After owning several of each sex, I prefer the fixed females. As so many of you are saying about the fixed males spraying, we had that trouble with our fixed males, but not with the females! I prefer the fixed females in my house!

Love female cats and dogs

I think for the most part females are more loving; Tom cats want to roam. I have cats and dogs; a male and female of each. With my dogs and cats the females are the loving ones.

I have one each, both neutered. Female is more laid back and stays inside mostly. Male is a real hunter and prefers outside.
I tend to enjoy the females most.

We used to take in rescue Dobermans and a couple of rescue cats, at the same time. They got along so well that when we went on vacation and boarded them, one cat, Zabo, stayed with his best buddy Kurt, while Warlock stayed with his best buddy, our feeble minded Hilda, who was a huge, picture perfect Dobe..but with not too much smarts. The vet was horrified and made me put the cats in with the dogs myself and just stood there, shaking his head. In fact, Zabo was more savage towards strangers than the dogs were!!! Our nice vet wound up with a knee-jerk reaction to black cats just because of Zabo!!

Yes, dogs and cats CAN get along, sometimes better than humans.

We had a momma kitty who was just that to my kids while they were growing up, but we knew she was a one of a kind cat for sure. She would watch my kids like a hawk and let me know if they were doing something wrong while I was cooking or whatever around the house.
While the kids would nap, she & I would sew.. LOL more I would sew/quilt and she would lay on the material and watch !LOL

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Take all critters to the vet and get them fixed. They will be more willing to stay at home, and mine are strictly house cats.
There's a big Siamese tom who comes around and backs up to my screen door and lets go..ruined the paint on it. I was going to catch him and visit the vet...but haven't seen him in a few months lately...

I have a fixed female. I have had both, but having worked as a vet tech (long ago), I prefer females because I don't have to worry about spraying or bladder blockages. That is definitely not to say that male cats aren't loving.

I had one male that used to entertain himself with this plastic bead. He used to put it in his mouth, spit it out and chase it, then pick it up with his paw and start over again.

My MIL had both dogs and cats and they got along.

I have to agree...I have both but my males kitties always seem to be more tolerate of lifes ups & downs and much more loving, where my female kitties could be just as loving but turn on ya in a heart beat in the form of a good scratch.
Try to find out as much past history as possible and please make sure whichever you decide on to have it fixed...they make much better pets afterwards and tend to stay close to home if you plan on the cat being indoor/outdr cat.

I grew up with cats -- all my life -- my mother had 13 cats (at the most) one time. I married a "dog" man. So I had dogs for years and no cats. I prefer cats. They're more independent....can be left for a few days by themselves and don't drag in dirt -- well, not as much as a dog. I always had female cats and dogs --- hated what males would do (heisting/spraying/humping). SO, remarried -- he's a cat person. Went to humane society and got 2 males!!! They had been fixed by laser at 2 months 2 lbs. NEVER have had any of those problems with these guys. They're tuxedo cats --- black and white and let me tell you, they have more personality than ANY cat I've EVER had!!!

As for males more docile ---- well, one of my males just may be gay -- he's rather efiminate!!!! One is a brute and the other is my hugger/loveable boy. :) :)
If your son wants a cat -- go for it!!! The more the merrier!

I have always had cats - both male and female. I don't think you can decide which gender is more loving - it comes down to the cats personality.

Two of the cats I have right now are litter mates (1 boy and 1 girl). The girl likes to lay on the couch next to you and have you put your hand on her, but don't pet her. The boy likes to lay on your lap and be pet. He also loves to be picked up and tipped upside down, the girl, not so much. But I also have another girl that is my shadow. She follows me everywhere and loves, loves, loves to be pet and held. Just depends on the cat.

I have both a dog and 2 cats and it's all girl household. I have had both male and female dogs and cats and find that I prefer female cats even though I have had some wonderful males. The males had usually been outside (barn cats). When finding the right cat, you need to pay attention to the cat's personality. Some are standoffish and some are very loving. I had one named Pester that always wanted to be held. But, there are some cats that want to be left alone. Get the right cat and you will have a Friend. Check out the picture of my spoiled Friend. When I have ice cream, I will leave some on the stick and hold it for her. It's funny to watch her.

Have your son play with more than one cat/kitten. Help hime to choose different types, and after that he will have a feeling of the bond he wants with his cat. The two will mesh their personalities. An aloof cat may just want to sit and be petted, the overachiever may want to play and run. There will likely be one cat that stands out as the best match. Have whichever sex neutered and there is not much difference overall. Just different personalities for each animal.

I've only had female cats....

I have had many cats and the males are more affectionate, my females always had to be cornered to pet.

i have a little girl Zoey, she's fixed, very feminine, loves collars and jewerly. she has a rhinestone neclace, real pink pearl neclace and a pink suede collar with flowers and a tag. Sometimes, she wears scrunchies. when i tell her i made her a pretty,she sits still while i put it on her. she a big lap sitter, and loves to play. she's about 1 yr. 4 months, and also loves to box, and play belly rubs. she sleeps under the blankets with me and dh. i've had male and female, and you can't tell the diff, but Zoey is the first to act girly.

I have had both...seems to me the males are more affectionate. We always have ours neutered so there has never been a problem with a male and "spraying". Peach is an "indoor" cat. He is just so much fun and he and the dog are fast friends. I hope you will get him a kitty. They are really easy care!

I've had female and male cats and, personally, perfer females. Would add you may want to consider a local animal shelter to adopt a kitten from. They often are already spayed/neutered and given some of the shots, testing done.

I agree. It is just like selecting a puppy, try to match their personalities (child and pet).

Yes we would look at the local shelters. Now I need to convince my husband lol.

You've probably heard it all by now, but couldn't resist adding another note. We have had cats all my life. At first on the ranch they were the outdoor type. Once married we had indoor cats. I learned:
1. If you get a male, have it neutered. If not they will spray and have a good chance of getting aggressive/possessive if they are kept indoors.
2. If you have a female, get it neutered. They are less likely to be queen bees although they will always have "attitude". Females will (usually) adapt to family and being kept indoors if you get them as kits. I've brought a number of stray females into the house, they have already developed their habits and seem more like loners than team players...a bit antisocial. Not bad, but not the lap cat type.
3. Keep them inside if possible. My vet explained that cats can get heart worms as well as dogs, particularly if they are outside where they can get mosquito bites.
4. Sometimes two are better than one, especially if everyone in your house is gone during the day. A symptom is crying/talking a lot. But then, some cats like to chat. My daughter has one she raised since it was 4 days old. He talks to her constantly -- especially when she's on the phone.
5. They are great critters. Every single one has a distinct personality. Before you get one, spend some time with it/several to see which fits your family best. They seem to pick their people so be prepared!
6. Enjoy!

I've had both. I think the neutered male cat is friendlier.

I think orange striped males are the most dog-like in personality. (my vet sees the personality difference too) My female cats have always been pretty clingy and demanding but the orange males have been tolerant of gentle kids and like following my grandsons around.....

Definitely female...they don't spray.

We have had indoor cats (3) over the last 12 years, all three together for several years. Currently only have one male left. Two were males, one female. If you get a female you will never have to worry about a male changing his habits and starting to mark territory, but any cat may have accidents around the house if the litter box gets yucky (thank goodness mine were never fussy!), or if they get a UTI. Our female was the most cuddly, lovey cat you'd ever want to meet. All were cast offs. DON'T go to a pet store. Find a shelter cat. They will be so happy to have you come there and spend plenty of time getting to know all the cats before you make a decision, and like our female, KatyKat, who was 2 years old, one will probably choose you.

I prefer female cats as they do not spray. I have had a few mail cats which I love dearly however I think females have better tempraments. Male cats tend to be spoiled little boys and I say this after having several male cats in my life. With dogs in the house I would definatly recommend getting a kitten. I think adult animals have instincts about babies and are more patient so they grow up with better relationships.

My daughter was a dog person trapped in a cat person family. I believe in the unconditional love relationships between kids and pets so we got her a dog. It was one of the best things I ever did for her.

I have found over the years that getting just one cat does not work as well as when getting 2 cats. They need a companion to play with! I always recommend getting them in pairs.

I had male cats at the same time I had dogs, and they sprayed there territory. Now have 2 dogs and a female, and she is loving and it's my male dog that marks his territory.

I have always had male cats.

Male cats are more prone to urinary infections, I think. I have always thought males were sweeter, but our Abby was a love bug and had to be on you or carried around. Our Penny (Who Me? Kitty) is like that, too. She talks to you and just wants loving. Chloe (Bad Kitty) is only affectionate on her own terms. She hates being picked up, but likes being petted when she is on the ground. Be aware, too, that some shelters won't adopt out to homes with small children. We had to get manager approval because Ben is only 6. But he is so gentle with cats (doesn't like dogs) and he won them over. Let the kitty pick you.

I agree withe fyi about how they react as kittens. I have had 4 cats at one time. They all got along quite well. I have one very loving mix siamase now and he is a lover and talker. The male cats I have had were fixed at a early age and no problem with spraying. Happy times to you

Ok. I talked to hubby lady night. He is all aboard with getting a kitty. :) will post pictures when we get one for my son. :)

I've always had female cats. When I got my last two kitties, they are liter mates I thought I was getting two girls. After I had Emmy and Rosie for about 10 days I realized Rosie was a Reggie. Was already so in love with him that I couldn't imagine giving him up. He is 6 now and so affectionate. He sleeps with me/us every night.

I have had lots of both and haven't noticed that male or female makes a difference in personality. I have had snuggly males and snuggly females and I have had both that didn't want to be touched!! I think the trick is to just sit there a little while and let the kitten (or cat) pick you out!!

I have 2 female that have been nuetered and declawed. They were given to me and are strictly inside cats/ I also have a chiuchua and they get along well I had the cats several years before the dog.