Is there a calico cat owner out there that might answer some questions?

Question

My calico of two years is showing signs of being most unfriendly. She lunges, attempts to bite, and hisses at everyone that comes into my home. The vet said "it is the nature of a calico." I disagree, as calico is the coloring...not the breed. Please help me

Answer 1

Unfortunately, your vet is right. I have groomed many cats in the past. I have recieved 2 serious bites. One bite sent me the the hospital. Both bites were from calicos.

By the way, when I went to the hospital for the bite, the doctor said all cat bites should be treated by a doctor because they have some potent bacteria in the mouth. If your cat is biting people it may be trouble for you.

Answer 2

I agree with you - calico is the coloring - not indicative of personality or breed traits. I have a calico right now that is as sweet as can be. Is the vet sure your kitty doesn't have any health problems that would make her sensitive or leary of being touched? Is your cat eating and drinking well? A friend of mine had a calico kitty that acted similarly to yours and the vet said nothing was wrong - it ended up that the cat had a abscessed tooth that was extremely painful and almost killed her due to lack of treatment. You might have that checked. Her behavior returned to normal as soon as the antibiotics kicked in. Another question is has there been another pet introduced into the home to make her more territorial than usual? I hope you figure it out - Good Luck!

Answer 3

I never heard of anything so ridiculous in my life. You are correct. Calico is a term to describe the coloring pattern of a cat's coat. The same is true of a tortoiseshell. Torties have no white; calicos have white. Coat coloration in cats controlled by genetics. For a cat to be calico, it must simultaneously express both the orange gene (which is dominant & produces orange fur) and the black gene (which is recessive and produces black fur). The orange and black gene are actually two versions of the same gene, located at the same location on the X chromosome. This is why most tortoiseshell and calico cats are female - they have two X chromosomes and can express both types of this gene simultaneously. Males only have one X chromosome, so only one of these genes can appear at a time. Occasionally a male calico is born, but this means they are born with an extra X chromosome and will almost always be sterile (Klinefelter's syndrome). There is another gene which causes the spotting of white patches over colored fur. Although there is no genetic difference, the amount of white is categorized by the Cat Fanciers Association as mitted, bicolour, harlequin, and van--going from almost no white to almost completely white, respectively.

So as you see, a calico is the result of coloring genetics, not behavioral genetics. Tell your vet he needs to go back to vet school and take another zoology genetics class.

FYI - Your cat is reacting to something. You need to pay attention to what's upsetting her and correct it. Something has changed. Hopefully she isn't declawed. Declawed cats often develop behavioral problems as they develop chronic pain in their legs and paws and begin to feel powerless and defensive as they age. Living on the constant defensive or living in chronic pain would make anybody moody and pissy. Other than that, make sure there haven't been any neighborhood kitties coming by. Even a glance through a window at strange cat outside can make you cat feel threatened. A new addition to the house can affect a cat too. Do you have a new significant other coming to visit? Are you sure that person isn't mistreating your cat? Find out. Some sleuthing for the underlying cause and some extra attention and comforting will bring her back to her sweet self in no time. Good luck.

Answer 4

alleycat is absolutely right.....Calico is a color not a breed...HOWEVER I own a calico and she is the crankiest, moodiest cat I have ever owned in my life...also worked as a veterinary technician for 12 years and am currently a zoologist, and I have had many experiences with calicos, as well as torties, and I swear....the calicos are the worst. Not ALL of them...but I'd say about 75 percent of them. I have worked for several vets and they all agree that calicos are moody and have bad temperments.
Not sure what it is...I know that these colors should not affect a cats behavior...but I am wondering if someone should do a study on this and see what the deal is..as I have heard SO many people comment on the moodiness of calico cats.

Answer 5

Coloring has nothing to do with a cat's temperament . . . I have an orange cat and she is just the sweetest thing you have ever seen, not aggressive at all. I also have a calico and sometimes she becomes aggressive, but that was due to the fact that we rescued her from an alley where people were throwing rocks at her. It took her a long time to learn how to trust us. To discourage your cat from biting try to spray her with water or tap her on the nose while saying "no" in a firm tone. We've had some success with this.

Answer 6

Yes, I've had a calico for 8 years now, and she's a very mellow kitty. I think that's just the nature of a two-year-old cat. Calico only refers to three-coloured cats.

Answer 7

I disagree as well..Calico is a color not a breed...There are Calico Maine coons, Persians, DSH's, And almost every other breed. I dont have a calico but they are my favorite color cats..The markings are all so unique..I think your vet just didnt want to tell you you had a mean cat...some cats are mean just like people!

Answer 8

You are correct, calico is a color, not a breed, BUT in some cases, the color does affect the nature of the cat. Does your cat have alot of red on her? MOST cats with red hair tend to be more fiesty than other ones.

Answer 9

i visit exercising consultation the genotypes of both father and mom and what each and each and every kitten has inherited. you want to seem at about 5 diverse genes to artwork all of this out. even if even as it is composed of dilution locus, all of us might want to carry 2 d alleles to have dilute colour, so that you'll exercising consultation that both father and mom might want to carry the d allele. Dilute genes favor to be seen intently in breeding as complete dilute mixed with different genetic backgrounds may reason serious wellbeing issues mutually with deafness in some mixtures and albinism, which isn't a strong element. even if, on your case as both your cats are better 0.5 and little ones domicile cats it doesn't make any distinction to the cost of the kittens - you could p.c.. up those diverse colorations each and each and every of the time. I truly propose that the calico doesn't bypass to a house the position kittens are anticipated as those can produce issues. the way you safeguard your cats is your employer, yet i'd in simple terms say that neutering a tom cat is not in any respect unfair. he will have fewer wellbeing issues and could not wander away. accurate this second i'm attempting to capture a tom cat who's unknown for a minimal of 5 miles round us - he has wandered, is almost ravenous and raids each and each and every of the community houses for nutrition and is chased off each and each and every of the time - that is what occurs. in case you do not neuter him you're going to lose him finally, even if it is your determination.

Answer 10

Yeah! Time to get a new vet. This was a stupid statement. My first question is: Is your cat neutered? It sounds like your kitty has become some kind of a "watch dog".
According to an article I read (first one listed), cats have an incredible sense of smell. "Cats that are not adequately socialized as kittens can react badly to changes in their environment and intrusions of unfamiliar smelling objects, people or animals. A new piece of furniture can be viewed as an invasion ". If they smell other cats on your friends, it might cause them to be jealous. Perhaps your could get one of your friends to help you perform an experiment. Put out a towel and let your kitty get her fur and scent on it for a few days, then ask your friend to rub his or her legs or pants with the towel (putting your cat's scent on it.)
Solving your problem will take some work, as you need to get your cat properly socialized. I have to go now, but if I find something later I'll add to my answer.