Male vs Female

[Satch76]

Hi

New cat person here who is currently looking to buy a cat for my son and I, my son is autistic and I feel a cat would definitely add and benefit our household.
I think I have decided on a Ragdoll due to their nature as I feel this would be a good fit for us.
My question is though, and for you seasoned bunch may sound silly, but bare with - is their a difference between males vs females re personality, temperament, affection etc?

Thanks in advance!

Personally I think males are more cuddly and relaxed.

My experience is that generally boy cats are much friendlier and much more laid back than girl cats. This does however mean that when one of my female cats has deigned to be friendly I really appreciate it .

Boy cats are usually (but not always) cuddly.

Beware though, not all ragdolls enjoy being cuddled or held. Mine loves fuss but on his terms. Sometimes he will want to us to be conjoined, others he’s happy by himself.
They are very emotional cats too, can be very sensitive. Not street safe at all either.

Otherwise they are just lovely pets

Our ginger tom is super affectionate. He hates being alone and will seek out a lap to sleep on. He is more like a dog than a cat and we adore him.

Thank you - that would probably suit my boy as sometimes he will want to interact and sometimes definitely not!

Generally I agree with pp's that boy cats are more chilled and loving, however I have a boy cat who is affectionately known as 'one-stroke' (because that's all you get before he attempts to savage you) and a girl cat who will literally lie in your arms like a baby so it's pretty much luck of the draw Hope you find the right fit for you and DS, welcome to cat-servitude!

Good luck! One of my kids has adhd and our ragdoll has been brilliant for him.

I did a great deal of googling prior to getting my cat and the official word is that there is no difference IIRC. Both mine have been girls and they've been hyper-affectionate. I just asked the rescue for a cat matching the temperament I wanted. See if you can get an adult one with its personality already formed, then you'll know who you're getting with far more certainty than if you purely go by the breed.

I ha e a very loving follow you about female and a absolutely sqeigee brother male cat. He is the best boy ever. So vocal and funny
He isn’t as lovin though

I have two boys and three girls and the boys are much more cuddly and affectionate with me (and with each other!). I've also met many really friendly female cats during my time as a cat charity volunteer although the super friendly, soppy ones that stand out in my mind are mainly boys that were neutered early (before they mature).

I think in your situation it would actually be better to adopt an adult rescue cat who is known to be really friendly and good with children. When you get a kitten, you won't know how their personality will develop. There are breed rescues as well if you're set on a ragdoll...

Boys usually more cuddly I find

Hmm. I have had 4 cats in my lifetime-2 girls and 2 boys. The girls have been the lap cats! I think it varies from cat to cat.
I've met a lot of soppy FIV positive boys mind-they look big and tough usually with big heads, ragged ears and scars on their noses but boy do they like a fuss! Wonder if their catching up after time as strays.

My neutered boy is very affectionate and as a previous poster said, more like a dog at times. He will follow me from room to room when the mood takes him and although it took him a few months to settle in he now loves nothing more than curling up on me each evening. He’s the only cat I’ve owned though and I got him when he was 18 months old so can’t really say whether he is the norm or not or comment on boy vs girl. From the records I got from Blue across he was neutered at roughly 6 months.

I prefer female cats x

It depends on the kitty. Our Jayda isn't terribly affectionate except with me. On the other hand, the boys love people. This pic is of the boys on Daddy's lap. Gatsby is sleeping. Biggie is smiling. He practically adores Daddy and loves being petted. Has always been that way. We do not know his history as adopted him from a shelter. (We suspect Biggie thinks he's a dog. He tried to make friends with a dog once.) Gatsby we got from friends of ours. He had been rejected by his mother so he was hand reared and syringe fed. He promptly decided that I'm his mum

I find it really does depend on the cat and their upbringing. First female cat - found born in a bin in a neighbours back yard- we rehomed them all, kept one kitten. She lived until she was 24 (PTS), was super affectionate, really loyal, managed well with many house moves over the years, was an amazing cat. Never scratched, or went for anyone, never bit anyone, very good temperament. She used to follow me to the bus stop and then would come up to me walking back when i was at school.
Next female cat - again found abandoned - seems to have retained her semi-feral-ness. Avoids humans mostly, has only just started in her tenth year of life, to sit next to people. However, hates being picked up, hates affection from others unless its on her terms (very short), has always preferred outside until she was attacked by a fox (we think - lost half her tail), and now indoors hides away from people mostly unless its the select few in the house she likes.
Male cat - adopted from CP after being found on a farm - is so ridiculously loving, follows you everywhere. Seems to have seperation anxiety (pees on floor / belongings of people etc when youre out or hes afraid etc). He is terrified (and i mean TERRIFIED, of sets of keys.) We are convinced he was abused at some point but no one really knows his history - CP even named him Kujo) Vets have found no reasoning for this, despite usual tactics doesnt seem to be something we can solve. He will watch you shower, use the toilet etc, he will sleep on our bed at night or in his igloo placed right near the bed.
So i have never found either males nor females to be better than one another, its just about how you treat them and raise them and what their history is.