There are many reasons why calico cats are fascinating creatures. The first thing that comes to mind when considering owning one of these tricolor kittens is that it is like owning three different cats at once.
The cuteness factor of these kittens cannot be denied. Almost all of us have heard of calico cats, though not everyone knows what they are. Despite their rarity, calico cats are regarded as exceptional cats due to their exceptional beauty.
There are even rarer types of calico that are just as beautiful, although dramatically different in appearance, such as the dilute calico.
A dilute calico cat possesses a unique appearance, and it is ideal for those who are seeking a pet with a unique appearance. Obviously, this isn’t some special breed of cat, but rather the one-of-a-kind coloration of felines.
Here are some other helpful articles about the same subject!
What is Dilute Calicos?
There are three colors in a calico cat’s coat, with one of them being white. Black and orange are also common colors. The cats are praised for their gorgeous coats, but there is a lot of misinformation surrounding them.
There’s a misconception that calico is a breed, but it’s only a color pattern. Thus, calico cats come in a variety of breeds. A dilute calico cat is simply a calico cat with less intense color hues. They have the same coloring as a calico cat but are diluted.
A dilute calico is a calico that has a smoky-gray or blue-gray coat with patches of white, black, and orange — all dilute calicos have lighter coloring than their traditional counterparts.
There are other colors available in dilute calicos, such as white, lilac, and cream, or white, fawn, and cream, in addition to blue, white, and cream.
Dilute calico kittens, as the name implies, receive their unique light coloring by inheriting the gene Dilute, as well as, to put it mildly, a combination of other genetic markers to help them achieve that beautiful coat color.
Are dilute calicos rare?
Creamy and light-blue patterns are very rare to find in dilute calicos. Feline specialists state that there is a probability of a light calico cat for every 1,000 other bewhiskered ones in the breed, according to the breed standard.
Because of this, diluted pets are a real treasure for owners because they have a creamy or light blue pattern to them. It is easy to explain the rarity of the blue, nude, and white calico cat as a pet with low-intensive care by the special dilute gene that is very hard to meet.
There are, however, a lot of breeds that are capable of producing kittens of rare appearance. It is completely possible to have lilac, smoky grey, or even pink kittens born and please owners with their extremely lovely appearance. There are several popular calico breeds in existence, such as:
- Dilute calico Maine Coon cats
- Dilute calico Ragdoll cats
- Dilute calico Siamese cats
- Dilute calico Persians, etc.
It is important to emphasize that calico mix cats are considered rare because the feline needs to inherit three special genes. The most important of them is the mosaic, which is responsible for creating the two basic color patterns.
In calico-free cats with only one coloration without this gene, calicos (which include dilute calicos) are able to obtain both colors (for example, gray and lilac).
It should also be mentioned that the white-driven gene is also responsible for creating a snow-white coat as the backdrop for colorful spots on the fur. A dilute calico kitten appears when all the necessary markers are present.
Cats with brighter colors and darker shadows are known as calicos (brown cats). The diluted ones have a calm, neutral coloration without any deep-palette coating.
It is, for this reason, that calico mix cats and Dilutes kittens are not the same as bewhiskered friends. In fact, the basic and dense colors are a far cry from the dominant and bright colors of diluted kittens.
I would compare this to a nude mix of colors that are tender at the same time. Due to the fact that calico genetics is so complicated, many owners “hunt” kittens that have the special dilute gene.
How long do Dilute Calicos live?
Calico cats have an average lifespan of 12 to 16 years. Is this a longer or shorter lifespan than most cat breeds typically have?
Due to a genetic condition known as Klinefelter’s Syndrome, male calicoes typically live shorter lives than female calicoes. Basically, a male calico cat has an extra X chromosome because he has two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome.
The syndrome is associated with the following health threats:
- Disorientation and behavioral problems can result from cognitive impairments
- Insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes
- Disorders that interfere with the metabolism of lipoproteins, such as dyslipidemia
- Fat accumulation in the body is associated with heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions.
- Increased risk of bone fractures due to reduced bone mineral content
What is the difference between a Calico and a Dilute Calico?
Cat lovers love Calico cats. It is true that the calico is a cool pattern with cool colors, but can only be outdone by its lighter cousin — the Dilute Calico.
Essentially, Dilute Calico cats are Calico cats with less intense color hues. That is, they have the same coloration as calico cats, but they are “diluted,” meaning that they are calico cats with a softer color.
There are two types of calico cats:
- The standard calico cat has distinctive white, black, and orange patches,
- While the dilute calico cat has less-distinct lighter coat colors such as smoky gray, blue-gray, and a soft strawberry-blonde.
All of these cats exhibit lighter coloring than their traditional counterparts. It is also possible for Dilute Calicos to come in colors other than blue, white, and cream such as white, lilac, and cream or white, fawn, and cream.
There are also some areas where these cats were called clouded tigers, which are known as Calimancos in the eastern part of the world. The dilute calico cat patterning can also occur within the spots of dilute calico cats, just as it does with standard Calicos.
Caliby is sometimes used to refer to them in this case. The word, clearly, is a combination of the words “calico “ and tabby “. In fact, one of my own beloved cats is of a dilute Caliby, though her stripes are only visible in her gray-colored spots.
Dilute Calico cat personality
According to some pet owners, calico cats’ personalities are distinct and dramatic. It is important to remember that “Calico” is simply a coat color and not a breed, so the color of a cat won’t have much of an effect on its personality.
According to some owners, calico cats behave differently than other types of cats. However, this is not scientifically proven. The color of the cat’s coat has nothing to do with the cat’s personality in the slightest.
Fiery Personalities
Cats of other colors and color combinations within a breed are said to be more temperamental than those of calico color.
In this case, it is not necessarily an observation that has been confirmed by veterinarians that have been documented, but many people who have bred the calico color within a breed have observed this difference.
Male Dilute Calico is more aggressive than Female
Female dilute calico cats will display the temperament that is characteristic of their breed. Cats that are dilute calico will also take after the traits of their breed, but they may also be more aggressive and act in strange ways towards other cats.
Due to this reason, they may be able to get along better in a household without any other cats.
Cats With Attitude
There is a rumor that calico cats are more aggressive in nature than cats of other colors. The behavior of these cats has been affectionately referred to by pet owners as “cuteness.”
Regardless of the puns, having heard these rumors, many people looking to purchase a kitten will consider these characteristics when choosing between calicos and other colors.
Dilute Calico cat price
Just like anyone looking for a specific breed of cat, you have to do some searching if you want a Calico cat. You will have to pay a high price if you want a purebred Calico cat.
It doesn’t matter how much (or how little) you pay, I am sure your Calico cat will become your best friend no matter what! Now, let’s discuss how much Calico cats cost. The first thing that you should always keep in mind is that a Calico is not a breed of cat. It actually refers to the cat’s tri-color coat pattern, which consists of distinct spots of every color.
In other words, the price of a calico cat depends on the particular breed of the cat you are looking for as well as the specific color of the cat.
The cost of calico cats ranges from $400 to $2,000 on average. Calico cats can cost between $60 and $125 to adopt. In the case of a Calico cat, the price is determined by its age, its sex, and whether it is purebred or not. A male Calico cat will cost significantly more than a female.
As with any breed, kittens will cost more than an adult cat, but what gives Calicos their uniqueness is the fact that males are more expensive than females due to the fact that they are rare. Who can blame you if you fall in love with a Calico cat? I mean, who would blame you if you did? You just have to be aware that they are an expensive breed.
Here is a little more information about how much Calico cats cost, why they cost that much, and what you can expect to pay if you own a cat.
Are Calico cats Worth Money
A calico cat is worth money because it is a specific breed of cat and it is a beautiful one at that. Be aware that the price may change slightly depending on the age and the sex of your cat, so keep that in mind.
The cost of a kitten is likely to be higher than that of an older kitten. You may find that a male Calico cat costs more, regardless of whether it is a kitten or an adult.
Dilute Calico cat facts
Calico cats have some interesting facts.
- “The Duel” is one of Eugene Fields’s best-loved children’s poems. Calicos are also the subject of the poem. In the poem, a fight is described between a “calico cat” and a “gingham dog.”
- Many people around the world consider Calico cats lucky due to their rarity. Calico cats are believed to bring good luck and fortune to the homes and families that adopt them. It is also believed to be a little magical because of the three colors that they possess.
- Depending on the color, calicos have different names. It is commonly known that cats that are predominantly two-colored, having varying shades of orange and black with very little or no white, are considered to be tortoiseshell cats. Gray, silver, and gold-colored cats may be called dilute calico cats since their fur is lighter in color.
- During the 1870s, the Calico cat was chosen as the official symbol of fortune in Japan. These cats are sometimes called “money cats” both in Japan and elsewhere.
- In 2001, the Calico cat was made the official cat of the state of Maryland. It was decided to use the Calico cat because the colors of its fur are similar to those of the Baltimore Oriole, which also serves as the official state bird.
- According to Irish folklore, if you have a wart that you wish to take care of, simply rub it against the tail of a Calico cat.
