Kitten/Cat Advice (Full Version)

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marie2 -> Kitten/Cat Advice (5/19/2009 6:45:30 AM)

Hey Everyone:

I've decided to adopt a kitten.  A friend of a friend's cat had a litter of 3.  There is a calico female and two males.  I am partial to the calico, but have heard that female cats are not as affectionate as males, so I'm not sure which one of these kittens to take.  They are still nursing with the mother, so I have some time to decide.

I did have a cat for a long time....about 16 yrs or so, and it was male and very very sweet and affectionate.  Not sure if that is an inherent thing with male cats, or if it's because of the attention and affection that I gave him from kittenhood, also not sure if this would have been the case if it had been a female cat.

So for anyone who owns or has owned multiple cats of both genders, are there any generalities with regards to attitude/demeanor and gender?






kittinSol -> RE: Kitten/Cat Advice (5/19/2009 6:54:42 AM)

Female cats can be more independent minded, but my experience with them is that they can be just as affectionate as males. Calico females in particular are known to hunt a lot and to have a seriously mean streak when it comes to defending their territory. They are wonderful. My experience tells me that both male and female cats can be extremely affectionate: I think this stems from nurturing and personality traits, and that it's not inherent to gender.

I suggest that when you next visit the kittens you just hold them all and follow your instinct: you will know which one is the most compatible with you (it looks as though your mind is kinda already made up :-) .



GreedyTop -> RE: Kitten/Cat Advice (5/19/2009 6:55:07 AM)

I dont think gender has anything to do with it.  I've had cats of both genders that have been equally affectionate. My advice is spend time with the kittens, get to know their personalities. Make your decision based on that.
and don't forget to spay/neuter!!



slaveboyforyou -> RE: Kitten/Cat Advice (5/19/2009 7:14:01 AM)

I have a female cat right now, and I've had a male cat in the past. Male cats like to roam, even neutered male cats. Female cats tend to stay closer to home. Male cats tend to get into a lot more fights than females as well. It's the biggest differences I've noticed. Of course if you're going to have strictly inside cats (I'm against this, but I know a lot of folks insist on it) than you aren't going to be concerned with the above.



angelikaJ -> RE: Kitten/Cat Advice (5/19/2009 7:20:44 AM)

I have a calico female and I am mom to her.

I have had male cats that were total homebodies.

Spend time with the kittens and you will discover which one you are going to belong to...it always goes that way and not the other way around.



breatheasone -> RE: Kitten/Cat Advice (5/19/2009 7:31:35 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: marie2

Hey Everyone:

I've decided to adopt a kitten.  A friend of a friend's cat had a litter of 3.  There is a calico female and two males.  I am partial to the calico, but have heard that female cats are not as affectionate as males, so I'm not sure which one of these kittens to take.  They are still nursing with the mother, so I have some time to decide.

I did have a cat for a long time....about 16 yrs or so, and it was male and very very sweet and affectionate.  Not sure if that is an inherent thing with male cats, or if it's because of the attention and affection that I gave him from kittenhood, also not sure if this would have been the case if it had been a female cat.

So for anyone who owns or has owned multiple cats of both genders, are there any generalities with regards to attitude/demeanor and gender?





Hey there...i have had MANY cats... helped birth them... had multi-generations even.... i would be glad to chat anytime at all....fyi.... cats tend to do well if they are in pairs, or just not alone. they are inherently pack animals. And before i get jumped on....***yes i realize this is a GENERAL statement, and it is NOT meant to be a final word OR to insult anyone*** Just what i have seen after owning MANYS cats over the last 30 years....YMMV



Rainfire -> RE: Kitten/Cat Advice (5/19/2009 7:49:56 AM)

I've had many cats (among other animals) over the years, both personally and working with rescues. (Ask Lumus some time about how since I've been here, the cats just seem to find the apartment, including the 2 abandoned wonderful lovebugs named Punky and Queen Beauty of the Twilight Zone (Queenie for short) that have adopted us.

The best thing I can recommend is what a few others have said; don't go by the gender but by taking time to get to know the kittens and you'll see that one of them will absolutely pick you out. You'll have that connection with them for the rest of your time together. When I wasn't given a choice on the kitten (I've had purebred Persians and Himmies and you get what the breeder has available) the bond wasn't as strong as with a kitten who picked me out. Now, Punky came to me and adopted me. He'd been abandoned outside by a previous tenant of our building. He's sitting here nuzzling me and cuddling me as I write this. We have a very strong bond, one that Lumus teases me about, how I snuggle the damn cat more than I do Him. [:D] 

I don't believe in stereotypes because I've had such different experiences that keep popping them. Each cat is unique and individual, not based on gender but purrsonality. One of my biggest lovebugs was Squishy-Baby, a beautiful little female grey tabby. She used to sit on my head and sleep there. [:)]

Go with your heart and feelings!



pahunkboy -> RE: Kitten/Cat Advice (5/19/2009 8:51:45 AM)

I temporarily have Jims cat.

My advice....  observe the personality of all 3 of them.   look for the one with a dynamic personality.  Look for good posture and temperament.

Please be responsible and neuter the cat.   You wont want to spray anyhow.
If you cant afford it- search for a  program to help defray the cost.

This cat is a bitch. Jim spoiled it. I likes to wine and moan like it is suffering and that can be annoying.

I dont know how this carries over from dogs to cats- but my German Sheppard came to view me as one of her pups.   The maternal instinct can not be over-estimated.

Jims cat - tho has no bad habits so far as I can see. In a way I dont want to send her on to Jennies.  But I will before August.



marie2 -> RE: Kitten/Cat Advice (5/19/2009 9:11:40 AM)

Thanks so much everyone.  This is what I was hoping to hear.  So it seems to be unanimous.... It's pretty much an individual cat thing, not gender related, with maybe a bit of nuture mixed in there.

And will definitely neuter/spay. I agree that it's best for a cat to experience being outdoors too, my last one was mostly indoor but he did enjoy going out to roam, and he always found his way home.  But yes, he did get into a lot of stare-downs and meow matches, and there were many a night out in the yard shining the flashlight trying to separate him from another neighborhood cat.     But now I live in a condo and don't have a private yard, so I'll probably take this one outside with me from time to time and keep a very close watch.

Agree also that more than one kitty would be nice, so it would have company, but the woman with the kittens already has 3 people wanting one of them.

I haven't actually been with the kitties yet.  But saw a pic of the calico via email, which is probably why I'm leaning towards her.   She was just so so cute.  But I'm sure they all are.  My last one was given to me by a co-worker at the time...all I knew was someone he knew had kittens and they were all black....I said, sure I'll take one, and he brought it to me at work.  I was in love from second one.  But my friend is saying what all you guys are saying, that I should go and spend time around them and I'll just know which one is right.

Thanks for all the tips :)



pahunkboy -> RE: Kitten/Cat Advice (5/19/2009 9:16:52 AM)

Cats dont need another cat to have company.   Cats are zen type.   Can be happy in a mansion, or happy in a junk yard.





LaTigresse -> RE: Kitten/Cat Advice (5/19/2009 9:22:26 AM)

I will not have a female cat. Every single one I've had in the past were "less enjoyable" as companions than the neutered male cats I've had.

The neutered male cat that adopted me when he was but a wee kitten, hates other cats. Despises them. Yet he adores his canine housemates. He isn't as clingy and cuddly as others I've had in the past but that is just his personality.



sirsholly -> RE: Kitten/Cat Advice (5/19/2009 9:28:59 AM)

First...we want pics when lil FuzzButt arrives [:)]

I have 5 [8|]...all rescues/drop-offs and they are a joy. Ok, sometimes they are an obnoxious joy...but a joy none the less. I have found there is really no difference between the affection of the males and females. But one thing i have noticed is the females seem to be more tuned in to our emotions. If i am having a bad day, feeling a bit down, etc it will be one of the females who will cuddle up and purr me right out of my grey mood.

No matter what sex you choose, be prepared to have the little darling waltz in and take over. It is no longer your home, although you will be permitted to pay the bills (cats are good in that way). And the bed you are sleeping in...that also goes to the fur-baby. And it is your job to meet the needs of the sweet lil kitty at all times. You sleep too much. Therefore, to remedy this, the little angel will want to play (with the noisest toy you are dumb enough to buy) in the bed, right next to your face, at 2am.



pahunkboy -> RE: Kitten/Cat Advice (5/19/2009 9:30:52 AM)

Jennies cat- (passed)   did not like makes.  He hid from any male that visited.

Jims cat had Jim trained to give her bottled water.   Only bottled water.   She now is on tap water.   She also comes when I ring a bell.   :-)



pahunkboy -> RE: Kitten/Cat Advice (5/19/2009 9:33:46 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: sirsholly

First...we want pics when lil FuzzButt arrives [:)]

I have 5 [8|]...all rescues/drop-offs and they are a joy. Ok, sometimes they are an obnoxious joy...but a joy none the less. I have found there is really no difference between the affection of the males and females. But one thing i have noticed is the females seem to be more tuned in to our emotions. If i am having a bad day, feeling a bit down, etc it will be one of the females who will cuddle up and purr me right out of my grey mood.

No matter what sex you choose, be prepared to have the little darling waltz in and take over. It is no longer your home, although you will be permitted to pay the bills (cats are good in that way). And the bed you are sleeping in...that also goes to the fur-baby. And it is your job to meet the needs of the sweet lil kitty at all times. You sleep too much. Therefore, to remedy this, the little angel will want to play (with the noisest toy you are dumb enough to buy) in the bed, right next to your face, at 2am.




I dont think the OP should get 2 cats right off the bat.   If later 2 happen, fine. But not to start.

Having pets- well-- how to put- I friend of mine just took her cat to the dentist to have a tooth pulled and it cost $500.

So pick 1 healthy cat with a good personality.



Lashra -> RE: Kitten/Cat Advice (5/19/2009 9:41:44 AM)

All of my cats have been males and I've owned 4 of them over the years. Three were very affectionate and the one was very standoffish. I really think it just depends upon the cat. How I picked my affectionate boys was I sat down on the floor and let them come to me, the ones who were happy sitting in my lap or were happy engaging me in play, I adopted them. The one standoffish one I had my ex husband picked out from a pet shop and he picked him because he thought he was pretty.[&:]

My current cat is wonderful, he is a Maine coon mix and is very affectionate and dog like (which I prefer). He follows me around the house, meets me at the door and is content to sleep next to me or be held. He plays wonderfully with my dogs. He is my second Maine coon and I am stuck on the breed.

So try sitting in the floor and see who comes over to you and wants to spend time with you. Sometimes I think its better if they pick us rather than the other way around.[:D]

~Lashra



marie2 -> RE: Kitten/Cat Advice (5/19/2009 10:41:12 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lashra

So try sitting in the floor and see who comes over to you and wants to spend time with you. Sometimes I think its better if they pick us rather than the other way around.[:D]

~Lashra



That's a very good idea. 

My girlfriend just emailed me another pic...It's of one of the males....Tiger stripe...Oh so cute...with black claws.  I'm gonna want them all.  lol.

And pics of FuzzyButt will definitely be forthcoming once he/she arrives.  Two more weeks to nurse.  I can't wait till it takes my place over like only a kitty cat can.  So much for keeping the carpet nice and all that.  I can't believe I'm doing this again.  lmaoo



marie2 -> RE: Kitten/Cat Advice (5/19/2009 10:44:38 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: pahunkboy

Having pets- well-- how to put- I friend of mine just took her cat to the dentist to have a tooth pulled and it cost $500.



Yeah this is a concern too, and a good reason to only take one.  My first cat had a urinary issue that turned into him needing surgery.  All told it cost me over $2,000.00 for the surgery and the post and pre-op appointments and whatnot.  Then he was on that expensive prescription cat food for a while.  After he seemed ok, I went back to the over the counter cat food and just bought the one for urinary tract care.  I couldn't keep paying 30 bucks for a bag of food, it was insane.



sirsholly -> RE: Kitten/Cat Advice (5/19/2009 10:44:49 AM)

quote:

I can't believe I'm doing this again. lmaoo
I can!!
There is nothing cuter than a kitten [:)]



LaTigresse -> RE: Kitten/Cat Advice (5/19/2009 10:47:15 AM)

agreed.........puppies tie it though



janiebelle -> RE: Kitten/Cat Advice (5/19/2009 10:52:28 AM)

FR

I'm a dog person, not a cat person, so I can't offer any help on picking a cat.
I have a question that may seem kinda off on a tangent.
From what I understand, only female cats can have the calico phenotype.
Is it true?
j



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