Anonymous wrote:In my experience, male cats are more affectionate and lower maintenance than females. My last cat was a very aloof, neurotic female cat who I had for 18 years. Even though she was a pain, at times, she wasn't too much trouble.

Well. I have very affectionate female cats. Why paint such a broad brush syroke when your sample is two kitties

I have always had cats and am a major cat person. But in college I addopted two kittens that were just really hard from day 1. Needy yet skittish at the same time. Meowed constantly at night. They both lived 15+ years and it took me about 8 years to try cats again. I love my new cats so much, but I looked at a lot of cats and just really waited for a good fit. These guys were purring in my arms and playing with my hair at a busy adoption event, so I knew they were chill, playful, and friendly. Personality is important.

They’re orange tabbies for what it’s worth.

I've had cats my entire life, including the last 25 years living on my own/with my family (DH, DC).

Cats are extremely low maintenance, imo. Easy to find pet sitters b/c they don't need to be walked. They live a long time if kept indoors and healthy (recognizing that individual cats may have health concerns). They are loving and funny if you interact with them a lot, hold them, etc. All of my cats have basically been like tiny dogs.

Cons (in most peoples' view):
-they shed
-they do tend to scratch furniture (every cat to a different degree).

I disagree with the poster who said that you can always smell the litter box. If you religiously clean it and it's not in a central spot, you can't smell it at all. And, other than when our one older lady was in end stage kidney failure, I've never had a cat pee or poop outside the litter box ever.