Uncover the Fascinating World of Calico Cat Breeds: A Complete Guide

Calico cat is not any breed name. It refers to a color pattern. They’re comprised of many species and become like patchwork quilts. Most people know that Calico cats are primarily female. Males are fewer in number.

Calicos are very popular for their gorgeous coats. It is not a feline breed. Calico can be a Maine Coon, Persian, Manx, or other species. The cat’s primary colors are Black, White, and Orange.

The Calico cloths are once imported from India to Europe. Calico’s coats resemble Calico’s clothes. So, the name came from there. The changed name is Dilute Calico.

Calico Cat Breed information and characteristics |Catplanning.com — Image by minka2507 from Pixabay

Table of Conents

Calico cat’s specialty

Personality

Independent, loyal, sassy, spunky, bold, and affectionate.

Length

Up to 18 inches

Weight

Up to 12 pounds

Coat length

Both short and long hair

Coat colors

Black, White, Orange, Cream, Blue, Red, Lilac

Coat patterns

Tri-color or Calico

Life span

Up to 15 years

Eye Color

Yellow, Green, Blue

Allergy tendency

Origin

Egypt and Mediterranean Coat

Other names

Brindle, Tri-color, Tobi Mi-ke, Calimanco, Clouded Tiger, Dilute Calico, Caliby.

Origin of Calico cat

Nobody knows the exact origin of Calico cats, but it is believed that Calicos made their way from Egypt and the Mediterranean coast. Serious research was started in the 1940s.

Professor Murray Bar and his fellow, e.g., Bertrum, revealed the existence of dark and drumstick-shaped masses in the nerve cells of female cats and not in male cats.

The masses were named burr bodies later.

In 1959, Japanese cell Biologist Susumu Ohno determined that the burr bodies are nothing but X chromosomes.

The X-Inactiivation concept was proposed by Mary Lyndon, and the concept was- one of the two X-Chromosoms inside a female mammal shuts off.

They revealed that the coat-color pattern was common in rats, the same as the patterns of Calico cats.

Calicos are believed to be a lucky champ in folklore societies.

US people believe that Calico cats are money-makers cats, and Japanese people respect them as good-luck figures.

The appearance of calico cat:

I have already mentioned that Calico isn’t a breed. So, there are many breeds that have Calico traits- that means tri-color.

So, there is no particular appearance of Calico cats. Just a Calico coat is their identity.

So, I am telling you only about their amazing coats.

Their coats consist of at least 3 or more colors. The most common colors are- White, Black, Orange, and Cream. The major color is White, and the other colors are found as patches on the whole body. People think that the Tortoiseshell is also a Calico, but it is wrong.

Only Black and Orange colored cats are not Calico cats. The coat colors of Calico are a combination of two X-Chromosoms.

So, the Calicos are mostly females. Some cats may be male because of having extra XXY chromosomes, but they’re sterile and can’t give birth to kittens.

Temperament and nature of Calico cat:

Calicos are independent, loyal, sassy, spunky, bold, sweet, and affectionate. They don’t need continuous attention.

As usual, they are active and playful. They prefer one owner but are also friendly with other people, children, and animals. They don’t vocalize a lot, only when they need.

Grooming tips for Calico cats |Catplanning.com — Image by Michelle Raponi from Pixabay

Caring, grooming, and exercise Tips for Calico Cat :

Well, as there are so many breeds of Calico cats, so you have to take care of your one according to its needs and breed. Identify their fur and keep an eye on it.

Health and problems that Calico cat:

Female Calico cats usually don’t have health issues. Male Calico cats are small in number, and they have some health issues such as Klinefelter’s Syndrome, Sterility and cognitive development issues, Mischievousness, lack of bone Minerals, and obesity.

You should take good care of your male Calico.

As Calico isn’t any particular breed, so you have to take care according to the specific breed.

Some breeds are healthy, and some are prone to health diseases. So, find out the breed first, then take care.

You must ask the seller about the breed and the genetic history.

Maybe the seller won’t admit the health or genetic issues, but you ask.

You should pay attention to the fur since Calico is a design that is based on fur. Give them a routine bath if any particular breed has to be bathed. Give the cats your attention and love.

Take the pet to the veterinarian if any problem arrives or for a thorough check-up immediately after adoption. The skin-related problems may be difficult to spot as they have different colors.

Food and Nutritional tips for Calico cats. — Image by Mircea – All in collections from Pixabay

Food and nutrition Tips for Calico cat:

Wholesome or special cat foods, Can foods, and a mixture of wet and dry foods is the best option for Calico cats. Feed your one according to its breed.

How many breeds can be a Calico cat:

Japanese Bobtail. Calico cats are the most popular in this breed.
Turkish Angora/ Van
American Shorthair
British Shorthair
Scottish Fold
Persian
Cornish Rex
Exotic Shorthair
Devon Rex
Main Coon
Norwegian Forest Cat

Some facts About Calico cats:

Calicos are the state coat of Maryland, USA.
Calico has inspired the Beckoning cats.
They’re believed to cure warts. In Ireland, it is believed that you can cure warts if you rub their tail.
Calico cats have professional positions. In Japan, Calico served as a station master. A tri-color Kitty made history when he was appointed as the station master in Kinowara, Japan. Her name was Tama. He served the station till 2015 until her death.
Calico cats are ancient maritime protectors. The sailors believed that Calico cats would save their ships from evils.
They are available in almost every country.
You can’t breed them; they are born by chance.
A Calico became the Mayor of a small town in Michigan, USA, in 2018. She contributed to her state’s economic condition.
They are the favorite of European painters. Back in the 18th century, French painter Jean-Baptist-Simeon Chardin made a painting where beautiful Calicos were playing with large slices of seafood.
In the ancient period, Japanese sailors kept Calico cats in their ships to protect them from Tyfoons or other natural calamities.
Maneki Neko is a Calico cat. It is a Japanese statue with raised paws. Maneki is available in many Japanese and Chinese restaurants and gift shops. They’re the symbol of good luck.
Calico and Tortoiseshell are not the same. Many people use the names interchanged, but those are totally separate patterns. The tortoiseshell pattern doesn’t have White color.
They have stunning eyes.

The different names of Calico cats:

Brindle, tri-color, or Tobi-mike (triple in Japan): these names are from traditional Calicos.

Calimanco, Clouded Tigers, Dilute Calico: the less intense-colored are called by these names. Their colors as often Cream, Smoky grey, and Gold.

Caliby: A short form of Calico Tabby markings. These are Calico kittens with Tabby patches.

Best Calico Cat name suggestion:

You can keep these names for the special cats:

Cattie, Patches, Cleopatra, Snickers, Amaretto, Camo, Oriole, Motle, Picasso, Spice, and so on.

Calico cats in movies:

The amazing cats also shared a Silver screen with humans. Some movie names:

Soul (2020), Venom (2018), Isle of Dogs (2018), Second Act (2018), Corky Romano (2001), While You were sleeping (1995), Like Father Like Son (1987), Midnight Express (1978), The Furry (1978).

Tips for owning Calico cats:

Give them space: Almost all cat breeds have unique personality traits, and Calico cats own all the breeds. So, give them their space in your life and house.

Know your responsibility if you own a male Calico cat: you already know that male calicos are prone to health diseases and don’t live a long life but some males lived a long and healthy life because of their owner’s dedication and care. So, you need to know that male Calicos need special care.
Don’t believe the rumors: there is a rumor about Calico cats that they’re mischievous, they have intolerable cattitude, and they’re difficult to handle, but not all Calicos are like that. Most of the Calicos are pleasant, kind, and love to cuddle. Don’t pass up the opportunity to own them by believing stigmas.

How to find a male or female Calico cat:

Well, Calico isn’t a special breed. So, you don’t need to go to the breeders or search for a purebred, as they don’t exist.

Females are not hard to find, but males are definitely hard to find as they’re reared (1000 females: 1 male).

Go to the local shelters to find a cat. If you are looking for a male, then you have to pay a handsome amount for it. Besides, ask for the test results from the seller that was conducted on the male Calico and check it by your veterinarian before you pay thousands of dollars.

Female Calicos are not so expensive. Their price is average.

Gift items for Calico lovers:

You can gift your beloved one of those items if he is a Calico lover.

The cat calendar consists of 12 beautiful pics of the Calico cats, a reference book to gain knowledge about the Calico cat.

cat food that your beloved one can know what kind of food he needs to serve his Calico. cat socks for Winter care, and cat toys to keep the Calico fit and healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Are the Calico cats more independent than other cats?

While some people believe that Calico cats are more independent than other cats, scientific evidence does not support this claim.
Calico is a coat pattern that can appear in a variety of breeds, and a cat’s personality traits are influenced by a variety of factors such as genetics, socialization, and personal experiences.
As a result, it’s critical to treat each cat as an individual rather than making broad assumptions based on its coat pattern.

Are male Calicos rare?

Male calico cats are uncommon because the genes that cause the calico coat pattern are linked to the X chromosome, and most male cats only have one X chromosome. As a result, a male cat must have an extra X chromosome, which is a genetic abnormality.
Male calicos are estimated to occur in approximately one out of every 3,000 calico births.
However, not all male cats with calico-like markings are true calicos because some may have a different genetic makeup or a coat pattern that resembles but is not the same as a calico.

Why are male Calico cats sterile?

Male calico cats are usually sterile because the extra X chromosome that gives them the calico coat pattern also interferes with the development of their reproductive system. Male cats have both X and Y chromosomes, but each cell only has one active X chromosome.
The extra X chromosome in male calicos interferes with the normal expression of genes involved in the development of male reproductive organs, resulting in a variety of abnormalities that render them sterile or less fertile.
However, not all male calicos are sterile, and some may be able to reproduce under certain conditions, such as having a mosaic genetic makeup or only expressing male reproductive traits partially.

What is a dilute Calico cat?

A dilute calico cat is a calico cat with a lighter, softer coat color than a typical calico. Dilute calicos have the same three-color pattern as calicos, but their colors are more muted or pastel-like as a result of a genetic mutation that affects pigment production.
Dilute calicos have patches of blue-gray or light gray rather than black, cream or ivory rather than white, and pale peach or buff rather than bright orange.
Depending on the dominant colors in their coat, dilute calicos are also known as blue-cream or gray-cream cats. Cat breeds with the dilute gene include Persian, Siamese, and American Shorthair.

What is the price range of a Calico cat?

Well, male Calicos are very much expensive. They can be up to $2000, and females are an average rate of $1000.

What health problems do calico cats have?

Which 2 breeds make a Calico cat?

Calico cats are not created by crossing two specific breeds, as calico is a coat pattern that can occur in a variety of cat breeds. A calico cat has three distinct colors arranged in irregular patches on its coat: black, white, and orange.

Calico cats must inherit the genes for black, white, and orange coat colors from their parents in order to be born. These genes can come from any breed of cat that carries them, and the likelihood of having a calico kitten is determined by the genetic makeup of the parents.

However, due to their high prevalence of calico genes, certain cat breeds, such as the American Shorthair, Japanese Bobtail, and Manx, are more likely to produce calico cats.

What is the personality of a Calico cat?

Calicos are independent, loyal, sassy, spunky, bold, sweet, and affectionate. They don’t need continuous attention. As usual, they are active and playful. They prefer one owner but are also friendly with other people, children, and animals. They don’t vocalize a lot, only when they need.