Is it better to have male-female cat or 2 males?

Question

My friend has a male cat, and she wants to get a new kitten. Is it better, in the long run, to get a female or a male one? Which one will be better company? They'll both be neutered.

Answer 1

Personally I've always had great luck keeping 2 or 3 neutered males together. But I've currently got a neutered male and a spayed female and they're great buddies, too. Two females can also get along great.

If the other cat is fairly young there's a very good chance that they will get along no matter what the sex is. If one is older and has always been an only cat he or she may have more trouble adjusting to the newcomer, but given time he will probably either learn to accept or at least tolerate the kitten. Often if the new one is a kitten he will wear the older one down by just being plain silly until the older cat gives in.

Expect them to hiss and make a fuss when they first meet. Let them have private spaces to go to be away from each other. But expect the kitten to initiate contacts with the older cat.

Answer 2

You know.. I was always told, my vets and shelters that if you have two cats it is best to have two males, and if you only have one a female is great. Usually the females are very Territorial and like to be an only cat, so they will fight off other cats, while males are more likely to accept another male. Now I do believe this only applies if they are all fixed. I know that after I adopted my female cat, had a male already, they didn't' get along, took forever for the two of them to like each other. Now I adopted another male and the two males love each other, but the female hates the new male and wont go near the older male.

Answer 3

I would say that having a new female kitten would be just as good as having a new male kitten, but with an adult male already there, I'd go with female. Really though, how old is the male cat? If he is only past kitten hood, then either gender, but too much older and there could be territory problems.

Answer 4

I was faced with this same situation in that I had a male cat and wanted a kitten - my vet recommended a female. It worked out fine after they got used to each other. They were both neutered/spade as well.

Good Luck to your friend!

Answer 5

It all depends on the cat's personality. Usually female-male would be better as 2 males tend to be rougher and one tries to dominate. But as is usual in cats, that's not ALWAYS true.

Answer 6

I think 2 males. They would get along better.

Answer 7

I think it would be wise to have another male cat otherwise you could have a real problem on your hands. Like litters if kittens.