LoveToKnow Cats:AllComments

From LoveToKnow Cats

Comments

Hi Sandy,

Most kittens begin to get into mischief between 12 and 16 weeks of age as they explore more and more. I'm sure that is what they meant. She'll simply be curious. You may notice her doing things like climbing up curtains or running through the house at high speeds. You'll need to kitten-proof your house, so watch out for cords and other items that might pose a danger to Margarita. The stage only lasts for a while and can be a lot of fun, although she will keep you busy.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

When I took my new calico kitten (9 wks old) in to see her vet everyone in the office said I was in for some fun, but no one explained what I was in store for us, they smiled & said wait & see. Can you share with me what is around the corner for my new kitty Margarita & me?

-- Contributed by: Sandy

Hi Rachel,

If you take the cat to the vet to be spayed (more than likely it is a female, since it's calico), then he can look and make sure the wound isn't infected. If it is infected, she may need an antibiotic. He may also give you an ointment to put in her nose to help prevent any germs getting into the wound.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I have a calico cat. It had an acident. It was in a cat trap because I caught it because it needed to be fixed. It tried to get out and rubed it's nose on the bottom of the trap, and well, I think it might have blood on its nose. My dad said it had scraped its nose up pretty well. What do I do?

-- Contributed by: Rachel

Hi Leah,

It does seem that most Torties are female. There are always exceptions to any rule, of course. Just as many Siamese have similar personality traits, but not all. Do you own a calico?

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I never knew that calico cats were usually always female. That is very interesting for me. I'm guessing the Tortoisshell is the same way?

-- Contributed by: Leah

Hi Kels,

It sounds like she really doesn't feel well. Some cats heal more quickly from surgery than others. I'd give her a quiet place that is separate from the other cat for a couple of weeks and then slowly reintroduce them. Most cats work these issues out on their own with a little time, but if you are still having problems in a few weeks, let me know and we'll brainstorm some more ideas for helping them get along.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hello, I recently purchased a calico kitten (11months) from a pet shelter. We have another male black cat at home. At first he didnt like her, now he intiates play and she growls and hisses at him. I dont understand she was all about trying to play with him the first week,now its the opposite. She has recently been fixed and is still finishing up the healing could this be why the hate each other. Is there anything I can do I would hate to take her back.

-- Contributed by: kels

Our calico cat passed away 4 months ago.(Gucci was 22 years old) We were together all but the first 8 weeks of her life. My heart goes out to you. Sox was so fortunate to share your life, and you were also lucky to have him/her share your life also. I hope you will keep your heart open to another kitten, when the time is right. All the BEST wishes to you. Love, Debe

-- Contributed by: dlongsdorf@aol.com

Hi Dee,

Anytime you need to talk and want to tell us more about Sox, we are here for you. We love cats, obviously, so you're in good company here :)

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Thank you so much Lori for taking the time to reply to my comment and for the kind words and hugs. Sox looks almost identical to the picture of the calico cat on this home page, her face colouring is slightly different but still looks so much like the picture. It comforted me writing that letter as some people dont understand what its like to lose a pet, Sox was my life, my sweet fluffy baby who I absolutely adored, without her I feel so lost an just wish I could still hear her darling little noises an feel her lovely soft fur. Sox was so cute an adorable a million words can never decribe how she made me feel. I still mourn for her I have good days an bad days but it helps to know that I gave her all the love an care she needed. Sox didnt start out as my cat, I aquired her because of a sequence of events and believe it was fate sox ended up in my life and am so glad she did, sox was my cute little teddy bear my sweetie pie. x

-- Contributed by: Dee

Hi Dee,

I'm so sorry for your loss. I lost my baby Siamese this past year. She was with me for fifteen, nearly sixteen years. I still miss her too. She was always beside me or on my lap and loving on me. Sox sounds like she was a beautiful cat. I'm sure that when you're ready to take a new cat into your life, Sox would have wanted that. It sounds like she would have wanted you to be happy. Just sending some cyber-hugs your way. All of us cat lovers understand how hard it is to lose such a precious pet.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi Antoinette,

It sounds like either a parasite, such as fleas, or like your cat has developed an allergy. This could be to food, new carpeting, a new type of cleaner or even carpet deodorizer. Try to think if anything has changed recently and double-check for fleas.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi Terri,

Females with the calico coat pattern are not typically sterile. I'd get her spayed as soon as possible to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. She sounds like a real blessing. Have you named her yet?

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My beautiful cat sox who past away 2 yrs ago was mainly black with white bib and feet. hence the name sox, she had patches of ginger in her fur and a darling ginger mouth, is it likely she was calico. I had my baby sox for 12yrs and was the most adorable and cutest cat I have ever seen and still miss her dearly, am still not over her death and find it hard to accept she is gone, I am not sure what breed she was as have never see many other cats like her but I think she was a norwegian forest cat, she brught so much laughter and love into my life, she was my little sweety pie amd I miss her terribly. x

-- Contributed by: Dee

Hi my calico cat is 11 years old and a house cat no other pet in the household. She is biting her ankles and now she has no hair on them. Can you help me?

-- Contributed by: antoinette

A calico kitten showed up at my back door, on New Year's Eve, freezing and starving. I called my neighbor's to see if she belonged to anyone, but nobody claimed her. I lost a calico cat last year to a dog attack and I feel this one was sent to replace her. I have heard that calico cats are sterile and see in your article that male calico cats are sterile. Is this true for female calicos?

-- Contributed by: TERRI

it is interesting to finaly find out about my calico cat

-- Contributed by: gshsgf

Hi Derek,

Roxy sounds like a character. Some cats do like their bellies scratched, but most don't. I feel that cats are lower maintenance than dogs, but both are great pets. I own both :).

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi Derek,

Roxy sounds like a character. Some cats do like their bellies scratched, but most don't. I feel that cats are lower maintenance than dogs, but both are great pets. I own both :).

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi Derek,

Roxy sounds like a character. Some cats do like their bellies scratched, but most don't. I feel that cats are lower maintenance than dogs, but both are great pets. I own both :).

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi Derek,

Roxy sounds like a character. Some cats do like their bellies scratched, but most don't. I feel that cats are lower maintenance than dogs, but both are great pets. I own both :).

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

my calico cat, roxy, is the weirdest cat i've ever seen! haha she loves her belly rubbed. purr's like a lion, can be a bit of a spaz, and sleeps very strange.

i love that cat a ton.

and i used to be a dog fan lol

-- Contributed by: derek

Hi Diana,

What a beautiful story. I'm so glad you were able to rescue Kahlua. I'm sure she'll bring you years of companionship and joy.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

"Luck" is a good way to define my relationship with my calico kitten, Kahlua. I was at a Petsmart store with my fiance and a friend, and decided to pass by the Adoption Center. I had been considering adopting a companion kitty for my older cat, Katie, and my fondest wish was for a calico. Sure enough, there in one of the kennels was a litter of three kittens - one gray/brown tabby, a black and white, and a calico. (Strangely, although they shared similar white bellies, muzzles and paws, the gray had an oddly short tail, the black had a club-like deformity on her tail, and the calico was the only one with a perfect tail.) Not only was I attracted by the orange-tabby patches in her fur, but her brilliant golden-brown eyes captivated me. I was approved to adopt a week after that meeting, and I was able to take her home. Even her name was by luck of the draw - I showed pictures of her to my coworkers, as I was struggling to find the perfect name to match her bubbly, curious and playful personality and beautiful looks. As it happened, my boss's calico Kahlua had had to be put to sleep at the ripe old age of 17 the week before...and my kitten looked almost exactly like her. I asked if I could name my cat after his, which he happily approved. Because of a touch of fate and luck one Sunday afternoon, I have a dream-come-true cat who brings joy to me every day.

-- Contributed by: Diana

I was fortunate enough to become the proud adoptee of a calico feline named Patchie. She has given me hours of laughter, affection, loyality and comfort. She is 7 years old but still acts like a kitten. Her previous owner had to be put in a nursing home so when I was asked if I knew of anyone who would want a cat, I said yes,,,,,,,,,ME! I have never regreted my decision. She is a real sweetie pie and I hope she'll be my companion for a long time to come. My last cat lived til she was 24 and her name was Patchie also. Coincidence? Purrrhaps.

-- Contributed by: Bernice

Hi Becky,

She likely has some orange on her too, if she is a calico. It may be just a little orange or even a dark brownish red, but it will be on her somewhere. Many calicos have what look like boots on their feet. :)

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Me and my family own a female calico. She's brown, white and black. All four of her feet are white... is this rare for a calico?

-- Contributed by: Becky

Hi Brandy,

Yes, it is common for the calico coat pattern to come from the same litter. Typically, males with that coat pattern will be sterile, but many coat patterns can look like calico and not actually be calico, such as the tortoise shell. I called my cat a calico for several years before I realized she didn't truly have patches so much as all the colors mixed up together. My vet says she is tortie.

When you take the kittens in for their first checkup and shots, the vet may be able to shed more light on the individual coat patterns and potential for having kittens in future.

Congrats! They sound great.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

MY TABBY CAT HAD A LITTER OF FOUR KITTENS, THREE OF WHICH ARE CALICOS. CHARCOAL THE FIRST APPEARAS TO HAVE MALE GENITALIA, BUT DOES NOT HAVE A SCROTUM.CHARCOAL IS A CLASSIC TORTOISHELL COAT W/ YELLOW EYES. THE SECOND ,TUBBS, IS A PREDOMINANTLY BLACK CALICO WITH PATCHES OF RED AND BROWN. HE HAS ALL HIS MALE GENITALIA. IS HIS STERILE?SHOULD I TRY TO BREED HIM? THE THIRD IS OBVIOUSLY A FEMALE CALICO, WITH A COAT OF WHITE AND GRAY W/ PATCHES OF BROWN HERE AND THERE LOOKING AS THOUGH BLEACH WAS SPILLED ON HER COAT, HENCE HER NAME, BLEACH. IS IT COMMON TO HAVE THIS MANY CALICOS IN A LITTER? I HAVE NEVER HAD CALICOS BEFORE, SO I AM JUST LEARNING ABOUT THEM. ANY INFO WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED

-- Contributed by: BRANDY BOWMAN

Hi Linda,

She is likely a mixed breed of house cat and that may be why the vet didn't classify her breed. Without seeing her, the shape of her head and such, and without knowing her ancestry, it is impossible to say what her breed might be. You are absolutely correct that calico refers to her coloring, though. The vet may also be able to tell a bit more easily as she matures.

She sounds beautiful. Good luck with her.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I've just brought into our home an orphaned kitten. approximatly 3 weeks old now. Our vet has classified her to be a calico. I know that calico refers to her coloring. I would like to know her breed as well. She's almost totally blue grey with a touch of peach on her cheeks. She has very slight striping on her legs, almost undistingushing, you have to look closely. She has long hair and is totally adorable.

-- Contributed by: Linda

Hi Jenny,

How well cats get along really doesn't have as much to do with breeds as the personalities of the cats involved. One thing you can do to ease the transition is to the follow the tips in our article Bringing a New Cat Home, and then read through our visitor questions about bringing a new kitten home.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I BROUGHT A NEW CAT HOME LAST WEEK TO BE FRIEND MY CALICO CAT AND SHE DID NOT GET ALONG WITH THE CALICO. MY CALICO CAT ATTACKED HER ALL NIGHT LONG I HAD TO BRING HER BACK THE NEXT DAY. DO THEY GET ALONG WITH OTHER CALICO CATS BETTER THEN OTHER BREEDS? PLEASE HELP

-- Contributed by: JENNY

Hi FG,

The good news is that you know the diagnosis and therefore can offer the proper treatment. Many cats with kidney problems live long lives. It is going to be vital that you keep her on the special cat food and do not give her any treats or items other than that food. Watch her carefully and make sure she is drinking normally and using the litter box normally. There are special litters available that will change color when she urinates and signal if there is a problem. They are worth their weight in gold in this instance.

Also, any time she needs medication, remind the vet about her kidney problems. Hope this helps!

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

We have a 3 year old female calico. She is fixed and had all her shots. a coup;e weekd ago she stopped almost completely eating and refusing to drink any milk for a treat. We have took her to a vet who has ner on IV and antibiotics..Kidney problems saying she needs to eat KD dry cat food for the rest of her life. Hopefully we can bring her home soon in the vet for 4 days tomorrow. Any help to help our daughters precios pet?

-- Contributed by: fg

Hi, Catherin,

He sounds like a sweetie pie. Male cats are often very loving and affectionate. Enjoy him :)

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi, Hi I am vry fortunate to have a beautiful male calico and he is a dream. I, along with all my friends love this cat. He is very VERY VERY affectionate.

-- Contributed by: Catherin

Hi, Jeanette,

Welcome to the world of feline fickleness. It is very normal for cats to choose a person to which they cling. Since your son hasn't been around, it sounds like the calico has adopted your husband as her person. The nips are just love bites. The cat sounds like she is getting excited when your husband pets her. Many cats get easily overstimulated. She then wants him to put her down. But, because of a cat's nature, she then wants more attention and demands it.

All of her behavior is perfectly normal and nothing to worry over.

She sounds sweet. Enjoy her loving personality!

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Our 4 year old short hair calico , female, is very clingy to my hubby- she insists sleeping on his head,chewing on his hair, lip and chin. and laying on him-When moving her she nips and is very vocal.when he is out of town she sleeps on his pillow.She tells us when she is hungry andn when her litter is full.She is very verbal. When hubby is here daily she follows him intensely from room to room, insisting on being held. THen she pushes out away of his arms, then does the pay attention to me dance again. She is very persistant and will not leave his sid-his feet-SHe purs extremely loud but pleasantly often. She belongs to our son who is in transition. she was his for four years and is very fickle when he has visited. I think she toyed with his emotions for two hours before she let him near her. Is this normal for this breed?

-- Contributed by: jeanette

Hi Natalie,

You cat sounds very cool. The calico pattern is determined by a random shut off of the genes, so it's neat that your cat has a nearly checkerboard pattern. My son raises show cavies (Guines Pigs) and we would describe that pattern as tortoise shell and white, however, a tortoise shell cat generally has very mottled coloring without a distinct pattern.

You have a very unique cat; enjoy her!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I love my calico Gypsy Duvessa (Duvessa is Irish for 'Dark Lady of the Waterfall'). I beleive she had a very unique pattern, as most of her black and orange are exact opposites. She has the classic white underside, from her paws to the bridge of her nose. When we had her spayed, her belly was shaved, and she has black and orange stripes on each side of her white belly, but where one side would have black, the other would have orange. She has one butt cheek black, one orange; one shoulderblade black, one orange; one ear black, the other orange; one eye lined with black on top and orange on the bottom, the other lined with orange on top and black on the bottom. Even the top of her head; as I said, one ear black, one orange, but if you go from ear to ear accross her head, her colors go black ear, orange patch, black patch, orange ear. I have pics of her, but I wouldn't know where to post a pic on here.

-- Contributed by: Natalie
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