Boy or girl?

[Tomatefarcie]

We are getting a new kitten in two weeks time. My friend has 3 boys to choose from.

Another friend said this morning that female cats are more loving and generally easier, which has got me thinking. I've had both in the past but it was a long time ago.

Any truth in this? What are the pros and cons of boys versus girls, if any?

[Paschaelina]

I've got two boys. One very independent, hunting all the time, comes and goes, sometimes we don't see him from morning til night. Very friendly when he's about though, always up for a tickle and a game. Most common sight is of his tail disappearing over the fence/out the catflap.

The other is very lapcatty, cuddly, will sleep all day, fat. In theory a lovely cat BUT he is very grumpy, needs telling off several times a day, a bit thick. Thinks he owns the cushion on your lap in the evening.

I've never had a girl cat but I would think they are just as different. Pick the cat with the temperament you like. Girl or boy, it shouldn't make a huge amount of difference.

[Purplebuns]

Males will spray, my boy kitten is as thick as two planks, doesn't know his own name yet even though we have used it with him for the past couple of months. However, he is very very soppy and laidback.

Girl cat is smart, loving, picked her name up straightaway and has that arrogance I love, she will come and sit on your knee and is very funny when she decides she needs your attention right now! Hard to choose, characters are individual but I love my girl cat more
I think you just have to go for the most appealing character.

[PandaNot]

We have 2 boys. Both lovely, lovely cats but I think that might be down to the breed rather than the fact that they're boys, although my cat loving friend who has had many, many cats over the years tells me boys in general are more affectionate.

Also boys don't necessarily spray. So long as you get them neutered at 6 months and they don't have anything around the house that stresses them out too much they will be fine.

[Tomatefarcie]

Thank you!
I think I will stick with one of the 3 my friend has. They are all ginger and gorgeous.

DD2 has decided he should be called Michael (short for Michael Jackson), which I think is hilarious. I have visions of me in the vets waiting room, vet turning up calling "Michael Jackson?". DD1 has 2 weeks to have a better idea.

[LittleJennyRobyn]

yes have to agree that in my experience neutered Boys are generally more affectionate.
Our 3 are great big soppy cats.
Although its more to do with personality than gender. Have had experience of females being friendly and loving but also standoffish when the mood takes them.
Also had a Ragdoll who was nothing like his breed profile who was a right grump but would love his cuddles when we were in bed but only on the bed.
He would ignore you most of the time.

Get the kitten used to be handled and stroked every day and be sure to get him neutered at 6 months and you shouldn't have any worries!!

BTW "Michael" Is a great name for him!!!

[DontCallMeBaby]

Mine are both boys, neutered at 5 months, and have never sprayed. They're brothers, and very different in personality. One will follow one of us round the house in the morning, while the other is usually nowhere to be seen, disappearing for up to two days at a time. Absent boy, however, sometimes gets insecure in the middle of the night and comes and wakes me up with a paw or a wet nose in the face (yeah, thanks for that). He is also utterly unmotivated by food, whereas his brother has just sleepwalked downstairs because DH has just refilled the bowls (dry food, really not worth waking up for).

I don't think after having these two I would ever generalise based on gender, breed, or even just being cats!

[mycatsaysach]

ime boys are much more affectionate and dependant/closer to their human family