I have had dogs all of my life. Currently I have Angel and Daisy. Angel is a bassett/lab mix. She is about 12 years old. And Daisy, a poodle, 5 years old. I love them and good to have around.

My son is four and doesn't play with them much. But he seems to love cats. I had a cat when I grew up and had a couple once when I was on my own. We visited Petco today, and Andrew just loves looking at the cats there that are for adoption. I am thinking that maybe it is time to get a cat for him to enjoy. But I have told him that in the past that we weren't getting anymore animals until the dogs are gone.

Those of you that have cats, do you prefer female or male? I have always loved female dogs more then males. Just curious about the cats.

Wendy

I have one of each.

I've had both. The boys seem to be more docile than the girls.

I have always found (fixed) male cats have much more personality.

I have 7 cats, 3 males and 4 females. Males always seemed to have more a loving "lap" nature than the females.
Females are loving to, just more independant like the human female population!!!!!!!! lol

i've only had males and always had them fixed when very young, they are extremely loving

I prefer female (fixed). We do very well with them. We keep our cats indoors and they've always been healthy and avoided fights with other animals, injuries, catching critters and bringing them indoors, etc. We did have one male (fixed) but at about age 5 he decided to start to spray his territory indoors, not good.

I have 2 females Mama and her baby and they are sweetest girls.

well, who can have just one little fuzzy companion? i llove em, it doesnt matter what sex they are, i have 2 females and 1 male, and he is the biggest lover! personal choice
katz

Have had only female...I've heard allot abt the males spraying to stake their territory...never had that problems with my females...

My male tends to rule the neighborhood, always spraying his territory, where his daughter is the sweetest, lovingest fur baby around. Her mom abandoned her, and our Tom now raises her. When she gets old enough, she will be fixed, as she adores my son.

My female cat is the most friendly and loving cat ever. She is such a sweetheart. She is my sewing buddy. She is always in the sewing room right next to me.

If we get one, it would be for indoors. I'm sure my poodle would have fun with one. My senior dog, not so sure about lol.

My male was fixed at a very young age, he is an indoor kitty and he has never sprayed. He is much sweeter and more loving than his crazy sister (they are littermates).

I have had cats all my life, both males and females, and always neutered. I think each cat is unique and the only clue you have is to observe the way they are when you're picking one, although it's not 100% reliable. Generally, if they're not happy to be picked up when young, they never will be terribly affectionate. The very most loving cat I ever had was a female, and when the shelter worker put her in my hands as a small kitten she curled up and purred immediately. I have had very friendly males, too, but that little tortie was the sweetest, and I'll always miss her. If you want affection, shy away from a cat that was not handled lovingly by people during the first weeks of its life. Any cat can be friendly, but the odds are against it if they didn't learn early that people are nice.

Brushing a cat regularly seems to make them more affectionate. Maybe it reminds them of their mom's grooming when they were tiny. It's good for them, whether it works for that or not.

I have 6 three of each One thing we have found that while all are friendly and affectionate males are much more loving and willing to be held up until four years ago we never had a male was worried about that spraying thing but we found a three week old male kitten underneath a trailer we bought and brought him home he was so loving willing to be held anytime anywhere We had him fixed at a very young age vet says that took care of the spraying thing. NOw we have an equal amount and love either but our males just beg to be held and cuddled the females are alittle more standoffish

Hubby and I agree that if we ever got cats again, it would be two of them, not just one lonely kitty. They need each other for play time and companionship. We humans can only do so much.

As for the last two that we had, we had a brother and sister. We got them both fixed early. Both were loving cats, though the male became quite the lap cat after Sissy died at age 13. He lived 5 more years and my DH was retired for several of those years. Those two "boys" were inseparable.

We had a great experience with each of them. She was our curious cat who constantly cleaned herself and her brother. He was very docile and let us do just about anything to him. We don't have a preference if we ever get cats again.

Hmm, guess that doesn't exactly answer your question, but gives you some information anyway! :lol:

Personally, I prefer females. My kids however, prefer our male cat. He tolerates EVERYTHING. The females on the other hand, are not so tolerant. If they're not in the mood to be toted, they run. I think Tippy Troy doesn't want to exert the energy, and probably hopes he'll end up closer to the food when he's put down! :lol:

My females will hunt, the male doesn't. Something else to keep in mind if you like to feed birds, etc. I'm not saying ALL males won't hunt, but in my 30+ years of cats, my females hunted, never my males.

All my cats are altered ASAP.

Either or, but definitely neutered.

Wow this is some awesome information..! Very interesting. I think my son would love to have one that played alot and also one in gps that it would sleep with him. Even though my poodle lets my son pet him, she doesn't sleep with him. She sleeps with us. But, she was around before my son was lol

Keep up with the great information. :)

:thumbup:

All kittens play ALOT and will probably sleep with your son because he will be playing with it/them. My female cat is affectionate to a point--she wants endless rubbing but doesn't really like to be picked up--1 minute and done! She follows me everywhere and sleeps at my feet, right behind me in my chair or in one of my drawers while I'm sewing. One of my male cats will follow me all over the house and always wants to be picked up. Once picked up he'll climb up to my shoulder as if he wants to be burped like a baby and I have to peel him off me cause he doesn't want to get down. The other male also loves to be cuddled and is so docile that he allows toddlers to pull his ears, tail and hair! He's the one I have to fight with for space in the bed because he likes to lay right next to you. This summer during the 100 degree weather was no fun!

All my cats have been spayed/neutered and they all act the same as they did before spaying/neutering. The boys don't spray either. :lol:

A PBS show about cats some years ago said that cats learn to hunt from their mothers. They have an instinct to chase, but do not know to kill unless they're taught. We used to have both males and females who would bring us little dead birds, and other critters. We have kept our cats strictly indoors in recent years. There are coyotes in the area that would kill them, if a car doesn't first.

I have had both and as long as they are all neutered they are all great.

I've always grown up with cats, both male and female, and every single one of them was unique!! We had a couple who would have their 'person' and would go to them before anyone else, and others who loved anyone who would love on them.

I've never really noticed a huge difference between the two, and cats, like humans, can change as they get older. We had a cat who wouldn't get in anyone's lap for years (it drove my mom nuts), but as she got older, she'd hop in the first available lap. The cat I have with me in my apartment sleeps with me, and he follows me around all the time (which can sometimes get annoying lol), but he hates to be picked up.

Like it's been said before, it's most important to interact with the kitty before you bring them home, and even then, they might not be exactly what you expected. Cats are not as easily trained as dogs are in some respects (like sleeping with a particular person). They do what they want, when they want! It's part of their charm. :)

Good luck!

I think that my females didn't like to be held as much as when I had males. They are all very independent. If they don't want to be picked up they will scratch you and it hurts.

I've had both but think my male neutered cats have the most personality. My grown daughter just adopted two cats, one male and one female, both neutered of course. The male wants to talk, be held, interact with whatever is going on and the female is rather aloof......I prefer males unless you want a cat that is aloof.......

We've had both. I would go to the animal shelter and find a loving girl/guy that needs a good home. Your little one can help choose/adopt a loving animal in need. Good luck.

don't go male or female, just let your son choose, he will choose the right cat for him. I have heard males are more loving, but there are super loving females out there as well. I have one, and have met dozens at the shelter I work at. All cats have their own personality that is suited to a certain person. The right cat will bond with your son if you let him choose. Siamese cats really bond with one person, you might try a siamese or a mix for your son. I have seen a person come a couple hundred miles to our shelter because their child saw a animal on the website, and for some weird reason, that animal bonds instantly with that child. Trust me he will know which cat is his

I've got 6--3&3 all but 1 fixed a a young age. The other didn't show up on my doorstep until after he was a year old, he did spray, but stopped after we had him neutered. Both boys and girls are very loving, though my one girl has become a royal Bi*ch with age, she's 18. My one guy is about 9months old and into everything like a naughty little boy!! Sex doesn't really matter as you can see.

What really matters is socialization. Make sure the cat or kitten you decide on has been handled a great deal and been exposed to other critters. The rescue that uses our PetSmart for adoptions did a great job on socializing my kitties. The 3 we got from them love to cuddle, were litterbox trained, spayed and neutered when we decided to adopt.

Please don't over look the kitties who aren't purrfect. 3 of mine have a birth defect and a somewhat visiually impared. My vet was surpised they could see at all. They see better than me!! Luna can spot a misquitoe hawk in a dark corner 8ft up!!!


PS. I prefer girl dogs too! Got 2 of those too

i have three and the mamma cat had another litter just after we took them into our home. two were black cats and the most laid back i'd ever seen. male i think. can't remember as i had nine cats in the house for several months.

I have three males and two females. The two older males, who are fixed, are pretty independent. But my little Siamese male is so sweet! The two girls are mom and daughter and they're new to the household. Neither of them are snugglers yet!

It really depends on the personality of the individual cat. Please don't be afraid to adopt an adult cat! Many need homes and you will have a clear idea of their personalities which are fully formed. Pick them up and see how they react to you and your son. Good luck! Cats are great pets.

We have 5 here, 1 boy, 4 girls. While I love all of our girls, my big boy is my favorite. He is so laid back, so docile. My last boy kitty was the same way. So if you decide to go with a kitty, I'd say male, but make sure he's fixed, or he may start spraying.

I have two girls and a boy. The boy was a barncat and never picked up or petted until he was 18 months old. Now he is the most affectionate of the 3. The girls like to be petted, but not nearly as affectionate as he is. Curls up on my husband's chest and cuddles and sleeps.

I have had 3 neutered male cats that all were loving and never roamed.

We have "fixed" females and any time you sit down there is a lap full of cat. Sometimes two. Right now my Bitsy is on my lap. When I sit down to the computer she seems to know and comes running. Have to pet her with one hand while I surf the web. She is 9 years old.

The more I read about the loving cats, regardless of boy or girl, they sound wonderful. Now I need to convince my husband to see about getting one for my son :)

Sounds like it would be nice to have two cats running around two lol. not sure if I can handle two dogs and two cats that are indoor animals lol

I have always had females. Two very affectionate and one more independent. Only affectionate on her terms. Cuddly in the winter. My current cat is a female and is a real snuggler!!!

I've found male cats to be more friendly and snuggly. The females we've had were more of the pet-me-only-when-I-want-it kind.

Susan

i HAVE FIXED MALES. ONE IS SO LOVEY AND THE OTHER WAS FERRAL BEFORE WE TOOK HIM IN AND HE ALLOWS US TO PAT HIS HEAD. NOTHING ELSE. sorry bout caps. friendly nuff just doesn't like his tummy rubbed.