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Should You Adopt a Male or Female Cat?

When adopting a cat, should you choose a male or a female? This guide explains the main differences and what to expect from each.

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You’ve decided to adopt a cat. Now you may wonder: should you choose a male or a female? What are the real differences between the two sexes? This guide will help you see things more clearly.

Rest assured, there are not many differences when choosing between a male or female cat. Their personalities are not strongly defined by sex, especially after neutering or spaying, which further reduces distinctions.

If You Choose a Male

Are males more distant and less affectionate than females? Not necessarily. There is no strict rule. Male cats are often larger and heavier, but they are not always more independent or solitary than females. This behavior tends to fade once the cat is neutered, a procedure usually done around six months of age, at the time of puberty, by a veterinarian.

The main difference lies in territory marking. Males may spray urine indoors to mark their territory. This is different from normal elimination in the litter box, which is then covered. In urine marking, the cat identifies a spot, sniffs it, and sprays urine. Neutering helps reduce or even eliminate this behavior.

If You Choose a Female

The most delicate periods for a female cat are her heat cycles. She will meow more often than usual, especially at night. During this time, she may also appear more affectionate and cuddly.

Spaying prevents heat cycles and avoids unwanted pregnancies. It also eliminates the risk of uterine infections and reduces the risk of uterine and ovarian tumors. Early spaying, before one year of age, lowers the risk of developing mammary tumors to nearly zero.

There are few real differences between male and female cats. Most distinctions tend to disappear after neutering in males and spaying in females. Some unneutered males may never spray urine, and some females in heat may not vocalize much or may stay calm.