Male or Female Kitten Temperment Question?

I work (volunteer) for an animal rescue organization (in the area) - sex doesn't matter, each cat/kitten has their own personality, and as they grow up in their environments, it reflects that. Like the other person said, though, kittens (usually anything under a year) need to have companionship of another pet (a small dog that will play nice or another cat/kitten) and most organizations will not adopt out only one - I've even heard there are a few organizations that will nit adopt to families with small children...please do your research before adopting. If you want to know more about the organization I work with, message me.

As far as I know the temperment depends on the cat, not the sex. We have one female that's very lovey and one that's very standoffish.

Male cats will be bigger and may or may not spray. Females will be smaller and sometimes are considered less lovey than males but really that's a myth. Our one female loves to lay on you as soon as you sit down!

I have seven cats( yes I know it seems like alot, but not really any more work than 2 except for more litter boxes) anyways. I have noticed that my male cats are much more social than my female cats. They are always out and wanting loved on, the females tend to stay by themselves and only come around for love when they want. It also depends on the breed of cat too. 3 of my cats are Siamese and they are very needy, and have to have attention all the time. Good luck with whatever kitten you get and remember to check the shelters for your new addition.

I have or had 13 cats, one recently went missing!!

Most of them are male and 3 of them are female. 2 of the females have tempers on them, but they also love to sit on my lap. The other female also loves to sit on my lap, she's just less likely to complain when she doesn't get her way.

Out of the males Fixed and unfixed half of them love human attention (lapsitting) etc. the other half would love to be petted for a little bit then go on their own way.

Only one of our cats was ever "mean" towards people and I think that's because got her second hand and the previous owners 2 yr old tormented her. She swiped at us EVERY time we touched her tail, thankfully she finially decided to 'trust us'.

I would advise getting a younger kitten 2-4 months since between 6 and 8 months they can start having litters...which means spraying for the males who are not fixed and irritating meowing during "heat" for the females who are not fixed. Also the younger the cat, the less 'adjustment' the cat has to go through. Believe it or not new enviroments scare them!!

I've had nice male cats and nice female cats -- so it's just luck I think getting a good one. You do probably have fewer problems with female cats because males tend to like to mark their territory. However, neutering usually stops that behavior. I have always gotten my cats from Almost Home Foundation (www.almosthomefoundation.org) in the western suburbs. They have animals in foster homes -- not in cages -- so they know if they're good with kids or not, and are litter trained. They do ask quite a few questions in order to place a pet in your home. Only to ensure that they are going to good "forever" home. If you do go this route and have any issues with them, please let me know. They work through my ex-husband's animal hospital (among other hospitals) and if they give you (or anybody) a hard time about adopting a pet, I'd like to know.

I've had cats all my life, and have two now, but I do notice that our male cat does better with children, simply because he allows our son to pet and play with him, whereas the female cat does not, which really bums out our son. When I think back through the years, my male cats have been more laid back and crave a bit more affection, but we've also always had them fixed. Our male cat will let my son (17 months) pet him, play with him, get right in his face, hug and kiss him, feed him, etc. without any fuss, while my female cat has never let my son touch her and runs away the second he's in the room. I love them both more than you could imagine though, as the female cat is wonderful in her own way.

Also, in reading the other comments, let me add that I had one male cat for 17 years, and he was very happy being an "only" as long as he got plenty of attention from us! I wouldn't feel like you have to have 2 if that doesn't work for your family, as long as you make the cat a big part of your family with lots of love and attention. If you do want two though, it is better to get them at the same time. Also, you will get a lot of appreciation from a cat that you save at the pound or shelter! They just seem to know...even if they are little kittens at the time.

Hi A.,
I used to work at a shelter, and I don't think it matters what sex kitten you get- they all have their own personalities. Some are laid-back, some are very playful. One suggestion I would make is to not get your kitten declawed. Many people assume their cats will scratch their children, and it has been my experience that declawed cats BITE more often than other cats because they do not have their claws. It happened to a friend of mine, but once it's done, you can't undo it. There's more info at http://declawing.org/htmls/declawing.htm. Be sure to get your kitten a scratching post and cover it with catnip, and you shouldn't have an issue with inappropriate scratching.

Oh, and don't forget to check your local shelter for kittens! There are so many in need of adoption- and their adoption fee covers spay/neuter surgery and shots! It's a great deal! Check out www.petfinder.com to find a place in your town.

T.
www.ReadandGrow.com

I have had 3 cats since they were kittens. If you can, I would suggest getting 2 cats. They really crave the comfort of another cat- it is really good for them to have another cat around.

I have one male cat and 2 females. I really don't think gender matters...My gray tabby female is very friendly. She is like a dog...

My male cat is a big love bug. He is a yellow buff color.

My black and white tabby is very cranky, but that is just her. I love her anyway....

I have heard that black cats are very social-

When you go in the shelter- really look at the temperment...choose a cat that lets you hold him or her...

experience and research says males are more friendly

A., I have always had male cats (all fixed though). Their temperment is great. I have never had females so I can't comment on the difference. As for the declawing, you do what is right for your family, but none of ours have been declawed and we never had any trouble. I clip them once a month, they are all used to it now so it goes very quickly. I just use a small nail clipper.

None of us have ever been scratched badly, only the occasional playing issue. We also have leather furniture, I agonized over buying it but it is a year old with not one scratch on it. They will be your pets so declaw if that is what you want but living with cats with claws is not hard! I also agree that declawed cats tend to bite more.

Good luck and Enjoy!

Just as the others have said, it depends on the cat, not the sex. I have a male who is 4 years old (adopted when he was 4 months) and a female who is 3 years old (adopted when she was 1 year). They are both very social and love to be pet. The male sleeps on my pillow everynight and insists on putting his chin on my head! The female curls up on my husband's lap while he watches tv, and she was a ferral cat!

I think the best advice is to go to an adoption center and play with the cats/kittens. Adopting an older cat may save you some of the "kitten behaviors." I had a lot more trouble with my male with nipping, whining, learning not to jump on the counters etc. than I did with the older female. But now they are both so much fun.

Best of luck in your search!