Male or female kitten

[Pandoraslastchance]

Hi,
we are looking at getting our first kitten (we used to have 2 dogs but they died last year at 12 and 13 and i cannot face getting another dog) but just wanted to ask which is easier/better?a male or female? Which ever we get will be fixed when our vet recommends but I just want some people's experiences.

I prefer males myself. I've had loads of cats and find them easier, less hassle to neuter and don't call before they're neutered. All the females I've had have been divas and my males lovely and cuddly.

It really makes no difference. It's all down to personalities. I've had/have so many cats I can't generalise along sex lines. Some females are very affectionate for example, some aren't, same with males. And I can say the same about every other personality trait. It really makes no difference.

Ime males are much more affectionate.
And it's a mn rule of thumb that 2 kittens are much better than one!

In general male cats are softer and more cuddly, but of course they are all individuals. I've fostered over 50 cats and kittens and I've had every personality type in both sex's. Go and visit a litter of kittens and see who you click with.

Do male kittens spray? Does neutering them stop them spraying?

We used to have fancy rats and the males were all cuddly and dopey but the girls were livewires.

I have one of each and ime boys tend to be slightly soppier but more stupid! My girl cat likes affection but very much on her own terms but she is def cleverer, my dd has taught her several tricks.

However individual cats (much like people) are just that individual.

Some neutered male cats spray, but it's quite rare and is more common in multi cat households or where there are a lot of cats outside.

If you get the males neutered early they don't tend to spray, my boy cat has never sprayed and was neutered at about 5 months old.

We have two male cats. One is super friendly and velcroed to my lap and time I sit down, the other is aloof and wouldn't lower himself to that kind of thing but liked to follow us room to room to hang out with us.

Neither have ever sprayed.

I've had male and female and males are by far the friendliest.

They don't tend to spray if you neuter them at about 5-6 months. None of mine ever have, but my two females did before I spayed them!

I agree with the catneuterer it's down to personality not sex. I would choose a cat who is right for you and your family.

All 3 of my cats have been rescues and I have had 2 neutered boys and am now onto my 3rd cat, a girl. She is actually the friendliest cat I have ever met. My first boycat came to me aged 3 and was pretty affectionate, huge, but also pretty independent. My 2nd cat (we got him aged 1) was nice enough but had a habit of getting your attention in unpleasant ways, such as jumping up and grabbing an arm, when he needed feeding. Cat no 3 is definitely more vocal, never stops miaowing. She was found pregnant and a stray so we only have an estimate that she was around 1 when we got her. She is by far the best out of the 3 at being responsive, will come running when you call, and has never once gone missing. My friend's cat is also a very friendly cat, but is a boy. My relative's cat is a nightmare cat, but is a girl. So I would say really it comes down to personality, which is harder to guage as a kitten.
Please may I make another suggestion, that you consider the benefits of going and choosing a rescue cat rather than a kitten? All 3 of my cats have been rescues, and all 3 have been wonderful. The benefit is that you can really see their personality past the initial kitten stage (the carers at rescue centres will be able to tell you more about their nature as well), and they come to you fully litter trained. It's a great choice if you've never had a cat before, from personal experience.

I prefer male cats, they seem to be more loving. Harry was neutered at nearly 3 years old and has never sprayed.

My current boy is both affectionate and intelligent.
I've always had females before ( not a conscious decision, just how it turned out) and they have had varying personalities, so I don't think you can generalise really.

Needingsomeadvice- unfortunately ive contacted all the local resuces (and some that arent local) but due to having children under 8 they will not rehome to us. I really wanted a rescue but none of them will even consider us (my children have had fancy rats, 2 dogs and multiple ferrets growing up so they know how to behave around animals)

Would you consider a slightly older cat?

Always go for males, i find them much more loving.

I have 4 males and none of them spray.

I've had females before and they are very different. I find that once spayed they became very introverted.

Oh and 2 kittens are ALWAYS better than 1, otherwise be ready to be a 4am chew toy!

Have you tried your local branch of Cats Protection? I volunteer for them and we don't refuse families with children. Of course there are cats who are unsuited to living with small children, but that's another issue.

*Plus if you're looking for a kitten, it's a non issue!

Yeah I also volunteer for CP and they don't turn down families with young children. It all depends on the cat. My DD "tests" cats at the centre to see how they are with children.

Our local cats protection doesnt have any kittens at the moment and all their older cats are 'not child friendly' Ive spoken to them on the phone and the woman told me that they 'prefer not to rehome any to homes with young children'

Give it untill April / May and rescues will be awash with kittens. Ask to have your name put on their waiting list as kittens go quickly.

Clearly it varies between centres/branches then!
Kittens go quickly and are less commonly found in January, there are often young adults in rescues-1 or 2 year olds would you consider them?