If you get two kittens, does gender matter?

Devil Ledbetter · Jan 14, 2012

Hi there animal experts,

We are thinking about getting two kittens from the same litter. We don't have any picked out or anything yet, so far we're just at the idea stage.

I am wondering what difference, if any, gender makes when you have two cats growing up together in the same household. Obviously we'd be getting them fixed regardless of gender, but I am wondering if we should get two females, a male and female, or two males? Will two neutered males be especially territorial?

Anyone living in a two-cat households with experience to share?

Thanks.

cornetto · Jan 14, 2012

Devil Ledbetter said:
Hi there animal experts,

We are thinking about getting two kittens from the same litter. We don't have any picked out or anything yet, so far we're just at the idea stage.

I am wondering what difference, if any, gender makes when you have two cats growing up together in the same household. Obviously we'd be getting them fixed regardless of gender, but I am wondering if we should get two females, a male and female, or two males? Will two neutered males be especially territorial?

Anyone living in a two-cat households with experience to share?

Thanks.

Two neutered males will be especially lazy, lol. As long as they are spayed/neutered, it shouldn't matter. It also helps that they litter mates. Observe them playing and pick two that seem bonded together.

Sage · Jan 14, 2012

I have a brother and sister pair and they are adorable together. Sometimes they cuddle and sometimes they play. Sometimes they even clean each other.

My dad's pair of brothers don't socialize with each other much, but that could just be personality. One is super-skittish and the other has to hog your attention all the time. However, the skittish one follows around their older cat and loves snuggling with him.

Puma · Jan 14, 2012

I think I'd go for two males or a male and a female. Females actually seem more territorial than males. We have more squabbles between our females than the males. But, if you go for two males, be sure to have them neutered by 6 months of age - as soon as the testicles drop. They will still work on determining peck order, which is one of the reasons a male and a female might be better. I think the advice to pick two that seem to get along and play together is probably good. Puma

Deleted member 42 · Jan 14, 2012

Since you'll be neutering them, pick two that seem to have interesting personalities, in terms of how they react to you and to each other.

HuntfortheWildborn · Jan 14, 2012

I only have one cat, but I have a LOT of experience with kittens. I second what cornetto said about picking a 'bonded' pair. Usually, there is at least one pair that seem to be 'friends' while one or more others will be more of a lone ranger (depending on the litter size). If they're desexed it doesn't matter so much. M/F or M/M is probably easiest as another poster mentioned, although I have seen F/F kittens bond in exactly the same way.

Ask the owner. If they are paying any attention to the kittens at all they should know exactly which ones are the great friends, and which ones are happy chilling by themselves. After that, gender doesn't matter quite so much.

Sea Witch · Jan 14, 2012

I had 2 cats for many years--2 neutered males. And they got along great, but they were not litter mates.

My only comment is that when you get 2 litter mates, they are the same age, obviously, so you have all the advantages and disadvantages of that. As in they will likely have similar life expectancies. How would you feel about both of your cats crossing the rainbow bridge within 6 months of each other? Personally, I wouldn't take 2 from the same litter. Mine were about 2 years apart.

HuntfortheWildborn · Jan 14, 2012

Who says they are going to live to within 6 months of each other? That's presuming they die of natural causes, which it is very likely they won't... just because they have the same parents does not mean they are each going to have the same life expectancy. They are siblings, not twins.

although there is something to be said for having one older cat and one kitten at the same time... the cat could teach the kitten how to be... catty.

Puma · Jan 14, 2012

And even twins have different life expectancies, as in my aunts - 72 for one and 88 for the other.

We had litter mates, a male and a female. She died several years ago and he's still going strong. Puma

Devil Ledbetter · Jan 14, 2012

We survived our dog and cat "crossing the rainbow bridge" within less than 48 hours of each other ... As long as these cats don't kill each other I thing we could handle about anything.

They won't kill each other, right?

Devil, suddenly panicking.

Al Stevens · Jan 14, 2012

Lots of cats here. As long as you get them fixed, it won't matter.

If you value your furniture and wallpaper, you'll have them declawed, too. I used to be opposed to that, but they have laser surgical procedures now that are painless.

Don't declaw them, however, if you plan to let them go outdoors. They'd be defenseless in a fight and couldn't climb a tree to get away from an attacker.

amergina · Jan 14, 2012

I have two boy kitties from two different litters, about four months apart in age. They were raised together. They get along famously. Sleep together, play together, groom each other.

As long as the kittens get along well, they should be fine.

BunnyMaz · Jan 14, 2012

You'll be fine with two siblings of pretty much any gender, especially if you're getting them fixed. The most important thing is that they bond well and are friendly with each other.

I would just warn you to keep a close eye on them if you get a boy and a girl. Our Looshkin managed to impregnate his own sister less than a week before he was due in for his operation.

Then again, no regrets. She gave birth to one - just one - tiny, fuzzy, slightly deranged kitten, on my other half's lap, on Mother's day. So we just ended up with three cats instead of two.

Only other thing I'd mention, neutered boys in my experience tend to be OBSESSED with cuddles, affection and love. Especially neutered black boys, which tend to be loving and attention-hungry even with their junk intact. So if you want really affectionate cats, bombay boys are great.

And I would like to add a gentle voice against declawing, if that's okay. I know you had a cat and dog recently (and my deepest sympathies for your loss) so I'm sure your furniture is already pet-loved! There again, it depends what country you're in if that's even a concern. Declawing is illegal over here.

DeaK · Jan 14, 2012

We got 2 female spayed litter mates. We keep them indoors. Their personalities are completely different – one is playful (fetches), gets jealous of her sister, so will sometimes attack if she senses her sister is getting more affection. The other is nervous, loves to hunt (flies, string, rabbit fur), also very cuddly, but quite particular about degree of cuddling.

We love them both, and they generally get along well – clean each other, play together, sleep together.

I've clipped their nails regularly since they were kittens, so clipping is no problem – though of course, if a piece of furniture has the right texture they won't hesitate to claw it. (we've lost one couch that we didn't care about too much, fortunately, and thankfully, our good couch is a smoother weave, and the cats don't care to scratch it. We've tried various sprays, and admonishments with consistency, but nothing seems to truly work).

We were advised to get males, at first, but I don't regret getting females at all. Ours are day and night, and mostly delightful together.

TamaraLynne · Jan 15, 2012

I'm not a cat expert...absolutely love dogs though. In the past I loved cats...found out I like the males much better then the females. But I probably just got lucky with the male cats that I had many years ago. I miss them.....

Puma · Jan 15, 2012

We have never had any problems with neutered cats fighting to the point one of them was badly injured. There are times when a claw or tooth will cause a small wound, which is usually no problem unless an infection develops. There are always going to be times when play gets a little rough and one of the two gets a little rougher (also sometimes the case with dogs). But, with our many cats (we take in ones needing help), it is rare to hear any vocalization that someone is not happy with another of them. Chases through the house that end with some wild swats do happen (funny because some of them close their eyes while they're swinging at the other cat.) As I mentioned in another post, they will establish peck order and sometimes cat 2 will challenge cat 1 for that position. But, overall, I do not consider that an issue and it would cause me no hesitation in getting two kittens, littermates or otherwise.

Un-neutered cats is another matter. Two toms will fight until one is injured enough to run away if there's a lady in heat around. Females with young can also be aggressive.

Someone mentioned fur color in a higher post. We have had several silver-gray tabbies (not Russian Blue descendants) and every one of them stands out in my memory as more loving and people-fied. Puma

mirandashell · Jan 15, 2012

In my experience, Siamese are very vocal. So if you're getting those, be prepared for a lot of miaowing!

Friendly Frog · Jan 15, 2012

It can be useful if the people from whom you will be adopting the kittens, have some knowledge of the kittens' character. Because some siblings will not get along no matter what.

It's been many years since we last had sibling cats. And they most of the time completely ignored one another.

I'm told that males are better cuddlers, to siblings or humans alike. But as we've only ever had one female adoptee who also was highly traumatised (still couldn't even pet her after five years) I can't really compare.

BunnyMaz · Jan 15, 2012

Puma said:
We have never had any problems with neutered cats fighting to the point one of them was badly injured. There are times when a claw or tooth will cause a small wound, which is usually no problem unless an infection develops. There are always going to be times when play gets a little rough and one of the two gets a little rougher (also sometimes the case with dogs). But, with our many cats (we take in ones needing help), it is rare to hear any vocalization that someone is not happy with another of them. Chases through the house that end with some wild swats do happen (funny because some of them close their eyes while they're swinging at the other cat.) As I mentioned in another post, they will establish peck order and sometimes cat 2 will challenge cat 1 for that position. But, overall, I do not consider that an issue and it would cause me no hesitation in getting two kittens, littermates or otherwise.

Un-neutered cats is another matter. Two toms will fight until one is injured enough to run away if there's a lady in heat around. Females with young can also be aggressive.

Someone mentioned fur color in a higher post. We have had several silver-gray tabbies (not Russian Blue descendants) and every one of them stands out in my memory as more loving and people-fied. Puma

Grey tabbies are lovely, absolutely, but are also popular because of how pretty they are, and consequently expensive.

Advantages with bombays include the fact that they are not as popular, due to superstition, and as a result tend to be cheaper to buy. Also, rescuing a couple of bombays, you know you're giving a home to cats that would have a harder time of finding one in the first place.

But yes, grey tabbies can have a wonderful temperament. They also can come from a variety of breeds, which gives you freedom in selecting for temperament and other aspects you might like.

Puma · Jan 15, 2012

Every cat we have (or have had in the last forty years) has been dumped out near our house as unwanted - that includes the silver-grays, long haired angora types, declawed felines, pregnant mothers to be, and even a Russian Blue. Several years ago we even had close to twenty, which included two litters of kittens, dumped out at the same time - we only managed to save about half of them. Luckily we have connections to a local group who helps us place the kittens - but we end up with the older ones no one wants - and sometimes it takes me quite a while to convince them they can trust people again. Puma

Devil Ledbetter · Jan 15, 2012

My last two cats (which I had years apart) were female gray tabbies , both free kittens. Both were spayed, and both were affectionate, although Abby, who died recently, was by far the most affectionate cat I've ever known.

Neither were allowed outside. I live in the city and see too many dead cats in the road to let my cat out. They seemed to accept this (the house is pretty big, with a basement to explore). My old cat, Ruby, escaped a few times but Abby never even tried to get out.

Bengals are beautiful. I know of at least one local "cattery" that breeds them, and they offer a "companion" special with a discount for buying two kittens at once. What is the superstition about them?

I've never bought a cat. There are always so many free ones available. I love the markings on the Bengals, though.

BunnyMaz · Jan 15, 2012

Devil Ledbetter said:
My last two cats (which I had years apart) were female gray tabbies , both free kittens. Both were spayed, and both were affectionate, although Abby, who died recently, was by far the most affectionate cat I've ever known.

Neither were allowed outside. I live in the city and see too many dead cats in the road to let my cat out. They seemed to accept this (the house is pretty big, with a basement to explore). My old cat, Ruby, escaped a few times but Abby never even tried to get out.

Bengals are beautiful. I know of at least one local "cattery" that breeds them, and they offer a "companion" special with a discount for buying two kittens at once. What is the superstition about them?

I've never bought a cat. There are always so many free ones available. I love the markings on the Bengals, though.

Not bengals, bombays.

Devil Ledbetter · Jan 15, 2012

BunnyMaz said:
Not bengals, bombays.

Ahh, thanks. Then any superstition would be the foolishness about black cats, right?

BunnyMaz · Jan 15, 2012

Devil Ledbetter said:
Ahh, thanks. Then any superstition would be the foolishness about black cats, right?

Yup! Exactly. Daft superstitions. My Loosh' doesn't have an evil bone in his body. Clumsy maybe, daft definitely, but neither evil or unlucky. He does talk, though. Chats away to me, and sulks when he doesn't get his own way. Grumpy boy.

And his sister is a little hussy. Flirting about the window, watching all the boy cats she'll never get to meet.

heyjude · Jan 15, 2012

I have two boys from different litters, 6 months apart. Their first day they fought like... well, like cats and dogs, and then were the best of friends. Still are, 16 years later.

Like others have said, they eat together, sleep together, play together, plot mischief against the dog together...

If you get two kittens, does gender matter?

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