Cat Experts ~ Boy or Girl Kitten?

[PatsGirl]

Still not sure that I'm getting DD a kitten (this has been an ongoing discussion in our house for nearly a year) but a friend of mine took her kitten to be "fixed" yesterday only to find out that she will be a gramma in the next few days Vet thought there were three kittens... friend says she kept the kitten confined except in two instances when it escaped (obviously to get a little kitty hoochie)

Anywho, tell me the pros and cons of male vs female cats, the good, the bad and the ugly ~ I'd rather be prepared than surprised! Thanks, Brenda

 

[Shmily1]

There are definitely pros and cons to both. Girls tend to be more fickle. Boys tend to be more loving. Girls can get pregnant. Boys will start spraying (peeeeewwwww!!!). Either way, you can prevent this problem by having them fixed as early as your vet says is ok (mine says 4 to 6 months for girls and 9 months for boys). Both are easy to litter box train (put a litter box in the room when you give them their first taste of food). They will both claw at furniture unless you teach them not to and provide a scratching post/ box for them.

Good luck!!!

 

[puffkin]

I have always heard boys are more loving but sprayers.

I have two girls and they are the sweetest little love bugs. The older one is very social and friendly, almost dog like. The younger one is still a bit skittish, but she has improved leaps and bounds since we got her. She is now very loving to our immediate family, but she still hides from company. They have never NOT gone in their litter boxes and they are fairly neat and tidy. We have a male dog and female cats and that balance seems to work for us!

 

[MichelleVW]

I have 2 boys and one girl cat, and they are all pretty much the same. I am really lucky though, all my cats like to snuggle.

Given the choice though, I would probably pick a male since they "usually" are less drama. Just get them fixed as soon as possible and they won't spray.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

I have owned both boy and girl cats and have found that the boys are more loving and affectionate. We always get our animals spayed early and have never had any issues with spraying!

 

[MineMail]

I have owned both boy and girl cats and have found that the boys are more loving and affectionate. We always get our animals spayed early and have never had any issues with spraying!

ITA My female cats always ran and hid when we had company. Not the brave boy - he gets a good spot where he'll be noticed, admired, and petted.

The only problem we've had with our male cat is urinary tract infections, which we now control with better care, lol. *crosses fingers, knocks wood* His last hospital visit for this problem cost us over $1,000.

 

[SaraJayne]

You shouldn't have to litter train kittens. Mama cats (if they are litter-trained themselves) will teach their kittens how to use the litter.

I've had one male cat and I'll never have another one again. He started spraying very early and even after he was neutered, it didn't help. He was put down, as I wasn't going to put another family through what I was going through.

The other five cats I've had (three at the moment) have all been girls and all are lovebugs and love attention. They are very affectionate to all of us and I've never had to deal with a drama llama cat.

I'd definitely stick with a female.

 

[Shyvioletisme]

I've had one male cat and I'll never have another one again. He started spraying very early and even after he was neutered, it didn't help. He was put down, as I wasn't going to put another family through what I was going through.

am I reading this right that you put a cat down simply because he sprayed???? that is horrible.

but anyway...I've had both and right now all I have is a male kitty. he is 7, but we've had him since he was a few months old. He came to me fixed and we've never had a problem with him spraying at all. he is the biggest cuddlebug ever, a big lover and a big talker too!
But female cats can be just as cuddly and loving as males, and in effect you can get a male cat that isn't big on loving. so sometimes there's really no telling.

 

[SaraJayne]

am I reading this right that you put a cat down simply because he sprayed???? that is horrible.

but anyway...I've had both and right now all I have is a male kitty. he is 7, but we've had him since he was a few months old. He came to me fixed and we've never had a problem with him spraying at all. he is the biggest cuddlebug ever, a big lover and a big talker too!
But female cats can be just as cuddly and loving as males, and in effect you can get a male cat that isn't big on loving. so sometimes there's really no telling.

Yes I did. No way would I ever put another family through what we went through with that cat. The humane society wouldn't take him due to his spraying issues (he couldn't be re-homed) so I did what was best.

It was a long time ago and I'm okay with what we did, regardless of what others may think.

 

[nuke]

I read once years ago that to pick a kitten you pick them up and then flip them on their back. If they just snuggle up to your hand on their belly they will be more laid back and snuggly. If they fight to get away they are more spirited.
I've used that every time and it's been true.

 

[MichelleVW]

ITA My female cats always ran and hid when we had company. Not the brave boy - he gets a good spot where he'll be noticed, admired, and petted.

The only problem we've had with our male cat is urinary tract infections, which we now control with better care, lol. *crosses fingers, knocks wood* His last hospital visit for this problem cost us over $1,000.

You shouldn't have to litter train kittens. Mama cats (if they are litter-trained themselves) will teach their kittens how to use the litter.

I've had one male cat and I'll never have another one again. He started spraying very early and even after he was neutered, it didn't help. He was put down, as I wasn't going to put another family through what I was going through.

The other five cats I've had (three at the moment) have all been girls and all are lovebugs and love attention. They are very affectionate to all of us and I've never had to deal with a drama llama cat.

I'd definitely stick with a female.

This goes to show that cats are just weird!

We have one male cat that hides when STRANGERS come over, and one male that loves them. Our female cat also loves company.

All 3 of our cats are equally affectionate and the boys sleep in my bed every night. If I get up to go to the couch or another bed (due to DH's snoring) the boys will follow me and go back to sleep wherever I am.

We've never had any issues with spraying from my males.

Best advice is to pick the friendlies kitten of the bunch.

 

[walkerag]

My vote is that they're both wonderful

I think you and your DD should sit and play with all of them together, evaluate all of thier personalities and choose the best personality fit.

 

[MichelleVW]

I read once years ago that to pick a kitten you pick them up and then flip them on their back. If they just snuggle up to your hand on their belly they will be more laid back and snuggly. If they fight to get away they are more spirited.
I've used that every time and it's been true.

Yep...that's true! Our boy cats don't mind it at all, but our newest female had to be convinced that it was ok to be held like a baby!!

 

[MichelleVW]

My vote is that they're both wonderful

I think you and your DD should sit and play with all of them together, evaluate all of thier personalities and choose the best personality fit.

That's the best advice!!

Here's one of my DD's senior pics taken with her cat Timmy. She walks around with him on her shoulders all the time at home....

 

[Shyvioletisme]

That's the best advice!!

Here's one of my DD's senior pics taken with her cat Timmy. She walks around with him on her shoulders all the time at home....

that is absolutely adorable!!!


I should add that my kitty is loving and snuggly with us...he's not a fan of other people being here...he doesn't attack them, but he either runs and hides or keeps his distance...but with us...he is a sweetie.

 

[SaraJayne]

I read once years ago that to pick a kitten you pick them up and then flip them on their back. If they just snuggle up to your hand on their belly they will be more laid back and snuggly. If they fight to get away they are more spirited.
I've used that every time and it's been true.

That's a good test for puppies, too.

 

[MichelleVW]

that is absolutely adorable!!!


I should add that my kitty is loving and snuggly with us...he's not a fan of other people being here...he doesn't attack them, but he either runs and hides or keeps his distance...but with us...he is a sweetie.

Thanks! He's such a photogenic cat, the photographers loved having him there!!

His brother Charlie, is scared of strangers, but he's very snuggly with us!

 

[Beca]

They are both wonderful, but different!!

My all-time favorite cats have been female. They tend to be a little more possessive, and picky about who they love. My 2 favorite cats (girls) would not let anyone but me pet them. They weren't scared of others, they just didn't have any interest in them. I stil have one of them, and she lays on me every night and bathes my face when I sleep. She's so sweet!!

However, the biggest "babies" I have ever had have been my male kitties. They are cuddly, calm (after about 3 yrs old) and super sweet to everyone!! I had one that used to curl up around my neck (when I was sitting up) to sleep, one that used to sleep under the covers with his head on my pillow, one that used to jump in the car everywhere we went, and two that regularly had "sleepovers" at my neighbor's houses.

I do think boys tend to be cuddlier, and funnier than girls. Girl kitties tend to be more serious. Right now, I have 3 girls and 3 boys. My girls NEVER come out to see strangers, but 2 of my 3 boys come to greet any guests who come into my home. One of my boys is an indoor/outdoor cat, and he regularly brings lizards, snakes and mice into my home . I generally want to kill him, but he is just so funny that I cannot!!

A year ago, my dd had to have surgery and she was FREAKING out about it. So, to take her mind off the surgery, dh and I went to pick out a kitten to surprise her. We got her the cuddliest little boy we could find. He ADORES her, and she adores him. I don't think she would've had nearly as much fun with a girl.

If you get boys neutered early enough (at 6 months), you will never have a spaying problem. We also de-claw our kitties, and the earlier you can do that (if you are going to do it), the easier it is on them.

Both genders are awesome...it just depends on what type of personality you are looking for.

 

[PatsGirl]

Well, thank you everyone The general consensus seems to be a male kitten neutered asap...

Kittens haven't delivered as of yet but my friend just told me that we wouldn't be able to see them for at least 2-3 weeks after birth anyways so no rush on a decision. If I decide to do this, I really want DD to spend a few times with the kittens to make her choice.

DF did bring in pictures of an earlier litter she had and they are beautiful calico (or painted?) Maine Coon mixes and she thinks the father is the same cat again. Lots of markings and colorful. So she is making my decision easier for me.

So many things to consider: do we (I) really want another animal, male or female, indoor or outdoor/claw or declaw, cat or other?

But thanks, everyone made great points and I think if there is a male available and we decide to do this, that's the way we'll go....

 

[babynurse1]

Anywho, tell me the cons of male vs female cats,

They're not dogs. lol


btw, had both male and female kittens. one male NEUTERED cat is preferable, imho. for the reasons already mentioned.