All about cats
A+ for Appearance Your future kitty could have a mix of traits, a distinctive color, and a long or short coat. Like most mammals, male cats of any breed tend to be a little larger in size than their female counterparts.
Male cats tend to be much larger than females . Males , or toms, can be friendlier than females . Intact male cats “spray” to mark their territory and “howl” for females (this is usually not a problem if you get him neutered). Female cats tend to be more reserved than males but are far less likely to spray.
If you do need to take on an adult cat , the same research suggested that an adult of the opposite sex was more likely to be accepted and that, in cases of same-sex pairs, two males were slightly more likely to be compatible than two females .
Cats mark their territories with scent, and your house is no exception. Male cats are especially aggressive and these cats keep fighting. Sometimes, they also dominate female cats . Your cat may need to act out their aggression by picking fights with their brothers and sisters or by causing a fight with a strange cat .
If anything, having two cats in the house is better than one cat in a home and another living out its days in the shelter. Kittens are more likely to get adopted than dogs, but some cats do end up staying in the shelter. Plus, taking in two cats is not much more expensive than taking in one cat .
Pairs are Happier Despite their independent natures, cats are social creatures that need companionship to thrive. Left alone, a cat can develop behavioral problems, and in some cases, even show signs of depression. Cats in bonded pairs , on the other hand, are more likely to be better adjusted.
Mummy’s boy vs ice queens Myth: Male cats are more affectionate towards humans and bond really well with their owners. Female cats are aloof and, because of their mothering instincts, prefer other cats to humans. Reality: This usually comes down to your cat’s individual personality.
Both male and female cats are territorial , but males may defend larger territories than females . Cats ‘ territorial aggression is usually directly toward other cats , but it can be directed toward dogs and people, too.
As tempting as it may be, avoid letting your kitten sleep on your bed or with the kids. As well as being dangerous for your kitten , cats carry some diseases that can be transmitted to humans. To avoid injury, it’s best to keep your kitten in a secure space while you’re both sleeping .
And when they are doing something as private as elimination, sharing the same litter box can be stressful for some cats . Ideally, a multi-cat household should have the same number of litter boxes as the number of cats , plus one extra box ; in other words, for two cats , there should be three litter boxes .
Adult male cats may threaten, and sometimes fight with, other males . This is more common among unneutered cats . They may fight over a female , for a higher place in the pecking order, or to defend territory. If no one backs down, cats may actually fight .
Although cats have a reputation as solitary animals, they are social creatures and can thrive on forming close bonds with other creatures. Certain changes in behavior, such as irregular sleeping, eating, or grooming habits, may indicate that a cat is lonely and could benefit from some feline companionship.
Just like some people, cats can become jealous when they feel they’re being excluded or their environment has changed drastically or suddenly. A lack of personal space, beds, or other belongings can also encourage jealous behavior if a cat feels threatened by another pet.
Reward Good Behavior Find ways to reward your male cat’s good behavior. You can do this with treats, toys, or extra attention when he’s being calm and interacting nicely with your other cats . This is much more effective than common discipline techniques, such as squirting him with water or yelling.
Cat -on- cat fights are usually the result of redirected aggression, play aggression, or fear aggression: Environmental changes, such as moving or rearranging cat furniture or feeding and litter box stations, can cause fights. Any change in routine may leave cats so stressed that they take it out on each other.