Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: Canterbury_cats (Sharon) on May 18, 2010, 16:12:52 PM
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Hi all
I found this article on the web while searching for something to fill a page in our newsletter... I had a good read, the poll with it shows that 90percent of people agree! What do you al think? But the way i have always has male and female cats and have found the males to be more loving and like to be close and content with like, but females are a bit more reserved but still show a great deal of affection. So they are both friendier and loving but in two diffeent ways..
So what do you all think?
by Annette RadfordCats are definately individuals. I have two speyed females at present - Patch who is a patchy tortoiseshell and Diana who is a blend of all the tortoiseshell tones with only small areas of individual coloring. Patch is quite affectionate when it suits her; Diana is extremely affectionate any time I pay her attention. I bought Patch at a pet store over ten years ago; Diana was an abandoned kitten I rescued nearly two years ago and then couldn't bear to leave.
Patch is also quite friendly toward whoever will feed her whereas Di is a one woman cat. Di carries this to the point that I cannot leave her for others to feed. She disappears until I return, which caused quite a few worries last Christmas when I had to spend nearly four weeks in hospital. I advise any carer to just leave some dry food for her because she has the name Diana because of her prowess as a hunter (there isn't any shortage of rats and mice in this wheat-growing district).
Their attitude toward dogs also shows their individuality. I adopted a dog not long after Di joined the household and she accepted the canine family member with her usual equanimity. Patch greeted the new arrival with an arched back and some feline language that would not bear interpretation. She still cannot bear the dog's presence, unless she is sprawled out in front of the fire on a cold day. It is the same with any visiting dog; Patch defends her household with uncivil language while Di ignores the canine intruder.
My second son has a long-haired neutered male cat named Ginger. Whenever I go to visit Ginger is straight onto my lap like he has been there all his life. I have never fed Ginger and because of the distance my visits are not that frequent. Jason says that Ginger has people he likes and those he doesn't - he seems to sense which people like cats and those that don't. One very good friend had a cat allergy and as soon as he comes into the house Ginger disappears.
On the other hand my eldest son (a confirmed bachelor) has a cat he calls Forest. Forest is a desexed male - he came from the RSPCA. As big as a small to medium sized dog, he tips the scale at a little over ten kilos. He is an attack cat, very unfriendly indeed, not accepting the gentlest caress unless from his owner. He has destroyed furniture - sofas, curtains -even his scratch post which is designed for feline mistreat-ment. Given a choice between a female friend and Forest, my son said he prefered the cat. Maybe they are two of a kind.
I have had the pleasure of a lot of cats over the fifty years of my life. Generally I would say that females are friendlier than males at almost all times, the exception for some being when they have a very young litter. Some males, particularly entire animals, get quite territorial and often remain that way even after a certain visit to the vet. Forest is one of those. Males who are neutered when young avoid a lot of problems - they are usually friendier and do not leave offensive marks. I guess the last word here is get your pet speyed or nuetered and leave the hassles to registered breeders. I would say from my experience that female cats make friendlier pets.
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I think it depends on the cats personality than their sex - the lap cat in my house is the male cat, but I have had standoffish male cats, and the same with females, while the current ones aren't that cuddly, some of my foster cats have been. I also think cats are different round different people, no one in my family likes Molly as she hisses and runs away, yet she loves attention and likes to sleep round your head/under the duvet, you just have to let her get to know you.
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In my experience, neutered males are the most laid back & loving cats. I don't think they are as territorial as females. I agree with Des though - it is down to personality rather than gender.
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my girls are the friendliest although our old cat bluto was male and very friendly - Oscar is very standoffish!!
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Females can be territorial - my neighbours female cat has mellowed a lot now, but when she was younger, she would come into my house and spray to put her scent on things!! Mind you, so did her male cat!!
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I used to think males but having a bigger gang i know gender means nothing, iv got such a mix of temperaments between the boys and girls :Luv2:
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Apart from HRH Princess Sweetie leader of the Clan cats and my soul cat its deffo boys in our house - ok some of them hate humans but adore all the cats and dogs
My Handrears are all boys and all are totally Mummy's boys, some of the feral girls prefer me to OH but the boy ferals prefer OH although are discovering it Mummy who is here all the time :evillaugh:
A lot depends on their natures - I have overly cuddly to touch or look at me and I will shred you so have ever aspect of the cuddle or not spectrum! :rofl:
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I always thought females when I had Tiggy but now I have Lu & Riley I'd say boys - Tiggy loved me :Luv2: but the boys step it up a level when it comes to affection :shocked: They get told to sod off more than she did though as sometimes they are way over the top and just won't leave me alone! That said I wouldn't swap them for the world :Luv:
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I'd say not only depends on the cat but also the hooman.... In order, friendliest 1st
With strangers .........
Dinah by a mile (such a flirt), followed by Noni, Ruby, Freddie, Millie and Billy Whiz
However with their ma ..........
Freddie, Millie, Noni, Ruby, Dinah and ...... Billy Whiz
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I've never had female cats but I'd say neutered male cats are big, soft lumps. I don't think it's that females aren't as friendly or affectionate, but I think on average they can have a bit more attitude whereas males can be a bit more dim ;D
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I always thought females when I had Tiggy but now I have Lu & Riley I'd say boys - Tiggy loved me :Luv2: but the boys step it up a level when it comes to affection :shocked: They get told to sod off more than she did though as sometimes they are way over the top and just won't leave me alone! That said I wouldn't swap them for the world :Luv:
oh Helen it must be the grey in them, Harry constantly pesters me untill the point he gets told to sod off too :evillaugh:
I would say it's to do with the cats personailty too, although my Ted is so soppy and daft in the house if he see's a cat outside he is wanting to kill it :Crazy:
The girls have their fair share of spats inside the house, the boys dont seem to mnd each other :)
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I definitely say personality too (not that I've ever lived with anyone other than Memphs). Memphs is everyone's best friend (except if you are a vet, then he will take an extreme dislike to you). He makes himself at home with guests and thinks nothing of climbing all over them, sniffing up their noses and making himself comfy. He is an absolute mummy's boy and likes to be the centre of attention. I know I'll never have another cat like him as he's 1 in a billion (although not really, as Dave seems to be his twin :evillaugh:) but he's swayed me so if/when I were to get another cat I would look for a male.
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I've never had a female cat so can't really say, but Max was cuddly, and Poot, well he's just a complete cuddlebum, very laid back boy :Luv2:
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I always thought females when I had Tiggy but now I have Lu & Riley I'd say boys - Tiggy loved me :Luv2: but the boys step it up a level when it comes to affection :shocked: They get told to sod off more than she did though as sometimes they are way over the top and just won't leave me alone! That said I wouldn't swap them for the world :Luv:
oh Helen it must be the grey in them, Harry constantly pesters me untill the point he gets told to sod off too :evillaugh:
I think it's applicable to ginger cats too. I'm always having to tell Jaffa to sod off (although I say it nicer than that ;)) as he's always trying to get on my lap when I'm either holding a hot cup of coffee or in the middle of cooking and having to keep getting up. Mosi loves everyone (regardless of number of legs) and expects everyone to love him back.
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I've had both girls and boys and although the girls were both affectionate the boys were/are definitely soppier with it.
Dylan absolutely loved everyone and expected cuddles from anyone who happened to visit. He loved his fusses and gave very good furry head butts bless him. Hobbes never used to be particularly affectionate but since we lost Dylan he's become very soppy and follows me everywhere. He's always to be found lying next to me on the sofa as soon as I sit down and woe betide me if I try and read the paper rather than pay attention to him :rofl: Unfortunately he has also decided that 5.30am is an excellent time to ask for cuddles when meowmy is in bed :Crazy: Hopefully when I get another cat I may get a bit of peace :rofl:
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We were only discussing a similar conversation last night actually. We've had 2 females and 5 males in total and both sexes have been friendly towards humans but the 2 females have been more stroppy/less friendly with other felines than the males have.
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Dave is the only boy I've had long term (fostered a couple of boy kittens) and he is such hard work! :evillaugh: I would say for overall friendliness it would have to be Dave, he's wary of strangers but once they've been about for 10 minutes or so he comes out to gedt some attention and is pretty shameless. He loves all animals though, as I found out when he was fostered, he loves other cats and would happily sleep with doggies :Luv: He's the one that will come and sleep snuggled into my chest with my arms wrapped round him and he's the one that demands my attention most (usually when he wants fed though). he can be a grump though but I think that's just his personality. If you've gone to him to give him attention he's not averse to giving you a painless bite or swipe or will turn on you when he's had enough.
Chilli on the other hand is a hooman sort of a cat. It takes her time to come round to other cats and animals, she's very territorial that way but she absolutely adores all people and is a complete tart. The second someone new walks in the door she is straight up to them introducing herself and seeing if she can get any cuddles. She even went and made herself comfy on my mums lap and my mum is not a cat person in the slightest. She never gets grumpy with me, always ready with a purr and is just the sweetest natured wee thing :Luv2:
Dizzy, who lives with my mum, has always been a bit stand offish. Hates all other animals and is not at all keen on children. She likes a fuss but will never come to you for one and I think in all her 16-17 years has sat on my lap all of two or three times and quickly moves again.
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I think boys are more laid back, Nova accepted the kitten with not one hiss or spat, the only confrontations they have is when he sniffs her bum and she's not appreciative :evillaugh: Nova's also my big cuddlebum whereas the girls rarely settle on laps or in arms. They are friendly it's just more on their terms.
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I've kept males and female cats together in the past and have almost always found males to be more interactive and cuddly than the girls. :hug: :hug: :hug:
Haggis is the MOST friendly kitten I have had but thats perhaps because he doesn't have to share me (YET) and is VERY spoilt :lol2: :lol2: