Smoke vs Calico - Breed Comparison | MyCatBreeds

A Smoke cat is a domestic long-haired cat. The beautiful coat coloring usually comes with a silvery undercoat, with the topcoat having color points.

In effect, the Smoke cat isn’t a cat breed as such but is describing the color of the cat. It could be a Persian cat. It seems the Smoke cat has its origins in the 1800s in the UK from where it seems to have originated.

No one really knows the true origin of the Smokes cat but it would seem as though they evolved from breeding silver tabbies to blacks and blues.

While the early Smokes had green eyes, breeding has resulted in there being copper eyes as well.The Asian Smoke is a colour variation of the Asian that was created in the UK in the 1980s.

Nobody can say with certainty where Calico cats originate from, but it is thought they they hail from Egypt, and that they later came to port cities in Spain, Italy and France.

Today these cats are found all over the world. Wherever these cats come from, they are 99.9% female and this is because of the cat’s unique chromosomal makeup. Most of the calico or tortoiseshell male cats are because of the chromosome abnormality.

The weird aspect with these amazing cats is because of their unique genetic makeup, and also because of the fact that the males are born sterile, these cats can’t be bred and they can emerge in different litters.

Since 2001 this cat has been Maryland's state cat. An interesting fact is that the Calico became the official cat of the state of Maryland because of its amazing colors of its fur which happen to be fairly similar to that of the Baltimore Oriole, the state bird.

When Smoke kittens are born they have gray and white markings around each eye and around the muzzle.

Essentially the Smoke cat can be black, cream, blue, red, or even tortie. Smoke actually means that the base of the hair is whitish and the rest of the hair is black, red or blue etc.

These cats can be different sizes but will no doubt be medium-sized and weigh in the region of 3 to 6kg. They are lean and muscular and can have different eye colors too – green or gold.

Temperament:

There are so many cat breeds and they have heaps of colors and patterns. The domestic long-haired cat is capable of a wide range of temperaments.

You can be sure that these cats are playful, fun, curious, and intelligent. Some will be more vocal than others but they will all thrive on the attention they get from their human owners. They are friendly, affectionate cats who will bond closely with their human family.

Calico cats are known for their jaunty tri-colored coats with color such as white, black and orange. In fact, to be known as a Calico cat, these 3 colors need to be present, Calico isn’t a breed of cat as such, but is actually referring to the cat’s color variations.

Some of the most distinctive breeds of cars such a the Cornish Rex and Persians have these calico coats. One odd spec with these cats is that nearly all calico cats are female and this is because of the chromosomal makeup.

Size, coat texture, shade of coat, coat length and ear shapes can all vary with the type of calico cats you get so their weight can be anything from 3 to 7kg.

Temperament:

As mentioned, Calico cats aren’t a specific breed, and that is why it is actually difficult to describe the personality of a calico cat.

You’ll find certain calico cat owners describing their cat’s behavior but you won’t find any particular scientific studies of the cat’s personality. You could have a calm cat, one that is laid-back, a very vocal cat or a very active cat. In other words, these cats can be quiet, calm, excitable, friendly, shy, or mellow – their personality is formed from the way they are brought up and socialized.

Because the Smoke isn’t a cat breed as such but rather a color shade found in some long-haired cats you can’t be sure what your cat will really look like and how he will behave.

They could be energetic, playful, or quiet and relaxed. They might be more vocal and want to talk to you or they may be content just to be wherever you are.

When you bring a Smoke cat into your life, one thing is sure, with his friendly and loving nature your world will become meaningful, as any beautiful cat such as the Smoke is guaranteed to bring in lots of smiles, joy, and love.

The Calico is such an amazing type of cat and because it comes from so many cat breeds, the personality will vary, although having said that, there are a few characteristics that seem to be specifically attributed to the Calico cat.

One thing is for sure, these are intelligent, sweet, appealing, warm-hearted, loving cats that are good with children too. Perhaps in keeping with the quirky, jaunty coat, there is some quirkiness in the personality too, but that is precisely what makes these amazing cats the interesting characters they are.

To add to that, when you do research, you find that some have acted in bravey and saved their humans from harm in one way or the other.

Just like it is wonderful to stroke and pet your pet for his health’s sake, it is also therapeutic for you to stroke your cat.

Vomiting:

Vomiting is one way that you can tell that your cat is sick. He will vomit if he has eaten something he shouldn't have or if he is feeling sick. You must keep an eye on his vomiting as he can become dehydrated and then he wlll need to get to the vet right away.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease:

FLUTD is often brought on by cats that are overweight or unhappy and stressed. It can cause a cat to be miserable, vomit and have a temperature.

You’ll see your cat battling to urinate, he will cry in pain when urinating and be pacing and unsettled. This is an illness that requires urgent veterinary attention.

The lifespan of the Calico cat be anything really and if you provide your calico with a wonderful home it will be able to reach 15 years of age.

Sometimes Klinefelteris Syndrome is a threat with this cat as a result of the XXY chromosomes. Their health is impacted because the disease can cause problems such as increased body fat and reduced bone mineral content.

Smokes will require more care than other long- haired cats because their coats are fairly fragile and need to be treated gently and with care. Gentle brushing once or twice a week will keep the coat in top condition.

Keep the nails trimmed as required.

The trend today is to brush your pet’s teeth but this can be painful and traumatic for a cat and he can easily lash out in fear, resulting in bites and scratches. The pet groomer and vet can rather look inside your cat’s mouth and tell you if there is any bad tooth that needs attending to.

Provide your cat with good food. Your cat is a carnivore and he must eat meat to ensure his health. The best commercial cat foods are high in protein to ensure your cat gets a balanced meal to promote good health. If in doubt, speak to your vet about the best cat food there is for your furry feline friend.

Provide a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Provide your cat with a comfortable, soft bed.

Provide him with a litter tray and ensure this is cleaned of the feces every single day.

Have him vaccinated against the major feline diseases. Ensure he goes to the vet when he is in pain or shows signs of illness.

Gently brush the Calico’s fur from time to time to ensure the jaunty colored coat is always shiny and healthy. It helps with the removal of dead hair as well and the cat enjoys the attention.

Every cat requires vaccines to prevent him from getting the deadly cat viruses there are, and to keep the cat free from parasites.

If there are any warning signs that there’s something wrong with your Calico, get him to the vet immediately.

Your Calico kitten will need to receive 3 meals a day. As your cat matures, two smaller meals a day will be good for your cat. You’ll find both canned- and dry packaged foods and your cat will let you know which one he prefers.

Your adorable Calico may beg for treats in between but as a responsible pet owner, make sure you don’t allow your Calico to overeat as obesity brings its own set of health issues.