Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone.

This is so helpful.

Any particular bad experiences with regards to cleanliness?

The biggest factor with cleanliness is hair. Some breeds shed more than others, and some cats with longer hair can struggle to keep it clean (though you can address this with proper care which may include getting it trimmed.

If you are worried about cleanliness I recommend looking for a cat with a short, flat pelt as that will make self-care easiest. And aim to scoop the litter box twice a day. I know it sounds like a lot but it makes a huge difference. If the cat pretty much always has a clean litter box to go in, you will have less litter tracking (litter tracking gets much worse when they are trying to go to the bathroom in an unclean box) and greatly decrease the likelihood that they will use the bathroom outside the box.

Thanks everyone.

This is so helpful.

Any particular bad experiences with regards to cleanliness?

I don’t think you can generalize about cat personalities based on gender. Most properly socialized cats make fantastic pets. We’ve never had a male or female cat that lived up to the “aloof” reputation. They’ve all been fun, funny, and cuddly.

Years ago I had several neutered male cats that got various urinary tract problems, apparently because of neutering. After that I've only had females, but the personality differences are worth thinking about.

So many of these comments based on "observations" are so clearly based on experiences with one or two cats that the person either really liked or disliked. Even the person who says they've fostered lots of cats -- I bet there was one or two females who bonded closely with another family member and the poster extrapolated that female cats all "tend" to be like that.

If you spay/neuter before the sex hormones kick in, there will be no difference based on gender. But beyond that, personalities are individual. Some cats are sweet and cuddly, some are playful, some are grouchy and territorial. You can cultivate a cat's personality by meeting their needs well, but some of it is just inborn. You can't force a standoffish cat to be more friendly, and you can't train a cuddly cat to give you space.

Anonymous wrote:Neutered male cats are almost universally sweeter and friendlier.

We have a neutered male (neutered as early as possible, his mom was fostered when she was pregnant with his litter) and he is neither sweet nor friendly. We love him and he's loyal to and cuddly with my spouse and I (especially my spouse), but has a grumpy disposition and won't let anyone else touch him.

I used to have a spayed female who was the sweetest and cuddliest cat I've ever met. Total lover.

My family had a neutered male when I was a kid who was extremely affectionate with the entire family and friendly to strangers but also had a silly personality and was very playful, even when he was older.

Cats are like people, there's no universality. They each have their own personality.

My mom always said “female cats play for longer” meaning as they age males seem to become aloof before females.

I have fostered about 100 kittens over the past 6 or 7 years. Out rescue generally neuters/spays at 12 to 16 weeks, so no issue with spraying or territorial aggression. I always had female cats growing up and thought them to be preferable... but now, I think I like the male cats better. They generally seem to be more cuddly, easy-going, affectionate toward people (and handle kids better). The females tend to bond closely with one person and merely tolerate (or are scared of) others.

Of course, individual cats can have very different personalities. I am just stating my general observations. I would NOT, however, recommend getting a male cat who was neutered later (say, after 7 months or so). So my vote would be to adopt male young kittens or to adopt an adult.female where you can clearly see their established personality.

Both same once de-sexed.

Let me share the bedtime routine with my girl cat.

When I'm ready to go to sleep (not lay in bed working on my laptop, but actually lay my head on the pillow) I call out: "good night fluffy! I love you!"

Within 20 seconds, she comes running on the bed for cuddles. If it were up to her, I'd spoon her all night with my arm wrapped around her holding her paw or with her head nuzzled in my palm.

But I can't sleep that way, so she gets about 15-20 minutes. Then she runs off and plays by herself for 1-2 hours. Then joins me and sleeps on the bed. Again, preferably with me spooning her, but I get too hot.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Neutered male cats are almost universally sweeter and friendlier.

To other animals, yes. But our most affectionate, bonded cats have all been girls.

Our neutered male was a total teddy bear with other cats and people. It really depends.

Anonymous wrote:Neutered male cats are almost universally sweeter and friendlier.

To other animals, yes. But our most affectionate, bonded cats have all been girls.

Anonymous wrote:Girl cats are mean, boy cats are sweet. Especially tabbies!

The sweetest cuddliest cat I ever had was a female. She was occasionally crazy to live up to the tortie stereotype, but she was ridiculously cuddly.

Girl cats are mean, boy cats are sweet. Especially tabbies!

We had male and female littermates. The male was neutered a bit late compared to now but that age was the thinking then. He never sprayed but was a bit "tommy." They both were sweet with each other and great companions to us.