Sumxu vs Dilute Calico - Breed Comparison | MyCatBreeds

The Sumxu is an odd-looking cat with its droopy ears or drop-ears. The truth is, the cat is considered extinct and the last reported Chinese lop-eared cat was way back in 1938.

According to reports, the cat seems to have first made an appearance in 1656 and was always described as a curiosity. It seems as if they were valued as pets but they were also used as food. A Polish man was the first Westerner to describe the Sumxu in his illustrated book Flora Sinensis. The breed was once found in and around Peking and resembled a long-haired Scottish Fold.

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 Chinese have always eaten this cat and because it has always been found in restrictive conditions the cat lost its keen sense of hearing because it no longer needed to hunt. The cat's ears lost their upright nature and became the hanging ears that are characteristic of the Chinese cat.

The cat had a long silky, shiny coat and was a dirty yellowy type of color. It had a ruff, a thick tail and blue, slanted eyes. It is thought that the size of the Sumxu was somewhat larger than the standard cat so he would have been a medium to large-sized cat, weighing in the region of 4 to 7kg. He was thick-set and muscular.

Temperament

It is thought that this cat wasn’t particularly active and that it seems to only become really animated when offered food, preferring to lie beside a warm fire than to be found outside. We can only assume that it was a fairly quiet cat.

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.

Not much is known of the character of the Sumxu cat as it is now extinct. It doesn't matter what kind of cat you have because every cat needs to be loved and well cared for. If you can't do that, then why get a cat in the first place.

One wonders what kind of pet the Sumxu cat would have made?

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.

The Sumxu cat should have seen the veterinarian every year for an examination and to make sure his vaccinations and deworming were up to date.

Every cat deserves to be taken to the vet when they are sick or injured.

It is never a good idea to give your cat medication that hasn't been prescribed by the vet. If the Sumxu cat had ingested a poisonous substance, it would have been kind to call the vet. It would have been dangerous for the Chinese to eat such a cat that had ingested poison.

While cats should be spayed and neutered, it is quite possible that the Sumxu cat was eaten before it ever had a chance to become a parent. Neutering and spaying a cat has health benefits for the cat and can prevent cancers.

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.

One would have hoped that the now-extinct Sumxu cat received high-quality cat food. If you don't know what to feed your cat, your veterinarian will be able to advise you on the best diet. The cat food manufacturers always produce foods that take into account the cat's age and activity levels.

Certainly, every cat needs taurine, an essential amino acid, for heart and eye health. The food you choose for your cat should contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals.

You will need to provide fresh, cool water for your cat at all times. Wash and refill your cat’s water bowls regularly.

Take your pet to your vet for any signs of illness such as diarrhea, vomiting or lethargy.

The Sumxu cat would have required a brush every few days as the coat was long and silky. Brushing helps keep your cat's coat free of dust and loose hairs.

The Sumxu would have needed a warm, clean dry place to sleep.

Every cat that goes outdoors should have a collar and ID tag.

Your cat will need a litter box which should be placed in a quiet, accessible location. The Sumxu cat would not have liked feces in his litter box, and litter boxes of all cats should be kept clean.

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.