Click to Skip Ahead Purpose and Function of a Cat’s Clitoris How to Determine the Sex of Your Cat Other Ways to Determine Gender Importance of Knowing the Sex of Your Cat Determining the sex of a cat isn’t as easy as it is with dogs. How many stories have you heard in which a cat named “Jack” turns out to be a “Jill?” This is an incredibly common situation, and it shows how foreign the feline genitalia is to most humans. However, when it comes to the basics, cats have the same basic anatomy as humans; male cats are born with testes and a penis, and female cats are born with a clitoris and vagina. So, why is it such a challenge to determine a cat’s sex? In this article, we will discuss how you can figure out your cat’s sex, as well as why the information is important, beyond choosing the perfect name for your pet. The Purpose and Function of a Cat’s Clitoris All mammalian embryos essentially start out life as female (which is why males have nipples!). Shortly into development, their genetics determine whether their gonads will become ovaries or testes, and if they will have a penis or clitoris. That’s right, the clitoris is the female equivalent of the penis. In female humans, ovulation occurs on a regular cycle. As for female cats, they only ovulate when they mate with a male. This is known as induced ovulation, in which the physical act of copulation causes the ovaries to release eggs. Since female cats reproduce through induced ovulation, there must be a biological “tripwire” of sorts to tell the ovaries when to release eggs, and this “tripwire” is widely believed to be the clitoris. The feline penis is covered in tiny barbs that result in even more friction and stimulation during copulation. In humans, the clitoris is located a distance away from the vagina. For female cats, the clitoris is located inside the vestibule, making it ideally positioned for stimulation during mating. As clitoral stimulation is a natural occurrence during feline breeding, it is believed that the clitoris acts as a trigger, prompting the release of hormones that will set off ovulation. Therefore, the clitoris plays a key role in feline reproduction and breeding. Image Credit: You are welcome to use our infographic but we do require you to link back to Catster.com How to Determine the Sex of Your Cat While determining your cat’s sex can be difficult, it’s not impossible. The easiest way to discover the sex of your cat is to take them to the vet for an official examination. Otherwise, there are different methods you can use depending on your cat’s age. Unlike with dogs, the feline penis is not located on the abdomen. Instead, it is hidden from view, tucked underneath the anus. Apart from when they are having a thorough clean, you will generally not catch sight of your cat’s penis. Under 8 Weeks of Age If your kitten is less than 8 weeks old, determining their sex will be a bit more of a challenge. Like the rest of your kitten’s body, their external genitalia is tiny and difficult to see. To make sexing your kitten easier, it is ideal if you can compare them to their littermates. This will allow you to see examples of male and female kittens so that you can more easily differentiate between the two. If your kitten is no longer with their littermates, you can attempt to determine their sex the same way you would for a kitten over eight weeks of age. Over 8 Weeks of Age For cats over 8 weeks old, determining their sex is much more straightforward. Simply lift their tail and check the shape of the genital opening as well as the distance between the opening and the anus. In males, the genital opening will be circular and farther away from the anus. In females, the genital opening will be linear and closer to the anus. As most cat owners know, randomly grabbing your cat’s tail and lifting it is unlikely to yield good results. Instead, approach the situation carefully so that your cat feels comfortable. First, find a time when your cat is calm and gently hold them in your lap. Once they are relaxed, you can gently lift their tail to inspect them. It is important to note that you will likely not be able to see your cat’s penis, so determining your cat’s sex based on that structure alone is not advised. The same goes for the testes, which may have already been removed if your cat has been sterilized. Therefore, a lack of visible male sex structures does not necessarily mean your cat is female. Image Credit: You are welcome to use our infographic but we do require you to link back to Catster.com Are There Other Ways to Determine the Sex of Your Cat? The only way to guarantee the sex of your cat is to examine their genitals. If you are struggling to do so, your vet can determine your cat’s sex for you. In the meantime, there may be some other ways to get an idea of the sex of your cat. Unique to felines, the gene for the orange coat color is sex-linked, found only on the X-chromosome. Males with this gene will be either black or orange (ginger), with or without some white. Females, however, can be black, ginger, or a blend (calico or tortoiseshell). This means that virtually all calico or tortoiseshell cats are female, and around 80% of ginger cats are male. However, this method is not a guarantee. While incredibly rare, male calico cats exist. Due to genetic mutations that cause cats to have more than two sex chromosomes, male cats can develop calico colors. These cats are known as Klinefelter cats. Image Credit: You are welcome to use our infographic but we do require you to link back to Catster.com Why Is It Important to Know the Sex of Your Cat? Many people may think that knowing your cat’s sex is only important for naming purposes, but that’s not the case. There are several reasons that pet owners should know their pet’s sex. Some health issues or behavioral problems are more prevalent in one sex over another. For instance, males are at higher risk of fatal urinary tract blockages than females. Knowing which conditions your cat may be susceptible to based on their sex can allow you to catch the signs of a condition earlier and potentially save your cat a lot of discomfort and pain. If you have a brother and sister, or just a male and female kitten, you will want to know this so you can make plans for neutering before ending up with unwanted kittens, especially  from siblings! In addition, sexual development disorders can be an issue, such as gonadal disorders. Gonadal disorders impact your cat’s reproductive organs, but the signs may appear different based on your cat’s sex. For example, in females, common signs of a sexual development disorder include an abnormally large clitoris. Therefore, knowing your cat’s sex tells you not just if they are a “Jack” or a “Jill,” but it also helps you to remain informed on their health status. Image Credit: Ermolaev Alexander, Shutterstock Final Thoughts The female cat does indeed have a clitoris, and it likely plays a vital role in feline reproduction. As induced ovulators, it is important for copulation to stimulate a hormonal response in order for eggs to be released from the ovaries. The location of the clitoris, along with the anatomy of the penis, ensures this stimulation occurs. While female cats have clitorises, this won’t help you to determine a cat’s sex. Instead, focus on the shape of the genital opening as well as its distance from the anus. If you are confused, consulting your vet is the best way to go. Sources https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/article/evolution-female-orgasm-ovulation-rabbits/ https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/evr_ct_how_to_determine_the_sex_of_a_kitten https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/reproductive/c_ct_sexual_development_disorders https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/reproductive/c_ct_vaginal_abnormalities https://www.vetstreet.com/dr-marty-becker/can-calico-cats-be-male Featured Image Credit: Hanna Taniukevich, Shutterstock The post Do Cats Have a Clitoris? Vet-Reviewed Facts About Cat Genitals (With Infographics) appeared first on PangoVet.

PetKeen is excited to share the news of its integration with the innovative PangoVet website! This partnership is not just about expanding the pet health information library of PetKeen, but also about bringing you a one-stop solution for all your pet health needs. With a vast collection of health, medication, food, and exercise articles, Pet Keen has been a trusted resource for pet owners. Now, with the introduction of telehealth services, PangoVet is elevating its commitment to pet health, making it more convenient and accessible for you. What Is PangoVet? PangoVet is a newly developed veterinary telehealth site where people can communicate with one of our highly experienced veterinarians about any health or behavioral issues concerning their cat or dog. Our vet team is not meant to replace face-to-face consultations that people have with their local animal doctor and technician. It is meant to allow you to speak with one of PangoVet’s trusted veterinarians from the comfort of your home when convenient. Both video and audio calls are available. Click to Speak With a Vet How Pango Vet Works Pango Vet is designed to work simply. Here is how you can get things done: Click the “Book Now” button at the top of the page (you can also scroll to the bottom of the home page and click the “Talk to a Vet” button) Fill out the short questionnaire about your pet Select a date and time you want your call Pay the consultation fee After the call, you will receive a report summary and what was discussed during your consultation. Our vets cannot prescribe medication with this service. The Goal of PangoVet PangoVet’s goal is clear and unwavering: to help pets live longer and happier lives. As much as our team wants to help, if this is an emergency scenario (seizures, irregular breathing, lack of consciousness, severe bleeding, etc.), please visit your vet’s clinic or an emergency animal hospital. The post PetKeen Is Now a Part of PangoVet appeared first on PangoVet.

A Florida man suffered a demoralizing comeuppance when he attempted to carjack the wrong person, according to police. A car thief reportedly attempted to steal a vehicle that was parked outside a residence early Thursday morning. The owner heard a commotion outside his home and called 911 after seeing a man attempting to break into his car. The suspect – identified by police as 29-year-old Blake Robinson – was confronted by the 66-year-old owner of the vehicle before law enforcement arrived at the crime scene. Authorities said the pair got into a physical altercation and Robinson knocked the owner to the ground and then kicked him in the head. However, Robert Polk fought back and was able to incapacitate Robinson until police arrived. The Brevard County Sheriff's Office said in a post on Facebook, "Welcome to Brevard County, where we proudly support… 'Play stupid games…win stupid prizes.'"Brevard County Sheriff's Office deputies arrived at the crime scene and arrested Robinson, who allegedly had blood around his mouth and "was seemingly having a tough time getting up off of the ground, after getting his butt whipped by a 66-year-old man!"The sheriff's office wrote, "That’s right Mr. Tough Guy, Robinson, got manhandled by a 66-year-old man who thankfully only required brief medical treatment and was left without any serious injuries!"Deputies noted Polk's face was red and swollen, and one of his ears was covered in blood.Robinson needed to get medical attention after being beaten up by the owner, according to police. The Brevard County Sheriff's Office wrote, "As for Robinson, he was fortunate enough to be in Brevard County where he won a few prizes for being stupid including a chauffeured ride to a local medical facility to check his injuries before arriving at his less than luxurious accommodations at 'Ivey's Iron Bar Lodge! At the lodge he was given a freshly washed 2 piece ensemble to get comfortable in, before being shown to his sleeping area in our open floor plan."Robinson was charged with burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and felony battery on a person over the age of 65. He was booked in the Brevard County Jail on a $30,000 bond.Sheriff Wayne Ivey said the suspect "got an enhanced charge for hitting someone over the age of 65 who ended up whooping his punk butt!" Ivey added, "As we like to say here in Brevard County, 'Mess Around and Find Out!'"Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

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The Ancient Greeks are often hailed as the founders of Western civilization. Celebrated for their advancements in philosophy, democracy, science, and the arts, we tend to view the ancient Greeks through rose-tinted glasses. Under this polished veneer of civilization lies a trove of lesser-known, surprising, and sometimes disturbing facts that reveal the truth about ancient Greek life. It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows in ancient Greece; life could be tough, and Greek society was deeply divided. Here are some interesting facts about Ancient Greece. The legendary Spartacus: Gladiator and leader of slaves against the Romans – Part 1 Ancient Greek Theater: Is It A Man’s World? 1.The Spartans Were Baby Killers Few aspects of ancient Greek society have captured our collective imagination like the Spartans. Famed for their military prowess and disciplined way of life, the Spartans have gone down in history as some of the greatest warriors the world has ever seen. But what some people don’t realize is that the Spartans practiced infanticide. Upon birth Spartan newborns were subject to rigorous inspection by the elders. The examination determined the child’s physical fitness and general health. If the child was deemed to be weak, sickly, deformed, or otherwise undesirable, they were taken to a palace called the Apothetae. This was a chasm in the Taygetus Mountains range where the babies were left to die. Read moreSection: Ancient PlacesEuropeHistoryAncient TraditionsRead Later