Calico vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The American Wirehair started as a spontaneous mutation so that somewhere along the line, an unusual litter with this unique wiry type of fur was born.

The cat hails from New York and it was in 1966 that a couple of barn cats had a litter of kittens, some of which were born with this peculiar wiry hair. Only one kitten survived – a male – and later it was discovered that the gene responsible for the wirehair coat was dominant so that only one parent required the gene to produce Wirehair offspring.

Today, all American Wirehairs are descendants of this one surviving male kitten. Today the breed is still fairly rare. It is, however, recognized by the four largest North American cat associations.

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.

The American Wirehair is a medium-sized cat, strong and powerful, and can weight 5, 6 or 7 kg.

The head is in proportion to the body and the cat has a strong muzzle and chin. The ears are medium-sized and are rounded at the tips while the eyes are large, round, and set well apart.

It’s the coat that draws attention as unlike a regular cat’s silky fur, the fur of this cat is springy, coarse and wiry to the touch. The coat can be any color or pattern. It is the cat’s very coat that distinguishes it from all other breeds.

With this coat, the less grooming the better. Brushing or combing can damage it, so unless he is shedding heavily, leave it alone.

The only other care he needs really is nail trimming, to check inside his mouth for bad teeth and to also check inside his ears for redness. Both the teeth and the ears can be a source of pain for your pet.

Temperament:

The American Wirehair may have a harsh coat but there is nothing harsh about his personality at all. He is amicable and loving, getting on well with all members of his human family.

He is an independent cat and while he loves spending time with his family, he is quite capable of spending time on his own as well.

The American Wirehair is a playful cat so you want to give him some toys to entertain himself for when you’re not around.

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.

The American Wirehair makes a splendid pet, and while he isn’t the best breed for children, he can make a good pet with those children who have been taught kindness, gentleness and respect for animals.

He is calm, quiet, dependent, and sociable and by providing him with a good home, he’ll prove to be a wonderful pet and companion.

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.

The American Wirehair is a healthy type of cat but any cat can develop health issues.

Be aware of Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – a common form of heart disease in cats where there is the thickening of the heart muscle.

Be careful of overfeeding your cat as obesity is a major contributory disease to many illnesses that a cat gets. Excess weight can contribute to diabetes and arthritis and put pressure on your cat’s joints. Certainly, carrying extra weight can shorten your cat’s life. Make sure your cat gets smaller, healthier meals and that he is active and exercised.

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.

General:

Brush the cat gently once a week. Your cat will love the connection you and he has. While you brush him, make a point of checking inside his ears and inside his mouth as well. It is also time to trim his nails. If you are hesitant to do this, ask you vet for suggestions or you can make use of a pet groomer too.

Make sure your pet cat is free from parasites such as fleas, ticks and heartworm. Your vet can recommend a treatment and it is also a good idea to talk to your vet about vaccines for your cat.

No unwanted kittens:

Have your American Wirehair spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted kittens and to promote better health for your cat.

Diet:

Always choose healthy food for your pet, bearing in mind that cats are carnivores, which means that you need to choose cat-food for your pet that has fish and meat in it. It can be difficult making good homemade food for your cat but there are excellent commercially prepared cat foods to ensure your cat gets the correct balance of nutrients and calories. Bear in mind that your cat's nutritional requirements change through their different stages of life.

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.