Boy or girl??

[choccyfiend78]

I have promised my 6.5 yr old DS that we can get a new pet and think a kitten would be ideal as it will give him something to look after but that he can play with too (he has had a hamster but it was evil and kept biting).

I have always had girl cats before but have heard that boy cats are supposed to be more affectionate so which way do we go??

Any opinions would be great, we are going to the local cat sanctuary tomorrow for a first look but won't be bringing a furry friend home until we are prepared fully!

[cozietoesie]

The family have mostly had boys - they seem to 'fit' us better. That's just us though - many many posters here have wonderful girls to whom they're devoted.

[timtam23]

From my small number of cats (3) all taken in as rescue/stray kittens, the girl cat grew up to be quite standoffish and would be stroked on her terms only, the old boy was timid but very friendly to people he knew well, the current young male cat is very affectionate/cuddly but again timid with strangers.
With 2 of the cats it was impossible to tell as young kittens what their personalities would be (my old boy was timid but friendly as a kitten too...)
Maybe a young adult cat/older kitten might be another option for you as it would be easier to match with you for personality? I had also forgotten with young kittens how very scratchy, bitey and active they could be - my 2 young children were very wary of my current cat because he was so unpredictable as a young thing (he is now coming up for 2 and still very lively & playful but has grown out of his crazy turbopowered phase)

[Fluffycloudland77]

I'd go for a male. All our females have been little madams, granted one was a tortie.

Try an adult.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Well I know everyone says boy cats are easier. Not in my hands boy cats in this house appear to be at best arrogant and at worst seriously unpleasant. Girl cats are always little darlings with me.

[shaska]

I've heard that boys are more placid, but I'm not sure there's a real difference and you can definitely get a mad one of either gender without meaning to.

We've always just taken what came, or whoever picked us at the shelter, so I'd recommend that. Also a second vote on an adult cat - means you can child-test it, whereas with a kitten you don't really know how it's going to turn out...

[creamhearts]

We have a beautiful girl we adopted when she was 3(ish), she is so friendly and affectionate, no idea if that is just who she is or down to her sex.

You will fnd if you go to the shelter the cat will pick you (ours certainly did) and any ideas you had about what you wanted disappear when you see his/her little fluffy face :)

I would strongly recommend adopting an adult cat, she came litter trained, has never scratched furniture, happy to be left alone for parts of the day but equally happy with us around. She is such a joy.

[DramaAlpaca]

I don't think it matters really. I've had lovely affectionate girl cats & also quite standoffish ones, and the males have been just as different. One of our current males is a soppy little thing, the other one is much more self-contained and only really loves me - and then only when he feels like it. I'm sure you'll be paired with the perfect puss for you at the sanctuary

[DidoTheDodo]

We've had a selection of cats over the years and I've never noticed a difference in affection between the sexes. between individual cats, yes, but boy or girl made no difference.

We've currently got one of each (newly rescued) and I'd say girl cat was more affectionate (ie lap sitter, comes to find me in the morning/at night, snuggles on the bed, asks to be stroked, but both are adorable and gorgeous. (And boy cat is by no means stand-offish)

[tacal]

We got a lovely girl cat from a rescue charity in January. She is very affectionate and has become my 6 year old ds' best friend. She is 4 years old so the rescue charity were able to tell us what her personality was like.

[choccyfiend78]

Well we went today and the first furry face I saw as I went through the gate was a gorgeous little grey and white girl called Lucy who will be coming home with us on Sunday! She is approx 1 yr old as she was dumped at the cat park as a kitten so not sure exactly but is the size of a 6 month old so will not grow too big. She has a lovely temperament and was very cuddly. ( I will try and post some photos when we get her but usually use my phone so will have to get on laptop)

Forgot to say in OP that we live in Cyprus and cats are everywhere here. The cat park/ sanctuary we went to have over 400 furry friends looking for forever homes and thankfully we can take 1 of them x

[DidoTheDodo]

She sounds wonderful!
Enjoy your Lucy!

[QueenFuri]

I have a 10 month old girl, she is evil to me and me only at this second she swiping me with her claws as I type little git oh wait now she is biting me. She used to love me when we first got her now she hates me, I still love her mind and spoil her like a child in an attempt to buy her love .

Get a boy they are lovely and kind!

[RubbishMantra]

Ah, lovely! Enjoy your new furry, purry baby.

Lots of ferals/strays in Cyprus aren't there. When I was last out there, there was a day when it was pissing down with rain. We drove past a cat and dog hanging out together. Cat was clever enough to stand underneath the dog. Like a dog umbrella. They seemed to be proper pals.