Calico cat: Price, Secret behind Genetics, and 6 main types of calico

Calico cats are a natural masterpiece with a unique tri-color coat whose milky white color with patches of orange and black gives them an elegant look. If you are impressed by the personality and appearance of calico and are looking for more information about them, you have reached the right article. You will get to know about its calico cat price and care but also about its fascinating genetics that makes it so adorable and beautiful. The calico’s coat is 30% to 70% white with the rest being patches of black and orange.

are all calico cats female?

Interestingly, 99.5% of calico are female. The chance of getting a male calico cat is only 0.05%, so male calico cats are extremely rare. The most surprising thing is that male calicos are usually infertile due to a genetic anomaly called Klinefelter syndrome, where they have an extra X (XXY) chromosome. The calico cat male is a sort of genetic lottery that can amaze veterinarians and breeders alike. One in 3000 calico is born male.

Science Behind Tricolor

Female cats have two X chromosomes (XX) and male cats have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome (XY). The X chromosome genes are responsible for the orange and black colors in calico. A cat needs two inherited X chromosomes to be calico, one of which is responsible for black and the other for orange. Female cats have (XX) chromosomes, which gives them a high chance of being calico. Male cats have (XY). They have only one X, which makes the chances of calico coloring very rare. Two Xs combined make them (XXY) which are infertile.

how much are calico kittens

Note, that Calico is not a specific breed, it is a color pattern that is made up of combined patches of white, black, and orange. Some cats also have bluish-gray, brown, and cream colors. Their unique color patterns look like a great work of art by nature. Calico cat price depend on many factors like age, health, and breed, which are the biggest factors in the variation of their price. Calico cat male price is much higher than females due to their rarity. On Average, the cost of a calico in India ranges from ₹5,000 to ₹20,000.

• Mixed Breed Calico Cat price: ₹5,000 to ₹15,000
• Pedigree Calico Cat Price (like Persian or Maine Coon): ₹20,000 to ₹50,000 or more

how much are calico kittens

The calico cat kitten price also depends on the type of calico it is which you will read further in types of calico . To get an idea, the price of a calico cat kitten can be between Rs 10,000 and Rs 50,000.
Care, grooming, vaccination, and veterinary costs should also be kept in mind while buying a cat. Purchase calico of any breed from a reputed breeder only.

types of calico cats

• There are mainly 6 types of calico which are given below:

dilute calico cat

Unlike regular calicos, these do not have orange patches in white color. They have blue-gray to smoky coat, cream, and soft buff color. The light pigment of dilute calico cats is due to their recessive genes. Both parents may not be dilute calico but if they carry the recessive gene then the baby born may be a dilute calico kitten.

Traditional Calico

This is the most well-known calico which is a vibrant mix of white, black, and orange with clean defined patches. Traditional calico cats and tortoiseshells look quite similar but traditional calico has more white markings. Due to their face, neck, chest, and legs being milky white, they are also called tortie and white cats.

Reverse Calico

This type of calico is rarely seen and has an opposite appearance to the color pattern of a typical calico. Orange and black are more prominent and white is smaller and more sporadic. Reverse calico is less common than other types of calico and has a rare exotic appearance.

Shorthair Calico cat

This is the most common type of calico. Shorthair calico is a domestic shorthair breed that has a combination of black, white, and orange colors. Regular house cats which are commonly called street cats in India are called domestic cats. More than 90% of the cats in America are mixed domestic cats. A few years ago, they were allowed to participate in cat shows as well.

Longhaired Calico cat

This is considered to be the most elegant and royal of all the calico types. The tri-color combination of their long coat and thick squirrel-like tail looks extremely impressive. Longhaired calico cats are calico cat Persian, calico cat maine coon, and Wegies which are ideal pets due to their calm nature and friendly temperament. Longhaired calico are more expensive than any other calico.

Tabby calico

It has the classic tri-color (orange, black, and white) tabby cat with curved or striped markings. They are commonly referred to as “caliby”. calico tabby cats have the “M” marking on their foreheads. They have curved tabby stripes on their legs and tails.

how long does calico cats live

Before buying a calico, everyone has this question in their mind how long do a calico live. Calico cat lifespan depends on the breed, health, and care of the cat. The average lifespan of a calico is around 15 to 17 years.

Calico Cat Care

The care of a calico is the same as that of any other cat. If it is a longhaired calico, its grooming requirements may be higher as daily grooming is required to keep its beautiful fluffy fur looking its best. Their diet should contain protein and essential amino acids as well as calcium to strengthen their bones.
A veterinarian should be consulted for the spaying of females.

Caring Tips

• Provide clean water to the calico at all times.
• Most cats are lactose intolerant so do not give milk to your calico.
• Remove poisonous plants before bringing the kitten home.
• If there is any food left in their food bowl, remove it or else chances of infection may increase.
• Give them a scratching pad or scratch pole so that they do not scratch your home’s furniture

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Also read: Black Persian Cat: Price, Care Tips, And Why They Make The Perfect Pet