I have had cats since my first year at Makerere University as a veterinary student. Over the past 10 years, I have parented both male and female cats, at home and in hostels. I have also become friends with a few stray cats along the way.
After all these years, I have come to one personal conclusion:
Male cats are better pets than female cats.
This is purely based on my personal observation from living with and caring for both male and female cats.
What makes male cats more friendly?
One thing I have noticed is that male cats have a higher appetite for food. They tend to cling to their parents all the time in anticipation of being treated.
Because they are always around their parents waiting for food, they also tolerate being petted and carried more often.
At first, I thought it was simply love.
I thought my male cats loved me so much that they wanted to be with me all day.
Then I discovered something funny.
Give them a heavy meal and let their stomach get full, and suddenly you won’t see them as frequently. đŸ˜‚
Male cats are also not as good at hunting, in my experience, so they tend to rely more on their parents for food. This keeps them closer to home and closer to their humans.
Female cats, on the other hand, are generally less food-driven unless they are pregnant or nursing. They also have better hunting skills and don’t rely as much on their parents for food.
As a result, they can be less available at home as pets.
Male cats: neutered vs intact
For me, neutered male cats are better pets than intact male cats.
Why?
Intact male cats have higher testosterone levels, which can make them more focused on dominance and territory. This can eventually make them more aggressive, especially towards other male cats.
They are also more likely to be involved in territorial behaviour and competition with other cats.
Once neutered, I find male cats much easier to live with and generally more pleasant as pets.
 Female cats: spayed vs intact
This is where things get interesting.
In my experience, spayed female cats can be less social than intact female cats.
When female cats are in heat, they become more social because they are looking for a mate.
And when there is no male cat around, they end up socializing more with their parents.
Pregnant and nursing cats are also different.
They have a higher demand for food, which they may not be able to get through hunting alone. As a result, they can become more dependent on their parents for food and therefore more clingy.
So an intact female cat in heat, or a pregnant or nursing female, can suddenly become much more social and dependent on her human.
 So, after 10 years, this is my conclusion
I have lived with both male and female cats for many years, and based on my personal experience, I prefer male cats as pets.
Male cats seem more food-motivated, stay closer to their parents, tolerate more handling, and are generally more available at home.
But I would choose a neutered male over an intact male because of the behavioural changes associated with testosterone.
Female cats can also be very good pets, but in my experience they tend to be more independent, especially when they are not pregnant, nursing or in heat.
This is just my personal observation after 10 years of cat parenting.
Cat parents who have had both male and female cats — have you noticed the same thing, or has your experience been completely different?
Before you go, read this Can My Cat Eat Mice or Rats? A Guide for Cat Owners in Kampala
