For caring, compassionate advice and resources to address all your animal concerns. Cats are cats, male or female, if they’re spayed and neutered. They can get along in groups, but given their druthers, they don’t seek out buddies. Talk about stressful! Selecting your second cat. Well, there’s no way to guarantee the choice you make will result in a harmonious household, but I do have a few tips to help you hopefully increase your chances of a successful match. Entire cats . If you have followed the introduction process and do not see any improvement after a month’s time — especially if one cat is terrorizing or injuring the other — long-term success may be unrealistic. At the end of the day, no "yes" or "no" answer is in place for whether two male cats will get along better than two female cats. Tom cats (intact male) also have the reputation for being friendlier to humans than a female cat … An active and assertive cat may overwhelm quieter and more timid cats, making introductions difficult. If you choose another take-no-prisoners type of cat then you’ll probably end up with lots of nose-to-nose confrontations as each cat tries take charge. However, to date, the evidence is inconclusive as to whether the gender of the cat has an influence over its ability to get along with other cats when the cats are neutered. This is more common among unneutered cats. For that reason, first impressions are extremely important when meeting other household pets. But sometimes if you bring another cat at home you must introduce them to each other slowly. Our third Ragdoll was another male who immediately bonded with our first male, leaving our female alone, poor thing. On the other hand, you also don’t want to choose a cat from the opposite end of the scale. Both types of cat pay a lot of attention to status, but they go about it differently. In these situations, when female cats go into heat in their first year of life, they’re often very vocal, very restless, and unusually affectionate. The boisterous young cat been living with 3 adult females — Cricket, Kilah and Tikvah — and none of them had the slightest interest in playing with him. They will get frustrated with a senior cat who prefers napping to playing. Female? Before you get another cat, think about the personality of the cat or cats you already have. I just spoke to a vet at SF SPCA yesterday, who said that statistically, they have success rates with second cats in the following order (assuming neutered cats) : 1. Give him the security of his usual routine and his own special time with you. Success depends largely on the personality of your present cat: if he’s easygoing and the new cat is also laid back, you may have little trouble if you introduce them slowly and correctly. Introducing your new cat to your resident cat. Remember that while gender can matter when adopting a second dog, temperament and characters are as equally important. Adult cats will usually accept a new kitten much more easily than they will accept a new adult cat. In fact, it is often more difficult to introduce a second female cat or a second male dog to a household than it is a member of the other species. Your goal in facilitating introductions is to set the stage for the cats to peacefully share their living quarters, but understand you simply cannot “make” them like each other. If your cat goes outdoors at all, keep these these safety factors in mind. Zorro was just what Dervish needed. Adult female cats make great mothers and they can use their ... Three Things You Should Know Before Taking in a Second Cat. If your elderly cat is ill, has limited mobility or is impaired in any way then it’s not a good idea to add a second cat at all. For an elderly resident cat, don’t try to match her up with a kitten. Tips for Preventing Cat Behavior Problems during COVID-19 Isolation, Some Common Reasons Why Cats Stop Using the Litter Box, The “Must-Have” Checklist for Solving Your Cat’s Behavior Problem, Seven Things That Make Sense to Your Cat… But Not to You. Female cats are often more cautious and may take longer to trust you. So getting it right can be important, especially if this is your first cat. But if you want a calico cat, you pretty much have to get a female. If both dogs have been neutered, there’s an even higher chance the two dogs will get along well. Is she a take-no-prisoners type of cat? Here are some tips that can increase your chances for establishing a peaceful multi-cat home. After all, just like people, all felines are separate individuals with distinct temperaments. Two cats might still wake the owner by tearing around the home, but at least the owner isn’t getting up out of bed to entertain the cat. All rights reserved. I’m not sure if getting another female will remind me too much of her or not. A male dog will have fewer issues with a new female dog, and vice versa. Cats are solitary and highly territorial creatures that often require weeks or months to adjust to changes in their environment and lifestyle. Both cats need safe areas to decompress during this life-changing event — and it is a life-changing event. Dervish, our “big orange-and-white guy,” was about a year old when we were waylaid by the stray kitten with the Abyssinian-looking face and mottling. Is she out-going? I have never followed that theory and in all my years of doing professional behavior consulting, making good personality and temperament matches have been far more important than whether the cat is male or female. I prefer getting a female cat if I already have a male cat! Adult male cats may threaten, and sometimes fight with, other males. Male cats are often significantly larger than female cats. First Male + Second Female 3. But once you bring in a second cat, male or female, the newcomer will want to stake a claim for some personal space, shrinking the borders of your first cat's kingdom. Assertive? BUY CAT VS CAT Trying to socialize stray cats that border on feral presents a serious health risk to resident dogs, even friendly ones. Choose a cat with a complementary personality. While both male and female cats spray, males tend to do so more often than females. Kittens have very little respect for territory and boundaries. Prefer to adopt an adult cat? Though cats can be very social, they are also territorial and may initially bristle at a new feline’s presence. A very timid, shy cat would not do well with a very assertive cat. “It’s the same with cats.” She starred in the Animal Planet UK series Psycho Kitty, and is one of the most popular and sought-after cat behavior experts in the world. Many male cats have a cuddly “lap cat” personality. Realize that either of these scenarios might happen. Inter-male aggression. Hopefully, these tips will help with that decision. Another benefit of two cats is that they are sometimes cleaner than a cat living by itself. Males, or toms, can be friendlier than females. A cat close in age to your resident cat may be a better match than one that’s much younger or much older. You may find that two queens get along famously and are inseparable -- aww. © 2020 Animal Humane Society. In this article we’ll look at popular reasons for getting a second dog, and how that might work out in practice. Your Current Dog’s Gender. We have a male dog and are planning on adopting a new puppy. The main differences only consistently apply when cats aren’t spayed or neutered. Female cats tend to be more reserved than males but are far less likely to spray. How can you be sure you’ll bring home a cat who will be a good match for your resident cat? Female cats can sometimes be more territorial with each other than (neutered) male cats. Before you decide to add a second cat to your family, ask yourself if your cat really needs a friend — and if you are prepared to meet the needs of a multicat household. Better to have 2 female cats or 1 male and 1 female . I prefer female but I had an amazing yellow lab female for 15 1/2 years. That's only if it hisses at them or growls. Females are generally worse at getting along with another female cat. We’ll also look at how your life will change with another dog in the family – good and bad – and at those situations where getting a second dog is not such a good plan. Thinkstock. Cats will groom each other’s ears and coat, often getting at places the cat … Now, the behavior of a dog may depend on its training, but the sex of a dog can dictate its ability to learn from that training. Your resident cat doesn’t understand why he no longer has the entire territory to himself and the newcomer must get to know an unfamiliar territory, unfamiliar humans AND an unfamiliar cat. Create elevated locations for cats who want to engage and also for those who don't. Introducing a second cat into the home should be a careful, gradual process. With few exceptions, though, wild and domestic cats lead mostly solitary lives. This is also an opportunity for key signposts—like cat trees, litter boxes, etc.—to take on a shared scent. Don’t worry too much about the gender of the cats involved. Age and temperament are the most important factors. Intact male cats “spray” to mark their territory and “howl” for females (this is usually not a problem if you get him neutered). It is a fact that a female dog is smaller in size and tends to reach maturity faster than the male dog. A long, long time ago, I saw a similar scenario play out between the first Dervish and his “little buddy,” Zorro. Thinking of adopting a second cat? Think about your resident cat’s personality in general. I have never followed that theory and in all my years of doing professional behavior consulting, making good personality and temperament matches have been far more important than whether the cat is male or female. If your current cat is female, introducing another female may be problematic, even if they are both spayed. If your male cat is good with other cats then i think its fine to get another. I’m getting a lab puppy and having trouble deciding if I should get a male or a female. Male cats tend to be much larger than females. Keep in mind that “success” doesn’t necessarily mean your cats will be best buddies. Holiday gift ideas for the cat lovers on your list. With a male and a female, the male can continue being the alpha, and the female can be the top female in the pack. Male or Female? A word of caution if you have an elderly cat who is ill: I do not recommend bringing another cat int… An easy-going cat may accept most other cats, while a timid and shy cat may be reluctant to accept another cat, depending on the new cat’s personality. It all comes down to whether the personalities will mesh or compete. Do males tend to get along better with other males, or would a female puppy be a better choice? In general, when it comes to deciding whether you should get a male or female, opposites tend to work best. First Male + Second Male 2. Cats are territorial, and your cat may resent an adult feline intruder. When we asked our vet about what to get next, she said male, because females are “catty”. Answer from Kate Hi It is best to have one of each rather than two females or two males. Adult cats will usually accept a new kitten much more easily than they will accept a new adult cat. “We don’t do well if somebody just comes into our house and takes over,” Krieger says. However, once you’ve proven your worth, they too can be very affectionate. If you’re thinking about adding to your cat family, you may be confused about whether that second kitty should be an adult or a kitten. by DANNA (ANTIOCH, TN) is it better to have 2 females, or one male and one female in a house hold. However, there are always exceptions. As for age, select either a cat of the same age with similar activity levels, or just take the plunge and get an itty bitty kitty. Conversely, a senior cat may not appreciate a young cat or kitten disrupting her golden years. The revved-up kitten’s attempts at playful curiosity may end up being too stressful to the senior cat. Young cats do better with a playmate close to their own age. Those differences in personality can have a profound effect on how two cats may get along. Diana L. Guerrero author of Resources for Crisis Management for Animal Care Facilities, says the decision to add a new cat should be based on your present cat's personality and its predisposition toward other animals. Dogs don’t always teach each other the right things. In some ways male and female cats follow the same stereotype as male and female humans. We got a male, and they became close. If you are choosing a second dog for the family, should you get a male or female? A female cat is more likely to be passive-aggressive. Site swapping: This is where each cat gets to explore the other’s territory without ever laying eyes on each other. |. Cats are territorial, and your cat may resent an adult feline intruder. They can also be more aggressive over territory and get into more cat fights as a result. While certain temperament differences may sometimes play a role, there’s no actual proven theory that says one is more affection or friendly than the other. Try not to let your cats even come into contact on … In the before-time, when your tom cat was an only-kitty and king of his castle, the entire house was his territory. Some cats become bonded to one another while others spend the rest of their lives avoiding and hissing at each other. If your adult resident cat is playful, healthy, sociable and energetic, then a kitten might be a good choice. One who is out-going and friendly but not on either extremes of the personality chart. They are also a little larger than female cats. I always tell my clients to be fairly certain they … If you're able to choose from a group of kittens, avoid a kitten that’s hissing, growling or engaged in serious battle with his mates. While following this protocol will maximize your chances of success, know that some cats simply never learn to coexist peacefully. This process takes time: count on 2-4 weeks if integrating a kitten and an adult, and 4-6 weeks (or longer) if integrating two adults. The decision of whether to get a male or a female puppy is entirely dependent on the preference of the owner-to-be. Male cats are said to be more even-tempered and predictable than female cats and even more laid-back and relaxed than their female counterparts. But if I get a male, will I wish I had gotten a female… … Cats that are introduced too quickly and fight may never learn to coexist peacefully. Obviously, we want them both to get along. Not only did my male cat “accept” this male kitten, but they becam… Males roam further afield looking for a mate. 1. In unowned, free-ranging cats, groups of cats tend to comprise related females and their offspring. Don’t worry too much about the gender of the cats involved. Just be sure the kitten you choose is old enough to go through the introduction and isn’t put in a dangerous situation. Be sensitive to what a big change this is for your resident cat. Learn how to help your cats get along. My first female Ragdoll was an only cat for a while and was very social with us. A male and female dog can live in harmony because they don’t have to compete over a position at the top of the totem pole. You know your dog the best, and you can tell by the way Rover acts around other dogs in the park if he is going to be happier with a male or female partner. Rehoming one of the cats or keeping them permanently separate may be necessary for everyone’s safety. Female cats can be just as territorial as males. There are exceptions, of course. There are female cats who come into the shelter who are wonderful with other cats, and there are males who refuse to like other cats, so always ask a staff member or volunteer about a particular cat you’re interested in! As for whether to get a male or female, many people have believed for years you should get a cat of the opposite sex. 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