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Kittens...what is better to purchase a male or female cat?
Sent to Cat Experts August 17 12:13 PM

A friend of mine has kittens. My son wants one and I was wondering if it would be better to take a female or male. Also how old do they have to be to be fixed and declawed. I also have an 8 year old Bouvier, very gentle.

 

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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Answer
August 17 12:18 PM (4 minutes and 56 seconds later)
         
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I would look carefully at the personality and not consider sex really.
You can spay or neuter by 5 months old and avoid the heat cycle or the male spraying.
As for declawing I think its better to leave the cat its claws and teach it to use a scratching post particularly when you have dogs in the household too. Teaching a kitten not to claw people is a part of raising it just like teaching your dog not to bite was.
You might in the kitten's lifetime be getting another dog and the cat having claws might be a saving grace for it.
You can also consider using soft paws
http://www.softpaws.com/
But some people do get their cats declawed and often it is done at the same time as spay/neuter.
Your vet would have to be consulted about when and if they are willing to do the declaw procedure.
Hope this helps you!

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NancyH -- Cat Health, Behavior, Care Expert -- 100% Positive Feedback on 2141 Cat Accepts
30+ years cat owner, rescue, breeding, study of behavior & health care
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August 17 12:21 PM (2 minutes and 55 seconds later)
         
Reply to nholmes's Post: Thank you. A male spraying..is it true that it won't happen if the cat is fixed. Also these kittens are only 6 weeks old, if I put a litter box in the basement and show it where to go a few times do they automaticly catch on. I have only ever had dogs do cats just eat hard cat food and drink water.

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on August 17 2006 at 12:27 PM
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
August 17 12:26 PM (4 minutes and 28 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Normally an altered cat of either sex won't spray and for sure a neutered male will not have the high potency smell of a full male.
Removing the testosterone through neutering drops the spraying drives too.
I have both altered male and female cats and no problems with spraying. But do sometimes have a problem with a new rescue thinking cat chasing is a good idea so my guys keep their nails and if they claw something I try to teach them not to use that spot and get them something better to claw.

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NancyH -- Cat Health, Behavior, Care Expert -- 100% Positive Feedback on 2141 Cat Accepts
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August 17 12:40 PM (13 minutes and 49 seconds later)
         
Reply to nholmes's Post: ONE MORE .... WHAT ABOUT THE LITTER BOX AND FOOD QUESTIONS? Thank You
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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August 17 12:53 PM (13 minutes and 40 seconds later)
         
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Sorry didn't see that response I think we were typing at the same time!
I would try to wait another week or two before bringing the kitten home so that it will have more time to learn about using a box.
If the box is in the cellar plan a night light there.
I find baby kittens are like kids you are potty training - sometimes a box closer to the kitten's play area is best as they can't always wait to get to a far away box. You might try two boxes while the kitten is small and then go to one in the cellar later.
Kittens learn way faster than dogs to be housebroken if they have enough time with their mom to learn it well.
Plan on both dry and canned food to feed the kitten and I'd suggest a good quality food from a pet supply store instead of the grocery store foods. You will need to keep cat food out of dog reach as dogs find it really yummy and its not balanced right for dogs and is very fattening.
Kittens can eat dry but there may come a time when you need it getting more fluids so having it eat canned too is a good idea.

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NancyH -- Cat Health, Behavior, Care Expert -- 100% Positive Feedback on 2141 Cat Accepts
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August 17 1:27 PM (33 minutes and 40 seconds later)
         
Reply to nholmes's Post: Very informative...one problem the lady with kittens is having problems with the mother cat and is taking the cat and 5 kittens to the SPCA today...so that is why I have to take the kitten now. But I was wrong the kitten is 8 weeks old. Are kittens like puppies do they cry at nite for awhile. Also do kittens use the litter box often...are they like dogs. One last question do they just drink water. Thank you
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
August 17 1:35 PM (8 minutes and 7 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Yes water is fine for them to drink.
Yes take the kitten today - I was going to suggest getting two as two will entertain each other but its a big commitment. Bad news is most kittens brought to an SPCA this time of year are killed.
Kittens usually are easier than dogs. But she or he may want to sleep with someone - probably your son!
I'd see a vet to make sure the kitten is free of fleas and worms and start it on shots ASAP.

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NancyH -- Cat Health, Behavior, Care Expert -- 100% Positive Feedback on 2141 Cat Accepts
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August 17 1:45 PM (10 minutes and 15 seconds later)
         
Reply to nholmes's Post: Thank you
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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August 17 1:47 PM (1 minute and 31 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
You are welcome, if you found an answer helpful you can accept it and happy kitten times!

Please press Accept if you find my answer helpful. Want more info? Just reply on your question!
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NancyH -- Cat Health, Behavior, Care Expert -- 100% Positive Feedback on 2141 Cat Accepts
30+ years cat owner, rescue, breeding, study of behavior & health care
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