Do Male Cats Get Along Better With Female or Male Cats?

Male and Female Cats Together

• It can be hard to predict how a cat might feel about another. If you have an adult male cat and are looking to add another furry pal to your household, he could get along famously with either a male or female, and there's no way of really knowing at first. Cats who are unfamiliar with each other can sometimes become antagonistic and cantankerous with each other, notably if they're of the same sex. If you're looking to add a new pet into your kitty's life, going for someone of the opposite gender might be a good idea, whether your cat is male or female. At the same time, it's also crucial to remember that there's no guarantee that a male cat and female cat will necessarily like -- or even be tolerant -- of each other. Just make sure that all parties are fixed, otherwise you could end up with a litter on your hands and a male cat who frequently chases after -- and seriously irritates -- your poor female.

Males Together

• Lots of adult male cats are extremely laid-back animals, especially if they're neutered. Male cats often respond well to cats of both sexes. However, aggression and territorial behaviors are always possibilities in the furry guys, even if they're fixed. If the male cats are intact, fierce physical conflict over local females could pop up, for example. If they're feeling especially protective over their turf, they could also engage in truculent actions. Some cats retain turf-oriented patterns long after being neutered. Male cats definitely can fight with female cats, but this type of hormonal and territorial stuff is mostly reserved for interactions between the boys.

Females Together

• Male-male cat living situations aren't the only types that could pose potential dilemmas. Although two mature female cats newly living together could become instant friends, they could also view each other as threatening rivals, battling it out constantly over human attention and claimed spots in the house. If you have two female cats who are both comfortable with being the princesses of their own worlds, tension could definitely mount when they share the same roof. If you own an adult female and your heart is set on another female, consider adopting a kitten. Female cats are often much more accepting of youngsters.

Littermates

• Some of the strongest feline relationships are those that exist between littermates. If you are looking to adopt a couple of young kittens from the same litter, odds are strong that they'll get along like two peas in a pod, often regardless of gender. If cats have been brought up together, they frequently can establish lifelong positive relationships. This doesn't only apply to littermates, but also often to unrelated cats who were introduced at extremely young and tender ages.

In the Past

• If you know a cat's history, it also might help you guess how he might act around another male or female. If he in the past lived only with a female and has good memories of her, that might be his preference, something that makes him feel comfortable. This also pertains to figuring out living situations for female cats. Before adopting any cat, try to learn as much as possible about the new cutie's history. The more details you have, the better equipped you'll be to make an educated decision.