Female cats, male cats-- combinations?

Question

I have 2 male cats. I am getting one more (no more than that!). Would it be better to get the third as a male or female (both males are "fixed")? What combo would get along better-- 2 males, 1 female or 3 males? Please advise why... thanks!

Answer 1

as long as neutered you pick what you want
thank you

Answer 2

Any combination will work if the introductions are done properly. I have brought a female in with a male and had no problems. When he died, I got a female kitten, that was fine. I adopted two males and we had problems. It's 8 months and she just tolerates them now. I had one foster kitten in the house recently and she hated him too, but she was ok with his mother after a day or two, she is a sexist I think. In the past, i've found males to be accepting of either sex. That's just my experience. Females tend to be more territorial than males according to our vets.

It really comes down to the individual cats though. You should go for what YOU want. If you do the introductions carefully, it should all be fine.

To introduce a new cat, you need to isolate it (a good idea to make sure it isn't incubating anything it can transmit to your cats) it gives the new cat time to settle in too. About two weeks is a good time before they meet face to face, you will know if there is any illness by then. Set it up in a room with food, litter and water etc.

You can swap them around, let him/her out and put them into his/her room before they see each other. Let them get used to the new scents. Let them sniff each other under the door etc, don't worry about hissing etc You will notice that the hissing etc lessens, this is the time to take it up to the next level. They're going to meet but not so they can fight. If you have a closed in shower with glass screen, put the new cat in there with dinner and feed the other two on the other side. Do this a few times, you'll know when it's right to let them all be together, supervise at first to make sure there will be no bloodshed and then they should be fine. If you can engage all of them in interactive play with you, this will help (fishing rod toys, feather or ribbon wand) Start with the old dominant cat and then the others can join in.

Always put the old cats first with everything, keep their routine, they get fed first, petted first and you don't do anything for the new cat that you are not doing for the old ones. Keep the order, there is a hierarchy there, observe it and obey it.

You may find at some point the new cat will challenge the dominant one for his job. This happens, and they will usually work it out. If you add a girl, she will become the top cat more than likely and she will be so covert, the ex-top cat won't even realise it, there will be no war. It takes time and if you think maybe it was too fast, go back a step and start again. It is best to get it right the first time so err on the side of caution and don't be impatient (easier said than done, i know)

Whatever you decide, good luck and I hope everything goes smoothly for you and they all settle together well.

Answer 3

We have a female cat. We got a female kitten and they did not get along. We tried a male kitten; they also did not get along. On our third try, we got an older male cat, and they are the best of friends. I think a lot depends on a cat's personality. Our female is very dominant and is not accepting of other dominant cats. The male is not dominant at all, and I think this is why they get along better. A kitten won't know when to stop playing and may irritate an older cat, no matter its gender. Instead of going to the store and buying a new kitten, try your local humane society or pound. There are tons of older cats that have been abandoned and are in need of care and love from obvious cat lovers such as yourself! Good luck!

Answer 4

well, it's good that your two males get along. I have found that, when introducing a new cat, it can be better for them to be opposite gender. Sometimes, even with being fixed and lacking "lust", they are still quicker to accept a cat of the opposite gender.

So, what I'm saying, is a female MAY be more easily accepted by your boys.

For example: I brought home a kitten to keep for a friend for a couple months. THe kitten was a boy. My male (fixed) was WAY more hateful at the beginning than my female (fixed) was. On the other hand, when my door was left open and my cats saw my neighbor's cat (female), My female was WAY nastier to her than my boy was.

Also once we had three cats: a brother and sister that were still very young, and an older female, who had kittens (NOT by the boy in our home.) The mother was WAY nastier to the "little girl" when she'd get near the kittens than she was to the boy. A child myself, this surprised me because Male cats will sometimes kill kittens, so I would have expected the mother to be much more concerned about the boy.

Those are just a few of many experiences that have led me to believe that cats, even neutralized, are generally more tolerant of cats of the opposite gender. But it probably won't make a BIG difference. If you want another boy, I'm sure your boys will accept him.

BUT.. something that IS important.. GET A KITTEN. Kittens will be easily accepted by Adults. But a strange adult may take ALOT longer to get along with your two resident cats.

That is what I have found in my vast experience. The ONLY time we brought home an adult to a home with resident adults, it was a YEAR before they would tolerate being in close quarters. So, a young cat (6months or less) will be ideal. Likely your cats will take to it much better, male OR female.

I'd say the age is a much more important consideration than gender.

Answer 5

I actually have a 4 mth previous male cat; first male cat I even have ever had. I might desire to allow you recognize this cat is SO distinctive from the ladies. My woman cats ~ in no way attacked or bit me! i'm hoping he will end this form of behavor. Hes definately a factor of the kinfolk; and gets alongside fabulously with my rotty. on the 2nd, I merely save the water bottle obtainable. He has been staying removed from my plant life, it is great!! I have no thought regarding the various genders getting alongside; i might wager that it extremely does not count. reliable success.

Answer 6

When they are all fixed,it really doesn't matter the sex or combination.As with any new cat there will be some fighting and bullying till everyone knows there order in the clan.But it will smooth out and they will come to tolerate each other in the long run.

Answer 7

As long as they're all neutered, it shouldn't be a problem. However, male cats can get very territorial, and there's a good chance that they may start spraying if you bring in another male.