Since this gene is recessive, it must be inherited from both parents. The Dilute Geneįurthermore, in order for a cat to become a dilute calico, they must inherit the Dilute gene. In other words, a calico cat is basically a tortoiseshell cat with lots of white spotting. This causes their fur to grow out as white in various places instead of the default tortoiseshell coloring. However, on top of their tortoiseshell genes, they also express the White Spotting gene, also known as the piebald gene. To understand this further, let’s look at the genetics of these proud cats.Ĭalico cats are, for the most part, genetically tortoiseshell. Are Dilute Calico Cats Rare?ĭilute calico cats are not specifically rare though some types of dilute calico cats are. Actually, one of my own beloved cats is a dilute caliby, though her stripes are only visible in her grey colored spots. This word, clearly, is an attempt to combine the words “calico” with “tabby”. In this case, they are referred sometimes as caliby. Like standard calicos, dilute calico cats also occasionally have tabby patterning within their spots. In some areas, these cats are also known as calimancos or clouded tigers, especially in eastern countries. Their smudged, soft coloring that makes dilute calicos stand out from their counterparts. Spotting a Dilute Calico CatĪ dilute calico kitten is recognized by its grey, silver and golden colors, which are usually not nearly as bright and distinctive as a normal calico. Instead, they sometimes appear blended and smudged together. Furthermore, the colors might also not appear as distinctly as a normal calico’s. A dilute calico normally has a coat of grey, silver, and gold. However, a dilute calico is exactly that – diluted. This sets them apart from tortoiseshell cats, who only have small areas of white.Ī normal calico is characterized by the colors white, black and brown or red. Calicos have white as their primary color, with the other colors being secondary. Calico cats are tricolored that is, their coat is made up of three colors.

Cat calico tabby