Sexing Kittens: Reading the Distance Between Two Openings
Identify a kitten's sex using the shape and spacing of the genital opening, plus common pitfalls.
Step-by-step checklist
- 01 Lift the tail and view both openings
- 02 Female: vertical slit near anus
- 03 Male: round dot farther away
- 04 Compare littermates when unsure
- 05 Handle gently and keep warm
- 06 Have a vet confirm ambiguous cases
Overview
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Gently lift the kitten's tail and look below the anus. In females the genital opening is a vertical slit close to the anus, resembling an upside-down exclamation mark. In males it is a round dot set farther away, with space for the future scrotum, resembling a colon.
Newborn features are subtle; comparing littermates helps. Calico and tortoiseshell kittens are almost always female, a useful hint but not a substitute for direct observation. Handle gently, keep the kitten warm, and finish within about 30 seconds.
If repeated checks disagree or the anatomy looks ambiguous, let a vet confirm at the next exam. Sex matters for spay/neuter planning and urinary risk awareness, so record it accurately in the vaccine book.
Related products
Orijen's flagship grain-free cat kibble built around chicken, turkey and wild-caught fish, delivering a high-meat, biologically appropriate
pidan Tofu Cat LitterA plant-based tofu litter with fast clumping and low dust, light to carry and suitable for apartments and multi-cat homes.
pidan Open Litter BoxA high-sided open box with good visibility and easy entry for cats that dislike enclosed spaces.
PETKIT Ceramic Double BowlA ceramic double bowl for food and water, easy to clean and resistant to lingering odours.
Owner questions
Are calico cats always female?
Almost always. The calico coat requires two X chromosomes, and male calicos are extremely rare and usually infertile; still, confirm sex by observing the openings.