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How to identify your cat's gender and spay or neuter status?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | 14 lbs

I need to know if my cat is male or female and/or spayed or neutered? I purchased the cat from the Humane Society, they said he was a male and he was neutered, he has gone to the vet once and neither has been confirmed, because I forgot to ask. He has what looks and feels like a hole below his anus.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 2nd, 2016

If there is a round hole below his anus, he is a boy. If there is a little slit below the anus, it is a girl. The distance between the vulva and the anus in the female cat is relatively small, in a tom it is up to about an inch (in an adult). If you are not sure about the gender, you can always ask your vet the next time you take the kitty for vaccinations or an exam. You should take the cat for an exam shortly after getting it from the humane society , just to make sure he or she is healthy.

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    Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    I would probably trust what they told you at the Humane Society, it can be a little difficult to tell between a female and a neutered male if you are not experienced as the testicular sacs tend to not be very noticeable, but your cat would still have a penis, although quite small it should be obvious when you put your cat upside down on his back.

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