Indoor only cats/kittens male or female??

[KristineIN]

If you've had strictly indoor cats and only 1, do you have a male or female, have you had any problems with him/her. (temperament) do you think that can be avoided by getting them when they are kittens?

We have 1 cat that I trust completely, he was an indoors only kitten when we got him. At another point in time, before kids, we had two other cats, they had been indoors & outdoors when we got them as kittens. After I got pregnant, 1 cat started pooping all over when DH was cleaning the litter box. The other one was a female and after I had Anna she started spraying (even though she was spayed) I'm just afraid after Rajah goes that we bring in another kitten that we will have problems. My children are older, so I won't be bringing any babies into the mix, but I have heard of others having problems with cats also. Any advice?
We won't wait long to get another kitten, we do enjoy having an indoor cat and it will help fill the void of Rajah being gone (he has a tumor and isn't getting around well, we return to the vet on Monday, but it has grown quite a bit with in two weeks, so I'm not sure what we're going to do, but I'm just thinking ahead.

Thanks,
Kristine

[Ria]

We adopted two cats a year and a half ago. Both are neutered males. One was a kitten when we adopted him, and the other was approximately 3 years old. Both are absolutely wonderful pets (indoor only). I suggest you contact a local cat rescue organization in your area. They often have lots and lots of kittens, as well as wonderful adult cats. The kitties are usually in foster homes, and the people who care for them can give you a very good idea of the cat's personality. We have had a great experience with our kitties. Good luck, and I'm sorry about Rajah.

Ria

[nancypants]

If you've had strictly indoor cats and only 1, do you have a male or female, have you had any problems with him/her. (temperament) do you think that can be avoided by getting them when they are kittens?

We have 1 cat that I trust completely, he was an indoors only kitten when we got him. At another point in time, before kids, we had two other cats, they had been indoors & outdoors when we got them as kittens. After I got pregnant, 1 cat started pooping all over when DH was cleaning the litter box. The other one was a female and after I had Anna she started spraying (even though she was spayed) I'm just afraid after Rajah goes that we bring in another kitten that we will have problems. My children are older, so I won't be bringing any babies into the mix, but I have heard of others having problems with cats also. Any advice?
We won't wait long to get another kitten, we do enjoy having an indoor cat and it will help fill the void of Rajah being gone (he has a tumor and isn't getting around well, we return to the vet on Monday, but it has grown quite a bit with in two weeks, so I'm not sure what we're going to do, but I'm just thinking ahead.

Thanks,
Kristine

Cats have such individual personalities that I don't think you can make any decisions off of other people's cats. I've known some wonderful indoor cats -- male and female. We decided to get a kitten several years ago. It was a bad experience probably just because she... umm... must have had issues. LOL (Oh and she was fixed.)

She was very sweet but always peed in laundry baskets with CLEAN laundry in them. Never dirty... very strange! I could have maybe handled it the other way around. That and she literally ate -- ingested and passed ALL the way through her system (I have stories that I will spare you...) anything made with yarn. Blankets that I had made, my grandmother had made, sweaters... nothing was sacred! :( We had to find her a new home.

So that soured us on indoor cats for the next several years. I might do it again down the road but she poisoned me! LOL

[Kris]

I'm a cat person, but the only indoor cat I never had a problem with was female. All my guys gave me fits. I won't go into details. ;-)

[cin]

We had 2 of each and the males tended to be more docile. Our female cats were more persnickity and more likely to be mean. Not really aggressive but just not nice. Our male cats were so loveable it was disgusting, really, you would be COVERED with their hair by the time they were done rubbing all over you.

Our expereince with dogs has been just the opposite.

[momofkhm]

No problems. These include the cats I had growing up. The only male I ever had (growing up) was an indoor/outdoor cat.

[Elinor Everywhere]

We had 2 of each and the males tended to be more docile. Our female cats were more persnickity and more likely to be mean. Not really aggressive but just not nice. Our male cats were so loveable it was disgusting, really, you would be COVERED with their hair by the time they were done rubbing all over you.

Our expereince with dogs has been just the opposite.

We've had the same experience. All our female cats have been a PITA, actually. Our males have been loving and extremely affectionate. All were gotten as adults, from a shelter, and all were spayed or neutered.

As to dogs, I've only had a female choc lab, but she's sweet & affectionate. I've never been partial to male dogs--always lifting their legs on everything! :cool:

[Audrey]

I've had both male and female indoor kitties. We always, always, always spay or neuter the indoor kitties. They've all been good -- in their own ways, given their unique personalities. I've never had a cat that I could say was a "problem." I think as long as they're fixed, and you like them as a person/cat, then it should probably work out fine.

[Remudamom]

We have four indoor/outdoor kitties. We have a kitty box in the garage because I prefer the two younger cats don't stay out at night. If they need to potty at night they ask to go in the garage. The older two would rather potty outside. One of the males has had accidents occasionally, but it's an age think rather than a gender thing, he's getting older and just has a problem with this sometimes.

[Michelle T]

And I can't say I've noticed a pattern. I've had wonderful, affectionate female cats, and a few that weren't so friendly. Same with the males. It is important to neuter them young though, especially males so they don't start spraying.

We currently have three cats, all female. Two are super friendly, one is sort of a prima donna.
Michelle T

[momo4]

It is important to neuter them young though, especially males so they don't start spraying.

If they have started spraying, it is a habit that rarely is broken.

We had indoor males that were two little angels, until they got older and then they were not too good about using the litter. :(

[Closeacademy]

I've owned indoor cats for almost 30 years. The males can be bad. I've had 3 different males--1 unnuetered that went in and out and was mean, 1 nuetered that was flaky, and 1 nuetered that was mean.

I have had the best luck with orange or white females. The white ones tend to be one-person or one type of person cats and generally have a lot of personality. The orange ones are very affectionate.

If you are having trouble with a cat missing the box--look to your litter. You may need to clean more often (some cats want it cleaned each time they use the box) or try a different litter (some cats are very particular and don't like the feel of certain litters). IF you get a kitten too young you may have to train it too (we have had to do this before).

If you are having trouble with a cat who sprays:

1. If the cat is new to the household and it sprays on something like a towel you now need to keep these picked up at all times to avoid temptation.

2. If the cat has been in the house for a while and starts spraying look for a. What has changed recently?
b. Could they be jealous?

And then try to fix it from there.

Some cats are good and some cats are just bad. I worked with that one mean neutered male for over a year to break him of biting and general meaness but we had to let him go. My other cat didn't even miss him when he was gone--she actually spoke for the first time.

Do the kitten test when you look at them. Turn the cat upside down and hold it like a baby. If it leaps out--it is probably too wild. If it stays and lets you cuddle it then that is the cat for you.

Hope you find a great match.:)

[KristineIN]

Do the kitten test when you look at them. Turn the cat upside down and hold it like a baby. If it leaps out--it is probably too wild. If it stays and lets you cuddle it then that is the cat for you.

Hope you find a great match.:)

Thanks everyone for all of the great advice. We would have it spayed/neutered as soon as it was old enough. Lots to consider, our other cat isn't even gone yet! Thank you for the advice on the kitten test.

Blessings,
Kristine

[Tammy]

both female...and fixed. One is a meanie....the other a fraidy cat, LOL. They have opposite personalities....

One time....I had a neighbor coming over to feed them when I was away. The meanie...decided the neighbor shouldn't be here...and tried to scratch him...and actually came after him. He had to get a chair to hold the cat back.....I wish I could have seen that, LOL!

I agree with what someone else said.....each cat has his/her own personality so ....it would be hard for us to really help you, LOL!

Tammy

[GreenKitty]

Female most def! They can be moody, loving, stinkers, afraid, loners and wild all in the same day! I love it!

I've had males, one had urinary probs the other someone killed. Never had another.

[mcconnellboys]

Up until this time in my life, I've always had all males together, indoors. They never like each other at first (no cats do), but will generally get used to each other and become at least grudging friends after a while. Two will usually be a better mix than three, as one is always odd man out, it seems, at least from my experience. Mine are always neutered.

The female I now have, who I let my boys talk me into getting, is moody, tempermental, MEAN and bites the fire out of you whenever she wants something or doesn't want something...oy....but she's a great mouser. We've somehow gotten two in the house since she's been here and she catches 'em like lightning.....

Regena