A question about kittens, male vs. female

[ironflange]

Is there a difference in behavior between the two sexes? Our four kitties over the years have all been girls, but we broke the pattern a couple of weeks ago and brought home a boy cat, though he was already fixed. His name is Pips.



Yeah, he's cute, and he knows it. Anyway, our girls were all cute and playful, but well behaved too. Pips, though, is dangerously unhinged, a little furry terrorist. He's completely nuts. One of his favorite tricks is to grab your foot while you're going down the stairs; I fear one day somebody's going to get killed this way. Right now, he's tearing around the room crashing into things. His older sisters are both hiding.

My question is this. Are boy kittens naturally more rambunctious than girl ones? Or has it just been the luck of the draw for us?

Don't worry, we have no plans to get rid of him. He's really smart and funny, and far more affectionate that any other cat we've ever had.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I just got my first girl kitten in a very long time

and she's totally full of hell. She has the big boy cats terrorized -- she swats them right in the face if they pester her too much, and she absolutely will not back down. And she has more energy than a ferret on crack.

So I don't know if there's a tendency for one gender or the other to be more crazed. I think it's just a kitten thing in general.

Pixie the Terrible:

[Shakespeare]

4. A tabby/siamese mix!

You have yourself one very special little cat there (she's gorgeous, btw).

My 12-year-old tabby/siamese mix, Theo, is the best cat I've ever had. They tend to take the best qualities of both breeds, and will be hyper-intelligent, non-psycho (as adults), and bond with you like no other cat.

If I ever have more cats, I'll go out of my way to seek out tabby/siamese mixes at shelters. They're just great, great cats (all my vets have commented similarly, too).

[SoCalDem]

2. It;'s his age..and your other two were a "pair" at the same time, right?

They entertained each other probably.. he's the lone "new young kid " on the block.. He'll settle down :)

[ironflange]

9. No

Actually, Cleo is four years older than Amber. It's funny, Pips can do things to Cleo, like jump on her, swat her, etc. with seeming impunity; were Amber to do these things Cleo would clean her clock but good. Cat behaviour is endlessly entertaining.

[SoCalDem]

15. they are better than TV, that's for sure..

sometimes, we watch them instead of tv :)

[Robeson]

3. I love Mr. Pips.....

...and whether you like it not, I'm going to tell you....he's CUTE!!!!

Now, to your question. He's a young boy. He's going to be a live-wire for a little while. The girls aren't going to like it, because they are comfortable in their current lifestyle. Just give it some time.

[Orsino]

5. Behavior varies wildly...

...appropriately enough. I think it's generally true that males show a little more aggression, but individual personality is probably more significant than sex. All kittens are primed to learn to hunt, even if mama isn't around to teach. Generally, they love to hide and pounce--this is the way they'd survive in the wild.

Wear thick socks, and carry toys to distract your little terrorist.

[ironflange]

6. Thanks

Actually, the sisters are taking it quite well. Pips and Amber, the younger one, chase each other around now, and Queen Cleo is even accepting his games. We were a little worried about her, but he's just so damn charming.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. My girl is the wacko and my boy is a marshmallow. Go figure.

[huskerlaw]

8. I don't think so...

Kyra is my first girl cat EVER and she's not that much different than they were at her age, activity-wise. They all have their own personalities...I don't think it's a boy/girl difference though.

[NV Whino]

10. There are different behaviors between boy and girl cats...

but in this case Pips is just being a kitten. And it sounds like he's doing a darn good job, too.

[trof]

11. Oddly enough, males are generally more affectionate.

And of course they'll never, EVER get pregnant.
;-)

[SOteric]

12. I've raised StirFry from a kitten.

He's always had a well-developed sense of play, but he's never been particularly aggressive. He's the most well-mannered, laid back, sweetheart of a kitty in the whole world. In my opinion. :7

[judaspriestess]

13. our 3 month old baby is satan's kitten

he is a spazoid. He lunges at us and all he wants to do is play and eat. He makes a beeline for the dogs (who just ignore him)and then hisses at them like its their fault. He is a sweetheart though and very smart too. We named him Joaquin Eugene.

Yes I know this post is useless without a pic, I am at work again and I don't have pics of him to post.

I think they are just going to be playful little maniacs for a while, I think it has to do with how happy they are.

[TZ]

14. I have two females (sisters)

and although they have settled down a bit at the age of 20 months, they were COMPLETELY BONKERS as kittens. Even though they entertained each other---of course they like to play "kitty see, kitty do" so trust me, two little monsters can be QUITE interesting

[yardwork]

16. It's his age and personality. Some cats are laid back, others are terrors.

I think that the energetic ones tend to be brighter. All cats get calmer as the age.

The main difference I've noticed between male and female cats (fixed) is that the females tend to be a little more territorial and less willing to share turf with other cats, especially other females. Males, on the other hand, tend to be a little more accepting of other cats in their homes. Of course, this varies greatly by individual.

I've never noticed a gender difference influencing activity levels among cats. Just personalities and age.

Pips is adorable. Watch out on the stairs.

[funkybutt]

17. He's Gorgeous! My experience with males

The male kittens/cats that I've had are generally more affectionate. Not that the females weren't affectionate, though. The males are more likely to follow me around "like a dog" and fight for a spot on my lap or next to my keyboard while I'm working.

I often accuse him of "trying to kill me" by either attacking my feet or walking diagonally in front of me when I barely have enough time to stop.