How to Know If a Kitten is Male
Sexing kittens less than 10 to 12 weeks old can be difficult because only subtle differences exist between males and females. The easiest way to tell if a kitten is male is by comparing its genital region to that of a female kitten. The distance between a male kitten's anus and its genitals is greater than the distance between a female kitten's anus and genitals. After approximately 10 weeks, a male kitten's testicles become larger, making it easier to identify its sex.
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Instructions
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Gently lay your kitten down facing away from you so that its stomach is facing down on a warm blanket or towel.
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Lift the kitten's tail to expose its anus and genital region.
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Observe the kitten's genitalia. A female kitten has a short distance between its anus and vulva, which appears as a slit. A male kitten has a greater distance between its anus and penis, which is shaped like a small circle or dot. A male kitten has a greater distance between its anus and penis to accommodate its testicles as they develop and descend.
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Wait until a kitten is approximately 10 weeks old if you are having trouble determining its gender. A male kitten will have developed noticeable testicles by this time, which can be observed by lifting its tail.
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Tips & Warnings
Compare two or more kittens at the same time to make sexing them easier. The differences between a male and female kitten's genitalia is more easily observable when compared side by side. According to PetPlace.com, kittens with calico or tortoiseshell coats are likely to be female.
References
- Photo Credit Martin Poole/Digital Vision/Getty Images
