Boy vs girl cats...

[Slingin'Momto4]

I am planning on getting a Ragdoll kitten pretty soon but am having a hard time deciding between a girl or boy. One of the breeders said that with our busy family a boy would be more tolerant, is that true? I have had bad luck w/boy cats throughout my life and would much prefer a girl but I want her to like it here and not be scared, KWIM? So which do you prefer and why?

[Halfasianmomma]

I've had both male and female cats, and I have to say that my male cats have been much more mellow than my female cats, even when fixed. Also, my female cats seem to take things more personally, and be more sensitive than my boys. The girl cats and I did however seem to have a nice unspoken understanding, and we seemed to know when to get out of each other's way, whereas the boys were always very insistent in their affection.

Guess I'm not helping, am I?

[Norasmomma]

I've had cats all my life and boys seem so much more adaptable, I know that's not all boys, but for us this has been true. currently we have 3 cats all male, all neutered at 5-6 months. We tried to get them before they learned they were boys and sprayed. The grumpiest of the bunch did start spraying when I got pregnant with DD and again this time-he freaks on my hormones I guess.

We used to have a girl and she was so elusive, but that was her personality, her son was the same way. They both ended up running away because they hated the dogs. All my boys could really care less about living with the dogs and one thinks the 90 lb german shepard is his mom, so go figure.

[liberal_chick]

I have 1 boy and 2 girl cats. Of my girls, one is a totally demanding diva and the other is old and cranky. My boy is sweet, loving, and totally laid back.

[limette]

Same experience here. I've had lots of cats over the years (my mom was a very fickle pet owner) and without exception the boys were cuddly easy going babies whereas the girls were always unfriendly, didn't want to be touched and pretty much ignored the rest of the household.

All our cats were raised from kittens so they all had the same care/lifestyle. Funnily enough I think it's the opposite with dogs.

[Slingin'Momto4]

Hmmmm...thanks everyone! Gives me some stuff to think about.

[phatchristy]

Personalities definitely differ with bloodline as well IMHO.

Having had persians, done a bit of breeding myself I can say that!

A lot of it depends on the personality of the individual cat...I've had cuddly boys and cuddly girls. My current girls...one is a lapcat, the other is not. Irony being the non-lap cat is the most outwardly affectionate, outgoing and lovable as in she 'craves' attention. She's NO DOUBT the smartest cat in the house LOL! Super playful, super lovable. Great with the kiddos, just wonderful all around. I CAN trick her into going onto my lap if I put a firm pillow there. I have no clue why she won't snuggle into a bare lap though! The other girl is super laid back, easy going, but also loves her people, and loves to snuggle. She's got less of a pushy personality though and is great with the kids. She really goes with the flow, I could sling her, carry her upside down, she's so easy to handle and just purrs the whole time. She's the perfect cat for my little girls, and they consider her their cat. And, she's dainty. Her only real flaw is that she doesn't care about your personal space. She'll crawl up your chest and sleep on your neck LOL.

Our boy is the half sister of my outgoing girl. He's a lapcat and is pretty much otherwise exactly like his sister (the lap thing is the only difference).

His sister was raised by a different breeder...the cats from the breeder I work with tend to be very outgoing and more lap cats.

All of that being said, breeders generally have more boys available because they usually only keep one or two boys for MANY females. They'll only keep the best of the best boys. So, expect that there are going to be more boys available and some may have a personal "vested interest" in trying to get you to purchase a boy.

Of my four favorite cats I've owned/shown it was a half-half ratio. If you really want to be assured of the personality of a cat I'd get an adult before getting a kitten. All kittens are playful and outgoing. That doesnt' mean they'll be that way as adults. That's my secret to why I have really nice personality in cats right now. No kittens.

And, as someone with experience with cats the whole FUS blockage thing gives me the heebie jeebies with boys as well. Definitely more urinary issues with boys. Of course, I do have a boy...but I adopted him at 4 y.o. and I knew he had no FUS issues going into it. You don't know that with a kitten.

[Carlin]

I have 2 girl cats who are both mushy, cuddly, and totally laid back so I guess my experience is different than the majority here. By the time the kitten is ready to come home with you, I'd think the breeder would have some idea of their personalities, and could pick based on that rather than just boy vs girl.

[Slingin'Momto4]

Originally Posted by phatchristy

And, as someone with experience with cats the whole FUS blockage thing gives me the heebie jeebies with boys as well. Definitely more urinary issues with boys. Of course, I do have a boy...but I adopted him at 4 y.o. and I knew he had no FUS issues going into it. You don't know that with a kitten.

YES! This is the bad luck I have had w/boy cats even growing up my Mom always had boys and they always had UTI's and they would pee ALL OVER THE PLACE! I hated it! I have had girl cats and they are so sweet and loveable and just awesome. I am going to speak to the breeder about what I want and the personality that would fit well within our family. I had a female Ragdoll and she was AWESOME, my favorite cat...I miss her terribly She got out and got stolen, I was devestated and still think of her often

[rhubarbarin]

Why don't you ask your breeder if she can help you find an adult female Ragdoll who has experience with kids and the personality you are looking for? Kittens can change quite a bit as they grow..

All my (neutered) male cats have been relaxed cuddlebunnies and the two (spayed) female cats I have had were both crazy (in different ways). Both my girls were also extremely clever and thoughtful. Boys had varying levels of intelligence, and the current one is a bit slow. However I have known lots of nice, normal female kitties.. just never owned one!

Feeding a raw diet is quite effective in preventing urinary tract issues in male cats.

[SpaceAngel401]

Originally Posted by limette

Same experience here. I've had lots of cats over the years (my mom was a very fickle pet owner) and without exception the boys were cuddly easy going babies whereas the girls were always unfriendly, didn't want to be touched and pretty much ignored the rest of the household.

All our cats were raised from kittens so they all had the same care/lifestyle. Funnily enough I think it's the opposite with dogs.

My mother would agree with this. When I was little, she worked in a pet store (ok, I know about puppy mills and all but this was 25+ years ago and today she'd never buy a petstore puppy) and is a huge animal lover.

She always touts boy cats (girls are wierd) and girl dogs.