Boy Kittens Pros and Cons?

We have had really good experiences with male cats. If you have him fixed, he won't spray. I have had both male and female and it probably depends on personality, but in my case the males seem a little more cuddly and loveable. But just like people, cats have different personalities. Enoy!!

I have always had both male & female kittens/cats. Boy kittens won't spray - they're too young. Spraying is a way of marking their territory and (as long as you get him neutered - usually before he's a year old)you shouldn't have a problem with spraying because that gland is 'linked' to his nunus. If he doesn't have a chance to 'learn' the behavior, he won't start. I don't really know how to explain it, but it has something to do with a male's 'tomcatting' ways. Anyway - good luck with the new addition, no matter if you choose a male or female!
Frances

Boy cats spray EVERYWHERE and it stinks soooo bad!!! They also aren't quite as lovable or cuddly. I would suggest getting a female. Also, I notice you still have fairly little kids so I thought I should add that kittens scratch very often and have really sharp claws. They don't mean to scratch and don't do it on purpose, they just don't have the proper reflexes to keep their claws in when being handled. I would also be very leary of allergies.

I have a boy cat and he's never sprayed. However, you'll need to get him fixed by 6 mnths so he doesn't spray. I believe neutering is cheaper than spays so that can be good if you're on a budget.

Good luck!!

We have two boy cat's, and neither has every sprayed. We had them both fixed by 7 months of age. Our daughter loves them, and they tollorate her, but she did come after them.

No matter what little boy cats spray everywhere if they feel they need to protect their territory! Females are great but they can be peeing in other spots also if they feel the same thing! But if its an only cat then they chould be fine!

I have had both boy and girl cats and in general I prefer the boys. They can spray if they are not neutered but I have always had them fixed and never had a problem. In my experience the boys tend to be more laid back and less vocal but I have had girls that I absolutly loved. My guess is that it all depends on the personality of the individual cat and how they fit into your family. Good luck.

Actually, both can spray if they are not "fixed" early enough. I wanted to rescue an older cat, but was terrified of the spraying...that is a "no negotiation" topic with me. Cat urine and I don't get along. So, we adopted a boy kitten. He is precious. He has SO much personality. I used to have 2 females and loved them too. My experience with both is pretty similar. They're both good pets. The females tend to gravitate to one owner and ignore others, it seems. My male is very laid back even with the kids. He's so entertaining too. Then, he'll settle down and cuddle with you too. I love cats....so easy and so sweet.

I've had 5 male cats, all neutered at 6 months and none has EVER sprayed.

The only concern should be that your children are very young and generally cats are not the best pets for young kids. Even if you have their claws removed (not something I personally recommend), they will bite to defend themselves and you can get really sick from cat bites and scratches (I'm not try to fear monger, that's just a basic fact). Also, given how busy you are, having the time to pay attention to the kitten might be difficult. While most folks find cats very standoff-ish, that's really a fallacy. My cats were all babied and they are all very, very affectionate, but they do need one on one attention regularly, especially early on and they usually bond with one person, the primary caregiver, which is usually mom and not a young child.

As others have said, if you get males fixed the won't spay. If they urinate outside their box check for a urinary tract infection which is very common in cats due to cysts. A good food may help prevent that. I have had several cats, usually at least 2 at a time, and all the males have been more affectionate and friendly than the females. Their personality has alot to do with it too. Enjoy your kitty!

Boy cats are fine as long as you have them neutered as soon as they are of age, if they aren't neutered, thats when they "spray" to mark their territory. A neutered male cat wont usually spray.

We had our boy kitten neutered as soon as the vet said it was safe to do. He's never sprayed, even though there are other cats in the neighborhood that have in our yard. If you can get it done before he's exposed to the behavior and scent, you shouldn;t have a problem.

Because cat urine is nasty and the scent is very difficult to get rid of

F.,I am a great Grandmother, and I do not think it is a good idea to have Cats around little children. They can get Cat Scratch and It can be a serious thing.
My little neice got it from playing with a cat and had to be in the Hospital for several days.
Good luck with your precious children.
I know you are really busy with the three children and a Cat would be double trouble.

Mk

Boys that are neutered early before begining to spray are usually very nice and gentle if treated gently.

With young children, I suggest having it declawed in the front feet. They never realize they are altered, they won't scratch accidentally, they can climb trees and they can fight to protect themselves with their back claws.

Our female sprayed , being fixed after she had kittens at 1 yr old. The females bicker and are crabby with other cats , but are affectionate with people.

We have both boy and girl cats, the main difference I see is that our boy cat is more "clingy" than the girl. She doesn't want much to do with us (like most cats) but he wants to be in our laps all the time. Both are fixed so I am not sure if it has anything to do with that, but we do not have the spraying problem.

If you get the cat fixed very young you will not have this problem but dont wait because male cat urine smell horrid it is very very strong.I have a male cat and he is wonderful he is great with kids and everything.

We have always had both boys and girls, but I am truly partial to the boys. Never had a spraying problem, but we always get them fixed ASAP or get them from SPCA where they were already fixed. My experience is that the males are more loving, less finicky, more tolerant, more snuggly, etc. Now, I love my divas too, but the females we have ever had have always been a bit more aloof. Obviously, these are generalizations, but they have been true for 3 female cats and 4 male cats that I have had over my lifetime.

Honestly, all pets can be wonderful. Glad to hear that you plan to get them fixed! Have fun with whatever furry little blessing you receive!

All cats spray, male of female, if not fixed.

I have owned both male and female cats, having very loving ones of each. I would have no preference to the gender.

Neutering is cheaper, as long as both testicles are down. But other than that there shouldn't be much of a difference.

You probably want to get a few lessons in nail trimming or your three little ones will be quite scratched up!!

Good luck!

Well I have a lot of experience with cats. Growing up we raised Himalayan kittens, so we had non-neutered males and non-spayed females, as well as those fixed. We had a lot of spraying around the house and I'm leaning towards that it was the males who did it most, though not absolutely sure. I do know when it came time to get a cat with my hubby 10 years ago (I'm now 35) I told my husband it would be best to get a female because boys urinate more. He disagreed and we got my "Happy" boy. I love him very much, but he did start urinating pretty early on (before 1 year). We got him neutered in the first 4 months of life, so that wasn't the issue. At first I thought it was that he didn't like catboxes that had any waste in them, so I tried to make sure to clean it daily. Then I got an automatic catbox, etc., but nothing really helped. When he was about 3 or 4 he got very sick and we found that he had a large stone in his bladder. He also had a lot of crystals in his urinary tract. He had to have surgery that cost about $1000 and is on special food now. He pees less outside of the box, but still does at times. He knows he gets in trouble for it, so he tends to pace around bug-eyed before doing it and if I'm here I take him to the box for him to go (which he does on command).

So, if I were to get another cat, I think I would again opt for a female (I have a 17yo female, as well). I say that because up until a couple years ago, she NEVER went potty outside the box and she has Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Of course, now that she's elderly and unwell, she rarely makes pee or poo inside the box (yey for me!). So, really, neither of my cats can be trusted to make it to the box 100% of the time, but she did great until she became incontinent.

Some people may say that the males are more affectionate and less standoff-ish. Females may tend to be more independent, normally. I really think it's how you raise them because both of my cats are dependent on me for love and affection and I wouldn't have it any other way (except that she meows all night because she wants attention- ugg!).

So, I say get a female, but that just my experience and opinion. I wouldn't trade my Happy for anything in the world, now that I have and love him, but I still wish we had gotten his sister (shh, don't tell him).

Hi F.! I have had cats all my life and I personally prefer males. They seem to be a little more loving and not quiet so independant. If you get them neutered when they are young they don't even start spraying. And boy are they easy to litter box train! Good luck with your choice!!

Hi F.,

I haven't read the other responses, so please forgive me if I repeat. Anyway, I grew up with all female cats. When I got married, I got a kitten, and it was a male. Then we added another kitten, who just happen to be a male also. About 5 years down the road, one of those cats died. :( Then, just about 2 years ago, we got another cat, who again, happened to be a male. Well, my male cats have been the most loveable cats I have ever been around. They are always wanting to come sit with me and love on me and just purr up a storm. These are not "speciality" cats. They are your normal stray cats that we took into our home. I have never had any problems with them spraying. I took my cats to the vet when they were kittens, and when they came of age, I had them neutered right away. My cats are inside cats, and I have never had any problems. The only time they peed at the wrong place was when I didn't change the kitty litter soon enough.

I love my male cats, and I hope you will too. ;)

G.