How to distinguish a cat from a cat (50 photos): how to find out, determine the gender, what are the signs, how is a kitten different

How to distinguish a cat from a cat? When there is a desire to acquire a furry pet or pet, this question becomes the most pressing for many. It is quite obvious that the sex of an animal can be determined by its sexual characteristics. But not only! It turns out that there are other ways that can collectively help solve the problem of choice.

Any animal tolerates a change of environment more easily at a young age. And the owners are especially pleased to deal with a cute little lump that grows and develops before their eyes, touching with its habits. At the same time, for many, the gender of the future pet is a fundamental point. But how can you tell a cat’s kitten from a cat at such a tender age? In order not to miss when choosing, you can use several methods at once.

Why do you need to know your pet's gender in advance?

When a person decides to take a kitten into his home, he usually immediately knows whether it will be a cat or a cat. Therefore, the sooner the gender of the kittens is known, the sooner you can take the baby home and accustom him to the litter box and new owners. Reasons why it is important to know the gender of your future pet:

1. The kitten needs to be given a name. There are frequent cases when Fluff grows from Pushinka, and kittens are suddenly born to Murzik. Changing the name for an adult animal is not advisable, since the pet already responds to it.
2. You should know in advance what veterinary procedure will need to be performed (castration or sterilization) and at what age.
3. Adult cats and cats have behavioral characteristics, so some people prefer animals of a certain gender.
4. Males of purebred animals are more expensive than females. Catteries often have pre-orders for kittens of a certain gender even before they are born.

For various reasons, people prefer animals of a certain gender.

Why do you need to know the sex of a newborn kitten?

Not only the appearance of the pet, but also its character depends on its gender. Before getting a mustache, it is better to decide in advance whether you need a boy or a girl. Each of them is associated with certain accommodation features. For example, uncastrated males mark their territory by spreading an unpleasant odor everywhere. Females periodically go into heat, accompanied by changes in behavior.

It is all the more important to accurately determine whether the baby belongs to one breed or another. This is necessary to register the elite representative with the appropriate organization before sale. In some breeds, males are more expensive than females. For example, you will have to pay more for a Maine Coon cat than for a female cat.

Alternative methods to identify a “castrato”

While examining the cat

If self-examination does not bring firm confidence in a particular result, you should resort to alternative methods of clarification. The first thing worth mentioning is that if the cat was not taken from the street, you need to ask the former owners whether he is neutered or not.

While ordinary people may not know, if they purchase a cat from a cattery, the workers of the latter should know exactly the answer to the question of interest.

If the cat was picked up on the street, you can examine its ears. Now there are foundations and services whose volunteers find homeless animals and sterilize them by leaving a mark or hanging a clip. The mark may involve partial cropping of the ear or the use of a triangular incision.

If none of the above methods help or are irrelevant, you should simply contact your veterinarian or the nearest veterinary clinic. The doctor will examine the cat, do tests if necessary and tell you everything that may interest the owner at the moment. There you can sign up for a castration operation if it turns out that this did not happen.

Determined by gender

Now you can see how the gender of pets is determined.

There are situations when it is necessary to determine the sex of an animal in adulthood. However, it is not always possible to catch the cat for a thorough examination. Difficulties in determining may also arise if the cat has been neutered.

In this case, signs that will help determine the sex of the animal will come to the rescue:

• The method of determining the distance between natural holes is also suitable for adults. Even in castrated cats, you can determine the place allocated for the testicles.
• The muzzle will tell you who is in front of you. In cats it is rounder and wider, while in females there is an elongated face. The male's nose has a wider wall. This method of determination is suitable in the case of comparison. In another situation, an inexperienced person is unlikely to notice the difference if there is only one “sample”.
• Watch your gait. Cats are elegant and graceful, they walk quietly and smoothly, as if they are “swimming.” Cats have a more “predatory” gait. A cat walking on a walk resembles a small copy of a tiger - its “shoulders” lower its paw to the ground with importance and taste.
• Cleanliness. This is not to say that cats are sloppy, but in comparison with females they still lose. The cat spends a lot of time grooming itself; it licks itself with or without reason. You can also find a cat in a disheveled state: with a rumpled ear after sleep and traces of cobwebs on its face after a walk.
• Schedule. Cats are businesslike, they constantly look around and “make inquiries” about the affairs of their household. Cats, on the contrary, explore the territory and prefer to sleep at home.

The methods presented are not extremely useful in determining the sex of an animal, but will be interesting for cat lovers and novice cat lovers.

Cat and cat

This method is the most accurate when determining the sex of adult cats and even when identifying the difference between a newborn cat and a female cat.

• When you are about to inspect, first wash your hands with an unscented product and warm water. Use warm hands to caress the kitten so that it feels calm and not nervous.
• If the baby calmly approaches your hand extended in his direction, it means he trusts you, and you can confidently study him.
• Place the baby on a warm palm with his stomach and gently lift his tail.

Methods for determining the sex of a kitten at 2 - 3 months:

• Inspect tactilely. Using your index and middle fingers, you need to feel the place where the testicles should be located. In a cat kitten, unlike a cat, small balls (about 5 mm in diameter) will be palpable.
• Look under the tail: The male cat's genitals and anus look like a colon. And in a small cat, the genital organ looks like a slit. And visually everything looks like an inverted exclamation mark.
• The distance between the anus and the genital organ in cats is much smaller (about 1 cm) than in seals. When cats reach 3 years of age, testicles will form in this area.
• Cats have thick hair between the anus and the genitals; cats have practically no hair.

An example of how to distinguish a cat from a cat using this method can be seen in the photo and video.

It’s easy to distinguish a cat from a cat in pictures:

• Colon - cat
• Inverted exclamation mark - cat

Experienced breeders can determine the sex of a pet by its face and body.

• Cat: An adult cat, unlike a cat, has a much wider muzzle and nose. It has a large body and powerful paws. A castrated cat has thick skin and a large head.
• An adult cat has an elegant physique and graceful curves. This can be especially observed in short-haired breeds, for example, in a Sphynx cat. Cats also have a more elongated muzzle.

Cinnamon colored cat

Not suitable for comparison of the faces of cats and cats of the British breed. British cats often have a wider muzzle, unlike male cats.

A cat can also be distinguished from a cat by color:

• It is easy to distinguish a cat at birth. If a kitten was born tri-colored or tortoiseshell, you can be sure that it is a cat. This color combination is ensured by the presence of two X chromosomes only in cats;
• Unlike cats, cats can also be calico colored at birth;
• cats differ from cats in the presence of red flowers in color. Only cats come in cinnamon color.

A veterinarian or an experienced owner can easily understand what gender a kitten is, at any age. Some difficulties may arise with one-week-old babies. During this period, sexual characteristics are not yet intensively developing, and the coat is already very thick. Features of determining gender depend on the age of the kitten.

These kittens were born very recently. The gender of newborn babies is determined by the location of the anus and genitals and the appearance of the external genitalia.
Table 1. Distinctive characteristics of female and male kittens.

Gender Differences in Cats
At one week of age, the sex of a kitten is more difficult to determine, especially in fluffy breeds of cats. The cub grows and develops, and already at three weeks of age it is possible to reliably distinguish a cat from a cat. The male's urethra is round, while the female's is in the form of a vertical fold. The fur between the organs of the female is not as thick as that of the males.

The testicles of male kittens begin to enlarge at 10 weeks of age. The organs appear in the space between the anus and the urethra. At the age of 10 weeks, the testicles can already be felt. By three months they become visually noticeable.

Testicles of a three-month-old kitten

Other methods for determining the sex of kittens exist and are used:

1. DNA test. This procedure is carried out by veterinarians based on a blood test of the kitten. The study is expensive and is done only in a critical situation, if it is not possible to determine the sex of a purebred kitten.
2. Evaluation by sight. Cat lovers say that males look impudent and self-confident, while females are attentive and wary. The method is not precise, animals have different personalities, sometimes there are bold females with a confident look.
3. Identification by the smell of urine. It is believed that even male cubs have a stronger urine smell than female kittens. A strong ammonia smell indicates that the pet is a boy.

There are also several signs in appearance that will allow you to say with almost one hundred percent certainty whether you have a cat or a female cat.

Boys carry X and Y chromosomes in their genetic code, that is, they cannot have a tortoiseshell color.

The calico type color is also characteristic only of cats. It's simple: calico is a color where white areas on a cat's fur occupy more than 40% of the body. Only cats are red and cinnamon.

Cats cannot be tri-colored from a genetic point of view.

The following signs are typical for a cat:

• wide muzzle and nose;
• large, heavy build;
• powerful paws.

The cat will be outwardly distinguished by its grace:

• the body is narrow, graceful and lighter;
• more elongated muzzle, narrow and long.

If you are still in doubt about the gender of your new pet, it is better to consult a veterinarian. He will not only help you figure out whether you have a cat or a cat, but will also be able to assess the general condition of your pet.

Folk signs when determining gender

Avid cat lovers will tell you the difference between a cat and a cat, without looking under the tail. Just by looking at the pet’s face and holding the pet in their arms, they will say with 99% probability whether they are now seeing a male or a female.

• Muzzle
  . In cats it is wider, in cats it is elongated and narrow. The nose of males is also wider than that of females. But if there is no one to compare with, there is no such experience in dealing with meowing pets, then the likelihood of making a mistake is high.
• Gait
  . Usually females are more graceful, move smoothly, barely audibly. But there are also individuals who move around the house with such a stomping sound, as if a herd of elephants had run through.
• Behavior
  . Cats sleep more time, while cats want to explore everything around, are more curious and are worse at being handled. Females are more clean, ready to constantly lick themselves. In addition, in most cases a girl will refuse to drink or eat from dirty bowls, while a cat is less picky.

• Color
  . It is no secret that tri-colored cats cannot be found (extremely rare, only due to a genetic mutation, so cats with tri-colored colors are infertile). Also, if you notice a tortoiseshell coloration, you can be sure that this is a female. You can be guided by the same confidence if you see an animal with a calico color in front of you. But if in front of you there is a purr with fur of a red hue (some call it the color of cinnamon), then in front of you is a real male. It's all to do with genetics. You can't argue against her.

Advantages, disadvantages, consequences

To reassure doubting owners (after all, castration is a responsible procedure!) Let’s consider the positive and negative aspects of outside intervention:

1. Arguments for". The cat stops screaming and demanding to be let out into the street. Behavior becomes calmer and more balanced. Life expectancy increases by several years. The risk of serious diseases, including inflammation or testicular cancer, is reduced. Changes in the coat are possible. She becomes brighter and more tender.
2. Arguments against". Careful monitoring of nutrition after castration. A special diet for several weeks is possible. Anesthesia affects the animal's body. After surgery, the cat may feel lethargic and apathetic. The effect wears off in the worst case after 24 hours. There are hormonal changes that can affect the correct excretion of urine. As a consequence, the development of urolithiasis.

It is important to understand that any decision must be made. You can consult with experienced breeders or a veterinarian. If the owner is ready to put up with night concerts and the smell of urine that will fill the entire apartment, then it’s not worth it. In any case, castration very rarely carries negative aspects and is painless for the pet.

Numerous reviews from owners of neutered cats are replete with stories that the cat begins to intensively care for itself, licks itself more often, and becomes kinder. Everything is again strictly individual. According to one foreign study, about 45% of cats behave exactly the same as before the operation.

ATTENTION! It is reliably known and proven by the experience of many owners that the odor of urine becomes noticeably less

Adult animals

Cat and cat

Just like in humans, there is a “war of the sexes” in the cat world. Cats are as different from cats as day is from night. Experienced cat owners know this, so they advise taking home a kitten of the gender whose character traits are more suitable for the owner.

It is important to understand that character “manifests itself” only at the age of puberty. Therefore, until seven or eight months you will be able to evaluate the kitten’s sociability and mobility, but you will not see the characteristics characteristic of each sex.

Habits characteristic of different sexes:

• Cats are lazier. They love to cuddle on the sofa and on their owner's lap. The cat is more likely to be cuddled and hugged. Cats tolerate such caresses less often.
• Cats love solitude. By taking a murka into your home, you sign a cohabitation agreement. It will be difficult to teach a female to sit on your lap, because girls have no time for wasting time when the house is full of things to do.
• Cats are affectionate only when they need it: during the heat period or in anticipation of dinner. Cats love scratches behind the ears, regardless of time or season.

Behavior during estrus differs between sexes. The cat begins to “mark” the territory, rubbing the sides of the furniture and also scratching the sofa. Cats mark their territory using more severe methods: the urine of a mature cat has a pungent odor and also tends to appear in all corners of the house.

Neutered cats behave differently. It is believed that they are more aggressive, however, this is not entirely true. On the contrary, a cat, deprived of the need to fight for a female, stops trying to prove itself to neighboring rivals, and therefore becomes more affectionate.

Gender differences can also be observed in culinary preferences. The cat won't eat from a dirty bowl, but the cat won't care. Girls also have more requirements regarding drinking water: the bowl must be clean and the drink must be fresh.

Cats love clean water

There is a sign by which, supposedly, you can determine the gender of a kitten. When the babies begin to feed on their own, you need to put a bowl of milk on the floor and move the kittens to it. Watch the babies' tails. Those who hold their ponytail up during meals are boys, and those who have it down are girls.

Male and female cats differ from each other in the process of growth and development:

1. Males are usually larger and their weight increases faster than that of cats. Adult cats are visually smaller than cats. Males have a wider chest and larger paws.
2. Cats grow up more playful, cats often try to avoid communication and are melancholic.
3. The nipples are pronounced in both males and females, but in cats they are larger in size.

Cat tenderness
The sex of adult animals is easier to determine than that of babies. Cats and cats have distinctive features:

1. Genital organs. The cat's genitals are external, and the testicles are easily visible. Cats have internal genitals, so there are no bulges on the outside.
2. A one-year-old cat has a dry constitution, rough bones, developed muscles and massive limbs. Cats remain graceful, as at six months of age.
3. On the face of an adult cat, one can distinguish a massive forehead and clearly defined angles. The cat has a small head and huge eyes. For some breeds, differences in the appearance of the head and muzzle are not typical.
4. Males have visually thicker and more beautiful fur than females. A healthy animal has greasy hair under its tail. The female has scanty fur in these places. It is also a secondary sexual characteristic in cats.

Black cat and red cat
Of course, if the cat is not neutered, then distinguishing the animals is easier than ever. The external genitalia will give away the male and female. The task becomes more complicated if the cat is castrated and his testicles have been removed. Therefore, to determine the floor, you need to estimate the distance between the holes. In males, even castrated ones, it is large (considerably more than a centimeter), while in cats the anus and genital opening are located very close to each other.

There are still ways to determine the sex of a cat, but they are rather “folk” because they do not provide a 100% guarantee.

Whom to choose?

It is impossible to answer this question unequivocally. It is difficult to predict how a kitten will grow up, so the choice must be made consciously so as not to regret it in the future. A cat and a cat are very different, and the main factor influencing the choice of a pet is desire. An important point in his upbringing is love and care, and pitfalls can be avoided by taking appropriate measures. And then, for warmth and care, the “fluffies” will give many pleasant moments and it will not matter who is better to keep a male cat in the family.

Noticeable only to pros

Some avid cat lovers can even distinguish the sex of animals just by looking at them. Thus, experts say that a cat is always confident and, to some extent, arrogant. But the cat is very serious and wary.

If you look closely at your pet's habits while eating, you can also tell what gender it is. To do this, just pour milk into a saucer. The boy will drink it with his tail raised up, and the girl will lower hers down. This is the so-called grandmother's method of determining the sex of kittens.

Checking the floor carefully

When examining a kitten immediately after birth, precautions must be taken. To avoid harming your baby, follow these tips:

• Follow the rules of hygiene: cats should not be handled with dirty hands, or immediately after contact with other animals. Always wash your hands before visiting children;
• It is impossible to tear the kitten away from feeding. Wait until the baby eats, and then take him away;
• You need to act carefully so as not to agitate the cat. Some females experience real stress after giving birth, so it is undesirable to disturb them. Even if the cat is in high spirits, do not make noise or make sudden movements near the babies;
• Despite frequent advice on “probing” the sex of kittens, this is strictly forbidden. Palpation can damage the genitals of newborn kittens, which will lead to irreparable consequences;
• You can only examine the kitten for a minute. The cubs freeze quickly, so they need to be returned to their mother as quickly as possible.

That's all you need to know to determine the sex of a kitten. Now you know how to distinguish a cat from a cat. If you have questions, you can ask us.

Differences in character

Calico cat

You can distinguish a cat from a cat by behavior at the age of 9 months. Until this age, children play equally, show affection and differ little in character.

• Adult cats, unlike cats, are lazier and calmer. They sleep more. They are easy to hold and do not come out.
• The peculiarity of cats is that they love to bask in the sun.
• Adult cats prefer to show their character. They are most often affectionate during the period of estrus. They are rarely given to hands. Sometimes they can let themselves be petted, but will quickly try to escape. Cats move around the apartment quietly, barely audible, unlike cats that often stomp.
• During the period of heat, cats meow often and loudly, trying to attract the attention of cats. They rub against furniture and mark their territory with small puddles.
• Cats are distinguished by their desire to always mark their territory. This does not always manifest itself at an early age; marking begins actively at 11-12 months. Cats have a stronger and more pungent smell of urine.
• After castration, male cats show more aggressiveness than male cats.
• Cats show great cleanliness, licking themselves for hours. Choose the most tidy place to sleep. They eat mostly from clean dishes. And they can be picky, refusing some specific food (but if there are several pets in the family, the cat may forget about the cleanliness of the bowl, since while she is picky, her food will be eaten).
• Cats always look confident, cats are wary.
• At the age of 3 months, a cat's kitten will lap up milk with its tail raised, a cat's kitten will lower its tail down.

In adult males, the anus, scrotum and urethra are clearly distinguishable. The penis is located between the scrotum and the anus. In a calm state, it is a fluffy tubercle. Inside the scrotum are testicles in which sperm are formed. The scrotum is visually visible when the cat's tail is raised.

In furry breeds, the organ is not so clearly visible due to their long hair. To unambiguously identify a cat’s gender, he needs to wet the fur under his tail, then the testicles will be clearly visible. In females, the only external genital organs are the urethra; besides it, the anus is clearly visible under the cat’s tail, but there are no bulges.

Cat's genitals

If more than six months have passed since the cat was castrated, then his behavior and coat are almost no different from the same signs in sterilized females. After surgery, cats are left with an empty scrotum, only by feeling it can one determine the sex of the animal.

What selection criteria should you focus on?

The choice of sex of a four-legged pet is influenced by many factors. One of the most important criteria is the type of home in which the owner lives. We must not forget about those who live next to him. The presence of small children and other pets must be taken into account. An important factor will be how the new pet tolerates loneliness and long separation from a loved one.

In an apartment or private house

When thinking about whether it is better to have a cat in an apartment or a country house, you can read forums or chat with experienced owners. Most often, in a city apartment it is recommended to have cats. Females are cleaner than males, do not leave odorous marks, and do not scatter litter. In addition, keeping a girl in a confined space will not result in an unplanned pregnancy, because the owner can control her social circle.

Cats love to spend time on the couch and on a person's lap. They don't need the open spaces of the street to feel happy. But the female, unlike the males, is much more effective in ridding the country house of annoying rodents. Cats quickly lose interest in monotonous hunting and find other activities - mainly guarding the territory and clashes with neighboring cats.

Boys prefer the opportunity to go outside the home. They want to run, jump, climb trees. Males need to feel like masters, so they mark their territory. Finding such marks in an apartment is not very pleasant. A private house will be the optimal habitat for boys.

Affectionateness

The furry pet is very sensitive to the attitude of family members. If someone doesn’t like him or offends him, the two-legged animal avoids him.

Girls are more prone to reciprocal affection and tenderness from the owner. Kitties become more attached to a person and better adapt to his character. Cats are more independent in this regard. They are more interested in climbing a tree or curtain than purring in the arms of their owner.

Intelligence and ease of education

The behavior of mustaches directly depends on their upbringing

It is important to instill in children the norms of behavior in the family from early childhood. Representatives of any gender and breed respond well to the persistent demands of the owner

However, females are more flexible in this regard. They will fulfill a person’s demands, so as not to offend him, to please him.

Males, on the contrary, will prefer to run away, hide, rather than obey. It is more difficult to train them to use the cat litter box and not to throw litter around. After a walk outside, males will immediately jump onto the sofa, and the girl will patiently allow her to wipe her paws.

Independent representatives of the cat family that do not like to obey humans and are difficult to train include the British, Russian Blue, and Scottish Fold breeds. But sphinxes, bobtails, and orientals are ready to do anything for the sake of their owner, so they can be trained without any problems - regardless of their gender.

Are there small children in the family?

Females are much more obedient and affectionate than males. They are less likely to scratch and bite

In a family with a small child, this is very important. The male is accustomed to dominating and defending his position no matter what, so he is capable of harming the baby

You must understand that no animal likes to have its tail pulled, constantly pressed and squeezed. It is necessary to explain to the child that this is not a toy, but a living creature with its own character. Sooner or later, both girls and boys can react equally aggressively to persistent caresses and disrespectful attitudes.

Are there other animals in the family?

Because of their inherent mentality, girls share their territory with other pets much more easily. And the tendency to dominate, characteristic of boys, forces them to show their superiority over the rest of the inhabitants. It is especially difficult for two cats to get along in one place. They constantly fight for leadership, arrange showdowns, and mark their territory.

Even castrated males are unlikely to make friends - most likely, their conflicts will subside, but a strong friendship will not work out. If there is an adult cat in the house, it is not advisable to take a second adult male - it is better to take a female or a very small kitten.

Cats get along with other animals depending on their character, and gender does not have that much influence on this. Even a brutal cat can become an affectionate nanny for a horde of puppies, ferrets and even chicks - if his disposition is completely peaceful.

Self-examination of a cat for castration

Inspecting the cat

First, you need to try to determine for yourself whether your new pet is neutered or not. Testing at home does not present any particular difficulties. If we talk about preparing for the test, then everything is simple - the cat needs to be calmed down.

Self-checking for castration of a cat can be divided into two types: visual and tactile.

Visual

This is what the suture looks like after surgery

Visual is a search for external signs of the operation performed. If the cat is young, then they should be more pronounced. The first thing you need to pay attention to is the condition of the fur in the genital area - if it is shorter than the rest or is clearly recently shaved, this may be a sign of recent castration.

If the cat is not a “young man,” this method, of course, will be irrelevant. You can examine the genital area for scars; this method, like the previous one, is only possible if castration has been performed recently.

As they age, many castrated cats develop a kind of “belly” in the area of ​​the scrotum—a sagging fold of skin.

Tactile

With tactile everything is easier. It involves feeling the scrotal sac. Before starting, you should wear disposable sterile gloves. If, when palpated, you feel hard elastic formations inside, or at least one, the cat was not neutered, but if not, there is nothing to worry about.

Although there is some possibility of getting caught by a cryptorchid cat, in such animals the testicles do not descend into the scrotum and they seem to be absent. But this happens very rarely.

Determined by gender

There are several ways to determine the sex of a kitten. And although it is not very easy, in principle it is possible to distinguish a cat from a cat. Some pet owners are unable to do this on their own, so they turn to a veterinarian for help. And not without reason, because identifying the sex of a newborn animal is quite difficult. But we will try to figure out how to distinguish a cat from a cat on our own.

DNA test

There are a lot of such comments from pet owners on the Internet who don’t know how to determine the sex of a kitten. If the period is still very short, this does not mean that it is impossible to understand the gender of a newborn animal. It’s entirely possible, but you’ll have to spend some money to do it.

A DNA test is a 100% method that will allow you to understand what gender your kittens are. It will accurately distinguish a boy from a girl even at a very young age. But this method is very expensive, which forces pet owners to resort to traditional methods.

Genital analysis

Not a hundred percent, but a reliable method of how to distinguish a cat from a cat is the analysis of the genitals. You can recognize, understand and determine the sex of a kitten by the appearance of the genitals and their shape. More details about this are shown in the photo. Look at your pet's genitals. For a boy, the distance from the anus to the genitals will be much greater than for girls.

Remember that you need to be very careful when touching your cat in the genital area. Your pet's genitals are very fragile and careless handling of them can only harm him.

Palpation

You can feel the kittens' organs. This method is one of the most effective for determining the sex of a kitten, but when using it you need to be as careful as possible. In principle, you can identify and understand whether you have a boy or a girl very quickly, but you should be especially careful with the fragile genitals of a newborn cat. Gently run your finger over your pet's genitals; if you have a boy, you will definitely feel the testicles.

It is quite possible to identify this, but do not forget that in boys the appearance of the shape of the testicles is typical at the age of three months. Therefore, if the animal’s age is too young, then it will not be possible to determine the sex, since this sign does not appear earlier than two and a half months after birth. In addition, the location of the supposed location of the testicles is often determined in animals by changes in the color of the fur and its thickness.

But this method is inaccurate. For example, in boys, the testicles may not descend from the abdomen at an early age. And in newborn girls, hormonal changes can cause swelling under the tail, as a result of which the result can be deceiving.

Analysis of a kitten's fur and color can also indicate that it belongs to a specific gender. As a rule, males cannot be tricolored at an early age. Therefore, if there are three colors on a cat’s fur, then, without a doubt, this is a female. This coloring is an exclusive feature of girls.

But if your cat is red, then most likely this is a male. There are an order of magnitude fewer red-haired females in nature than males.

In the face

Sorry, there are no surveys available at this time.

You can find out whether your pet belongs to one sex or another using another method. However, this method is also inaccurate, and if the animal is less than a month old, it is unlikely to give a 100% result.

To do this, you will need both male and female kittens. By carefully looking at both cats, you can reveal that the muzzle and nose of males are wider than those of females. In addition, females have thinner muzzle outlines. The muzzle of females is more elongated, not so wide.

You should also pay attention to the cat's body. In boys it is wider, stockier, and more powerful. The paws and tail in this case will also be slightly thicker; in females they are thinner. In particular, females are more graceful and fragile, this can even be seen in their gait, but not in all cases. Their body curves are more graceful.

Cinnamon colored cat

There are several methods for determining the sex of kittens. Most cat lovers determine their gender visually:

• according to the shape of the genitals;
• by coat color;
• by habits;
• by physique.

In addition, if you have experience, they use the method of palpating the testicular primordia in the space between the anus and the urethra.

Cryptorchidism in cats The appearance of the anus and genitals is described above for newborn kittens and animals one month old. In order to examine their structure, the kitten is carefully turned tummy up. Another way is to place the baby on the diaper with his back up and lift his tail.

Sexual differences in kittens of early age
Regarding coat color, it has been reliably proven that only girls can be tricolored. The combination of white, black and red colors is determined genetically. This color is due to two X chromosomes from the female set of chromosomes. The so-called “tortoiseshell” color is also found only in females.

Who is the cat and who is the cat?

The gender of the kitten is determined by palpation from birth. Palpation is carried out carefully so as not to cause pain to the baby. This is done with two fingers (middle and index) in the part of the body between the urethra and the anus (as shown in the photograph). In boys, “peas” with a diameter of about five millimeters are palpable.

Determining the sex of a kitten using palpation method

In appearance and physique, differences appear in kittens at six months of age. The cat's body is large and powerful. The body of a cat is more graceful and smaller than that of a cat. The female's head is visually smaller than the male's.

External differences between cats and cats

Differences in the habits of cats and cats appear during puberty. At seven months the male begins to mark his territory. The female begins her first heat at this age. The cat arches its back, raises its tail, and demands affection.

A cat in a state of hunting
In adulthood, cats behave calmer than cats. Males often sleep, and females are “cats who walk by themselves.” Cats are cleaner than cats. They wash themselves constantly and always go to their own toilet. Cats often ignore the toilet they are accustomed to.

The cat calls the cat

Differences in color and size

You can determine the sex of a kitten by its color only in one case - if you have acquired a tricolor pet, whose color according to the standard is called tortoiseshell-and-white (tortoiseshell with white) or simply tricolour. In addition, a patchwork color of red, black and white, but with a predominance of the latter, is called Calico by felinologists. In the vast majority of cases, it is cats (not cats) who have this spectacular color, which is explained by the genetic connection between pigmentation and a certain chromosome.

Tales that red color signals belonging to a male tribe make serious felinologists smile, as do advice to look closely at the outlines of a cat's face (which is recommended by some authors).

In their opinion, against the backdrop of brutal male forms, females demonstrate more graceful and streamlined lines, which is a rather controversial argument. The configurations of the head and muzzle are determined by the breed standard, but in no way by gender. It is also very unreasonable to start from the size of a kitten - all newborns weigh approximately the same, and the gender difference in size (often indicated in the standard) becomes noticeable only in adult animals.

Age limits

Veterinarians recommend surgery to remove the testes at the age of 7-8 months. During this period, puberty occurs and the urinary ducts develop to a normal state.

With early intervention, the body's development occurs slowly. In some cases, the male remains forever like a kitten.

Sometimes castration is carried out at a late age - after two years of life. This choice is supported by the fact that all the cat’s organs and tissues have fully developed. The operation is easy to carry out, since all the vessels and testes are clearly visible. A serious disadvantage of castration at this age is the consolidation of behavioral habits under the influence of hormones. It's not easy to get rid of them.

Surgery is performed on older animals only for medical reasons. At this age, it is difficult to tolerate anesthesia and recovery will take a long time. The intervention is carried out after a detailed examination.

Determining the sex of a British cat

It is quite difficult to distinguish a British cat from a cat in childhood. Primary sexual characteristics have not yet been formed, and the thickness of the coat hides other differences.

At birth, both British cats experience swelling in the genital area, and it is difficult to determine the presence of testicles. The only thing that will allow you to distinguish a British cat from a cat is observing their habits.

British cats will be more competitive and more active towards their sisters. They are larger than females. It is more difficult to distinguish by the size of the muzzle, since in both individuals they are quite wide.

How to distinguish by the appearance of the genitals?

At the age of one and a half months, the genitals are already clearly visible. In cats, the distance between the anus and the vulva will still be small, but a gap going inward will become noticeable. At the same time, the fur of the intimate area is not very thick .

In cats, the testicles begin to visually develop and stand out , and the penile area becomes more convex. At the same time, the distance between the anus and the scrotum increases proportionally and is densely overgrown with hair.

Colors

In addition to obvious signs and observation of habits, the color of the animal will also tell about the gender. Here are some nuances of the cat's palette:

• The tortoiseshell or tri-color color can only appear in girls. This is caused by genetics: to combine all three classic colors, a pair of X chromosomes is required, which is typical for girls. In cats, the black-white-red color can only appear in the event of a genetic failure or disease.
• A color called Calico (a type of tortoiseshell) also belongs to girlish “outfits”.
• Only a cat can have a completely red color, as well as a hint of cinnamon.

Regarding spotted cats, there is no exact definition based on color. Red and black pets may have white spots, regardless of gender. However, it has been noticed that the combination “red and white” is more common in boys, and “black and white” cats are more often found.

How to properly pick up a kitten?

To determine the gender of a kitten, it must be carefully taken from its mother. It is better not to do this while feeding. Be sure to wash your hands first so that there is no smell that could disturb the mother cat. Use soap with a neutral scent. The kitten must be examined quickly and immediately returned to its mother.

Do this for no longer than two minutes. The baby is placed with his tummy on the palm of his hand and they look for sexual characteristics under the tail. In order not to disturb your baby, you can take a photo with your smartphone and then look at it for as long as necessary. You cannot pick up a kitten by pulling back the skin or pulling it by its paws or tail.

Cat's motherly love

If the first time it was not possible to determine the sex of a newborn kitten, then you should not repeat the procedure several times a day. This will disturb the cat and she may hide the kittens.

What not to do during an examination

Until the kitten is 3 weeks old, handle it as little as possible so that the lactating cat does not worry. If the kitten actively protests against being examined, struggles or squirms, postpone the attempt until a more appropriate time.

If you are forced to examine a kitten, remember that you cannot:

• treat the animal carelessly;
• lift or roughly grab it by the tail;
• tear away from feeding;
• press on the genitals;
• hold in your arms for a long time (due to undeveloped thermoregulation, hypothermia occurs after a few minutes).

Holding for a long time is also contraindicated because the kitten's fur will absorb your body odor - the cat will not recognize its child and will refuse to feed it. In this case, you will have to replace his mother.

Characteristic features of male and female genitalia in cats

The easiest way to find out the gender of your pet is visual. It is suitable for those who are faced with the question of how to distinguish a small cat from a cat for the first time. Look under the kitten's tail. Sexual characteristics in small kittens are not clearly formed, but differences can still be found in older animals. In a cat, the anus and genitals look like two points located parallel and horizontally.

The easiest way to find out the gender of your pet is visually

You can also visually rely on the distance between the anus and the genitals. In a cat it is small, about 1 cm, but in a small cat it is noticeably larger. The fur between the anus and the genitals is also a clue. In cats it is quite thick in this place, but female kittens do not have it at all.

If doubts still remain, a tactile inspection can be performed. To do this, you need to carefully probe the place where the testicles should be with your index and middle fingers. How to determine gender? If you have a small cat in your hands, then under your fingertips there will be small peas, no more than 5 mm in diameter.

Cat's genitals

At what age can the distinction be made more reliably?

When babies reach 10 days of age, it becomes more difficult to determine the sex, since the external genitalia are still very small and the fur interferes with vision. But there is a trick here too. At this age, boys begin to rapidly grow fur on the area of ​​skin between the anus and genitals. But the cat doesn’t.

More reliable information about gender can be obtained from the age of one and a half months.

At this age, the baby can no longer be held in the palm of your hand, but transferred to a warm diaper or towel. Then, by lifting the tail if the kitten is standing, or moving it away if the baby is lying on its back, you can begin to study external sexual characteristics.

If the baby is scared and cowers, massage his tummy or stroke his back . The kitten's reflex will work, and it will either raise its tail (if standing) or move it to the side (if lying).

Pros and cons of the operation

Any surgical intervention carries certain risks. Some owners consider it unacceptable to interfere with nature and make animals comfortable to keep.

In order to understand whether to castrate a cat or not, the advice of a veterinarian will help you make a choice. The advantages of the operation include lack of aggressiveness, balance and absence of territory marks. The pet will become docile and obedient, and will not try to run away from home.

Disadvantages include a tendency to overeating and obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and the likelihood of complications.

How to prepare for a kitten exam

You should always remember that a small kitten is a gentle creature that requires careful treatment. Careless handling and dirty hands can cause harm to the baby, so before examining a newborn, you need to prepare.

Babies can only be taken into warm and clean hands. Be sure to wash your hands with soap. The pet should be examined in a prepared place. That is, safe, convenient for you and for animals, with good lighting. You need to take care of a calm environment, without extraneous odors and noises, so that the kittens do not get scared.

If the kittens were born in your home, you should immediately organize care so that the cat calmly lets you near the babies from the moment they are born. And accustom the kittens themselves to being handled.