Boys Make Better Pets?

jaycee

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a long time ago i had two cats, a girl and a boy. the girl was nice and everything but the boy was very affectionate, knew his name, would come when called, while the girl was aloof. she was very affectionate with the boy cat but not with people.

i know that in the end its comes down to the individual but a lot of people say that in general boys make more affectionate, people oriented pets. (and not just in cats but in a lot of species).

anyone have any thoughts on this?
 

theimp98

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i have a friend that swears that boy cats are that way(the friend is female).

How i have always had female cats, most of them where always very affectionate,
would come when called..

hmm but since i am male maybe that is why the girl cats would come?

how the boy cat comes to my friend?
 

shadowsoul

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Dang, I hope that's true! My old housemate has a girl Siamese named Ponnie, she's the sweetest thing, but Oscar is so naughty and troublesome
 

yayi

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IMO, if you are a human female, the animal boys will show more affection. If you are male, the ladies tend to be friendlier to you.
 

satai

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I don't think there is any truth to this. I think it depends entirely on the cat.

Of my own four furbabies, and two furnephews (three girls, three boys) my close adult experience with cats is:

Molly (age 11ish) - calico - very friendly with her humans, friendly with guests, tolerant of other cats (but brooks no disobediance!), quite tender with her adult son when he's sick.

Bobby (age 3) - black harlequin - affectionate with those he trusts but aloof, and takes a long time to warm up to guests (months of visits). Once fought a guest for guest's sandwich. Rough with other kitties, but does play with them. Thinks the world of Molly.

Slayer (age 2) - black - semi-feral but extremely affectionate (it's a miracle she hasn't re-broken my nose). Loves people, but not really a lap cat, though she does sleep on BF when he's at his desk, and on me occasionally (but increasingly). Loves cats - loves everyone, really. Doesn't have a lot of common sense though, and sometimes really annoys Molly and Bobby.

Sláine (age 2) - calico - timid at times, but a ball of energy. Loves her humans, tolerates guests well in small, quiet doses, otherwise she avoids them. Fond of other cats, adores Slayer, terrified of dogs.

Damien (age 3 - a nephew) - loves his humans, loves BF and I (we act as loco parentis when his meowmy and purrpa are away), not really friendly with other humans (though he was in kittenhood), but tolerates guests well, frankly awful to other cats (constantly seeking fights and always, always losing).

Oscar (age 5ish - a nephew) - loves his humans, but is extremely unpredictable around them and others. Inappropriate hissing, attacking without provocation or warning, quite violent, but though appears to have gone through a secondary socialisation phase last year while in cattery and has calmed (a little!). Was awful to other cats, but has spontaneously learned to tolerate them since moving to his new place (he fought viciously in every previous residence).
 

zazi

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what i've read seems to say that it's not that male cats are friendlier, it's just that they are less guarded and there is a genetic reason for this.... the reason is that females are responsible for kittens and the continuation of the species and are for that reason more guarded about their person than males.... but this is just a general rule of thumb.
 

meow meow

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In general, I would say that is true. There are exceptions but I have found neutered males to be the more friendly, affectionate sex.

Before I got my kitty, I asked around about this since I have only ever had male cats. I had a vet tech confirm it and almost everyone else I talked to said "get a boy."

My boy is pretty sweet but I call him the "5 minute lap cat." Now his sister kitty was adopted by my brother -- she is the ultimate lap cat (will sleep on them all day if they let her). So, there definately are exceptions.
 

cearbhaill

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Originally Posted by zazi

what i've read seems to say that it's not that male cats are friendlier, it's just that they are less guarded and there is a genetic reason for this.... the reason is that females are responsible for kittens and the continuation of the species and are for that reason more guarded about their person than males.... but this is just a general rule of thumb.
That's what I think too. Females in most feline species are all about business. They do the hunting, the birthing, the kitten raising and babysitting. All the males really have to do is defend their territory and impregnate the girls. The boys have much more time to lay around and do nothing- they aren't biologically driven to keep the progeny going once they've made the initial contribution.

I know most of our domestics are neutered/spayed and thus the reasoning is situationally moot, but the biological imperatives prevail.
 

xandlyn

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Well, I have had my girl cat for over 4 years. She talks to me and comes near me but has never been a cuddle bug to me. I got my male cat a little over a year ago and he is the biggest cuddler to me. As soon as I sit down he's in my lap. But now that he is doing that to me all the time I find my female in my boyfriends lap (she's never done this before until I got my boy). So I have no idea what that means. I think she is trying to make me jelouse.

It is my opinion that out of both of my cats my male is more affectionate to me. Yet lately my female has become really affectionate to my boyfriend. Either way I love them both.
 

goldenkitty45

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In my experience over the years, neutered boys are much more loving, lap sitters, easy going and accepting of new cats then any of my females.

When people want a pet, I usually recommend looking to adopt a neutered male unless they insist (for whatever reason) they really want females.
 

zissou'smom

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I used to think so too.

When I went to get Zissou I thought she was a tuxedo boy. She is, in fact a silver tabby girl.

Of the three cats I know very well, Zissou is the most affectionate lap cat, and one of the boys is close but very loyal to just one person, and the other boy hides in the basement if you so much as move a chair. He is the kind of cat people who don't like cats use as an example.

I really honestly believe that it has way more to do with the individual cat than their original sex, esp if they were fixed before sexual maturity as they should be.

Then again, when I get another it will probably be a boy. I've heard the same thing about how well two girls can get along. Just like two human girls, I guess!
 

crys12065

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In my experience growing up we had dozens of cats in the house through the years. 90% of the females were aloof or had "catitude". Alot of them did not like other cats and the girls usually fought with each other. We used to joke and say they had PMS when they were ornary.

95% of the males were lap cats and the most affectionate loving cats.

But in both sexes there were exceptions. We had a few bratty boys and some laid back girls.

But in my experience overall the boys (neutered) were usually the laidback, affectionate lap cats and your best buddied.

Again IMO
Each kitty obviously has their own personality just like people


But I will always have male cats because I do not need another female like me in the house at my time of month!
 

pami

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I have 2 girls and 3 boys ......... in my experience, as far as being affectionate, mine are equal. One of my male cats has been timid from birth and isnt a lap cat, but he is affectionate.

My girls are just as affectionate. My girls do have some sassy in their attitude and more demanding in their affection. For instance, if Im walking and one wants some time from me, she will flop on the floor on her back exsposing her belly, in my pathway, so I will stop and pick her up and carry her with me. Or chase me down meowing until I stop and give her FULL attention. My boys just wait until I get to my destination for their demands.

So for me I havent noticed any difference. Im actually weighing the idea of getting another female.
 

maverick_kitten

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I disagree. JUpiter is lovely and laid back but Mav is my real baby.

She and I have a real bond whilst Jupiter is far more shallow and food driven!
 

andelawhi

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I'd say it just depends on the individual cat. Growing up I had 2 cats, both boys. One was extremely affectionate (sometimes too much so!) and the other one was just the opposite. The other didn't like to for you to pet him or he didn't like to sit on your lap.

My mom has a male cat who doesn't care anything about humans except for when he's fed. She's also got a female who was a stray who's extremely affectionate and loving. Always wanting some interaction.

I have two girls right now and they both like to be petted and held.
It all varies.
 

satai

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Originally Posted by Zissou'sMom

Then again, when I get another it will probably be a boy. I've heard the same thing about how well two girls can get along. Just like two human girls, I guess!
Two girls can be the best buddies.

I have two who are as close as littermates.
 

andrewweilin

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Interesting question, I have an interesting theory. Here's my kitty history:

My first two cats: (1) Boy, (1) Girl. Brother and sister. Brother was loving and affectionate all the way. Sister was a little affection ***** and cried ALL the time. So my next two cats ended up being:

(2) Boys, Brothers. Thinking that boys were "better." However, they exhibit almost identical personalities in terms of their relationship to me as my last two cats! Sometimes I think the "younger" brother, Chiron, might actually turn out to be a girl in disguise! LOL

So from my experience, I've concluded that the "dominant" cat tends to be more affectionate, loving, and chilled out, while the "submissive" cat tends to be a little bit more skittish, cautious, and whiny (LOL). That's just my theory. I guess it might make sense from a layman's perspective.
 
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jaycee

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Originally Posted by andrewweilin

Interesting question, I have an interesting theory. Here's my kitty history:

My first two cats: (1) Boy, (1) Girl. Brother and sister. Brother was loving and affectionate all the way. Sister was a little affection ***** and cried ALL the time. So my next two cats ended up being:

(2) Boys, Brothers. Thinking that boys were "better." However, they exhibit almost identical personalities in terms of their relationship to me as my last two cats! Sometimes I think the "younger" brother, Chiron, might actually turn out to be a girl in disguise! LOL

So from my experience, I've concluded that the "dominant" cat tends to be more affectionate, loving, and chilled out, while the "submissive" cat tends to be a little bit more skittish, cautious, and whiny (LOL). That's just my theory. I guess it might make sense from a layman's perspective.
what is an affection *****??
 
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