Pixie-bob vs Dilute Calico - Breed Comparison | MyCatBreeds

The Pixie-Bob breed is thought to have started from the unplanned litter of a bobcat and a barn cat in 1985. The whole idea of the Pixie-Bob was to get a cat that resembled the North American Bobcat.

The barn cat belonged to Carol Ann Brewer, and she named a female kitten Pixie. Pixie became the foundation mother for this breed.

In fact, it was in 1989 that she wrote the first breed standard, naming the breed Pixiebob, in honor of Pixie. In 1998, the Pixiebob achieved TICA championship status. Today, the International Cat Association (TICA) recognizes the Pixie-Bob as a breed.

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 Pixie-Bob is a medium to large cat that can weigh up to about 8kg. They stand between 25 and 33cm in height.

It's a muscular cat. These cats have a thick double coat which can be short-haired or long-haired. Most times they have a striped coat pattern with some rosettes. In fact, the pattern on the fur is much like that of a Bobcat.

Their eyes are triangular shaped and they have quite a distinctive heavy brow. The eyes are usually a honey color or they can be green. The tail is rumpy or non-existent or it can be a few inches in length. Sometimes the ears will have some feathering at the tips.

They are polydactyl which means that with their paws, they have more than the regular number of digits.

Temperament:

In spite of there being a wild side to this coat, they are amicable, fairly laid-back type of cats. Pixie-Bobs enjoy being with their owners, loving to quietly spend time with their human beings.

They’re not cats that form a strong bond with just one family member, but they are friendly with everyone in the family. When a stranger calls, they may run off however, to hide in a safe spot.

Some people describe them as dog-like. These cats also have a love for water so don’t be surprised if you see him spending a lot of time playing around his water bowl. This is a cat that just loves being the center of everything that is going on, and yet he has a calm aura about him.

The Pixiebob is talkative, chirping and chattering away as he tells you about what he has got up to during the day.

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 Pixie-Bob just loves being around his human family and he forms strong bonds with them.

They are social cats and like a dog, they try to become involved in the going-on of the family. By treating this cat well and providing him with a loving home, he is capable of making you a most amicable and energetic member of the family.

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 are healthy cats and they don’t easily get sick. There are always some cat health issues that can crop up with any cat, and with the Pixie Bob, they seem to battle with delivering litters.

Sometimes you will hear of Cryptorchidism in these cats which means there is the absence of the testes or scrotum.

Whatever health issues your cat has, always make sure that you get him to the vet for his immunizations as well as for check-ups.

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 and Nutrition:

Pixie-bobs don’t require any special diet. When it comes to commercially manufactured cat foods, there are wet foods, dry foods and combination foods. You’ll find out what your cat likes, but remember that a cat is a carnivore and that meat is what they eat.

Always go for high-quality foods if you are able to because the best foods are better able to keep your cat healthy. The nutritional needs of a cat change as he grows and matures and there are cat foods specially manufactured for every season of your Pixie-Bob’s life.

Always ensure that there is a bowl of clean, fresh, cool water available to your cat.

The short hair of the Pixie-Bob means that it will be easy to give your cat a brush once a week to remove loose hairs.

Always get your cat to the vet when he shows signs of illness. If he comes to you as a kitten he will need his vaccinations as well as worm medicine. Your vet will inform you when to bring you cat in for the next round of vaccinations.

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.