY combination of chromosomes, whereas in females its XX.

In cats the brown orange-brown colour is linked to the X chromosome, and it may have an allele for black. So the only way in which both alleles can appear together in combination with white is when there are two X chromosomes. This means that the cat will be female .

That said, be careful, because the answer to your question on how to tell if your cats male or female when they have tri coloured fur might just surprise you.

Very occasionally calico cats are male. In these cases there has been a genetic mutation causing the cat to have three chromosomes, XXY. This mutation is known as the Klinefelter syndrome. Most of these male cats are sterile.

In many cultures calico cats are said to be lucky.

We hope weve helped you to answer your question, how can I tell if my cat is male or female? If even after this explanation you still have doubts about the sex of your kitten, the best thing to do is to consult the vet who will help to clear them up.

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Pros And Cons Of Male And Female Cats

There are certain behavioral patterns that male and female cats have, which may be troublesome at times. Intact males tend to be very territorial and aggressive and have a knack for following their reproductive drive, which can get them into trouble. Before neutering, they tend to spray urine everywhere in an attempt to mark their territory. However, once they are neutered, they became calm, loving, and much more easy to get along with.

On the other hand, female cats can be very loud and aggressive when in heat. They are more likely to scratch if held against their wishes. They are as a fact more comfortable with affection before being neutered, after which they may become a bit distant.

When it comes to owning many cats, neutered male cats are more likely to have a friendlier personality. They will cuddle together, play, and enjoy the company of their owners. Female cats however can be possessive and do not like to share. They prefer being solo, unless they come across kittens, when they become affectionate, as a sign of their maternal instincts coming through.

How To Sex A Cat

Although its not always easy, you can tell a cats sex by its face. Male cats are larger, sturdier, angular, and blockier than females. Thus, they have more rugged, tough faces. Female cats are more slender, narrow, delicate, and, oftentimes, tiny.

Male cats also have larger heads than females. This is partially because they have heavier and thicker bones.

Its always easier to tell male and female cats apart when you have two for comparison. Even still, telling a cats sex by its facial features is not the most reliable method. If you are unsure, a quick stop at the veterinarians will give you an answer. They are well trained and have more experience in sexing cats.

There is a way to do this at home. However, it requires that you take a look at the other end of your cat. According to Washington State University Vet Med, you will need to lift your cats tail and examine its anus and genital opening.

• A male cat has a larger distance between the anus and his genital opening .
• A female cat has a shorter distance between her anus and her genital opening.
• Likewise, you may notice that her genital opening has a small slit.

This does not replace veterinary expertise, however. If you want to confirm the sex of your cat, its best to have a vet examine it firsthand.

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Spaying: The Only Long

The only way to prevent a cat from going into heat is to have her spayed as a young kittenbefore she reaches maturity . The youngest she can be spayed is usually around 812 weeks, or she must weigh at least two pounds. Once spayed, she will not go into heat again.

If you have an adult cat who has not yet been spayed, it’s not too late! Cats can be spayed at any age, though it may be best to wait until she is not actively in heat. Consult your vet to determine the best time to spay your adult cat.

Do Male And Female Cats Have Different Facial Features

At a glance, its difficult to tell male and female cats apart. For most owners, you have to wait until your cat reaches maturity. Only when it shows mating behavior or spraying does its sex become obvious. However, you can also get a clue by examining the build and shape of a cats body. It turns out that you can tell a cats sex by its face.

Male and female cats have different facial features. Some of the more prominent differences lie in their head structure, such as the size, forehead, snout, cheeks, whisker pads, nose wings, and fur color. Thats because of the different sex hormones that are responsible for developing secondary characteristics. Male and female cats only develop these if they grow into adults without being fixed .

The common trend in male versus female cats is that males are larger and heavier. They have blockier, sturdier bone and body structures. Meanwhile, females are smaller and lighter, with more delicate and slender physical features. Depending on the breed, this isnt always true, making it a rough estimate at best.

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Cat Pregnancy Lasts For Nine Weeks

Pregnancy for a cat lasts a tenth of the time as a human pregnancy, around just 66 days. Plus, a female cat can get pregnant again just six weeks after giving birth even more reason to get her neutered as soon as possible. For more information about cat pregnancy, visit www.cats.org.uk/pregnancy-and-kitten-care

How To Tell The Sex Of A Kitten

31st July 2018

It can be difficult to tell what sex a kitten is when it is small. As kittens grow this process gets easier.

• In female cats, the anus and vulva openings are close together and look like the letter i.
• In a male cat, there are small testicles under the anus and the penis is below these.

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Male Cats Vs Female Cats: Is There A Personality Difference

When choosing a cat, do you stick to a particular gender? You might be missing out on a lot of affection.

We always had cats when I was growing up.

Our parents never said no, so my brother and I just kept dragging those cats and kittens back home with us from our grandparents farm, from outdoor flea markets and occasionally from some family friends who just happened to have a spare kitten.

Somehow the male cats always seemed more affectionate. But is there really a personality difference between male cats and female cats?

Only when I got Christy, a sealpoint Siamese kitten, in junior high school did I finally get to experience how loving a female cat could be.

But at the time, I assumed this affection was just the Siamese personality.