If you have no experience with different breeds of cats, you might have seen a calico cat without knowing it is a calico. Firstly, there is no breed of cat known as calico. Calico are regular cats with different colors of fur. Most of them are characterized by orange, black, and white color.
In this article, we will give a brief history of calico cats. We will give you tips on taking proper care of your calico.
Where do most calico cats live?
Calico cats are so attractive and bubbly. The orange, white and black fur color is the distinction calico cats have from other cats. It would help if you did not confuse a calico cat with a tabby calico with patterns of various colors but an M mark on the head. Or the Tortie Cat. If you have never seen a calico cat, you may be wondering where they live.
Calico cats are not a different breed of cats. They are cats with a gene mutation that brings about orange-colored fur. They can therefore be found indoors like other cats. There is some possibility you might find stray calico cats. And where did calico cats originate, you may ask
Origin of calico cats
It is not known where calico cats originated. However, they are said to be found in North Africa in Egypt. This was discovered by Neil Todd, who was studying the migration of domesticated cats. According to Neil, the cats migrated using the trade route from Egypt into Europe and the rest of the world.
Since male calico cats do not breed, it is safe to say. Therefore, calico cats can be found anywhere in the world. In addition, the gene mutation that results in calico can affect various breeds of cats such as Siberian, exotic shorthair, American short hair, and others.
Most calico cats have different personalities. It depends on the breed that had the gene mutation. However, all calico cats are appealing to the eyes. In Maryland, the calico is a state cat from 2001. The tri-color of calico cats resembles the color of the Baltimore state bird and Baltimore state insect.
Since calico cats come to be due to a rare gene mutation, male calicos have a high chance of having an underlying health condition.
How long do calicos live for?
Calico cats are regular cats with a gene mutation that affects the color of the fur. However, the gene mutation does not affect the functionality of the other body system of the cat. For that reason, calico cats can live up to 15years. However, there are cases where with proper care, a cat lived for 38years. This is, however, different for male calicos.
Klinefelter’s syndrome brings about the gene mutation in male calico cats. This disorder results into;
- Weak bones
- Cognitive impairment
- Sterility
- Large fat mass
- Diabetes
Proper nutrition is vital to expand the life expectancy of male calico cats. So, make sure you don’t skip any of the veterinary visits. You can take a cat health insurance plan for your calico cat.
Some of the care practice that your calico cat includes;
- Neutering
- Spraying
- Rabies vaccine
- Proper grooming
Another factor that affects the longevity of calico cats’ lives is where they stay. Stray calico cats cannot live longer since they do not receive the proper care.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long do female calico cats live?
Female calico cats do not usually develop health issues. They can therefore live longer with proper nutrition and care. The average life span of calico cats is usually 12-15 years. However, it is not unusual for calico cats to live up to 20.
Is it possible to breed calico cats?
Calico cats are regular cats with different fur colors. The gene that causes the orange color is complicated. Female calico cats are not affected by the mutation. On the other hand, male calico cats are sterile. Therefore, you cannot breed calicos for the continuation of the generation.
Are calico cats the same as Tortoiseshell cats?
Calico and tortoiseshell cats are defined due to the color of their fur. Calico cats have orange, white, and black coats, while Tortoiseshell cats lack the white color.
Tortoiseshell and calico cats can be of the same breed of cats, just different mutations.
Do male calico cats die right away after birth?
It is not a must for male calico cats to die prematurely. Once you realize your kitten is a calico male, sign in with a veterinary closer to you. Starting proper care of your male calico cat early will increase the life expectancy of your pet.
Conclusion
Calico cats cannot be associated with a single place of origin. The study that showed that calico cats originated from Egypt has no supporting evidence, just observation
Various breeds of cats can be affected by the gene mutation that results in Calico cats. Some of them include American short hair and Exotic shorthair. The cat from this breed will inherit most of the features except for the fur color.