People love to have pets and kittens are especially very cute. Kittens are friendly and are the most loving pets. To know the sex of the kitten that one has, there are two basic methods. A kitten’s genital and non-genital characteristics can help identify whether it has a male or female kitten. Although it is difficult to separate a kitten from its mother and it can also have problems. Caring for kittens properly can help them adjust to the new environment.
Genital features
The best way to verify the sex of a kitten is from its genitals. Typically kittens are reluctant and do not feel comfortable lifting their tails. Being nice to them can make things easier. Calm the kitten for a couple of minutes and place it on a soft cloth towel. It is suggested to lift the tail, instead of pulling it. Kittens have two openings, one is the anus and the other at the bottom is the female or male genitalia.
Genital identification
Having two kittens makes it easier to compare both sides, but it’s not a problem if it’s just one kitten.
A kitten’s genital opening is like a small vertical slit. The genitalia and anus resemble the shape of the alphabet “I”.
The genital opening of a male kitten is like a circular hole. It will look like a colon if the genitals and the anus are seen together.
The distance between the two openings is less in a kitten and is close to the anus.
The distance between the two openings is comparatively greater in a male kitten
The space between the anus and the genital opening also helps identify sex. A male kitten possesses a small bump or pouch like a scrotum
The testicles are also identified by gently pinching the area between two openings. Pea-sized lumps are identification for a male kitten
Non-genital characteristics
The color of a kitten also helps to identify its sex.
Kittens that have black, or white, orange / brown spots, mostly have two X chromosomes, making them a kitten.
Orange striped cats are mostly male and have XY chromosomes
In some breeds, female cats are in heat at 4 months, while it is generally between 6 and 10 months.
The kitten’s meow is loudest during these days (2-19 days in heat) and they often seem to howl.
Affectionate behavior with objects and a need to get outdoors are often reported.
Urine is often sprayed and male kittens have very strong smelling urine these days that has an unpleasant odor.
The facial features of a male kitten are lean and muscular. They have thicker bones in the skull and jaw region.
Male kittens have a set of glands at the base of the tail. It secretes sebum which is an oily substance. It will also let you know if there is matted hair and a foul odor can help identify when a male has mated.
These signs and identifications can help one know if their kitten is male or female. In this way, one can easily help their pets whenever they need something.
