My dear dopey cat Rudy passed away a short time ago, and I think his sister needs a new friend. Would it be better for her to have another female around or a male (fixed, of course)?
My two girls have tiffs and squabbles, but both love the Big Boy cat. So, as long as every is fixed, my experience says a male.
Tough call. I’ve been cat person my whole life and there’s been with a little bit of variation, a succession of male cats. Usually litter-mates. Pairs. We’d get a third and sometimes fourth but if I recall correctly, almost always all male. All fixed as kittens.
We did an emergency adoption once for Ashley. She arrived as an adult, female, fixed as a kitten. My GOD they all hated her and she hated them. So much so that after a few months, it was clear we had to re-home her. Healthiest all around.
So, it’s been that dull-eyed gaze of a long run of geldings pauncing around a house. Sleeping on top of us, etc.
Get another male.
My experience is different genders get along better (for cats). I’d get a male cat as a companion (and, as mentioned above, one who has been fixed).
Of course, it is entirely possible two cats of the same gender can get along. Just easiest to mix I think.
Yes different gender is probably best. But one never really knows til they’re together.
Maybe go with a younger cat. Could help.
Whichever way you go, getting a resident adult cat to accept a newcomer tends to be a lot easier and faster if you bring in a kitten rather than another adult. At least that’s been my experience.
Of course, an older adult cat may resent crazy kitten antics, but a baby is a lot less of a threat to the established feline, and some of them will actually take a maternal/paternal liking to the youngster.
In any case, if you’re looking into getting a cat from your local rescue/shelter, inquire about temperament and affinity for other cats. Some cats love being with other cats, some tolerate it, and some want to be an only cat.