i'm about to get my daughter a kitten. is a male or female easier to care for. do male cat pee on things, and do females need special care. the kitten that i'm getting will be indoors.
2006-11-16 02:57:09 · 13 answers · asked by sickofmakinthemgo 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Males do not pee on things, they spray urine to mark their territory. But they don't do that if you neuter them when they are about 6 months old-1 year old. Females need no special care, but they might want to mate if you don't spay them aand they willl howl when it is mating season. They are calmer, in general. get a female, because you have a small daughter. Males can play rough sometimes (females too, but males are worse).
About urinary tract infections, females get them more easily than males, but when males have them -or struvite crystals - it can cause blockage and that can be life threatening. Whatever you decide, if you see your cat straining without peeing or peeing outside the litterbox for no obvious reason, take it to the vet ASAP, it will take some medication and be fine, but if you delay it can be lethal.
2006-11-16 03:07:37 · answer #1 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A male generally won't pee on things if he's neutered at a young age and has a reasonably clean litter box. A female should also be spayed at a young age to help ameliorate the risk of cancer of the mammary glands later on. Both males and females will be better behaved after such proceedures. It's quite a bit less expensive to neuter a male than to spay a female. Personality-wise, I've always considered males to be a bit more friendly, but my newest kitten, a 6 month old female, belied my previous theory. Either male or female will make a nice pet, but remember that genetics matter--both the kitten's and your daughter's. Be sure your daughter is either old enough to know to be kind to the kitten or supervise her closely with the kitten until she is. Otherwise, the kitten could become a cranky cat! Good luck!
2006-11-16 18:06:05 · answer #2 · answered by LEW 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Male cats spray. On everything. And often. Unless you get it fixed, in which case you have no worries.
Females don't spray, which is awesome, however most experienced cat owners will tell you that a male is more suited to a child. They are notoriously more patient and complacent .... where the female cats tend to be a little less affectionate and tempermental.
As an example .. my female cats cuddle when THEY want to cuddle, and will threaten to take your eyes out if they're ticked off. My male cat lets my daughters dress him in doll clothes. He doesn't look amused, but he never fights back either, lol.
2006-11-16 11:00:31 · answer #3 · answered by Jaded 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have had both male and female cats. I have had male cats that were very lovable and female cats that were standoffish and other female cats that were lovable. Just get your kitten fixed as soon as possible! Give your kitten lots of love and attention. Get him or her fixed as early as possible some Vets do this surgery as soon as 12 weeks!
The more you pet and love on your kitten the more lovable they will be.
2006-11-16 18:46:57 · answer #4 · answered by Pamela V 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have both. Cats are very independant. Make sure you get them fixed. My male cat is very affectionate and isn't afraid of kids or adults. My female cats are only affectionate to my husband and I. They all have different personalities. House cats usually live longer and males do not pee on things as long as they are litter box trained.
2006-11-16 12:29:52 · answer #5 · answered by falana67@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Females cost a little bit more to spay, and males, especially un-neutered, do to tend to spray to mark their territory. Males also get urinary tract infections more frequently. I can't think of any other differences. And kittens all act the same - absolutely crazy. =)
2006-11-16 11:02:50 · answer #6 · answered by amandajay 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Depends on what you want to put up with. You can either get a male who is very playful, but will pee on just about everything, and will also probably scratch everything.
Or a female, who doesn't tend to pee on everything, is playful, but not as playful as a male cat.
I'd suggest a female. And as your child id a girl, sure she'd like to name it something girly.
Good luck!
2006-11-16 11:01:10 · answer #7 · answered by trixyt1 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you get the male castrated as soon as he's old enough then he won't spray.
Regardless, get the female kitten spayed as well.
2006-11-16 10:59:33 · answer #8 · answered by a1tommyL 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
SOME male cats spray. Not all, but some. And no, having them neutered, even young will not stop them from doing that. I learned my lesson the hard way with a sprayer. That cat even sprayed my pictures on a dresser. YUCK
2006-11-16 11:00:27 · answer #9 · answered by maamu 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Female definitely!!
2006-11-16 10:59:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋