How to Tell a Kitten’s Gender: A Simple and Clear Guide

May 10, 2025

Have you ever held a tiny kitten and asked yourself, "Is this a boy or a girl?" You're not the only one. Many new pet owners or people helping with a litter feel unsure about how to tell. Kittens are small, they move a lot, and honestly, their parts can look pretty similar at first! So, how to tell a kitten's gender?

Don’t worry, There are easy and safe ways to find out without guessing. Around 6 to 8 weeks old is the best time to check. At that age, kittens are big enough to show clearer signs, but still young enough for you to handle them gently.

So, why should you even check?

Knowing if your kitten is a boy or a girl can help you:

Plan to spay or neuter them at the right time
Understand early behaviors that may show up as they grow
Avoid surprise litters if you have more than one kitten

Now let’s talk about how to tell the difference.

There are a few things you can look for:

The shape and how far apart the bottom openings are
If it looks like a colon (:) or a lowercase letter "i"
If you can feel tiny testicles in older male kittens

Some things don’t help at this age. For example, how the kitten acts or what its face looks like won’t tell you much when they’re little.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps, from how to hold the kitten safely, to spotting the signs, to knowing when it’s time to ask a vet for help.

This isn’t a science book. It’s a helpful guide you can actually use. By the end, whether you’re checking one kitten or a whole group, you’ll feel more sure about telling who's a boy and who's a girl.

When Can You Safely Check a Kitten’s Gender?

So, you're looking at a litter of kittens and wondering when it's okay to peek and figure out who's a boy and who's a girl. The short answer? You can technically check from birth, but the best time to do it safely and accurately is when the kittens are about 6 to 8 weeks old.

That’s when their little bodies are stronger, easier to handle, and the differences between male and female anatomy are much more noticeable.

Let’s break it down by age so you can understand what to expect:

0-2 Weeks: Handle with Caution

Kittens at this age are super delicate. Their genitals are tiny and hard to tell apart.
Handling them too much can upset their mom or stress them out.
Only experienced vets or breeders should try to sex newborns, and even then, it’s easy to guess wrong.

3-4 Weeks: Getting a Bit Easier

The genital area is starting to develop, but it still takes a trained eye.
If you do check, keep it brief. Make sure the kitten is calm, warm, and on a soft surface.
It helps to gently lift the tail and compare multiple kittens spotting differences is easier side by side.

4-6 Weeks: Better Time to Check

This is the point where visual differences become more obvious.
You might see tiny scrotal swelling in males (like two little bumps) and more space between the anus and genital opening.
Female kittens still have a vertical slit located very close to the anus.
Using a magnifying glass or your phone camera can help spot the details.

6-8 Weeks: The Ideal Window

Now we’re talking! By this time, it’s much easier to tell.
Male kittens may have visible or at least palpable testicles (small pea-sized lumps).
The distance between the anus and the penis is clearer, and the shape difference is easier to see (colon ":" for boys, lowercase "i" for girls).
Kittens are also stronger and more tolerant of handling.

Why Timing Matters Checking too early can lead to mistakes. Male and female kittens look surprisingly similar at birth. And because their genitals are underdeveloped, you might end up guessing wrong which can cause confusion later.

Also, stress is a big deal for tiny kittens. Cold hands, rough handling, or too much poking around can actually make them uncomfortable or even unwell. That’s why timing and gentle technique are key.

Tips for a Safe Check

Make sure the kitten is warm, calm, and preferably just finished eating.
Use a soft towel or blanket to lay them on.
Gently lift the tail never pull.
If they squirm too much or seem distressed, stop and try again later.
Still unsure? A vet can easily confirm the gender during a routine checkup, usually around the time of first vaccinations.

What About Coat Colors? Coat color can give you clues too. For example, calico or tortoiseshell kittens are almost always female due to the way color genes work. Orange tabbies are more often male (though not always). These clues can help, but they're not 100% reliable, so they should only back up what you see.

Patience and gentleness go a long way. You’ll get the answer soon enough and you’ll know you got it right.

Step-by-Step: How to Check a Kitten’s Gender at Home

Checking a kitten’s gender doesn’t have to be intimidating. You just need the right approach, some patience, and a gentle touch. Here's a clear, step-by-step guide you can follow at home, especially if your kitten is around 6 to 8 weeks old (that’s the ideal window when things are easier to see).

Step 1: Make Sure the Kitten Is Calm and Safe

Before anything else, create a quiet, warm, well-lit space. Place a soft towel on your lap or a table and gently hold the kitten there. Warm hands help cold fingers can startle tiny kittens. Let the kitten settle first. If they’re fussy, pet them a bit or wait until they’ve just eaten and feel relaxed.

Why this matters: A calm kitten is less likely to squirm, which means you're less likely to misjudge or accidentally cause discomfort.

Step 2: Gently Lift the Tail

Use clean hands or gloves. Support the kitten securely, but don’t squeeze. Gently lift the tail straight up no pulling or forcing. If the kitten resists, pause and try again later.

Two ways to hold them:

Let the kitten stand or lie belly-down on the towel, with its rear facing you.
Or hold the kitten upright in your palm, supporting its back and gently tilting to peek under the tail.

Step 3: Look for Genital Differences

Now take a look at the area beneath the tail. You’ll see two openings:

The anus is closest to the base of the tail.
The genital opening is just below the anus.

Here’s what to look for:

Female Kitten

Shape: A vertical slit (vulva).
Spacing: Very close to the anus (about 5 mm apart).
Visual clue: Looks like a lowercase letter "i".

Male Kitten

Shape: A small round dot (prepuce/penis).
Spacing: Further from the anus (around 1 cm).
Visual clue: Resembles a colon ":".
In older males (6+ weeks), you might feel or see tiny pea-sized testicles between the anus and the penis.

Comparing kittens side-by-side from the same litter can make differences easier to spot. A magnifying glass or your phone's camera zoom can help if you're still unsure.

Extra Tips for Success

Use soft lighting or a sideways flashlight to make details easier to see.
Don’t force things. If the kitten gets upset, stop and try again later.
Avoid checking kittens under 2 to 3 weeks unless you’re experienced.
Return the kitten to its mom or littermates right after. Keep them warm.
If you're still unsure, vets can confirm the gender during routine checkups (like first vaccinations at 6-8 weeks).

Quick Reference Table

Gender	Shape	Spacing	6+ Weeks Sign
Male	Round dot	Wider gap	Testicles may show
Female	Vertical slit	Very close to anus	Smooth, no lumps

Identifying a kittens gender can feel tricky the first few times, but with a little patience and care, it gets easier. Trust your eyes, go gently, and when in doubt, ask your vet they are always happy to help.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Telling a Kitten’s Gender

Trying to figure out if your kitten is a boy or a girl? It’s easy to make mistakes, especially when they’re still little. Do not worry it happens to a lot of people. Here are some common mix-ups and what you should do instead.

Mistake #1: Looking for Testicles Too Soon

What goes wrong: You don’t see testicles, so you think the kitten is a girl.

Why it happens: In baby boy kittens, the testicles might still be hidden. They don’t usually show clearly until the kitten is 6 to 8 weeks old.

What to do instead:

Look at the shape and space between the two openings under the tail.
Boys usually have a round dot a bit farther from the anus (it looks like a colon ":").
Girls have a vertical line really close to the anus (it looks like a lowercase "i").

Still not sure? Wait a few days and check again.

Mistake #2: Getting the Spacing Wrong

What goes wrong: You see space and think it’s a boy. Or you see the openings close together and guess it’s a girl.

Why it happens: Fluffy fur, kitten movement, or a little swelling can trick your eyes. Long-haired kittens especially make this tricky.

What to do instead:

Use a flashlight or good light to help you see clearly.
Gently move the fur if it’s in the way.
If you have more than one kitten, compare them side by side.
Don’t just look at space check the shape too.

Mistake #3: Guessing Based on Behavior

What goes wrong: You think playful kittens are boys and quiet ones are girls.

Why it happens: People sometimes believe boys act one way and girls another. But baby kittens don’t show those kinds of differences yet.

What to do instead:

Focus on what their bodies show you, not how they act.
Real behavior differences (like spraying or heat cycles) come later, around 5 or 6 months old.

Other Things to Watch Out For

✔ Fluffy fur in the way? Wipe gently with a warm cloth.

✔ Swelling? Some baby boys have puffiness that looks like a girl’s part. It usually goes away after a couple weeks.

✔ Coat color tricks? Calico and tortoiseshell cats are usually girls, but not always. Rare male calicos exist too.

Easy Tips to Help

Use your phone or a magnifying glass for a close-up look.
Still confused? Let your vet help during a checkup.

It’s okay if you don’t get it right the first time. With practice, you’ll get better. Just take your time, be gentle, and your kitten will thank you!

What If You’re Still Not Sure?

You’ve looked under the tail, checked the shape and space between the openings, and maybe even compared your kitten to its siblings but you still don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl. That’s okay! Some kittens are just tricky to figure out when they’re young.

So, what can you do next?

1. Ask a Vet for Help

Vets are really good at this. During a regular checkup (usually around 8 weeks), they’ll look at your kitten and tell you if it’s a boy or a girl. They may gently feel the area too, just to be sure.

If something seems off, like one testicle is missing, the vet can help figure out what’s going on.
Very rarely, they might suggest a special test if the answer isn’t clear.

Can’t visit a clinic? Some areas have mobile vets who come to your home, or low-cost clinics that can check your kitten for less. Local shelters might know where to go.

2. Try Tech Tricks

Take a clear photo of your kitten’s rear (yes, it’s weird, but it helps!).
Use your phone to zoom in or show the picture during a video call with a vet.

Some vets and breeders offer online appointments, so you don’t even have to leave home.

3. Don’t Just Guess

Guessing the gender and getting it wrong can lead to mix-ups later like the wrong surgery or confusion during adoption.

If you’re not 100% sure, call the kitten “undetermined” for now. It’s totally fine to wait a little longer and get it right.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to touch a newborn kitten to check its gender?

You can, but it’s better to wait. Newborns are fragile, and too much handling can stress them or make their mom upset.

If you do check:

Use clean, warm hands.
Keep it quick.
Gently lift the tail, then return the kitten right away.

It’s safer to wait until the kitten is at least 3 to 4 weeks old.

How early can a vet tell the gender?

Vets are pretty good at figuring it out, even in newborns. But the best time is around 6 to 8 weeks old. That’s when it’s easiest to see or feel signs like testicles in male kittens.

Do boy and girl kittens act differently?

Not really not as babies. Every kitten has its own personality. Bigger differences, like spraying or going into heat, happen later when they’re about 5 to 6 months old.

Can a kitten’s gender change as it grows?

No, it can’t. But sometimes people get it wrong at first because the signs aren’t easy to spot. As the kitten gets older, it’s easier to tell if it’s a boy or a girl.

What if things don’t look normal down there?

If the kitten’s private area doesn’t look like the usual "colon" (boy) or "i" (girl) shape, it could have a rare condition. This doesn’t happen often, but if you’re unsure, ask a vet. They can do a gentle check or even a test to be sure.

Can you tell if a cat is a boy or girl after it’s been fixed?

Yes, but it takes a closer look. Neutered males won’t have testicles anymore, but they still have more space between their parts. Spayed females have a small slit closer to the anus.

Vets can tell quickly, but it might take practice if you’re trying to figure it out on your own.

May 10, 2025