I have a 20 month old male cat, I'm thinking of getting him a new playmate. What would be better boy or girl?
Male or female kitten?
As long as he is neutered it won't matter much.
A neuter boy tend to take to kittens well - entire boys do not and neuter girls can be hit or miss. But it can't be guarenteed. Cats are by nature solitary creatures - though will live in feral communities where there is a good food supply. Which is why they usually get on in human homes - they don't need to compete for food.
Why do you think cat needs a play mate?
A neuter boy tend to take to kittens well - entire boys do not and neuter girls can be hit or miss. But it can't be guarenteed. Cats are by nature solitary creatures - though will live in feral communities where there is a good food supply. Which is why they usually get on in human homes - they don't need to compete for food.
Why do you think cat needs a play mate?
He has been neutered. I just think he might get bored when I'm at work, he is an indoor cat. I leave different toys out for him & a friend pops in most days to see him
Cats aren't pack animals like dogs and I think they're quite happy on their own. My brother has three cats and they are only together at feeding time, otherwise they all choose to be in seperate rooms.
I had a male kitten he was on hos own most of the day whilst i was out working. So affectionate but then he was going where the hell have you been I am bored and lonely, so they do need a fellow moggie to keep them company.
Originally Posted by cbram1970:
“I had a male kitten he was on hos own most of the day whilst i was out working. So affectionate but then he was going where the hell have you been I am bored and lonely, so they do need a fellow moggie to keep them company.”
“I had a male kitten he was on hos own most of the day whilst i was out working. So affectionate but then he was going where the hell have you been I am bored and lonely, so they do need a fellow moggie to keep them company.”
Or more likely a human.
Originally Posted by mariets:
“Cats aren't pack animals like dogs and I think they're quite happy on their own. My brother has three cats and they are only together at feeding time, otherwise they all choose to be in seperate rooms.”
“Cats aren't pack animals like dogs and I think they're quite happy on their own. My brother has three cats and they are only together at feeding time, otherwise they all choose to be in seperate rooms.”
Our cat gets very lonely and sad when you leave her alone for long periods. It's unfair to leave them on their own for so long. Our cat is so scared she hides under the duvets especially when the phone rings or door knocks.
Originally Posted by cbram1970:
“I had a male kitten he was on hos own most of the day whilst i was out working. So affectionate but then he was going where the hell have you been I am bored and lonely, so they do need a fellow moggie to keep them company.”
“I had a male kitten he was on hos own most of the day whilst i was out working. So affectionate but then he was going where the hell have you been I am bored and lonely, so they do need a fellow moggie to keep them company.”
I totally agree. Our cat does this too.
When I worked in an office during the day, my cat used to go happy ballistic when I returned home.
Now I work from home, he's much happier. (I think!)
Like humans, all cats are different when it comes to socialising.
Now I work from home, he's much happier. (I think!)
Like humans, all cats are different when it comes to socialising.
Maybe a girl? I think boy cats tend to compete more for leadership, but depends on their characters too.
I wouldnt think it would really matter too much whether you got a female or male kitten (if your cat has been neutered that is) however i would take into consideration that you may well get a kitten and your current cat may not get on with it...
I would possibly consider getting 2 kittens so at least they have each other incase the other cat doesn't get on with the new kitten.
I would possibly consider getting 2 kittens so at least they have each other incase the other cat doesn't get on with the new kitten.
It depends on your cat. A kitten will probably be easier for your cat to cope with of either gender but you will have to be aware that a male kitten may grow up a bit to start competing with your cat.
If your cat goes outside have you seen him interact with other cats? With my own I've seen him get into trouble with male cats but very respectful of a female cat's space.
If your cat goes outside have you seen him interact with other cats? With my own I've seen him get into trouble with male cats but very respectful of a female cat's space.
Originally Posted by Missjef:
“I wouldnt think it would really matter too much whether you got a female or male kitten (if your cat has been neutered that is) however i would take into consideration that you may well get a kitten and your current cat may not get on with it...
I would possibly consider getting 2 kittens so at least they have each other incase the other cat doesn't get on with the new kitten.”
“I wouldnt think it would really matter too much whether you got a female or male kitten (if your cat has been neutered that is) however i would take into consideration that you may well get a kitten and your current cat may not get on with it...
I would possibly consider getting 2 kittens so at least they have each other incase the other cat doesn't get on with the new kitten.”
Exactly.
We kept Bungle from Winnie's litter and all the time we had the other kittens Winnie had no problem, but as soon as it became apparent that Bungle was staying with us she turned on her. Poor Bungle didn't know what had hit her. Despite the fact that she was her mother, Winnie really didn't like Bungle.
I agree with getting two kittens. Also some kittens are already very dominant, others are not, and dominating ones don't fit in as easily.
I have only ever had female cats. At the moment I have two female cats that are both very lovely and like to spend time with them. I like female cats because I think they are lovely, ladylike and playful.
Originally Posted by CBFreak:
“It depends on your cat. A kitten will probably be easier for your cat to cope with of either gender but you will have to be aware that a male kitten may grow up a bit to start competing with your cat.
If your cat goes outside have you seen him interact with other cats? With my own I've seen him get into trouble with male cats but very respectful of a female cat's space.”
“It depends on your cat. A kitten will probably be easier for your cat to cope with of either gender but you will have to be aware that a male kitten may grow up a bit to start competing with your cat.
If your cat goes outside have you seen him interact with other cats? With my own I've seen him get into trouble with male cats but very respectful of a female cat's space.”
Probably because female cats tend to be far more territorial than neuter male cats - regardless of whether they themselves have been neutered.
Your boy probably has enough sense not to mess with the girlies
All the male cats we have had, have been put in their place very quickly by the female cats. They are/were way down in the pecking order
Our neighbours cats both male have also been put in their place by our not very friendly female cat. It's just a shame that one of them seems to want to live with us and sits outside our front door to be let in and not his. But when our little madam is out he knows not to come near
Our neighbours cats both male have also been put in their place by our not very friendly female cat. It's just a shame that one of them seems to want to live with us and sits outside our front door to be let in and not his. But when our little madam is out he knows not to come near
Thanks for all the advice. I've decided not to get a kitten, I think it was more for me than the other cat. A friend of mine has just got 2 kittens & it made me want another. My boy Sidney can remain a very spoilt only 'child'
Originally Posted by mariets:
“Cats aren't pack animals like dogs and I think they're quite happy on their own. My brother has three cats and they are only together at feeding time, otherwise they all choose to be in seperate rooms.”
“Cats aren't pack animals like dogs and I think they're quite happy on their own. My brother has three cats and they are only together at feeding time, otherwise they all choose to be in seperate rooms.”
I didn't want Bernard to be an only cat after the death of my Tabitha last April. I work long shifts (am frequently at work for more than 12 hours) so I took on 2 rescue cats last June, both 10 months old at the time. Bernard really loves them, they really respect and look up to him and he's a very happy and contented cat.
http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/...llak/004-3.jpg Bernard and little Lucy. She sometimes sleeps almost on top of him but it's usually when I'm in the bed too and don't have access to a camera.
http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/...llak/005-2.jpg Bernard and Millie. She's always rubbing herself against him.
http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/...llak/001-1.jpg All three together
They all start off the night, together, on my bed. Bernard's the only one who stays the whole night with me.
Some cats really enjoy the company of other cats. They have a circle of friends outside the home too and I frequently get a cat's head appear at the cat flap waiting for my cats to 'go outside to play'
My Tabitha was an only cat until she was 11 but even she mainly got on with other cats and I encountered no real issues when I introduced Bernard. Perhaps I'm just lucky with my cats.
Originally Posted by SupernovaNebula:
“Our cat gets very lonely and sad when you leave her alone for long periods. It's unfair to leave them on their own for so long. Our cat is so scared she hides under the duvets especially when the phone rings or door knocks.”
“Our cat gets very lonely and sad when you leave her alone for long periods. It's unfair to leave them on their own for so long. Our cat is so scared she hides under the duvets especially when the phone rings or door knocks.”
My cat hides under the duvet too. Her worst time is when the windowcleaner visits and cleans the upstairs windows.
Marella - love your pictures, thank you for posting.
Originally Posted by mariets:
“Cats aren't pack animals like dogs and I think they're quite happy on their own. My brother has three cats and they are only together at feeding time, otherwise they all choose to be in seperate rooms.”
“Cats aren't pack animals like dogs and I think they're quite happy on their own. My brother has three cats and they are only together at feeding time, otherwise they all choose to be in seperate rooms.”
I used to think this too, but after reading cat behaviourist books, they say that people believe this of cats because they are solitary HUNTERS. Apparently, it is now believed that cats are more sociable than previously thought.
