How to Determine the Gender of Your Cat? Factors That Affect a Cat's Gender

To determine the sex of a cat, we can find the presence or absence of some specific physical characteristics. Here are some basic signs:

  1. You can see the gap between the anus and the genital opening. In male cats, this gap is greater than in female cats.
  2. Check for the presence of testicles. Male cats will have two small, round testicles located near the base of the tail.
  3. Look at the shape of the genital opening. In males, the opening is circular, while in females it has more longitudinal slits.
  4. Check for hair around the genitals. In males, there may be a line of hair that runs from the genitals up to the anus. This is called the "inguinal line" and is absent in females.
  5. If the cat is spayed or spayed, the surgical scar will be a clear indication of its sex.

Here are the telltale signs so you can tell the sex of a female cat:


For female cats, you will find a small opening (anus) near the base of the tail with a small incision or line just below that hole (vulva). You'll find this combination will look a bit like a lowercase "i". There is less hair between the anus and the vulva because they are so close together.



Here are the telltale signs so you can tell the sex of a male cat:

For male cats, you will still find a small opening (anus) close to the base of the tail, but there will be a second circle (scrotum) located a little deeper than the female cat. Because the anus and scrotum have a space in between, there will be some hair in between them. As male cats get a little older, their testicles will be larger and easier to distinguish.

Male Cats vs Female Cats: 4 Key Differences You Need to Know

Male cats and female cats have some significant differences, not just in terms of their physical attributes but also in their behavior and personality. Here are the four key differences between male and female cats:

Genitalia

The most obvious difference between male and female cats is their genitalia. Female cats have a vulva, which looks like a slit, and the anus is above it. In contrast, male cats have a penis, and testicles, and the anus and penis are further apart, usually more than half an inch in adult cats. The shape to look for in males is two dots or a colon shape (:).

Appearance

Male cats are generally larger and heavier than female cats, and this difference is particularly noticeable if the male was not neutered until after sexual maturity. Male cats tend to have larger, wider cheeks and more rounded faces than females, which is due to testosterone. Large cheeks signal physical fitness and strength to other cats - both male and female - and can indicate readiness for a fight with other males as well as attractive females. Males often retain these large cheeks even after they are neutered.

Territory Marking

Male cats are more likely to spray urine outside of the litter box than females. This is because they have more reasons to do so than females, such as marking their territory and advertising that they are looking for a mate. Unneutered males are far more likely to have urine marks as they are driven by their testosterone. However, even neutered males can still do it too. Females can also have urine marks, but they are less likely to do so than males.

Behavior & Personality

The behavior and personality of male and female cats can differ, but whether they have been neutered or spayed plays a significant role. Unneutered male cats are more likely to be aggressive towards other males, mark their territory, and actively seek out females in heat. However, when they are neutered, they become much more laid back and are extremely sociable, playful, and affectionate. They also form close bonds, both with their owners and with other cats.

Female cats are often stereotyped as being aloof and standoffish, but that's not strictly true. Females that have not been spayed spend much of the time that they are in heat searching for a mate. During this time, they yowl a lot and can actually be pretty loving and attention-seeking. Females that are spayed no longer go into heat, so they don't perform that behavior anymore and are generally more relaxed. However, they don't lose their nurturing instinct and can often "adopt" other kittens that are in the household. Females are still less likely to be playful and will often dominate other cats, particularly if they try to invade their favorite spot.

Male Cats vs Female Cats: Lifespan and Coat Color

Domestic cats typically live to be around 15 years old, although some can live up to 30 years. Neutering or spaying cats can increase their lifespan, as can keeping them indoors instead of allowing them to roam outdoors. Mixed-breed cats also tend to live longer than purebred cats. Interestingly, female cats tend to outlive males by an average of two years.

Determining the gender of a kitten based on coat color can be a less reliable method, but it is still worth noting. Tri-colored or tortoiseshell cats are usually female, as the genetic makeup responsible for this coloration is only found in females. Therefore, every calico cat is a female. Ginger or orange-colored cats are mostly male, although this trait is not as reliable as the tri-colored trait. Approximately three-quarters of all ginger cats are male.

One way to determine the gender of a cat is by observing its behavior. As kittens mature, they develop distinct personality traits. For example, male cats tend to roam more as they approach sexual maturity and may mark their territory by spraying. They can also be more aggressive and restless, particularly when around female cats that are reaching maturity.

Male cats may also exhibit attention-seeking behavior and loud yowls to show their sexual approach. Some people believe that male cats are friendlier and more outgoing than female cats, while female cats are believed to have more attitude and be less easygoing. However, these generalizations are not necessarily true for all cats, as every cat has a unique personality and temperament that can vary from one individual to another, regardless of gender.

Ultimately, determining a cat's gender through behavior can provide some insight into its personality, but it is not a foolproof method and should be used in combination with other methods, such as physical examination or genetic testing.


No comments: