How to Tell if a Cat is Neutered or Not: 9 Steps

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.

How to find out the gender of British kittens?

Determining the sex of small British kittens is quite difficult.
Primary sexual characteristics are just being formed, and the thick fur hides subtle differences.

But you can still find out the gender by the following signs:

In this breed, a clear sexual difference is the shape of the anus and genitals. The presence of two dots indicates that the baby is male, and a “question mark” indicates that the baby is female.

Feeling the testicles does not always help accurately determine gender.

This is due to the fact that at birth, both the British cat and the female cat may have swelling in this place.

British kittens are affectionate and peaceful

The presence of nipples also cannot be considered a clear difference. Kittens of both sexes can have them. In females they are more pronounced, but this can only be understood by comparison.
Another sign of how to distinguish a cat from a cat of a given breed is its habits.

The sex of adults can be determined by external characteristics. Males are much larger than females. The latter are more elegant. You can also distinguish the sex by the face: in cats it is narrower and more elongated.

It is best to determine the sex of kittens immediately after birth. This is especially true for purebred babies, for whom, as a rule, people line up even before they are born. The owner watches the new addition to the cat family and wonders how many are girls and how many are boys?

The sex of a kitten can most accurately be determined by its sexual characteristics. This is done like this:

Before the inspection, you need to prepare: wash your hands with soap and wipe dry. Palms should be warm;
Also make sure that the mother cat is not against your interference in her family life;
If both the cat and kittens are calm, you can proceed;
The kitten is carefully lifted and placed with its tummy on the palm;
When examining the area “under the tail,” you need to pay attention to the location of the external genitalia;
In a cat, the distance between the anus and genitals will be slightly larger, in a cat it will be smaller (about 1 cm);
Figuratively, this arrangement can be divided into two types: “exclamation mark” in the female, “colon” in the male;
In addition to this method, the gender of kittens is determined by examining the fur in the specified area. A cat will have a tuft of hair between the anus and genitals; cats do not have such hair.

Do not try to “test” the sex of newborn kittens! Only experienced veterinarians can resort to such manipulations.

With age, determining the sex of a kitten becomes even easier. The indicated distance between the natural holes in cats becomes larger and becomes overgrown with thick hair. In cats, the distance does not change, and hair does not appear in this area.

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.

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.

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.

Determining the sex of sphinxes

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.

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Behavior during estrus differs between the 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.

Primary sexual characteristics of various breeds are the surest way to distinguish a cat from a female cat, even in small kittens.

Before carrying out the inspection you must:

Wash your hands thoroughly using unscented products. They should be warm.
The kitten should be petted, thereby calming it down. He must trust you.

The baby should be placed with his stomach on the palm of his hand or a warm diaper.

To determine sex at the age of up to three months, you can use the following methods:

Conduct a tactile inspection. To do this, you need to carefully feel with two fingers, index and middle, the place where the testicles should be. A small cat will feel small peas, no more than 5 mm in diameter.
In order to determine the sex of a kitten, you need to look under its tail. In a small cat, the anus and genital organ are two points located parallel. And in a cat, the urinary canal looks like a slit, and it turns out to be a kind of exclamation mark. This difference can be seen in the photo.

If there is a “colon” under the tail, it is a cat, and an “exclamation mark” is a kitty.

Sex can also be determined by the distance between the anus and the genital organ. In cats it is about 1 cm, in seals it is much larger. Upon reaching the age of three, this place will be taken by the testicles. In the photo this difference is clearly visible.
Another sexual characteristic, how to distinguish a cat from a cat, is the presence of hair between the anus and the genitals. In cats it is quite thick in this place, but in cats it is not at all.

Another way to distinguish a cat from a cat is to carefully look at the face and body of the animal.

However, this method is suitable for avid cat lovers.

A person who determines the sex of a cat for the first time is unlikely to be able to do this accurately.

A cat differs from a cat in the following ways:

You can determine the sex of a cat by its face and nose. They are quite wide;
he has a powerful and large physique;
paws are thick;
A castrated cat can be distinguished from a female cat by its large head and thick skin.

External signs of a cat:

has a more graceful body, graceful curves. This is especially noticeable in short-haired breeds like the Oriental, Savannah and Cornish Rex;
if you try to find out the gender by the muzzle, then you need to look at its elongation: in cats it is more elongated in length rather than in width.

This can be seen in the photograph: the muzzle is narrow and elongated.

Gracefulness is the main characteristic of a cat

Another external sign of how to distinguish a cat from a cat is color:

If a kitten at birth has a tricolor or tortoiseshell coloration, then we can say with complete confidence that it is a cat. This is due to a genetic feature. For the appearance of black, white and red colors in the coat, two X chromosomes are needed. And only females have them. A cat can only develop this color in the case of a genetic disease, which is quite rare.
The color Calico also belongs to cats;
Only cats are red or cinnamon colored.

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You can sometimes accurately determine a cat's gender by coat color.

It is possible to distinguish a cat from a cat by its habits no earlier than seven months.

Until this time, kittens of both sexes are playful, affectionate and their characters differ little.

At puberty, the differences become more pronounced:

You can distinguish an adult cat from a female cat by its habits: it is lazier and calmer. He sleeps most of the day. Unlike a cat, a cat can be calmly picked up; most often it does not try to break free and run away. This does not mean that he is more affectionate.

Cats love to soak up the sun

Cats are more capricious.

It is worth remembering the famous words that “the cat walks on its own.”

Owners who decide to adopt a female animal should be prepared for the fact that it will be difficult to get along.

Despite the fact that many people think that cats are affectionate and love to cuddle, they do this willingly only during the period of heat.

The rest of the time, the cat will allow itself to be stroked or picked up only out of politeness.

Behavior during estrus is also a distinctive sign of gender. An adult cat meows a lot during this period, thereby attracting cats. She begins to rub against the furniture and sharpen her claws on it - so you should buy her a scratching post or trim her claws.
In the first method, the exception is cats that have undergone castration. A castrated cat can be distinguished from a female cat by its more aggressive behavior.
Cats always mark their territory. This can cause an unpleasant odor in the apartment. To get rid of it, cleaning will have to be done much more often.
Cats are cleaner. They can lick themselves for several hours in a row. For sleep, cats choose the cleanest and softest place in the apartment. They won't eat from a dirty bowl or drink stale water.

Cats are pickier eaters

If you pay attention to the look, you will notice that in an adult cat it is confident, even slightly arrogant, while in a cat it is wary.
You can determine the sex of small kittens of different ages by their eating habits. To do this, you need to put a bowl of milk. If a kitten laps milk and holds its tail up, then it is male, if down, it is female.

I drank some milk!

There is, perhaps, no more mysterious and unusual breed than the Don Sphynx or Peterbald.

A magical cat without hair attracts the eye, forcing you to admire it.

The main differences between a Sphynx cat and a cat are behavior:

Cats of this breed are more independent. Sometimes they choose only one family member and obey him without complaint, showing their love. Others may be treated indifferently.

Mythical cat behaves majestically

Unlike cats, a cat will prove its superiority, trying to show who is boss in the house. Males are lazier; they accept dominance without complaint.

Knowing how to tell a male cat apart is important.

Often owners choose a pet based on this characteristic.

But it is worth remembering that the kitten must choose a person.

And then everyone will find a true friend.

A cute fluffy little ball will become a faithful friend with good care and attitude.

Optimal age

Of course, a lot depends on the breed and individual characteristics of the animal. There are no specific deadlines for neutered cats. The average period of puberty in cats is 7-11 months. In any case, it will not be a mistake if the operation occurs a year later. This time is enough to avoid health problems in the future.

Castration, like any intervention in the body, brings certain hormonal and behavioral changes.

In any case, the sex life of your beloved pet will be a surprise for the owner. Even if the cat lives in an apartment and leads a passive lifestyle. An animal cannot resist its instincts and get carried away by a cat during a walk or run away on the street when arriving in a village or dacha.

Timely castration will avoid unnecessary frustration and loud cat concerts. Calls to search for a cat may be accompanied by aggressive behavior, uncontrolled marking of territory and loud meowing.

For clarity, we note obvious signs when a cat should be castrated and the maximum age for surgical or other intervention in natural processes:

The cat has noticeably lost weight. It is worth keeping in mind adjustments for the time of year and breed. Cats, as a rule, lose weight closer to spring and summer because... There is no urgent need to maintain fat reserves. The animal refuses its favorite treats.
Changes in behavior, mood. The cat snaps, behaves aggressively even with children, can “swear” at his favorite toys and damage furniture.
The cat sleeps less and becomes restless. Night activity increases significantly, which causes problems for the owners.
The cat watches the owners at the front door, meows loudly, and tries to sneak out into the street.
The pet may rub its body parts against various objects. The emphasis will be heavily on the genitals and the fifth hairy point.
Active marking of territory begins in the most unexpected and inappropriate places.

In general, a cat can be castrated up to the age of 3 years. But you shouldn’t delay or postpone the operation. Each time the pet’s mood and behavior will worsen. Even special tablets and drops will not help.

ATTENTION! There is an opinion among owners that a cat should be castrated only after the first mating. This is true for cats, but with males the situation is somewhat different. A cat that has satisfied its physical needs and then is deprived of this opportunity may experience enormous stress in the future.

Adult animals

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.

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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

Do I need to spay or neuter my male cat?

It seems that everything is obvious: you do not plan to breed purebred kittens - is this not a sufficient reason to castrate or sterilize the cat?

But in reality, spaying and neutering have other advantages. After surgery, your pet will be calmer and less stressed. Spayed/neutered pets no longer need to defend their territory with their relatives and search for partners, which means they are freed from the risk of injury, and you, as the owner, no longer have to look for your pet. The cat stops experiencing significant hormonal changes and anxiety that accompany “estrus”, and becomes calmer and more affectionate.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Indications for castration

Many believe that castration is carried out at the request of the owner.

Veterinarians recommend it as a preventive measure for urolithiasis. It is advisable to do this before the age of one, otherwise unwanted manifestations of puberty will remain (marking in the territory, aggression, etc.).

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Not all owners know how to understand that it is time to neuter a cat. Puberty occurs at different times. The approximate period is from 7 to 11 months. If a kitten is taken from the street, it is difficult to determine its exact age.

When entering heat, the behavior of the male changes. He actively leaves marks - he scratches door frames and other surfaces with his claws. The cat attracts females with loud cries. The territory is also marked with a specific smelling urine. To do this, the pet approaches the wall, turns its back to it and raises its tail. A wet spot remains on the surface.

It is necessary to neuter your pet in case of genetic diseases, testicular injuries and tumors in the genital organs.

In some countries, animals not allowed for breeding are also required to be castrated.

Cat at the vet

Advice from experts and owners

According to the advice of veterinarians, castrating a male is safe, quick and with virtually no consequences. Modern clinics offer excellent conditions for the procedure. The operation takes place within 10-15 minutes, complications are rare.

If this procedure is not carried out, the cat will mark the territory, thereby damaging the owners’ personal belongings and furniture. The way out of the situation is to send the cat for a walk outside and find the cat yourself or bring the pair home. In this case, there is a risk of a fight, as well as other negative consequences.

Owners of mustachioed pets who have undergone castration are advised to resort to the procedure. If the animal is a pet and practically never goes outside, there is no point in torturing it.

Features of the operation

At the clinic, the cat is taken to the operating room. There he is given anesthesia and waits for the drug to take effect. The hair is removed from the scrotum with a razor. The doctor makes two small incisions, ties the testes and then removes them.

Some people prefer to perform the operation at home, but this is not advisable. In such conditions it will not be possible to ensure complete sterility. After such an intervention there is a risk of inflammatory processes.

Anesthesia after castration of a cat sometimes gives complications. Therefore, you need to properly care for your pet. Individuals under one year of age are at the least risk. The older the animal, the more difficult it is to tolerate surgical interventions.

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.