Calico Cat Breed Profile Information And Characteristics

Calico Cat Breed Overview

• Personality: Sassy, Spunky, bold, affectionate, independent, loyal
• Weight: Upto 12 pounds
• Length: 18 inches
• Coat Length: Short hair and Long Hair
• Coat colors: Orange, black, blue, lilac, and cream
• Coat patterns: Tri-color
• Eye color: Yellow, green, blue 
• Lifespan: Upto 15 years
• Hypoallergenic: No

A calico cat is a cat with a coat that displays three colors, one of them being white, and the others being black and orange. They are well known for their gorgeous coats, featuring distinct patches of color with white being the base. 

They are the actual members of domestic cat breeds who sport their unique tri-color coats. Also, they are known for their playful and affectionate personalities and can be trained with patience and positive reinforcement.

Their personalities are equally interesting and are known for their sass and spunk, but are loyal companions for owners of all ages.

Health And Lifespan

The average lifespan of calico cats is 12-16 years, depending on whether the cat is male or female. Most calicoes live shorter lives than female calicoes because of a condition called Klinefelter's syndrome. It is the presence of two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome. 

Personality

They are not a breed unto themselves as they will develop their unique personalities like many cats, according to many factors, such as socialization and life experiences.

History Of Calico Cats

No one is sure from where the calico originated, though the cats likely emerged from Egypt and were traded along the Mediterranean. The tri-color characteristics of these cats don't define any breed but occur incidentally in cats, who express various color patterns, with no definitive historical background. 

However, patches in calico cats were traced to a certain degree in a study determining the migration of these domesticated cats along trade routes in Europe and Northern Africa.

They were traded to the port cities along the Mediterranean in Greece, France, Spain, and Italy, originating from Egypt. It has been Maryland's state cat since October 2001. They were chosen as the state cat due to their white, black, and orange coloring in harmony with the coloring of the Baltimore oriole and Baltimore checkerspot butterfly. 

Characteristics Of Calico Cats

The calico is a medium-sized domestic cat renowned for its spunky and assertive appearance. While it is an independent cat, that doesn't require any constant attention, they are also sweet, loving, and a loyal friend.

These cats differ from tortoiseshell cats, whose colors are interwoven throughout the coat instead of appearing in distinct patches of solid color. 

The characteristics rating of calico cats are listed in table:

Here are some of the characteristics of calico cats explained below:

Striking Tri-Color Coat

The defining characteristic of these cats is their stunning coat. It features a unique white, black, and orange patch, irregular and sharply defined, with no specific patterns. No two calico cats have the same markings, making them unique.

Not a Breed, But a Coat Pattern

It's essential to understand that calico is not a specific cat breed. This tri-color pattern appears in various cat breeds, including popular choices like the Persian, American Shorthair, Maine Coon, Manx, Japanese Bobtail, and Turkish Van.

Playful and Affectionate

Calico cats are known for their delightful personalities. They are often described as playful and enjoy interactive games and activities. They also have a loving side and can form strong bonds with their humans, seeking affection and attention.

Independent Streak

While affectionate, these can also possess an independent streak. They are intelligent creatures who enjoy exploring and having their own space. However, they might crave alone time sometimes, but their love for companionship doesn't get neglected. 

Talkative Tendencies

They may meow, chirp, or even trill to communicate their needs or desires. This can be a fascinating part of their personality but be prepared for a talkative companion.

Trainable with Patience

These cats boast intelligence and can be trained with positive reinforcement methods. Patience and consistency are key, and rewarding for their good behavior will help them learn tricks and basic commands.

Moderate Activity Level

While not so energetic, these cats require some playtime and exercise to stay encouraged. Daily interactive play sessions or engaging toys can help them unleash energy and maintain a healthy weight.

Generally Adaptable

These cats are adaptable to various living situations, from apartments to houses with yards. Calico cats can thrive in diverse environments as long as they receive attention, playtime, and enrichment.

Potential for Hunting Instincts

Like most felines, calico cats might chase after toys that resemble prey or become interested in watching birds outside. Providing them with appropriate scratching posts and interactive toys can help conduct these instincts positively.

Generally Healthy

Like any domestic cat, they require proper care to stay healthy. With a proper balanced diet, regular veterinary checkups, and a clean living environment, they will enjoy a long and healthy life.

Calico Cats Appearance

Calico cats are some of the striking patterned cats, wearing bold patches of colors, mostly orange, black, and white. As per the Cat Franciers' Association standards, these cats should be a trick-color cat of black, red, and white with white feet, legs, chest, and muzzle.

They should have colored tails and more colored patches on their heads and bodies. Their eye colors include copper, blue, green, or odd-eyed. Here is the breakdown of their appearance:

Coat

The most distinctive feature is their tri-color coat. The white patches range from tiniest to dominant, while the black and orange patches alter in size and distribution. Some may also have areas with a dilute orange color, appearing more like a creamy apricot.

Eyes

Calico cats have various eye colors, including green, gold, hazel, or even one of each, adding to their unique appearance.

Body Type

Their body type depends on the underlying breed. For example, a calico Persian will have a shorter, heavier build with a thick coat, while a calico Maine Coon will be larger and more athletic with a semi-longhaired coat.

Tail

The tail typically represents the coat colors on the body, with a mix of white, black, and orange patches.

Calico Cat Grooming And Care

The care for calico cats will largely depend on their breed. Shorthaired ones, for example, will require less brushing than those of the longhaired breeds. Regardless of breed, all cats need exercise and enrichment. You will also have to ensure your cat sees a vet regularly and keep up with their vaccines. 

Brushing

The shorthaired calicos typically require minimal brushing, once or twice a week, to remove loose fur and prevent matting. Whereas, for the longhaired ones, frequent brushing is required to prevent tangles and mats.

Bathing

These cats typically don't require frequent baths. If needed, use a gentle shampoo and conditioner, specially made for felines and cats.

Nail Trimming

Regular nail trimming is needed to prevent your cat from staging their nails or furniture or injuring themselves. You can use cat nail clippers or have your veterinarian trim them during checkups. 

Ear Care

These cats need to get their ears checked weekly for signs of redness, discharge, and odor. You can use a gentle ear cleaning solution, recommended by your veterinarian to wipe any debris gently.

Playtime and Enrichment

Engage your calico in interactive play sessions with toys like wand toys, feather teasers, or puzzle feeders, every day. Don't forget to give them trees, shelves, or perches to climb and explore their vertical world.

Eye Care

Wipe away any crust or discharge around your calico's eyes with a damp cloth. If you find excessive tearing or redness, consult your veterinarian.

Common Health Problems

Regardless of the breed, a male calico cat is more prone to a genetic health condition called Klinefelter syndrome. In addition to being sterile, these cats experience cognitive and developmental issues, behavioral problems, reduced bone mineral content, and obesity. 

Conversely, female cats do not have health problems that correlate with their color patterns but may have issues specific to their respective breeds. This is why it is crucial to schedule regular vet visits. Some of the other health issues associated with Klinefelter include:

• Cognitive and developmental issues that can lead to behavioral problems.
• Reduced bone mineral content can increase the risk of broken bones
• Increased body fat can also lead to conditions such as joint pain, heart disease, and diabetes

Are Calico Cats Always Female?

In cats, the gene that dictates fur color is located on the X chromosomes. Nearly all calico cats are female, so they have two X chromosomes. The rare male cats have one X and one Y chromosome. 

With females having two X chromosomes, this double dose of survival genes could be toxic, and one of the X chromosomes will randomly inactivated when the kitten is just a tiny ball of cells in the mother's womb.

Further adding to that, if the X chromosome carrying the gene for white fur in one particular spot of the body is inactivated, the orange gene might become active in that spot. Due to the random selection of chromosomes, the combination of fur colors in calico cats is also unique for every calico breed.

How Rare Are Male Calico Cats?

Male calicoes are rare. Around 99% of calico cats are female because of their unique genetic makeup. But just like with any cat, a calico cat can live longer than average if provided the best health care along with proper balanced diet. 

Types Of Calico Cats

These cats aren't a breed itself but a striking tri-color coat pattern that can appear in many breeds. While the calico pattern may pop up in many cat breeds, the following are the most likely to display it:

• American shorthair
• British shorthair
• Exotic shorthair
• Japanese bobtail (calico is the most popular color pattern in this breed)
• Maine coon
• Scottish fold
• Devon Rex
• Turkish Angora
• Cornish Rex
• Norwegian forest cat
• Persian
• Turkish Van

Fun Facts About Calico Cats

1. Female Dominate

The unique genetics of calico cats that determine the coat color means that 99% of cats are female cats. Remember, the coat color is linked to female sex chromosomes. 

2. All Male Calicoes Are Sterile

Male calicos often have Klinefelter's syndrome, a genetic condition that causes sterility, among many other health issues. 

3. They represent a state

Because of their color, these cats were declared the official state of Maryland in 2001. Their fur colors are a mixture of white, black, and orange, the same as the feather colors of the Baltimore Oriole, a Maryland state bird. 

4. Different Names

These cats have different names in different cultures. For example, they are called "lapjeskat" in the Netherlands, which means "patched cat" and "mi-ke" in Japan, which stands for "triple fur".

5. Lucky Charm

Given their rarity, calico cats are known as lucky charms and signs of good luck around the world. People also believe that calico cats bring good fortune to the homes of families who adopt them. Another fun fact is that they are referred to as money cats in the United States. 

6. Calicoes Are Brave

A calico cat saved Japan’s railway station from being closed down. In 2007, the Kinokawa train station was about to be closed due to financial issues. Later, the town sent a local calico cat to be the station master, where she would greet passengers as they passed by. The calico cat became a celebrity, causing a 17% increase in station traffic. 

7. They Are Everywhere

Considering how rare calico cats are, these breeds are spread all around the world. These cats were traced migrating along routes in Europe and Northern Africa. Even though they originated in Egypt, they were also found in cities along the Mediterranean, France, Italy, and Spain.