Nebelung vs Dilute Calico - Breed Comparison | MyCatBreeds

The Nebelung is a new breed of cat originating in the USA. It is a close relative of the short-haired Russian Blue.

The name Nebelung means 'creature of the mist' in German. This is because of the cat’s beautiful silver-blue coat.

It was in the mid-1980s that Cora Cobb had a domestic shorthair cat mated with a Russian Blue, with one kitten from the litter having long, blue hair. She started a breeding program and in 1987 the Nebelung was given status as an entirely new breed by The International Cat Association as well as the American Cat Fanciers Association.

The Calico isn’t a breed of cat but is describing a color and pattern of the cat. Many breeds of cats can be calico, and ‘Dilute Calico’ simply means that the color of the cat is less intense.

An example of this would be cream being the dilute shade of red, almost like strawberry blonde. People interested in the origins of the cat trace its history back to the trade routes in Northern Africa and Europe, and more specifically to the port cities along the Mediterranean Sea.

A Calico cat is described as having 3 colors - white, black, and red and Dilute Calico cats have ‘toned down’ shades of these 3 colors.

The beautiful Nebelung is a rare domestic medium-sized cat with a long muscled body and long legs. They weigh between 3 and 6kg. The oval-shaped eyes are green or a yellow-green color and the eyes are large and pointed. The coat of the cat is long and thick with an undercoat and grey in color with the males and some females having a ruff round the neck.

Temperament:

The Nebelung is a lively, playful cat that is good-natured and loves to be around his human family. People who have owned them say they behave a lot like dogs. It means you can have him trained to walk on a leash.

He is somewhat aloof with strangers. He is a gentle cat and very intelligent, forming tight bonds with some special members of his human family. They love to be petted and stroked by this favorite human being.

The cat also communicates well. They like their litter box kept nice and clean and they can be quite finicky when it comes to their food.

Because of their playfulness, make sure you have lots of puzzle toys for him. They’re cats that like things to remain the same – no sudden changes for them as they become stressful. Because of their quiet natures, they don’t relish the idea of wild, undisciplined children and would prefer to live in a home with a few adults,

These are beautiful cats that can essentially have any size and shape and can weigh between 3 and 6kg. Their coat too can be in different colors and patterns and these don’t have any effect on the cat’s persoality.

Your Dilute Calico can have a short- or long-haired coat. Also, because the dilute calico coloring isn’t linked to any particular cat breed, these cats can be any size or shape really.

They are also nearly always female. Remember that while genes do have an effect on how your Dilute Calico looks and behaves, socialization plays a big part, and where possible, to get your cat from a reputable breeder.

Temperament:

Because calico cats are a coat-color and not a breed, you can find long hair dilute calico cats. The personality of the Dilute Calico is described as colorful as well as they’re fun-loving, independent, spunky cats that are sweet and loving too.

The Nebelung is a gentle, quiet cat that simply wants to live in harmony with the human family he loves.

He prefers a quiet, consistent kind of lifestyle. He is active, social, and fun around them but is reserved with strangers.

He is a loyal and loving cat and can become dejected if he doesn’t receive the same amount of love and attention that he craves and which he is so willing to give.

Because Dilute Calico cats can be found in many cat breeds, you can’t be certain how your feline friend will turn out.

Bring your pet up well though and treat him with love and care and you’ll have a devoted friend for between 13 and 20 years.

These beautiful cats don’t have many health issues. They are generally healthy cats.

Don’t allow your cat to become overweight as this can bring on a host of health conditions. There was a time when cats didn’t get much older than 10 years of age, but with advancements in good nutrition and good veterinary care, a cat can reach 15 to 20 years of age.

Certainly, as your beloved pet starts to move into his senior years, he will face aging problems. Aging cats are susceptible to faltering vision, arthritis, hearing loss, thyroid problems gum and teeth disease, diabetes, incontinence, and even dementia.

Remember to continue feeding your senior cat the best quality cat food there is.

As already mentioned, the Dilute Calico isn't a specific breed but rather a color. The calico can be any breed. The average lifespan of any cat is 12-16 years. The males are far rarer than the females and they live shorter lives.

Cancer is a terrible disease in cats and dogs and it is where cells grow uncontrollably, spreading to all areas of the body. For any sign of illness in your Dilute Calico, get him to the vet.

Make sure your cat is vaccinated against the deadly cat diseases there are such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).

Both males and females can develop lower urinary inflammation, which is also called Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). You’ll notice your pet straining to urinate. It’s time to get your pets to the vet with this terrible illness.

Diet:

This cat, as a carnivore, should be fed a high- quality cat food that is high in protein. The poorer quality foods won’t have the right mix of vitamins and minerals – so important for your pet.

These inferior foods often lack the right nutrients and can make your cat sick. Make sure you give your cat a top protein diet with ingredients that must have taurine, an important amino acid.

The Nebelung has a long, double coat and even though the cat isn’t a heavy shedder, it will require a brush every week to prevent the coat from becoming tangled.

Make sure you have everything you need for welcoming a cat into your home. He will need food and water bowls, warm, soft bed, litter box, climbing tree, scratching post, collar, grooming accessories, and a cat-carrying box for when he needs to go to the vet.

Ensure you take your pet to the vet as soon as he shows signs of illness. There are some terrible cat illnesses and they can cause a lot of discomfort and pain for your furry friend.

Prepare for your cat – have food dish, water bowl, litter box, cat food, brush, climbing tree, scratching post, cat toys, and cat bed to welcome your pet.

When it comes to commercially manufactured cat food, there are many excellent ones on the market and you can choose from dry and wet cat food. If in any doubt about what is best for your cat, speak to your vet. Your cat is a carnivore and will need food that pays special attention to meat. A kitten will require 4 small bowls of food a day and by one year of age your cat can be receiving 2 smaller meals a day. Provide cool, fresh water around the clock..

Brush your Dilute Calico gently once a week. Some of the longer-haired Dilute Calicos will require brushing twice a week. At this grooming time, check that the eyes are nice and clear, free of discharge, check that the inside of the ears are free of wax and dirt build-up and check inside the mouth that there aren’t any troublesome teeth.

Whether your cat is an indoor cat or he goes outside occasionally, check for ticks and fleas and get him to the vet to check for internal parasites. Your cat will need to be dewormed and to receive all his cat vaccines to avoid some of the deadly cat diseases there are.

If your cat does go outside, make sure he has a cat collar and an ID tag.

Keep the litter box hygienically clean as cats won’t use a messy litter box. You can buy small scoops and rakes from the pet shop and rake up his droppings throughout the day.

Always have your cat neutered or spayed as there are way too many unwanted kittens in the world. Having them ‘fixed’ reduces lots of illnesses such as urinary inflammation.