You already know what the biological differences are between female and male cats, but you might be wondering if one gender is better than the other especially in terms of choosing a new family member.
Exploring the contrasts between purring moms and strutting toms might help you a lot in deciding whether a female cat or male cat best fits your personality and lifestyle. So, what is better for you? A female cat or a male cat? Let us first explore their differences before you can answer this question properly.
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Is male or female cat better for me?
The better choice between males and females for you depends on a few things. Males are in general friendlier, but they spray and howl for female cats unless neutered. Females are more reserved and most likely won’t spray or run away.
You might also want to know that insurance for male cats is more expensive. Read about the reason why male cat insurance is more expensive.
Choosing between a female and male cat
When choosing a new cat to bring home, you need to remember first that each gender has its pros and cons. Take these into considerations when deciding whether to get a female or male cat:
- Toms, or male cats, are friendlier than females.
- Female cats tend to be much smaller than male cats.
- Female felines are more reserved than males, however, there are less likely to spray.
- Intact tom cats spray their territory to mark them and howl for females. But oftentimes, this isn’t a problem if your cat was neutered.
- Female cats tend to howl when they are in “heat” and can be impregnated before they hit 1 year old – talk to your veterinarian about getting her spayed.
Which cat is more behaved? Male or female?
Behavioral differences between female and male cats are most obvious in felines that aren’t spayed or neutered since the behavioral differences are often related to the sex drive of a cat. For example, male felines might become more aggressive, try to escape, and spray urine when they reach their sexually matured stage. On the other hand, female felines often become more loving and sweeter, and some even tend to rub their body against anything, while being very vocal.
Even though the majority of non-spayed and non-neutered female and male felines have very distinctive behaviors, there’s no consensus that all kitties of either gender act a particular way. While in heat, female cats also spray, while some male felines have been found to be more affectionate.
Furthermore, most pet adoption centers highly encourage cat parents to neuter and spay their kitties. Cats are cute, but you must focus on raising one cat at a time before you let your furry pal bring you lots of mouths to feed.
Should you get a female or male cat?
Actually, a cat’s gender does not really matter when you choose the right cat for your household. Even though there are some differences in the behavior of female and male cats, when they grow into adults, the environment and genetics of a cat play a much bigger role in how well he or she will bond with humans.
Thus, take time to meet a few kitties and choose the one that’s perfect to be your best pal. Bear in mind that female and male cat differences must only play a small role when it comes to choosing a cat to be a new part of your family.
Common questions about choosing between female or male cat
Are male cats more affectionate than females?
Myth: Male felines are more affectionate towards their favorite humans and bond well with them. On the other hand, female felines are aloof and due to their mothering instincts, they prefer other cats than their human owners.
Reality: This often comes down to the individual personality of your cat and not based on their gender.
Read more about if male cats are more affectionate.
Are male cats more affectionate after neutering?
Neutered male cats are more likely to be affectionate and will also feel a reduced need to spray urine just to mark their territory. They will also be at a lesser risk of developing feline-related diseases like feline leukemia. As with female kitties, neutering can’t be undone, therefore it’s considered as the best decision for you and your kitty.
Furthermore, male kitties tend to develop a more laid back personality right after neutering. Some people even see their male cats to be more playful and cuddlier after neutering. Female cats also seem to convert to a more relaxed personality that may not seem very noticeable since they tend not to show too much aggression to start with.
How do female cats show dominance?
Dominant female cats might attempt to have their dominance established, especially in a multi-cat household setting, by hitting, growling, and hissing. Sometimes, they also urinate in certain areas that the other kitties frequently lounge, push other kitties out of their food bowls until they’re done eating, and most of the time, they make the other felines feel threatened.
Conclusion
The key is to choose a kitten or cat that will adapt very well to your own environment. You should also take into account whether you’re single, a multi-cat household, have a family with kids, or a home with both dogs, cats, and other animals. Felines are well known to have personalities, aside from the gender differences that only take a very small role in choosing a cat, there are also important factors to consider such as a cat’s temperament, body type, size difference, and hair length. Learning about gender differences and researching breeds can surely help you come up with the right decision.
