36 Your Cat November 2017HAVE YOUR SAY!
We asked our Facebook fans whether they
had preferences about the gender of their cats.Maria Rogel says: “I have one
of each; they each have their own
personality. In general, I find male
cats seek more attention, and
females are more independent,
and come when they want to be
cuddled on their own terms.”Katie Puddicombe says:
“We’ve had both.
Our old boy, Digger (pictured), sadly passed
away a few years ago and now we have two
girls. As much as I love my girls, if
I had to choose another cat,
it would be a boy. Digger
was affectionate with
everyone and always
wanted cuddles or
someone to sit with.”Melissa Miller says:
“I have two female
Birmans and both are
very cuddly. The breed
can make a difference
to their natures too, as
Birmans are known to
be more like dogs and
love their humans.”Carly Wong says:
“Boys! They’re
super-affectionate and
really cheeky with it.
They’re also nice and
chunky to snuggle with at night.”Beccy Wellsted says:
“My girl, Ivy, is very
sweet and affectionate. She’s not a cuddler,
but she’s very protective of me, despite
weighing only 7lb!”Beki Griffin says:“I have four girls and
two boys. The girls are much harder work,
whereas the boys will go out all day, do
what they have to do, and come home for
food and a cuddle. The girls are a bit
wilder, but still as loving.” —THE VERDICT
Both male and female cats calm down and settle significantly
once they have their reproductive organs removed, which
means that neutering has a notable impact on a cat’s
personality. This impact can be considered greater than any
differences there may be between the two sexes.
Trudi believes that, although males often have a better
reputation for being affectionate and loving, this isn’t
the case in her experience. She explains: “I think it’s more
anecdotal that male cats are more affectionate than females;
personally, I have seen a lot of affectionate females.
“There are so many factors involved which affect a cat’s
behaviour, and gender is just one of them,” explains Trudi. “Also,
the older a cat is neutered after reaching sexual maturity, the
more likely that some of the negative behaviours
influenced by the sex hormones may continue to
occur — I’m all for early neutering.”We asked our Twitter
followers which gender
of cat they prefer. Here are
the results!18% — Female.
19% — Male.
63% — It doesn’t
matter to me!
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
While gender is just one aspect to
affect a cat’s personality, there are
many other variables that will affect
your cat’s temperament and are
important to consider.
●Breed — some breeds are
known for being more laid-back
and affectionate, such as the British
Shorthair. If you want a kitten who
is more loving, make sure you do
your research.
●Age — many cats calm down and become
more sociable with age. Young kittens are going
to take far longer to adjust to family life, especially if
their mother is feral.
●Early socialisation — if a cat isn’t socialised and handled
from a young age, he may struggle with human contact as
he matures. If you’re getting a cat from a breeder, make
sure you pick one who prioritises early socialisation.
●Environment — indoor and outdoor cats can behave
differently. If an indoor cat doesn’t get enough stimulation,
this may make him more restless.l.
Early socialisation
plays a big role in the
development of your
cat’s personality.Top
tip!
To fi nd out more about
Trudi’s services,
visit catbehaviour.
solutions
07989 643835 or call
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