Here's Why Calico Cats Are the Coolest February 24 2017, 107 Comments
Calico cats are some of the coolest cats there are. It's not just their beautiful, eye-catching colors that make them pretty calicool. (Okay, even I cringed at that pun.) Their “cool cat” stat is backed by some interesting science.
To get down to brass tacks, “calico” is not a breed of cat. Calico actually refers to a cat’s coat color and fur pattern. It’s most commonly a tri-color mix of orange, black and white, but variations of these basic colors can also present, such as cream, reddish brown, blue-black or even gray.
Calico colors can present in any breed of domestic cat, long hair or short: Japanese Bobtail, Manx, Persian, Turkish Angora and American Shorthair to name a few.
Now to the cool stuff.
Almost all calico cats are female.
Calicos are a weird wonder of nature, genetically speaking. No worries, I won’t be dragging out the Punnett squares and overhead projector. (Boy, do I feel old.) Here are the basics:
- A cat needs two X chromosomes to present with the tri-color calico pattern.
- If a cat has an XX pair of chromosomes, it will be female.
- Male cats have an XY chromosome pair, so they can rarely be Calicos.
One of the more famous calico ladies is Honorable Eternal Stationmaster Tama who saved the Kishi Station in Wakayama, Japan, from closing.
Another cute calico lady is Pudge, whose "mustache is cooler than yours." Here's Pudge lounging around in all her feminine feline glory.
Male calicos are like unicorns.
Good luck finding one! There's less than a 0.1% chance of a calico cat being born male. Approximately one in 3,000 calicos are male.
For a male cat to have calico colors, it must have an extra X chromosome, making it XXY. While these cats present as male, they are calico because of the double X chromosome.
Meet Sherman, one in 3,000. A stray male calico who showed up at the Humane Society Silicon Valley!
Male calicos are almost always sterile.
Only one in 10,000 male calicos are born fertile because of this rare XXY configuration. This anomaly can also cause Klinefelter’s Syndrome, a health issue that may result in some health problems for calico males.
That concludes the scientific portion of today’s cool calico cat facts! But we’ve got some fun feline folklore in store for you.
Calico cats are good luck.
In England and the United States, male calicos are considered especially lucky due to their rarity.
Maneki neko, a Japanese cat talisman thought to bring good fortune and wealth, is almost always calico. If Maneki neko’s left paw is raised, she’ll lure in those customers with her calico charm; while her raised right paw bestows good luck and wealth. The higher her paw is held, the luckier you’ll be.
Calicos are ancient maritime protectors.
Long ago, Japanese sailors saw calico cats as companions of good luck and would bring them along on their ocean voyages. The calicos were thought to chase away storms and also any angry, ancestral ghosts that may float onboard.
Be sure to bring your pocket-sized calico protector with you wherever you go.
Calicos have a cure for what ails you.
An old Irish wives’ tale claims that if you’ve got a wart on ye olde foot, just rub-a-dub-dub that unfortunate bump on an (even more unfortunate) calico’s tail. This calico kitty is a surefire way to banish those bumps. Just look at the size of that wart remover!
Or you could just wear a pair of cat socks. Or maybe don't worry about weird foot growths. Unless your podiatrist is like, "Whoa." Then maybe go find a calico cat.
Calicos bring in the fat stacks.
Litter isn’t the only thing calicos are raking in. Sometimes called “money cats” in the U.S. due to the myth that calicos can be sold at top dollar. Breeding for calicos is near impossible as the genetic configuration is unpredictable, and most male cats are sterile and aren't really of any higher monetary value than other cats. But we think they're priceless :)
Calicos are officially official.
The calico cat became the official state cat of Maryland in 2001, chosen because the calico’s colors resemble that of an Oriole, Maryland’s state bird. The Maryland Orioles baseball team also wears these colors.
Fluffy Elizabeth of Baltimore, above, won a division of the animal dress-up contest with her black-eyed-susan themed costume.
A calico cat Patronus is the best Patronus.
Source: Pottermore
Wait! What about tortoiseshell cats?
Don't worry, we didn't forget about them! Tortoiseshell, or tortie, cats are similar to calicos in that they too are mostly female. But their colorations are slightly different.
Tortoiseshell refers to the bicolor coat pattern that is almost entirely orange and black with very little to no white markings. A popular tortie you might recognize is Venus, the "two-faced cat."
Admittedly, I don't have a calico (or tortie) to call my own. Do you? Feel free to comment below! We'd love to see more photos or hear tell of your beautiful, beloved kitties!
And if you have a kitty birthday or adoption day coming up for your favorite calico kitty, don't forget to treat them to a gift or two from our Under $10 section!
Comments
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catlover03 on September 12 2021 at 09:14AM
I JUST GOT A NEW CALICO KITTY AND I NAMED HER SUSHI!! shes adorable, but she doesnt get along with my other kitties too well.. ill just give them time!
Patti on August 19 2021 at 03:59AM
I adopted a little calico kitten last December from a rescue center (who rescued her & her male litter mate from under a porch where mama cat took them…in 19F weather & just left them). At time of rescue they were only 5 weeks old…saved from freezing to death. I adopted Pixie (named for her personality) when she was 6 weeks old. She’s fearless, very mischievous, has a double dose of cattitude & carries on conversations with me as soon as I step through the door…maybe she ratting out my other cat (5 yr old completely black male), or blaming him for things she did 😹. She’s adorable with the black & red everywhere except for the white socks, a tiny amount of white on face & has white chest & tummy. From day two she was running up & playfully attacking him, he’s 15lbs. He didn’t know how to take her actions so he’d jump up & run from her, lol…he was a feral who adopted ‘me’ & decided my home was also his. She’s still mischievous & they play fight all the time…never a dull moment, but now…he bows his head to her & she washes the top of his head for him…they even share their food, she’ll eat what he leaves after finishing hers & he’ll munch her dry food…which she doesn’t care for (she prefer wet food & he prefers the dry).
Marie on August 18 2021 at 03:04AM
I have a tortie. Shes 2 months old and she got that tortie attitude. She basically dominate my other cat despite him being 4 times her size lol. Shes a chimera tortie the black variant.
Tamara on August 10 2021 at 07:25PM
I had THE sweetest Calico named Patches. She adopted me 15 years and just passed away breaking my heart in a million pieces. She could talk and say a perfect “hello” and “mama”. She slept next to me every night. She was my best friend. I’m looking around at shelters trying to find another one. Patches, the Calico will be very, very missed in our family💔💔
catbus on May 28 2021 at 07:57PM
My calico was in my lap trying to get at the slice of pizza I was eating while I read this
MichelleVargo on March 13 2021 at 10:34PM
(part 2)of my other story of my young female kitty,Well,she finally warmed up to me,then she ended up with us,So she just had a 2nd litter of 6kittens,1 calico,female,one black,two BLK and white socks,and bellies,. One red(lion with white stripes,and one cream,he’s the largest ,all just born about 8 days ago at 7:00 morning time,at valley village,calif.email me if interested in anyThanks m vargo.
Michelle Vargo on March 13 2021 at 10:25PM
I have a all colored cAt who came to me about11/2 yrs back,she was still small,and wanted to be LOVED!! But did not know how to get it,because she was a real stray,and she’d sleep up in a tree,like the possoms,and racoons often do.after about 2 months of me actually (playing outside with her,with tall pieces of my Lilly type plants,that I pull out from the green leaves,old ones,,she would chase the stem,and I’d wiggle this lge stem,(3feet,long),and watch her jump,"weigh into the air for it!! She loved me tapping her ,‘cause she would NOT let me touch her still,then I’d quickly’
Carol on February 25 2021 at 07:24PM
i recently rescued a calico kitten from a horrible dirty home.. she’s called Cali 💯 shes very strange but very fun 😂
Lisa Morris on February 19 2021 at 01:37PM
One day this calico cat showed up in my back yard eating my outdoor cats food. Well she decided to stay lol so I named her Gypsy. April will be a year here at my house. I think she was a year or two when she adopted me. She now rules the house and is so loving and sweet but also has that cattitude lol. One of her marking is a heart shape right on her forehead.
Karen Lewis on November 26 2020 at 09:56AM
We just adopted a diluted calico kitten from the pound. Actually shocked she was still there. From day one she’s followed us around like a little shadow loving on everyone
Cabernet renee on September 23 2020 at 04:28PM
Please please you idiots. Spay and neuter your cats. Don’t you see how they are considered disposable by society. That’s because there are so many of them. Wake up.
Joy Fatooh on August 19 2020 at 10:06PM
Adding to my explanation: Two X chromosomes make a calico POSSIBLE because the gene that codes for orange OR black is on the X chromosome. So to get both orange AND black, you need two Xs. There are plenty of male cats running around with two Xs and you’ll never know it because they got black/black or orange/orange or some other color altogether, instead of the black/orange combo which is the clue that something unusual is going on!
Joy Fatooh on August 19 2020 at 08:15PM
I have a male calico. If you’re a biology nerd like me, you’ll like this! XXY is only one way for a male calico to develop. In fact, most common are chimeras: two embryos fuse early in development — brothers, XY/XY, or a brother and sister, XX/XY. Male calicos can also happen with no Y chromosome at all! The gene that normally causes boy parts to form (SRY) is normally on the Y chromosome but, rarely, it ends up on an X (XX SRY-positive). My own male calico, Monster, just got his chromosomes analyzed and “he” turns out to be genetically female — XX, SRY-negative! There are several ways this can happen but it would take a very expensive whole-genome analysis to figure out exactly what happened in Monster’s case. Read more here, and there are cute kitten photos of Monster about halfway down the page! — http://messybeast.com/mosaicism.htm (And be kind to your transgender friends, for you never know what someone “really” is.)
Layan on May 12 2020 at 06:59AM
I’m getting a 7 week-old Persian-Calico, her name is Lucky, and this really gonna help my boredom in Quarantine 😂.
Avrilee on April 03 2020 at 03:37AM
We just got not one but TWO Calico kittens! Frolene the tabby mom gave birth to them a few days ago… and am excited to get them named!
Kristy on March 16 2020 at 02:18PM
I have a pretty calico cat. She just turned 18 and she still acts like a kitten, I love my meme.
Vanessa on March 04 2020 at 02:48PM
I have a Ragdoll cat named Evie who is a Seal pastel calico bi colour with diamond nose blaze. I know. What a mouthful. She is naughty but beautiful
Jody on February 29 2020 at 02:06PM
I have 1 calico, 2 blue calicos, and one tortie. They range from 5-7 years old. They are very very spoiled but love them all!!
Josie on January 21 2020 at 06:06PM
I am on my third calico. The first lived to be 19. My second lived to be 13. My third one will be 16 soon. Love these babies…
Teri on January 10 2020 at 12:44AM
I have two beautiful Calicos that came to me as strays. One is female and the other is a male!! Do I have one of the rare ones!!
These litter mates are beautiful loving cats!
Joel Bautista on December 22 2019 at 03:39AM
Me love my female calico cat
Joel Bautista on December 22 2019 at 03:37AM
I have a 1Year old female calico cat
Cat on December 18 2019 at 10:26PM
I have a 11week old calico deemed Apples by my 2yr old daughter. She is a feisty spunk filled little kitty. She is gorgeous but is more of a companion to my sweet black cat Jazz that to us peoples.
She is a tabby calico. Her colors are white gray orange and black :)
Cat on December 18 2019 at 10:25PM
I have a 11week old calico deemed Apples by my 2yr old daughter. She is a feisty spunk filled little kitty. She is gorgeous but is more of a companion to my sweet black cat Jazz that to us peoples.
GROOOOVED on November 28 2019 at 06:08PM
Well, my calico’s the best. Sorry boutcher luck!
Hopes mom on November 22 2019 at 03:26AM
My DH works at a transfer station and found a still wet tort calico kitten in a construction sites dumpster. He brought the darling home and I became mom. Her mom didn’t even get a chance to clean her and it was a miracle he saw her. For about 3 months she lived in my bra and went everywhere with me. People around town fell in love with her and by vote decided she’d be called Hope.
We had so many set backs where we almost lost her, but she just kept fighting! She quite honestly had an entire town praying for her. Finally, she weaned at 3 months. By 4 months, she had taught herself to use the toilet and turn the sink on to drink out of.
By 6 months, she’d managed to make DH late for work several times and finally got caught! The stinker would get irritated with his alarm and would turn it off. I suppose this is where I admit to scrolling FB and YouTube while feeding her bottle and the best learned to work a smartphone.
Anyway, my son rescued a kitten someone had thrown out their car window which wasn’t quite weaned when Hope was about 6months old. It joined the family and the vet said it was a girl. Well, we didn’t spay Hope because honestly she’s terrified of being outside. One day the new kitten is a girl, the next his cods dropped, and the next he was fixed.
Babies were born and 3 of the 5 were dilute calicos! Needless to say, it was shocking but we had more people wanting Hope babies than we had babies.
Oh and for the record, I’d never had a cat prior to Hope.
Charlene Evans on October 20 2019 at 11:04PM
Can a cat be all gray and spot of different colors in it only to or 3 spot be called calico Charlene
Charlene Evans on October 20 2019 at 11:04PM
Can a cat be all gray and spot of different colors in it only to or 3 spot be called calico Charlene
Stephen on October 09 2019 at 03:35PM
Hello my name is Stephen from Cape Town South Africa, I have one tortise named Princess and she gave birth to our adorable little tiny who is a calico.
Susan Domokos on September 25 2019 at 09:36PM
Are you guys on fb or ig…cannot share pix of my tortie or calic!?
essex kev on September 10 2019 at 12:41AM
we have a calico called madeline she was adoped in jordan by my partners brother as a starving ill stray kitten he payed the vets bills&brought her to england shes now well known in the area due to her unsuual markings on her face&is a very happy&vocal cat she loves attention on her terms i have the scars to show when shes had enough lol
Katie on August 25 2019 at 09:16AM
I have a calico, she got dumped out by her original owners, and adopted my family and I. For the first month or so of hanging out at our house she would only let us feed her and talk to her. Now she finally let’s us pet her, something she cant get enough of. My mother and I named her Callie…short for calico kitty. She is one of the sweetest most loving cats now and loves attention. We also have another cat…hes a little tuxedo cat….and he was also dumped out by his owners, and adopted us as his people. His name is Binky, and like Callie is a little sweetheart and loves attention.
Kent De Bejar definitely one half of my heart definitely she is definitely on August 22 2019 at 11:05AM
My calico is Ms Ema she has calitude.never a dull moment.
Patty Thomas on July 02 2019 at 12:54PM
I have 3 calicos and two torties. My oldest calico gave birth to the 8 month old tortie I have now along with a dilute calico. The tortie just had her first litter and also had a calico and a tortie. I have always had calicos and these are my first torties, the eight month olds litter is just now 3 weeks old
Rick & Cindy on May 04 2019 at 05:42PM
We have one of the most beautiful calico. Her name is Baby Kitty. She is from a litter of 3. One kitten, white with paws light grey. Second kitten orange tabby like with light white stripes and eyes like Cleopatra. (The beautiful eye liner extended to each side. Third kitten is our Baby Kitty. We are very blessed.
Linda on April 13 2019 at 05:37PM
My neighborhood has many strays. a few calicos. 2 calico sisters often come to my door for food or love. (and other neighbors) but one in particular loves to follow me if I go for a walk, will sit on my lap, hug me, etc. This is a cat that was born stray from a stray mom, mind you.
Well, she became pregnant and was very much at my hip when she would visit.
She had the kittens, I estimate, this last monday. And on Thursday brought them to me. So now I am fostering her and her 5 kittens! (there were 6, but one didn’t make the first night). So this article asks if we have any calicos: I am fostering the mom, a calico, and she has as of now, 3 calico babies and 2 orange and white ones. I pray they all live! They are all beautiful! Only time will tell if any of the babies are male.
Patsy Stout on April 08 2019 at 05:56AM
I adopted Meowie when she was nine weeks old.She is now three and half years old.She tells me back when to go to bed, and when to get up.She likes to sleep with me, but I snore, so she will get up and sleep somewhere else. She is very smart.She knows what time MEALS ON WHEELS comes, and she will wait by the door until it be comes.I love her so much.I call her my CAREGIVER because she keeps me happy all the time.
Paul Campbell on February 26 2019 at 12:45PM
A feral Calico showed up in my kitchen about a year ago to steal some food. I had sometimes seen her tail disappear out through the garden fence, or occasionally she would sunbathe on the roof of the shed. I got into the habit of feeding her. She can eat 2 packs of “wet” cat food with a sprinkling of dry food on top. Now if she wants more, she comes into the lounge or pops her head around the kitchen door to show she’s still hungry. Her name’s “Wild Thing”, but I call her “Baby” too (she is still quite young).
She hisses and makes a ptt,ptt, ptt noise still, and curls her tail around defensively, but when she comes in, she bumps her head into my hand. The head bump has become a stroke from head to tail. Apart from that, she eats her food and disappears. I think she lives in my shed in colder weather or when it rains. Sometimes she stays under my compost bin, so I no longer put compost in there. She is still wild, doesn’t trust humans, but we have a bit of a bond and she comes to take a look around the house sometimes. When I open the back door she is usually there sitting on my workbench waiting for me. I always leave the door open enough for her when she comes in, so she has an escape route.
I guess she will never be domesticated, but I don’t mind that. I just like to help her out with food, especially during the Winter.
She’s really cute, doesn’t know how to miaow, maybe the hissing is her way of talking sometimes.
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Jean Morgan on December 22 2018 at 11:44PM
My precious Calico was starving and showed up at our patio door looking in because she smelled the pork chops I was cooking for dinner. She was feral and afraid, but I won her over by feeding her and not pressuring her. I feel she was sent by God to help me. I was a caregiver to my husband, who had Parkinson’s. He died this past July and Calli has been my company and loving companion for the past 20 months. She was in early pregnancy and had 4 kittens. One Calico, two female tuxedo females, and one black male.i found home for them as soon as they were weaned and also had her spayed. She is beautiful and smart and I couldn’t even imagine my life without her! I love her with all my heart. Calico’s are awesome!!!
CAM on December 20 2018 at 06:47PM
We adopted a Calico “Callie” four weeks ago, what a joy!
Patricia on December 05 2018 at 02:42PM
Have you ever seen a calico with a carrot nose? My cat has a perfectly shaped orange carrot-shaped marking covering her nose. Wish I could post photos.
KRISTEN C Amburgey on November 18 2018 at 03:58PM
I have a beautiful, sassafrass named Kaleigh. She is my shadow, my peace, and the silliest, and most vocal cat Ive ever had. Her nickname is “South Paw” because she bats mostly with her left, amd favoring her left side ( her prettiest side jmis right.) I wish O could post a pic.
SHARON RUDICK on October 24 2018 at 05:47AM
I have a calico cat name miss kitty I found her on the side of the road last November across from the cemetery I was. Visiting it’s amazing how she showed up I didn’t see her when I drove into the cemetery the amazing thing I was visiting my brothers grave I found her one day before the anniversary of his death she was cold and skinny I picked her up and she snuggled right into my coat I believe she was put there by my brother I was talking to him saying I had nothing to call my own and how much I missed him we were very close she is a wonderful cat she seems to know what I’m thinking she is a very magical she follows me everywhere even sleeps in my bed I love her very much I’m very lucky to have such a wonderful cat miss kitty
SHARON RUDICK on October 24 2018 at 05:47AM
I have a calico cat name miss kitty I found her on the side of the road last November across from the cemetery I was. Visiting it’s amazing how she showed up I didn’t see her when I drove into the cemetery the amazing thing I was visiting my brothers grave I found her one day before the anniversary of his death she was cold and skinny I picked her up and she snuggled right into my coat I believe she was put there by my brother I was talking to him saying I had nothing to call my own and how much I missed him we were very close she is a wonderful cat she seems to know what I’m thinking she is a very magical she follows me everywhere even sleeps in my bed I love her very much I’m very lucky to have such a wonderful cat miss kitty
Vicky on September 01 2018 at 09:43AM
We’ve just adopted a beautiful Calico cat called Bella Pawson, cant see where to attach a pic!
Books on August 29 2018 at 05:23PM
I’ve always had a calico cat since being a child. Most recently our calico cat passed away at age 22. We now have a dilute calico, who
is very sweet and loving. Any calico cats we’ve ever had have demonstrated a loving, funny, snuggly personality. I’ve had black cats, main coon cats, tuxedo cats, tabby cats, but the best has always been the calico.
Kendal on August 25 2018 at 06:26PM
I rescued a kitten from a farm a few months ago and she was ferral. The first week was miserable but I gave her space and let her come to me when she felt up to it. Now she is the sweetest gem ever! Fiona is a calico and her mom was as well. She looks exactly like her mom did. I’ve always been a sucker for calico cats. When I was a kid I had a calico cat Habecca for 10 years and she would only let me near her. She had 2 calico kittens one had had the exact same pattern only long furr. Calico cats are the most beautiful sweetest cats ever despite what some people may think
Emmanuel Heaven on July 11 2018 at 01:33AM
Irina, Hi my name is Emmanuel Heaven. I will take the kitten and give her a really good home. I live in Bellingham Washington though so we would have to figure out how to get the kitten from there to here. But I really do want her. My phone number is (360) 441-3352 and my email address is emmyheaven71@icloud.com please contact me. So I can give the sweetheart a good home.
Emmanuel Heaven on July 11 2018 at 01:31AM
Irina, Hi my name is Emmanuel Heaven. I will take the kitten and give her a really good home. I live in Bellingham Washington though so we would have to figure out how to get the kitten from there to here. But I really do want her. My phone number is (360) 441-3352 and my email address is emmyheaven71@icloud.com please contact me. So I can give the sweetheart a good home.
Irina on July 03 2018 at 02:56PM
I found calico kitten 8 weeks old driving on a freeway in Los Angeles. She was crossing freeway and I grabbed her, lucky her that she did not get hit by a car, I think she is miracle and lucky. She is very beautiful 3 collor , green eyes. I am looking for home for her. i think she brings a lot of luck and blessings since she survived such a circumstance .She is very sweet and likes people but does not like my dog. If you know anyone who would like beautiful calico please let me know. Irinabor@gmail.com I can send you pictures and videos of her. 🐈
Nathan on June 24 2018 at 07:24PM
My family adopted our very first cat from a PetsMart (that worked with the local shelter to help find homes for their cats) in Chicago when I was five years old and my little sister was only three. As the older child, I got to be the one to pick our new family member! My sister was not amused.
I remember there being six cages, three stacked on top of three others, but even though the top cages were over my head I could see all the cats in them as they came crowding to the front to see who the new arrival was. The attendant stayed back and let me and my mother get to know the kitties. However, the middle cage on the top row had no cat at the front, but there was a card on the door so I knew there must be a kitty inside. Wanting to know all my options before deciding (I fancied myself quite a mature little five year old) I asked my mom to pick me up so I could see inside the middle cage.
And there, curled up at the back of the cage, staring into space like she’d lost the will to live, was a fat calico kitty. She was bigger than the other cats, not just because she was a bit overweight but also because she was two years old and much older than the kittens around her. I asked my mom to read her card since I couldn’t make out the handwriting (five year old me wishes to announce that she could read chapter books and the handwriting was the only reason she needed her mother to read it for her), and so my mom put me down and read the story.
“Hello, my name is Melanie. I’m two years old and I’m a rescue cat! I know I look pregnant, but I actually lost my kittens because my old family weren’t very nice, so I’m not pregnant anymore. My body just doesn’t realize that yet, but with some playtime I’ll shed the baby pounds in no time! I’m looking for a new home with a loving family that can show me people can be very nice!”
Five year old me was in absolute tears as soon as she heard that poor Melanie had lost her babies and demanded that we bring her home and give her all the love in the world. My mother tried to get me to read about some of the other cats first as she knew Melanie would be a handful, especially for a first time cat owner, but I refused to even consider abandoning that poor abused cat. When my mom went to talk to the attendant, and I attempted to see into Melanie’s cage without assistance, the woman working there burst into tears as well. Melanie had been one day away from being put down because nobody wanted a cat that was scared of people. We had saved her life.
My dad and sister went to pick up Melanie the next day, and my three year old sister was not pleased that instead of a cute kitten we were getting a grouchy, chubby, antisocial cat that hissed at everyone and immediately hid under a couch as soon as we got her home. My mom told us to give her space and we set out some food and water for her and did our best to not freak out and crowd her every time she ventured out from her hiding spot.
That night, when I had turned off my light and put down my book, I was startled by a little figure walking by the door. Naturally my first thought was that a monster was invading my room and I tried to hide under my sheets – until I heard an uncertain little mew. Melanie had come into my room to say goodnight. She curled up by my side and I pet her until my arm felt like it would fall off, and then I kept petting her. She eventually left and went back to her own bed, but every night after that she’d do the same routine, eventually adding my sister to the roster as well. Every night for fourteen years that cat said goodnight to us because she knew that we saved her, and she loved us for it.
Melanie never really trusted anyone outside of our little four-person family, often being referred to as hell spawn by my friends and extended family when they came down for Christmas. Almost no one understood how we could love and defend such an antisocial and angry animal like her. We’d explain her abuse and how she cared for us, but very few people ever got to see it for themselves.
The one person my cat loved outside of us was our neighbor. She would play piano and Melanie would sit next to her and purr. Melanie really loved music – she would always lay on my and my sister’s laps while we practiced piano and she watched musicals with us on movie night (she adored Fame, it was definitely her favorite movie). If the music was turned on you could bet Melanie would be somewhere nearby, listening in and enjoying herself. Even when it was just me in my room practicing my songs for musicals or recitals she’d pop her head in and be my audience.
And she showed her love in other little ways too. My mother, a bit of a neat freak, would discover piles of Melanie’s shed fur in piles in corners of rooms as Melanie attempted to help clean up. My dad would find himself reminded that he needed to wake up with a cat on his face after he’d hit the snooze button three times on his alarm. My sister and I never fell asleep until Melanie had come in to say goodnight.
One of my favorite Melanie stories is from 2011, when we made our temporary move to New York so my dad could be closer to Stern while he worked on his MBA. While we were getting all our furniture up to the 37th floor and getting settled we checked Melanie into the best cat hotel money could buy, with the assurance that they’d seen standoffish cats before and that Melanie would be in good hands. We finished unpacking almost three days earlier than we’d expected to, and my sister an I immediately demanded we go get Melanie from the hotel. My dad, normally a bit more frugal about money already spent, eagerly agreed and we were off, cat carrier in hand and pure excitement in our hearts. When we arrived to pick up Melanie we were given a full refund and allowed into the back rooms – somewhere no owner was supposed to go. The staff was stunned when our tubby Calico flung herself at my dad, mewling eagerly and demanding we take her home right that second. They’d thought no human could possible love such a demon, and that she held no love for humanity, but there we were, petting her and crying happily as she purred and complained at the exact same time, attempting to dive into her cat carrier even as she arched and demanded scratches.
Melanie passed away four years ago at the age of 16. We’d been told that due to her past and her miscarriage that she likely wouldn’t make it past 12, but she had, as she always did, proved that she was much better than most of the population deemed her to be.
That last day she lay in front of her litterbox, not wanting to make a mess of the floor and give my mom more work. I saw her that morning, gave her a few quick pets, and told her I’d see her when I got home. Instead I came home to my mother and sister sobbing that they’d had to put her down.
My mother says she was at peace at the end. She lay in my mother’s arms and didn’t struggle at all as they drove to the vet, and she gave my mother one last, slow blink before she fell asleep forever. I think one of my greatest regrets in life so far is not having been there with her at the end.
We buried Melanie’s ashes on our property, under a beautiful custom headstone. I visit her every time I come home while out on walks with our new cats, Ace and Jack. As much as I love the boys – and their sister Misty, may she rest in peace – Melanie will always have a very special place in my heart. Calicos are truly amazing cats.
BasasFuck on May 25 2018 at 05:36PM
My orange cat had 5 kittens
https://www.facebook.com/badasfunk/videos/vb.100002585648081/1000741933355319/?type=2&video_source=user_video_tab
https://www.facebook.com/badasfunk/videos/1000736623355850/
https://www.facebook.com/badasfunk/videos/1000727683356744/
https://www.facebook.com/badasfunk/videos/1010028579093321/
Katy Morris on May 05 2018 at 07:21PM
I’ve only had a few days in my lifetime. All calicos. I’m a sucker for a cute cali. The one i have now replaced my Pita who was part of our family for 11 years. This one is named Ninja and she loves up to the name every bit. She’s a crazy wild child too smart for her own good sometimes. She knows how to open doors, cupboards etc. She can climb up and down trees as skilled as a squirrel and is the best little hunter cat I’ve ever had..
I found out her coloring is known as a patched tabby (oddly you would think that meant she had the patches of coloring but nope). She has the blended orange/ black but underneath that she has orange tabby stripes. It’s the craziest thing that a cat can be such colors and yet have very distinct stripes under that pattern.
I just know she’s turning 7 this year and I’d be lost without her. Even when she drives me bonkers.. pretty sure it’s mutual since she gets mad if i leave long enough to go to the grocery store even. LoL
Karen on April 30 2018 at 08:16AM
I thought we had just adopted a lovely teenage cat, but apparently he is a unicorn! I just went online looking for a name for our lovely white cat with torishell patches, only to find out he is a calico. A male calico. Only 1 in 3000 calicos is male? You would think the SPCA would have known that and advertised such a rare cat to encourage his adoption. The poor boy has been at the SPCA for months. I guess he was just waiting for our lucky family!
Spencer on April 24 2018 at 12:48PM
About 2 years ago a calico cat literally came meowing at my door. It was winter and there was snow on the ground so I took her in she was so beat up filty dirty her pads on her feet were almost gone from the streets. I believe someone from my apartment building moved and left her. I fed her and let her stay the night. The next morning I thought I didn’t want an animal so I opened the door to let her out and she walked out on the walk way, stoped and turned gave me a look like what’s going on I gotta go, so I opened the door a little wider and I said if you want to stay get back in here. She instantly ran back in. The rest is history. I’ve had her now for 2 years. I have her spade and I must say she is the most loyal animal I’ve ever owned, this is the first cat I’ve ever owned, She truly is greatful and shows it everyday. She plays fetch, she greets me at the door every time I come home, she is so smart. I never thought a cat could be so smart, amazing. Im extremely happy she came into my life.
Spencer
Vanity on April 12 2018 at 10:57AM
I took in a pregnant feral cat who was pregnant. She just had 4 calico kittens early yesterday morning. She’s a beautiful ginger and I’ve decided to keep her. Hopefully, I won’t have a hard time finding her babies homes in a few months.
dott on April 03 2018 at 10:04AM
Hello, I have one little calico. She was born to my dark grey tabby just days before Hurricane Irma arrived. Her Mom has long hair, this calico, who I named Sacha, may have the shortest hair of any cat I ever had. It’s very glossy, but short short. Anyway, she is the first calico I have had, and she is very affectionate. I think I’ll keep her…..;)
Fiona on March 14 2018 at 12:19AM
So I only realised yesterday we have a Calico cat and he is
male!…This would make him a unicorn…He is still a kitten not quite a
year and he has gender issues. I guess because of the extra X.
We think he may grow up to be a Cabaret singer but that is fine
as long as he is happy….
Michael Blizzard on February 18 2018 at 05:39PM
After reading your article I discover my Kimi is not a tortie as I first thought ?
She has quite a bit of white fur alone with ginger black and a little bit of tabby. Can I officially call her a calico?
Can’t see a way to post a picture so you’ll just have to believe me ?
Jean D on February 14 2018 at 04:18PM
Last Summer, my sister asked me to watch her calico, Lucy, for a week, since she was watching my niece’s cat. Well, Lucy fell in love with me, and runs whens she sees my sister! This cat had a bad reputation for biting and scratching, so I was a little scared of her. However, she is now the sweetest cat ever! She purrs all the time and is always rubbing against my leg.I am grateful that we are now a team. I love my Lucy cat! My family can’t believe it is the same cat since she has bitten and scratched all of them in the past.
Hellena on February 03 2018 at 02:47PM
I now have a beautiful temprimental but overall good natured calico cat living with me . She was seen as a stray and taken in by my neighbours about four years ago. They traced her owners four houses up our street, but she refused to live there as she hated the other cat (male tabby). My neighbours moved out for nearly 5 months to refurbish their house. I looked after and fed cat and she hung out in my garden but couldn’t come indoors because of my 19 year old black and white boy cat. Anyway, he became ill and I unfortunately had to have him put to sleep..and literally on the day I came home without him, she ran into my house and has been here ever since , despite neighbours moving back in! She is the most unusual cat I’ve ever met with some of the strangest traits I’ve ever known but I love her dearly and thank her for ‘choosing me’❤️❤️❤️
Richard Keller on January 22 2018 at 04:55PM
I adopted a beautiful Calico kitten 3 weeks ago and called her Cleo (Cleopatra). She is definitely a little princess and she is the best cat i have ever owned. She has a sweet disposition loves to play on her own and loves to cuddle. I’ll wake up often times in the middle of the night and find her asleep on my chest. We are bonding and i feel soooo lucky to have acquired such a beautiful cat. I really wish their was a way to post her photo.
Alice McNulty on December 31 2017 at 11:18AM
I have 2 beautiful calicos: long haired diluted calico cat and a short haired. Love these furbabies!
Jordi on December 03 2017 at 04:12AM
My calico kitty Rhubarb found me as a stray! She’s more peach/grey/white than black and orange and so gorgeous! After I took her in she had a litter of 5 little girls and every single one of them was a different shade of calico or torti ?
I love her so much and she definitely brings me good luck. I’m so glad she found me!
jenananana on November 19 2017 at 10:33AM
i have a super cute calico girl named candy! she’s around 7 years old now, and i was 6 when we got her. she can be as sweet as sugar when she wants something, but whenever my dog barks, she feels the need to attack him. she’s usually found sleeping on the couch, (even after we told her she wasn’t allowed up there), and when she’s not dreaming away, she’s cuddling with a family member. i love her with all of my heart and i could have never asked for a better kitty!
Sara on October 15 2017 at 03:38AM
Oh my god! I love this. I adopted a calico kitten a few months ago (Her name is Sundae because she looks like a hot fudge caramel sundae to me and she is currently 5 months old) and we have bonded so much. Honestly I was always a dog person until I got my own cat, now she lives with me at my dorm in college. She’s an AMAZING emotional support animal, I also agree with her bringing me good luck. She may wake me up at 3 AM with knocking over everything I own, (she’s still a kitten, she’s learning…slowly.) but she is my favorite, cuddly good luck charm.
ethel palmer on September 21 2017 at 10:50PM
I love these calico cat stories many years ago I had a calico furry baby named tootsie toes because she had 9 toes on let front paw looked like another paw and on right paw 7 toes she died 3 days before 20 yrs before shw passaway she went blind she would follow me around by putting her sweet nose at my heel than I would pick her up put her on the dryer to feed her she would meow when done like old people knows when need help it has been 10 years since she gone and I still miss her there is nothing kouter than baby kittens and baby goats I love all GOD’S furrier animals yes I DO
aK on April 18 2017 at 04:11PM
Calico cats are my favorite. I have a 15 yo calico named Tempest…she has long floofy hair, white “socks” and cool markings on her face.
Murci Rocha Ponce on March 10 2017 at 03:15PM
My beautiful calico, Alaska, had been found by someone while she was walking in the rain in a side of a very dangerous road in my country, Bolivia. She was malnourished, even the bones of her tail were seen, had fungus and feline acne due to stress. Her hair looked like iron bristles and she had the breath of the devil, her tossies were cracked and her little nails were black, she was only 3 months old. Now, she´s kinda chubby, plays all day long, eats, drinks A LOT of water and purrs along with her older brother: Facundo, a stray cat black and beautiful as the night. We knew that we belonged to each other when their eyes (one celestial and another cafe) met with mine. She is from time to time slightly insane (playfully), but always purr when I touch her. Thank you Alaska, for coming into my life. I love you and your big brother Facundo.
Jo on March 08 2017 at 08:09PM
I adopted a beautiful calico 12 years ago. She is not real smart but very loving. Had I known about the male being so rare I would of gotten the one in the Cage with her he wasn’t as pretty as her though. Instead I adopt a male bangled cat. Love them both!
Courtney Campbell on March 07 2017 at 10:56AM
We adopted a spunky and gorgeous short-haired calico from a shelter just last year – Phoebe! She is crazy, needy, and so playful. She loves it when her “mommy and daddy” hold her like a baby. She also likes bossing us around with her big voice! She has brought so much joy and happiness and “OMG” moments to our lives. If you would like to see her and her crazy antics, follow my instagram at @courtanncampbell. Who knows what she’ll get into next!
Paula on March 06 2017 at 08:49PM
I have a Calico. Her name is not that original (Callie) but she is definitely an original. We , my husband and I took her in as she was going to be euthanized. Her owner was moving into a nursing home and could not take her with. That was in 2012. Now almost 5 years later this not so little furball has stolen our hearts.
Lisa on March 06 2017 at 06:02PM
I have a calico! Her name is Wild Flower! I captured her feral tortiseshell mom (because she was a tripod and I was very worried about her AND she was pregnant), and she had her kittens in my apartment. I got her accepted into a feral cat sanctuary because I just couldn’t win her over and I didn’t want her to be unhappy always worrying about me. She had four kittens but one was born dead and she rejected one that I tried to save and failed. :( I kept the calico because she was the first born and if I rescue a feral I always keep the first born, and I kept the second one because she was black (her name is Black Velvet) and I cannot give away a black kitteh! They live with my others and their half-brother (who is also black and named Licorice) who I was actually able to befriend and get him to come in from the cold. They are all very loving and vocal and I don’t regret for a minute my decision to keep them.
Meda on March 06 2017 at 02:23PM
I had a short haired tortie once who was born to our gray tabby mom, Lucy. She was Marcie, and her siblings (both long haired gray tabbies) were Linus and Sally. Our neighbors would care for our cats whenever we were gone, but apparently she did not like that because she would disappear until we returned home. They always said, “When y’all go out of town, Marcie goes out of town!” LoL
Cheryl Hyde on March 06 2017 at 01:08PM
At this time I have a regular calico tiger cat named Smudge, a tortie one eyed cat named Jane Austin and a blue cream calico named Daisy Mae. I had a tortie named Spice that lived to be 20 years old and a 3 legged calico cat named Carissa that lived to be 15 yrs old. I love calicos and torties but they do tend to have their cattitude!!!
Carol Capitano on March 06 2017 at 11:56AM
I have three Calico’s whose mother was supposed to have been Himalayan. Their eyes are brown/green. However that all have orange, black, white, ggray ,tan. And all are fairly muted except for the black. By the way my triplets are one male and two females.
Kristina on March 06 2017 at 09:55AM
I really enjoyed this article! Thank you!
Nancy on March 05 2017 at 11:51AM
A little feral calico showed up in our yard. She played in the sun and ran all over our yard. Eventually she got use to us and now she’s in the house with our other cats. Callie is so sweet ad a little crazy. Loves to play tag with Ziva. So glad she became one of our fur babies.
Jan Nowak on March 05 2017 at 11:38AM
We have 2 Calico rescues. We bottle fed one and recently acquired the other. Our cat needed a cat!
Jet on March 04 2017 at 09:27PM
We took in a rescue from a golf course years ago. She was very shy at first, but now is queen of the house and meows at everyone until we all sit together in the living room. She is a lovely grey, white and orange short haired calico and keeps us all in line, including our huge orange long haired boy cat, Izzy. Hope she keeps us all in line for many years to come.
Leilani Parker on March 04 2017 at 06:04PM
Our sweet calico is Cassie. My husband went to a shelter in 2004 to pick out a cat. Well, Cassie was 4 mos. old & reached out to him. That was it!.. She’s so talkative, reminds me of a 2yr old..very whiny, but we wouldn’t trade her for anything!
sandy on March 04 2017 at 05:56PM
my first cat was a calico. I specifically went looking for one. I named her Gypsy and she ended up stealing anything shiny she could find. when I lost her, I got a long hair named Sadie. when I lost her, I got a tortie named Coco Puff.. I now have two calicos. Jelly Bean and Bandit Baby.. she has black over both eyes like a mask. and we have a dilute tortie named
Gracie May. she protects her space so we call her Princess Gracie. and we have 10 more around here, too. one with six toes on front and five on each back. his name is Brother Doobie. so 13 altogether. they’re everywhere!
Tracey on March 04 2017 at 05:16PM
I have 2 calico cats My husband brought them home for my Bday . N its been the best 9 yrs of my Life . I love my Girls . Ive had cats all my life . Im called the cat Lady . ??
Diana on March 04 2017 at 05:09PM
My beautiful Tortie is Mia. Tomorrow (March 5th) she will be 5 years old. I have a photo of my little beauty but I don’t see a place to attach it!
Diana on March 04 2017 at 05:09PM
My beautiful Tortie is Mia. Tomorrow (March 5th) she will be 5 years old. I have a photo of my little beauty but I don’t see a place to attach it!
Sue on March 04 2017 at 04:36PM
About 40 years ago I had a calico who adopted us. She just waltzed into our apartment the day we moved in. Even though she "belonged to 2 young girls at the time, she decided she liked us better and stayed. Her name was Cali!
Since then, I’ve had 2 torties. Mica who lived to be 15 and the Spicy who lived to 14.
I currenntly have 4 cats but unfortunately none are calicoes or tortie.
Nina on March 04 2017 at 04:26PM
I have one tortie Cammie (age 19) who has been my baby since I adopted her as a child back in the 90s (wow, I’m old!). I then adopted a tortie-tabby mix who thinks Cammie is her mama, and just recently adopted a calico! They are all wonderful cats, each with their own unique personality, and they all talk!
Susan on March 04 2017 at 03:52PM
I lost my precious calico “Freckles” last May at the age of 16 3/4 years. She was beautiful and she was well aware of that fact. She liked pretty things (though she would not wear a collar) and liked to watch when make-up was being applied, especially if she got a little nose-touch to the powder brush. She loved being told how pretty she was! I miss her a lot, but I am blessed to still have her tortoiseshell litter-mate “Smudge” who is a sturdy little girl and still going strong. She will be 18 in August.
Linda Collard on March 04 2017 at 01:58PM
I read somewhere that calico mommies can give birth to many different kinds of kittens, meaning; tabbies, Siamese markings, solid colors, etc. all in one litter. I was looking to see if that fact was listed here and I didn’t see it.
Judy on March 04 2017 at 12:30PM
I adopted Tortoiseshell Josie and her Calico kitten Dory last year. They are so sweet and beautiful. I love them so much. Thanks Meowingtons for your interesting article.
Barbara Dorlaque on March 04 2017 at 12:08PM
My sweet Princess Mimi will be 15 in July. She is such a charmer. I would be lost without her.
Cat on March 04 2017 at 12:08PM
My husband and I have had the good fortune to be adopted by both a calico (Ms. Cora) and a tortie (Ms. Kittie). We also share out home with a Maine Coon mix (Ms. Grey), and a mischievous Ginger tabby (Ms. Ginger). All are rescues, but it’s still unclear who rescued who. Purrhaps it’s a mutual rescue. =^;^=
Joann on March 04 2017 at 11:28AM
I have 2 torties Puddin who is 9 and Trouble who is about 7 and I have 2 calico girls Honey and Baby sister who are both about 3. I feel quite lucky to be Mom to these special Babies
Karla Page-Bates on March 04 2017 at 11:12AM
I have two beautiful calicoes who are mother and daughter. Tequila will be nine in August and Lily was seven in February. They are very playful. And Lily is huge! She weighs 14 pounds, as compared to Tequila’s seven pounds. I love my beautiful girls!
Wendy on March 04 2017 at 11:11AM
I have an 11 year old Calico Siamese mix that I got as a kitten from Petco. Sadie is white with calico markings and the Siamese blue eyes. And the Siamese yowl.
Kris on March 04 2017 at 11:00AM
My Calico is named Sassy which fits her to a “C”. She is the friendliest cat I have ever owned and loves to cuddle and lick you…she was a stray that the neighborhood kids thought we needed even though we already had two other cats. She is now our one and only.
Vickie Kulp on March 04 2017 at 10:56AM
I have a calico named Lola that was adopted in 2009 from SPCA. I don’t know her correct age but from going by the age SPCA estimated her to be when we adopted she is around 8 years old. I have a tortoiseshell feral cat named Callie. She is 10 months old. I wish I could post pics because both are beautiful. :) They really are.
Michelle on March 04 2017 at 10:45AM
I have a calico! My little girl, Evie, is a pastel calico (mostly grey with patches of pale orange and white). She just turned one on March 1. She has nicknames ranging from lovebug, princess, diva, brat, etc depending on her mood! She’s not very cuddly; she definitely has “tortitude”. But she’ll come running to Mama when she’s scared!
Also, I had a friend with a male calico when I was younger! He was so fascinating. Gorgeous, longhair, and super sweet. His name was Pookie.
My family has had calicoes and tortoiseshells as well. I had a calico named Patches (creativity at its finest) when I was younger, and her single kitten Callie inherited her calico patterning with tabby attitude. We also had Ug, a tortie who was so named because she was honestly ugly, and her kitten. The kitten was born entirely black with a little orange “star” on her forehead, so we called her Evening Star. Now she’s a gorgeous and affectionate tortie!
I’ve always loved calico cats. Thanks for the wonderful article, Meowingtons!