Have you welcomed a new little friend into the family but don’t know how to work out if they’re male or female?
Below, we explain how to learn the gender of a variety of small household pets, from rabbits to guinea pigs and even ferrets.
Jump to:
- How to sex a rabbit
- How to sex guinea pigs
- How to sex a hamster
- How to sex a rat
- How to sex a chinchilla
- How to sex a ferret
- Put your pet’s wellbeing first
How do you sex rabbits?
Sexing rabbits involves gently examining the genital area, usually from about six weeks old. It’s easiest having someone to help you hold the rabbit securely and calmly so they don’t struggle.
Place your rabbit on your lap or a secure surface with a towel for grip. Use one hand to support the chest and front legs and the other to support the hindquarters.
Gently hold your rabbit upright so you can see the genital area (it can be easier having someone to help you hold your rabbit securely and calmly).
Apply gentle pressure near the genital area.
What to look for:
- Male (buck) – a small tube-like penis will emerge. Don’t rely on testicles alone because they can be drawn in.
- Female (doe) – a vulva with a slit-shaped opening, not a circular hole.
Do rabbits change gender?
No, rabbits don’t change gender, but mix-ups can happen when trying to work out their sex. This normally happens due to:
- An inexperienced owner.
- Young rabbits having less obvious genital features.
How do you sex guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs can usually be sexed by examining the shape of their genital area. Here’s how to do it:
- Gently lift your guinea pig with both hands and hold them close to your body, supporting the chest with one hand and the hindquarters with the other.
- Carefully turn them so you can see the area under the tail.
- Use one hand to support the body while the other gently parts the fur around the genital area.
What to look for:
- Male (boar) – genitals look like a lowercase ‘i’. If unneutered, a penis may protrude and testes may be visible when gentle pressure is applied above the genital area.
- Female (sow) – genitals form a ‘Y’ shape with no protruding penis when gentle pressure is applied.
Guinea pigs can fall pregnant quite easily so early and accurate sexing is key to preventing unwanted babies.
Can guinea pigs change sex?
No, guinea pigs don’t change sex – it’s simply a case of knowing what to look for when working out their gender to help get it right the first time.
What sex guinea pigs are best together?
Guinea pigs are sociable animals and like company. If you’re planning on getting a little family of piggies, you could think about the following combinations:
- Two females.
- One or more females with a neutered male.
- Two male, neutered siblings who’ve been raised together.
How do you sex a hamster?
Hamsters come in different species such as Syrian, dwarf or Chinese, but the general way to determine the sex of a hamster is as follows:
- Pick a time when your hamster is alert but not overly active.
- Gently pick up and hold your hamster in your hands, or let them walk onto your palms if that’s more comfortable for them.
- Gently position them upright and support their body at all times.
- Look for differences in the space between the genital openings.
What to look for:
- Males – Generally have a longer gap between their genital area openings. Sexing a Syrian hamster can be easier than with dwarf types because males typically show more obviously bulging testicles.
- Females – Have visible nipples along the belly and a shorter distance between the openings.
How do you sex a rat?
Rats are relatively straightforward to sex once you know what to check and you can usually start working out their sex when they’re young:
- Hold your rat gently but securely with both hands (never pick them up by the tail), supporting their chest and hindquarters.
- Gently lift the tail while your rat is supported to examine the genital area – some prefer to be on all fours while others don’t mind being held upright.
What to look for:
- Males – Noticeable gap between the urethral opening and anus. Once they’re older, the testicles are obvious and sit below the tail.
- Females – Have closer openings and six pairs of visible nipples will develop as they grow. They can appear as early as a few weeks old.
How old can you sex a rat?
You can technically sex a rat at almost any age by checking the distance between their openings but it’s easier once they’ve developed slightly. This is typically around three to six weeks old, which is their weaning age.
How do you sex a chinchilla?
Chinchillas have a slightly different anatomy from smaller rodents, but you can still tell the sex by looking carefully at the area under the tail.
- Pick a quiet, safe space that’s enclosed to help prevent escapes.
- Support your chinchilla’s body with one hand under the chest and the other supporting the hindquarters, avoiding gripping the tail.
- Hold your chinchilla upright or slightly tilted so you can see under the tail (you may need someone to help you if they’re young or wriggling).
What to look for:
- Male – Usually have a noticeable gap between the anus and the genital opening. You may be able to see testicles in older males.
- Female – Have a urethral opening that sits close to the anus with a small crease between.
Chinchilla sexing can be a little harder than for rats or guinea pigs, so if you’re unsure, ask your vet or an experienced breeder to check.
How do you sex a ferret?
Male ferrets are often called ‘hobs’, while females are known as ‘jills’.
- Make sure your ferret is relaxed and you’re in a calm room.
- Gently hold your ferret in your lap or on a soft surface. Use one hand to support the chest and front legs, while your other hand can support the hindquarters.
- Lift their tail slowly and carefully.
What to look for:
- Males (hobs) – Have a visible penis and scrotum.
- Females (jills) – Have a genital opening that’s closer to the anus without those protruding features.
Understanding the sex of your ferret is important as they have a reproductive cycle that can affect their health.
Put your pet’s wellbeing first
Handling should always be a brief and positive experience for your pets. Taking a calm and careful approach is especially important when trying to sex them.
If at any point they seem scared or are trying to get away, don’t push the interaction. Gently set them down and let them return to their safe space to decompress. Never hold them tightly or in positions that could cause them harm or distress, such as on their backs.
If you’re not sure what you’re doing, think about getting support from a vet.
Get a pet insurance quote today
Caring for a small mammal often means thinking ahead about their health and wellbeing. Even pets that seem fit and happy can need veterinary care unexpectedly.
Exotic Direct offers specialist small mammal pet insurance designed with the needs of species like rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas in mind.