Calico Cat: Breed Profile, Characteristics & Care

Calico cats aren't a specific breed of cat. They're actually members of domestic cat breeds who sport their unique tri-color coats (known as calico). One calico may display the usual combination of vibrant orange, black, and white, while another can feature a more subdued shade of cream mixed with blue. In feline genetics, the latter is known as a "dilute calico."
You'll never see two calico cats exactly alike. Their personalities are equally interesting; they are known for their sass and spunk, but they are also loving and loyal companions for owners of all ages.
Interestingly, hard-to-find calicoes are almost all female, and the extremely rare male—one out of every 3,000 calicoes—is always sterile so they can't breed. It's part of why they're considered to be lucky.

Breed Overview

PERSONALITY: Sassy, spunky, bold, affectionate, independent, loyal
WEIGHT: Up to 12 pounds
LENGTH: About 18 inches
COAT LENGTH: Short hair and long hair
COAT COLORS: Orange, black, blue, lilac, and cream
COAT PATTERNS: Tri-color (calico)
EYE COLOR: Yellow, green, or blue
LIFESPAN: Up to 15 years
HYPOALLERGENIC: No
ORIGIN: Possibly Egypt and the Mediterranean coast
 The Spruce / Jordan Holcomb

Calico Cat Characteristics

The calico is a medium-sized domestic cat renowned for its spunky, assertive personality. While it's a generally independent cat that doesn't require constant attention, the calico is also sweet, loving, and loyal. It will readily bond with a single owner but enjoy the company of an entire family, too.
Calicoes differ from tortoiseshell cats, whose colors (red and black) are interwoven throughout the coat instead of appearing in distinct patches of solid color.
Affection Level HighFriendliness HighKid-Friendly HighPet-Friendly HighExercise Needs MediumPlayfulness HighEnergy Level MediumIntelligence HighTendency to Vocalize MediumAmount of Shedding Medium

History of the Calico Cat

No one is sure where the calico originated, though the cats likely emerged from Egypt and were traded along the Mediterranean.
Calico cats are believed to bring good luck in the folklore of many cultures.  In Japan, Maneki Neko are good luck figures—the waving cat—that sometimes depict calico cats. In the United States, these are sometimes referred to as "money cats."
Researchers began seriously studying calico cats and their appearance in the late 1940s. Murray Barr and his graduate student E.G. Bertram noticed masses inside the nuclei of nerve cells of female cats. They were absent in male cats. These dark masses eventually were called Barr bodies and determined to be inactive X chromosomes. Mary Lyon proposed the concept of X-inactivation in 1961. It occurs when one of the two X chromosomes inside a female mammal shuts off. She observed this in the coat color patterns in mice, similar to the patterns of calico cats.
In calico cats, the fur-color gene occupies the X chromosome. If that chromosome deactivates, a different fur color will appear. The inactive chromosomes are random, which is why each calico cat has a unique pattern.
 The Spruce / Ashley Nicole DeLeon

Calico Cat Care

The care of a calico cat will largely depend on its breed. Shorthaired calicoes' coats, for example, will require less brushing than those of longhaired breeds.
Regardless of breed, all cats need exercise and enrichment. You'll also need to make sure your cat sees the vet regularly and keeps up on their vaccines. Don't forget about regularly brushing your kitty's teeth.

Common Health Problems

Regardless of the breed, a male calico cat is 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.1
Female calico cats do not have health problems that correlate with their color patterns, but they may have issues specific to their respective breeds. That's why it's important to schedule regular visits with your vet.

Appearance

Calico cats are some of the most strikingly patterned cats, wearing bold patches of colors—mostly orange, black, and white. According to the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) show standards for calico Persians, the cat should be a tri-color cat of black, red, and white with white feet, legs, belly, chest, and muzzle. The cat should also have a colored tail and one or more colored patches on the head and body.
Calicoes' eye colors include copper, blue, green, or odd-eyed. (In show-quality Persians, odd-eyed bi-colors should have one blue and one copper eye with equal color depth.)2

Diet and Nutrition

A complete and balanced cat food, whether dried or canned, is generally a great option for calicoes of any breed. However, research your specific breed of cat to find out if it has any unique dietary requirements. Ask your veterinarian for feeding advice, too.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Calico Cat

Calico cats are not rare, but finding one at a local shelter can be difficult. Check with breeders of cats who tend to have calico coloration in your areas to see if any specialize in calico patterns, or search online adoption sites to locate a kitten or cat in your area.

Fun Fact

The calico cat is the state cat of Maryland, earning the title in 2001 because they often share the white, black, and orange of the state bird (Baltimore oriole) and the state insect (Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly).

Types of Calico Cats

It would be easier to give a list of breeds that do not produce calicoes. While the calico pattern may pop up in many cat breeds, the following are the most likely to display it:

• American shorthair British shorthairCornish Rex Devon Rex Exotic shorthair Japanese bobtail (calico is the most popular color pattern in this breed)Maine coonNorwegian forest catPersianScottish old Turkish AngoraTurkish Van

Breed Overview

The calico is not a breed and has no technically identifiable personality traits, but owners and enthusiasts often insist the calico pattern seems to impart a particular pep and sass in female felines that carry the colorful genes. These friendly, outgoing cats have a flair for independence but also enjoy socializing with their human families and other pets.