Male cats tend to be more social and affectionate with both humans and other cats. They commonly form strong bonds with other cats in the home, even when they are not from the same litter. Females, on the other hand, are often more standoffish. If you are looking for a cuddle bug, adopting a male may be your best bet.
If you have a young cat at home and want a second, consider adopting one kitten of the opposite sex, as same-sex cats are much more prone to fight each other for dominance. Your resident cat will still be young enough to recall having fun with her littermates, and the new kitten will be more than happy to oblige.
The general rule is getting the opposite gender because male and female will tend to be less territorial. However, it's equally important what YOU are looking for as well. In over 60 years of having and raising cats, I have found male cats to be friendlier and more laid back.
As long as both pets are spayed or neutered, the sex of the cats doesn't matter; it's temperament and age you'll want to take into consideration.
Every animal is different. If you have an adult female cat and are looking to adopt another female, a kitten or a youngster is your safest bet. Two female kittens raised together should be fine as well.
Cats are a territorial species. While some cats overlap their territories a great deal, others prefer to keep a good distance from their neighbors. Two unrelated males or two unrelated females may have a particularly hard time sharing space. Another cause of strife may be a feline personality clash.
Cats are family-oriented and usually live with their relatives. Cats will sleep together, share common feeding areas, and groom one another within family groups. For this reason, cats often do well adopted in pairs.
Don't worry too much about the gender of the cats involved. Age and temperament are the most important factors. Adult cats will usually accept a new kitten much more easily than they will accept a new adult cat. Cats are territorial, and your cat may resent an adult feline intruder.
Pairs are Happier
Despite their independent natures, cats are social creatures that need companionship to thrive. Left alone, a cat can develop behavioral problems, and in some cases, even show signs of depression. Cats in bonded pairs, on the other hand, are more likely to be better adjusted.
After about two years of age, acceptance of another cat can be a bit random, but they will very rarely totally reject another cat in the long-term. After a time even those cats that do not become great friends can still learn to tolerate and live with each other by keeping to their own territory.
If either party appears aggressive, fearful or just unsure, don't force the interaction. Separate them again and continue with scent swapping. Cat and/or kitten may vary with their reactions; from curious to unconcerned, playful to nervous. Make sure both have plenty of space and the ability to retreat if necessary.
If you have multiple cats, they may be comfortable enough with each other to share the same litter box. However, there are several reasons, including territorial behavior, why some experts would advise at least one extra litter box in your home.
Yes. Unlike with young boy and girl humans, I've never seen any evidence that boy and girl kittens think that the other gender has 'cooties' or that it's inappropriate to be seen associating with them. :-) Male and female kittens get along fine. Or at least as fine as any two random kittens are likely to get along.
Do female cats fight with male cats? Male cats can dominate female cats occasionally as male cats are typically more aggressive. They might relive their aggression by picking fights with their male and female littermates, or even other cats.
Remember that they are only guidelines and that there may be exceptions to the rules. If you have an adult female who has been an "only" cat for some time, it is best to get a younger female. Males, even friendly ones, can over-power and frighten females.
Myth: Boys are fighters and will often get into a tussle with other tomcats. Girls will avoid confrontation where they can. Reality: Unneutered male cats are much more territorial and will defend their patch if another cat wanders in.
Jealousy over the presence of another cat is very common. All cats have different personalities, and some will be made insecure and display jealousy more easily than others. It is important to watch your cat and observe their cues and triggers.
You should expect the introduction process to take no less than a week but could take much longer depending on your cats' temperaments. Before bringing a new cat home, ensure that you have the time and resources to handle this process with care and compassion.
Follow this simple rule: one box per cat, plus one extra. So if you have two cats, you should have three boxes. Making sure everyone has their space can help ease elimination issues. Some owners prefer a hooded box, but some cats don't like them.
However, your cat can absolutely form a strong emotional bond with another cat, and they can even become BFFs — which you probably already know if you have two cats who spend all their time together. Bonded cats sleep and play together and groom each other.
Just like humans, some cats will bond easily and be forever friends, while others will never get on well. Be patient: it usually takes 2-4 weeks for a kitten and an adult to adjust; 4-6 weeks (or longer) for adult cats.
When resident cat approaches the blanket, observe closely the body language. Normal language would be sniffing, pawing, and even growling. Warning signs would be flattened ears, twitching tail and hissing, if you see any of these warning signs, you may be in for a bit of a battle when the two first initially meet.