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Determining a Kitten's Sex

Determining the Sex of a Kitten

Updated On December 31st, 2000

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Reviewed By Lauren Jones VMD

Determining the sex of a kitten can be exceptionally challenging – especially before about six to eight weeks of age. With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to determine if your kitten is a 'he' or a 'she.'

Anatomy Basics

The first step in sexing kittens is remembering the differences between male and female genitalia. Although it may look similar in young kittens, the parts are quite different. Male kittens have testicles, which typically have descended into the scrotum at the time of birth. A male cat’s penis is enclosed in the prepuce and is situated just below the scrotum. Female kittens have visible vulvas. As with all mammals, both male and female kittens have nipples and an anus. While not part of the genitalia, the anus is an important landmark in determining a kitten’s sex. The anus is a circular structure located just underneath the base of the tail.

Handling Kittens

Remember to handle kittens gently at all times, as they are fairly delicate at young ages. Even though you’ll need to take a look under their tails, be sure not to lift them by the tail, as this can cause spinal injuries. It’s best to simply lift the tail while a kitten lays on a flat surface or hold them on their back, while supporting their head and neck.

Finding the Differences

There are two main differences to keep an eye on while determining a kitten’s sex. The first is commonly referred to as the “anogenital distance,” which means the distance between the anus and the genitals. The distance between a female’s vulva and anus is much smaller than that between a male’s penis and anus. The tricky part is not confusing a male kitten’s scrotum for other genitalia.

The second main difference is the shape of the genitalia. A female’s vulva is shaped as a vertical slit or small oval, whereas a male’s prepuce (the skin surrounding the penis) is a circular or dot-like shape. The testicles are typically descended into scrotum at birth, but can be extremely difficult to actually feel until a kitten is between 10 to 12 weeks of age, as they are very tiny.

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