Many people ask when buying a kitten what the difference is between a male and a female, so, here goes. Please note I am only speaking of Burms and none of what I say would necessarily hold true with another breed of cat.

Males tend to be the more affectionate and loving of the two sexes. They are more laid-back, easy-going, and better with children. They are also more attention seeking and will need more of your time. To dispel a few myths: a neutered male will not spray. Pets should be neutered between 4-5 months, and they never develop the habit of spraying. I have heard rare cases of neutered males spraying, but have never had one. They are also not more aggressive. Some people have asked me this and I don't know where it is coming from. If anything, the opposite is true. If you have young children, other cats or pets, or are home almost all the time, a male may do well in your home. However, if he is going to be all alone much, he will not be happy.

Females are more independent. They seek attention more on their terms and may not be as tolerant of young children. They rule a household by telling everyone, including their people, what to to. (My little 5 pound female will stand up to a male twice her size any day.) They are considerably smaller than the males. Females should also be spayed around 4-6 months, before they ever go into heat. Some people do not realize that females that cycle (continuously without being bred are actually being put in jeopardy of getting dangerous uterine infections. Females should never be kept whole except in a breeding situation. Spay/Neuter is required in my contract to receive a copy of your kitten's registration form. (See kitten contract terms.) If you are single or married without children and work during the day, a female may be the right choice for you. They tolerate being alone considerably better than the boys do. And when they are single cats we see them become considerably more outgoing and affectionate than they are in a multi-cat household.