I’m considering getting a new cat. Over the years, I’ve had several cats, and all have happened to be female, mostly just based on what was available at the pet store or humane society. For those of you that have done this a bit, are there any major up or down sides to a male cat over a female? It will be an indoor cat, and either spayed or neutered, and I’d be interested in thoughts on male and female kittens as well as adult cats.
Get two! One of each 
I’ve had both, BUT they’ve been Siamese so you can’t really compare them to “regular” cats behaviors lol
Are you not getting deployed?
As a broad generalization, my female cats have more of a cattitude then my boy cats. They are all about everything on their terms. My boy cats are total lovebugs. Extremely affectionate and are willing to put up with a lot more harassment then our girl cats.
Definately go with an adult cat. Kittens are awful cute but unless you lock them up while you aren’t home they can get into all kids of trouble a cat wouldn’t bother with. Also, kittens really need other kittens. It keeps them occupied and helps them learn how to get along with other creatures.
Kittens are easy to find homes for. I’ve worked in a cat shelter and we rarely had kittens for more than a week after they were available for adoption. Adults could be there for months.
A rescue adult will give back to you a thousand fold. They seem to get that they have a new person and that they’ve been rescued.
No more deployment.
I’ll probably go to the shelter and come home with whichever cat of any age gloms onto me the most, but I thought I’d get some perspective on the options. I’ve only ever had females, so I was looking for an idea of what to expect with a male.
Oh ya, definitely get an adult cat. Definitely. I “rescued” mine last year and her old owner can not believe she is the way she is with me. She was pretty much anti-social before and totally non-cuddly. She’s the exact opposite with me. Like Jen said, it’s almost as though she knows she was “rescued” and loves me for it.
Good to hear you will be here and safe.
At the shelter I was an adoption councilor. I loved it. I had people walk in the door, talk about getting a kitten and walk about with an adult cat who they spotted in a cage and walked right over to. They never even looked at another cat, they just knew that cat was the one. It was like love at first sight.
Cats pick their people if you listen closely.
Remember the ST picture requirement. Posting must take place within the first 12 hours of the cat’s arrival at home.
My current cat is a female but had all males before her. The last male was an adult when I got him, he was the best cat ever. Very cuddly and mellow but could be playful as well. Unfortunately he died suddenly after having him only three years. My current female cat I got as a kitten, she was born under a porch of someone I worked with. She is a fun cat but does have an attitude! Not the most cuddly but a great “watch cat”. Last month I had a repairman begging for his life as she had him cornered and was hissing something fierce. Female cats seem to be more high strung, or I just had really mellow male cats.
I’ve always had female cats and they are all wonderful. I have 3 right now. My cats picked me, and I’m very glad they did! I don’t think it matters if they are male or female, they all have their own personalities. Listen carefully and adopt the one who picks you. That’s how it’s supposed to be.
I don’t think it matters too much.We have all male cats now >2. My daughter has 2 female.But get 2
This is Georgie and Booger( brothers) aka the G-man and the B-man. They were on there way to the slammer when we got them.
Everyone I’ve talked to (of course, most people I know are dog people) say that male cats are much better than female cats. I have a boy cat and he’s great. He’s pretty low maintenance really. But I’ve also witnessed female cats that are very friendly. They are very different as kittens…much more playful and friendly. They get very lazy in adulthood.
If you’re going to get a kitten, get two. If you can adopt an adult, do so.
Generally the boy cats are going to be more friendly. Not sure why. But a well-raised and happy girl cat is just as cool.
Male cats are EXTREMELY affectionate, but vocal. Female cats are affectionate but only when they want to be. My female cats have been a lot more playfull even into late adulthood. My male cats eat…and if they could would do it non stop.
At leat that has been my experience with over 6 cats now.
First, I feel I must offer my standard statement: Adopt an adult.
That being said…And get two, if you can afford it. A lot of shelters offer “package deals” on bonded cats. It’s hard enough to place an adult, let alone a pair. People who adopt bonded pairs (dogs, cats, whatever) are special people. While different than dogs, cats can enjoy social living.
As far as male v. female… While it’s certainly not a hard and fast rule, females tend to be more “catlike” than males (esp. tortishells. Torties have…personality… :p). I’ve had three female cats and three males. My tortie was a, well, okay, she was a bitch. Through and through. For the entire 19 years of her life. Loved her, but she was definitely her own person. My calico, OTOH, was a dog in a cats body. Affable, personable, played fetch, the whole deal. (And dumb as a box of rocks, bless her heart :D). I now have a brown tabby, and while she’s not a bitch…she’s very much a princess. She sits on you on her terms, can be aloof, and only socialized with ONE of her brothers. i love her dearly, but if you’re looking for snuggles and love and cuddles and a fuzzy best friend…well, she’s not it.
All of our males have been, without a doubt, friendly, social goofs. We’ve had two orange and whites and one black cat. Both tend to be fairly friendly colors, IMO. They are more cuddly, more playful, more…smooshy…than our females have been.
Frankly, I have a soft spot in my heart for black cats. I think they make the best kitties evah. When I was a kid, my best friend had a big, giant male black cat named Turtle. I LOVED that cat, and swore one day I would find one–and I did. He’s a carbon copy of Turtle. Huge, lazy, goofy, amenable to everything, and the bestest kitty in the world. 
But really, cats are like people…you can make sweeping generalizations about them, but they are all still individuals. Go and find the one that speaks to you…THEN lift up the tail and inspect the undercarriage.
I am a boy pet person given the choice. But since it seems like most of my herd all fell into my lap as rescues, I didn’t really have a choice. But if I did, I would go male. Neutering is easier and generally they seem to have slightly fewer health issues.
+1 on black cats. At the shelter there was a weird phenomenon where black cats had a hard time getting adopted. People have their superstitions.
We have a black cat and he couldn’t be more adorable. Super affectionate with anyone who walks in the door. My “pet” name for him is Senor Suckypants. Or attention whore.
he is the best though.
Just a quick note on the cat choosing you…
I got my little boy, Neo, when he was about 3 months. My mom and I went to the house of the woman that had him (and 9million other cats lol) to check out the kittens and take one home. Poor little Neo hid the whole time. Any time you would try to get near him he would run away. I wouldn’t call him unfriendly, but scared. Of what? No idea - the rest of the cats in the house were super friendly and fun. So while a couple of other kitties would snuggle up with me and play, my poor little Neo would run away and hide. That’s actually why I chose him. While the “breeder” always kept the cats that didn’t get adopted out, I felt bad for him and knew no one would ever pick him because of his demeanor. That’s what sold me on him. I had to have the little guy. The woman even offered us a money back guarantee if we didn’t like him lol.
Neo lived in my closet for about 6 months. He only came out for food and his litter box. Even then, I had it set up right beside the closet so he didn’t have to venture out too far. Eventually he would come out and nuzzle at my feet. Obviously, it just progressed as time went by. Now, he LOOOOOVES me. Can’t get enough haha. He is still pretty skiddish with other people though. My parents only started to be able to pet him about 3 years ago (when he was about 5 years old). Since I’ve moved out he’s become much more open to them and sits on their laps and whatnot, but as soon as I walk in the door for a visit he’s my cat again. Drives my mom nuts haha.
That’s my little story about the kitty that didn’t choose me. He seems pretty glad I chose him though
Well, I went to the shelter yesterday, and picked out a cat. He’s a kitten really, still about 9 months old, but apparently has had some trouble being placed because he was shy at the shelter. Not with me. He jumped right up on the cage to get some attention, so he got a trip home. He’s a grey tiger named Mickey. He’s been a little shy, but he’s exploring the apartment, and every once in awhile, he comes out for some playing or petting. Here are some pictures.
Mickey
http://i41.tinypic.com/2r3crvp.jpg
Hiding, but still trying to play
http://i44.tinypic.com/29570g7.jpg
Really hiding
http://i41.tinypic.com/eba3c1.jpg
Found a catnip toy he likes
http://i44.tinypic.com/wlsw34.jpg
Killing that toy
http://i39.tinypic.com/11a8vmo.jpg
You got picked!! He will come out of shell pretty quick if he is playing like that. Really cute face. Good for you for getting a juvie
I’m looking forward to updates!
He’s a good lookin kitty. Have a great time with him