What’s a Dilute, Muted Calico Cat?

Dreamy watercolor coats, spunky personalities, and charming intelligence make dilute calicos well-loved by many pet parents. Their coloration — a muted version of the standard calico pattern and colors — is extremely unique. And their personalities are just as special as their looks. Let’s learn about these distinctive cats, what makes them different, and whether or not they may be a good fit for your home.

What is a dilute calico cat? 

A dilute calico (sometimes called a reverse calico cat) is basically a calico cat whose colors are more muted. Instead of vibrant orange, black, and white, a dilute calico is more a combination of a cloudy gray, reddish cream, and white. Their unique coloring comes from the already rare calico gene, plus the dilute color gene. You may recognize the dilute characteristic in cats with “blue” or fawn-colored coats. 

How rare is a dilute calico?

It’s hard to say exactly how rare dilute calicos are, but it’s estimated that only around one in every 1,000 cats born is a calico. (This is probably why it can require more perseverance to find muted calico kittens available for adoption.) Interestingly, the genes that control coat color are actually controlled by the female sex chromosome. This means that almost all calico cats — dilute or not — are female. Among the rarest color combinations is a fluffy cat with dilute calico colors. (It’s more common to see short-haired breeds with this pattern.) 

Are dilute calicos different than traditional calicos? 

The main difference between traditional and dilute calicos is the dilute color gene. Since calico is just a coat color and not a breed, both traditional and dilute calicos can have a wide range of personality traits. While there aren’t any “official” personality traits, calico cats are generally known for being spunky and having independent, playful, and curious demeanors. The same tends to apply to the dilute variety.

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The only real difference between calicos and other colors or patterns of cats applies to males. Unlike females, male calico cats are extremely rare and may have some health issues related to the chromosomes that give them their unique coloring.

Genetic makeup of calico cats

Most calico cats are female, because the X chromosome carries the gene for fur color. In calicos, one of the genes carries black fur color, and one carries orange. A cat’s genetics further determine which parts of their body have orange or black fur. This genetic process is called lyonization and is completely random, which is why each calico cat’s pattern is completely unique.

There’s one more trait that separates calicos from their tortoiseshell cat cousins, who don’t have any white patches. This trait is known as “piebalding” and is found in all kinds of mammals. It’s a gene that causes some patches of fur to be unpigmented and produce white fur in those spots.

Mahmoud Yahyaoui / Pexels/

Calico cat breeds

While calico coloration can appear in many breeds, a few are more common. Any cat breed who can have calico genes may also have dilute calico genes, including the domestic shorthair, mediumhair, and longhair. American Shorthairs, British Shorthairs, and everyone’s favorite large cat breed, Maine Coons are some of the most popular varieties, but others include:

• Cornish Rex

• Turkish Van

• Scottish Fold

• Devon Rex

• Persian

• Exotic Shorthair

• Norwegian Forest Cat

• Japanese Bobtail

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Characteristics of muted calico cats

Although we can’t call them “breed characteristics,” since calico is simply a coat color, there are some characteristics people tend to associate with the pattern. 

• Affectionate: If you’re looking for a cuddle buddy, a fawn, white, and gray muted calico cat may be a good choice. Calico cat parents tend to describe their kitties as lovable and affectionate.

• Shy with strangers: Although they may curl up in their parent’s lap for a snuggle, many people describe their calico cats as a bit standoffish with strangers. 

• Adaptable: Calico cats are known to do well in all kinds of environments, from family homes to serene, single-parent households. It really just depends on your individual cat’s personality and preferences. 

• Balanced: When it comes to energy levels, calico cats are thought to be pretty much in the middle. They enjoy a healthy amount of play and activity, but also love to spend some time relaxing with their family at the end of the day. 

• Intelligent: These independent felines tend to be quite clever, and you may find it helpful to provide some extra stimulation with puzzles and problem-solving activities.

Dmitry Zaitsev / Pexels/

Adopting a muted calico cat

If you’ve fallen for the soft, whimsical look of dilute calico cats, you’re not alone. They may be rare to find, but their needs are pretty much the same as any other cat’s. (The exception to this is the extremely rare male calico, who can have more health issues due to genetic abnormalities.) When adopting a new cat, here’s what to consider.

• Meet the cat first: If you’ve been browsing dilute calico-cat photos online, you might have your heart set on a cat based on their coloring alone. But you can’t really tell much about a new pet from pictures. Set up a meet and greet to get to know them. 

• Prep your home for a cat: Buy important cat supplies such as a litter box, food, bedding, and toys. 

• Introduce them slowly: Whether you have other pets or not, your new cat can benefit from a slow introduction to their new home. Start them off in a small room and slowly introduce them to new areas. 

• Ensure their safety: Many household items — such as plants, wires, and string — can be dangerous to cats. Keep toxic plants and small items out of their reach.

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Commonly asked questions

Are all calicos female?

Almost all calico cats are female. A small fraction of them are male (about one in 3,000), but they are typically sterile and may have a disorder called Klinefelter syndrome, which can lead to issues such as diabetes, joint pain, and heart problems. 

Are muted calicos rare? 

Yes, muted or dilute calicos are considered very rare. Since calico cats are already pretty uncommon, dilute calicos make up an even smaller percentage. 

What is the rarest type of calico? 

Among all calico cats, male dilute calicos are the rarest. These cats must inherit an unusual XXY set of chromosomes and carry the dilute gene. Because both of these factors are uncommon on their own, the odds of them showing up in a single cat are extremely low. Gender aside, long-haired dilute calicos tend to be rarer than short-haired domestic breeds. Calicos with blue eyes are also less common. 

What are the distinguishing features of a muted calico cat? 

A muted calico cat has the classic tri-color calico pattern (white, orange, and black), but with softer, toned-down colors. Instead of jet black and bright orange, you’ll see soft grays (often called “blue”), creamy peach, and white. The pattern is entirely random, so no two dilute calicos look the same. 

Are muted calicos genetically calico cats?

Yes, muted calicos are genetically calico cats. The difference lies in the presence of the “dilute” gene, which changes how their colors appear. So, instead of bright orange and black patches, you get cream and gray.

What does a dilute calico look like?

A dilute calico cat typically has a mix of soft gray (instead of black), creamy peach (instead of orange), and white fur in a patchy, irregular pattern. Some may have more white, especially on the belly and face, while others have a more evenly blended coat.

References

“Dilute | Veterinary Genetics Laboratory.” Vgl.ucdavis.edu, vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/dilute-cat.

QPS. “The Genetics of Calico Cats - QPS Clinical Research.” QPS, 16 Dec. 2020, www.qps.com/2020/12/16/the-genetics-of-calico-cats.

University of South Carolina. “Why Are Male Calico Cats So Rare?” Treehugger, www.treehugger.com/why-are-male-calico-cats-so-rare-4864194.