You can tell if your cat is a boy or girl by looking under its tail. Male cats usually have a larger gap between the anus and genitals, and you may notice testicles in older kittens or adults. Female cats have a smaller gap, and the openings look like an upside-down exclamation mark (¡). Always check gently and only when your cat is calm.
If you just adopted a cat or found a tiny kitten, one of the first questions you may have is: “Is my cat a boy or a girl?” Many new cat owners struggle with this, and that’s completely normal. Baby kittens grow fast, and their bodies look very similar when they’re young. Even adults can be tricky to figure out if you’ve never checked before.
This guide will make everything simple, clear, and beginner-friendly, even for someone in 4th grade. You’ll learn the meaning behind visual differences, how male and female cats look from underneath, and how to check safely without hurting or scaring your pet. We’ll also use examples, a comparison table, a recap, a quiz, and answers so you feel fully confident. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to tell if your cat is a boy or a girl.
🐾 What Does Each Mean? (Male vs Female Cats)
Here, “male cat” and “female cat” refer to biological sex. It’s not about personality—it’s about physical features under the tail.
1. Male Cat (Boy)
Meaning: A male cat has testicles and a penis.
Part of the body: Sexual organs (biology, not grammar).
Shape to look for: Two openings with a bigger gap between them.
Simple Examples:
- A male kitten’s openings look like a colon ( : ).
- The space between the two openings is longer.
- Adult males may show small round testicles.
2. Female Cat (Girl)
Meaning: A female cat has a vulva and anus.
Part of the body: Sexual organs.
Shape to look for: The openings form an upside-down exclamation mark ( ¡ ).
Simple Examples:
- The gap between the two openings is very small.
- The area looks like a straight line or slit under the anus.
- No round shapes or bulges below the anus.
Mini Story to Remember
Imagine you are drawing.
- Boy cat = colon ( : )
- Girl cat = exclamation mark ( ¡ )
This simple picture helps beginners identify gender quickly.
🔍 The Key Difference Between a Boy and Girl Cat
Below is an easy comparison table to help you understand the main differences visually:
| Feature | Male Cat (Boy) | Female Cat (Girl) |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Looks like : (colon) | Looks like ¡ (exclamation mark) |
| Distance Between Openings | Large gap | Very small gap |
| Testicles | Usually visible in adults | Not present |
| Bulge | Often present | None |
| Checking Difficulty | Easy in adults, tricky in kittens | Easy in adults, tricky in kittens |
| Example Sentence | “This kitten has a big gap, so it is likely a boy.” | “This kitten has a tiny gap, so it is likely a girl.” |
⭐ Quick Tip to Remember
- Bigger gap = Boy
- Smaller gap = Girl
❌ Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Mistake 1: Checking When the Cat Is Scared
❌ Incorrect: Lifting the tail while the cat is jumping or running.
✔ Correct: Check when your cat is calm or sleeping.
Mistake 2: Looking Too Quickly
❌ Incorrect: Glancing for one second and guessing.
✔ Correct: Look closely and gently for a few seconds.
Mistake 3: Confusing Fur with Anatomy
❌ Incorrect: Mistaking fluffy fur for testicles.
✔ Correct: Part the fur gently with two fingers.
🐱 When to Use “Boy Cat” (Male Cat Identification Situations)
Use the term “boy cat” when you clearly see signs of a male cat.
Signs of a Boy Cat
- Large gap between anus and genitals
- Round testicles (especially in adults)
- Colon shape ( : )
- Slight bulge below the anus
Example Sentences
- “The gap is big, so this is a boy cat.”
- “I can see small round shapes, so the kitten is male.”
- “This cat’s anatomy looks like a colon, so it’s a boy.”
- “My vet confirmed that my new kitten is a male cat.”
- “The space between the openings shows this is a boy cat.”
🐈 When to Use “Girl Cat” (Female Cat Identification Situations)
Use the term “girl cat” when you see female-specific traits.
Signs of a Girl Cat
- Very small gap
- No bulging shapes
- Exclamation mark ( ¡ ) shape
- Smooth area under the anus
Example Sentences
- “The gap is tiny, so she is a girl cat.”
- “This kitten has no bulge, meaning it’s female.”
- “The openings form an exclamation mark, so it’s a girl.”
- “My cat was identified as a female at the clinic.”
- “The body shape shows she is a girl cat.”
⭐ Memory Hack
- ¡ = girl
- : = boy
🔁 Quick Recap: Boy Cat vs Girl Cat
- Boy cats → colon shape ( : )
- Girl cats → exclamation mark ( ¡ )
- Bigger gap = boy
- Smaller gap = girl
- Bulge present = boy
- Smooth area = girl
📚 Advanced Tips
- In ancient drawings, male cats were often marked with two dots—similar to the colon shape we use today for gender checking.
- In vet clinics, gender is determined by spacing and organ visibility.
- Misidentifying gender can cause confusion when choosing names, planning neutering, or predicting behavior.
This extra knowledge helps build confidence in your understanding.
📝 Mini Quiz
Fill in the blanks with boy or girl:
- A cat with a large gap between openings is a ____ cat.
- A kitten with an exclamation mark shape is a ____ cat.
- A cat that has visible testicles is a ____ cat.
- A cat with a smooth area and no bulge is a ____ cat.
- A kitten whose shape looks like a colon is a ____ cat.
✅ Quiz Answers
- Boy
- Girl
- Boy
- Girl
- Boy
❓ FAQs
1. Can you tell a kitten’s gender at home?
Yes. Use the spacing method: bigger gap = boy, smaller gap = girl.
2. At what age is it easiest to tell if a cat is male or female?
Around 6–8 weeks old. The features become clearer.
3. Can fluffy fur make gender checking harder?
Yes. Gently part the fur to see the shape clearly.
4. Are male kittens always bigger?
Not always. Size is not a reliable way to tell gender.
5. Do female cats behave differently than males?
Sometimes. But behavior alone cannot confirm gender.
🐾 Conclusion
Telling whether your cat is a boy or a girl doesn’t have to be confusing. With simple visual clues—like the spacing, shape, and presence or absence of a bulge—you can identify your cat’s gender with confidence. Remember the easy trick: colon shape for boys and exclamation mark for girls. With practice, checking your cat’s gender will feel quick and natural. Keep your cat calm, look gently, and compare what you see with the guide above. You’re now fully ready to tell your cat’s gender anytime.
Kael Donovan is a language enthusiast and writer at Definevs.com, simplifying complex words and grammar rules into fun, easy-to-understand guides for readers.
