Gender in Multi-Cat Households

Question
QUESTION: We are getting two kittens, an Aby and a Siamese, and are trying to select
gender(s).  They will both be neutred.  We have been told that neutred males
are less jealous of each other than females.  Is this true? We've also been told
that male cats are generally friendlier than female cats.  (We've had males in
the past -- non-purebred -- and they have been great.)  Thanks for the
advice.

ANSWER: Daniel,

My experience is that once they are altered, it really does not matter.

Get what you feel most comfortable with.

The cat's friendliness with people or other cats really relies on a whole host of factors of which gender, in my opinion, does not rank near the top.

If the cats have been properly socialized, are neutered/spayed young enough, and introduced to each other properly, there should be no problems.

Best regards... Norm.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much.

Re your last sentence: What would be the best way to introduce 2 kittens brought home within a week of each other? Also how young can kittens be neutered?

Answer
Daniel,

Here is what we recommend.  If you are really getting the kittens one week apart, it may not be necessary to do all this, but here is our protocol.

Start out your new kitten in one room with a litter pan and water dish. Ideally, the one room should be a bedroom with yourself or another human resident. This accomplishes a couple of things. Your new kitten will not be overwhelmed by its new surroundings and get "lost", and thusly will have no problem finding the litter pan (often kittens have been confined and are somewhat daunted by wide open spaces!). You will feed the new kitten in this room and keep the established cat out. It allows the new kitten to bond with you or another human being and also build up some self assurance in its new surroundings since it will not have to compete for food or attention right away. Finally, it allows the new kitten and the established kitten to sniff each other under the door and get familiar with each others' scents.

After 3-5 days of being in its one room, it is time to let them meet each other. Be prepared for some posturing, some spitting and hissing, and the like. IGNORE IT! After a while, they should begin chasing each other about and still have the occasional hiss or spit as they get accustomed to each other. Cats tend to make a whole lot of noise and even loosen up some fur. Rarely will two cats hurt each other.

Once they are introduced, there are a couple of things you must remember. Do not separate them again, they will get along! Do not interfere in their "discussions" as they need to sort it out amongst themselves!

It does not hurt to give the established kitten treats and extra attention after the new kitten is introduced (yes, cats do get jealous!).

A couple of things you may have to do are to feed them on separate dishes. Provide more than one litter pan in different areas of the household (as cats can be very territorial about litter pans).

All, in all, this method seems to have had great success in the past and makes for a fairly smooth introduction. Please remember that they may make up immediately, or it may take a few weeks.

One other point, it is not a bad idea to introduce the first new kitten by confining it to one room for a couple of days so it can adjust to your house.  Once it is let out of the one room, you will have to show it where to find the litter pan.

Please let me know how it goes.

Best regards... Norm.