Is it better to get a boy or girl??Help!!

[Natalie12]

Hi All,

My bengal kitten is now 8 months old and i am now thinking it may be nice to get him a friend.... any advice on whether it makes any difference to get a boy or girl kitten would be sooo helpful!

He has been neutered etc but i am worried as he is king of the castle he will feel put out??
Also i really dont want him to start spraying because another there is a new cat is in his house!

Is a girl better so he wont feel threatened or is he more likely to think we have got him a girlfriend??

Any advice much appreciated!!

Thank you! )

 

[**Vanner**]

Is this in the right forum?

 

[Ladyinred]

Put it down in Soapbox, I am fairly sure one of the regs there has Bengals.

 

[Natalie12]

Thanks Ladyinred )

 

[lara b]

Hi
I recently thought about getting a kitten, but having asked about it seems there can be a lot of difficulties introducing a new cat into a household with an existing cat. I just assumed if I got a kitten my cat would 'mother' it, but from what people have said it can end up in real problems with them not getting on, older cat feeling insecure, new cat being bullied etc. In the end I decided to leave my girl in peace as she is happy with life at the moment.
Sorry not trying to tell you what to do, just that it's stuff that I hadn't even thought of until other people/vets told me.

 

[jendie]

Get the opposite sex - that should prevent probs with dominance - but get the new one neutered as soon as reasonable.

 

[competitiondiva]

neutered boys are better at accepting incomers than females! I started with a male, then got a female, then a few years later got another male, the only issues I had were from the female (who is naughty tortie sometimes!!) the males took to each other very well. So really you could go for either sex, to introduce them try to get a big dog crate set it up in the house and put the new one in there with bed and litter tray and let them get to know each other through the bars, after a little while open the door and by then they'll know each other to some extent. Good luck, I love Bengals but could never justify spending that much on a cat! Especially when a cat decides where or with who it is going to live!!

 

[Equinimity]

If you really want another cat, for you, then go for it. Introduce them gradually like others have said and in time they’ll probably learn to get along (although my cat and the yard cat still only just about tolerate each other after 3 years!). But if it’s for your cat’s benefit I wouldn’t bother. Unlike dogs, cats are solitary creatures and are generally happier on their own.

 

[Natalie12]

Thanks for all the advice guys.. such a hard decision.. some people are advising that he would enjoy having a friend and that they do not like being on there own?? But on the other hand some people think like Equinimity they are generally happier on there own.. if that is the case though why do people like them to go in pairs?

Sorry guys as you can tell i am a relatively new cat owner!

 

[competitiondiva]

I think it all depends on the individual cat as to whether they would enjoy company or not, i've known some very contentented single cats, but also some very happy sociable felines living together. With regard to them going as a pair that is often as kittens when they have formed a bond with a sibling, or as an adult in a rescue centre when again they have formed a bond with another and separting them would be too traumatic for either of them. If your cat plays alot with furniture or toys, then it may appreciate a playmate to play with, but if he is more than happy curling up in a ball on your bed and letting the world go by, then he maybe more content as an individual, if you are to get another cat though, as so far he knows no difference make sure the choice you make is for you not him. After all if you get another one and they won't share litter trays or some other behaviour trait occurs, then it's you that has to work around the problem. So don't do it for him, make sure you want 2 cats.

 

[gnubee]

I dont think boy/girl makes much difference if they're neutered. Ive seen both work and not work; seems to be more of a personality thing.

I would advise that you consider a cat of a similar age to yours though, particularly if he is a more laid back type, as kittens can be REALLY annoying for an older cat who is just going about his business, whereas a cat of a similar age is more likely to get the message that he doesnt want to play.