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Do Male Calico Cats Die When They Are Born? (Hoax?)

If you are interested in a male calico cat you may be wondering if the rumor is true that they die after birth…

Do male calico cats die when they are born?

Male calico cats do not die when they are born, but they often do not live as long as the females and live with several health concerns. Still, they live well into their adulthood and live a full life with the right treatments and care.

So, now you know. But, why are male calicos so rare? Do they have a shorter life span? Are they more valuable? Keep reading for these answers, and much more…

Why are male calico cats so rare?

Male calico cats are so rare simply because of the genetics required for calico fur. Orange and black fur is coded in the X chromosome. To have both, you need two X chromosomes. In healthy creatures, females receive two X chromosomes, while males only receive one.

The only way for males to have calico fur is for them to experience a genetic anomaly where they get two X chromosomes and a Y chromosome. The chances that a male cat will experience this genetic anomaly is less than 1%, making male calico cats incredibly rare.

Why do some people think that male calicos die after birth?

Because male calicos are so rare rumors circulated that they die (is there a weird smell if this happens? click here) after birth. You rarely see them because they are created from a genetic anomaly, not because they die after birth.

As discussed, this rare genetic sequence allows for the male to have calico fur, but they are often infertile as a result. It is even rarer to find a calico male that can breed.

How are male calico cats created (genetically)?

A cat’s fur is determined by unique genetic features, allowing for every cat to be different. Unfortunately, the reason why males have calico fur is the same for every cat: they have what is called Klinefelter’s syndrome.

This is a syndrome in which they have an extra X chromosome. Humans can have this syndrome as well.

In a regular male, they will receive an X chromosome from their mother but a Y chromosome from their father.

This prevents them from having calico fur. In calico males, they receive an extra X chromosome, creating the chromosomal sequence XXY. This allows them to have calico fur while still being male.

Are male calico cats prone to sickness?

Unfortunately, Klinefelter’s syndrome leads to negative health and a shorter lifespan. Many male calico cats have behavioral problems due to cognitive and developmental issues.

They can also break their bones easily because of a reduction in their bone mineral content. Many male calico cats experience joint pain, diabetes, and heart disease because of increased body fat.

Luckily, male calico cats can still lead happy lives. They will just require special attention and care to help mitigate the side effects of these issues.

Why do male calico cats die?

Male calico cats often live a shorter life than other cats. This is due to their increased risk for certain illnesses, such as heart disease and diabetes.

It is important to point out again that male calico cats do not die after birth. A male calico cat can live a full life, but it will require additional treatment and help mitigate its side effects.

Can male calico cats reproduce?

Unfortunately, most male calico cats cannot reproduce. As a result of their syndrome, most are infertile. However, it technically is possible for male calico cats to reproduce, but it is incredibly rare.

Only about one in 10,000 calico males are fertile. It is nearly impossible to breed a male calico cat to create more calicoes.

Are male calico cats valuable?

If you are someone who likes novelty pets, male calico cats are highly expensive, purely because of their rarity. You should easily expect to pay up to $1000 for a male calico cat. However, the price for male calico cats is decreasing because of how difficult they are to maintain in the long run.

In contrast, male calico cats are not considered valuable to breeders. Since most male calicos are infertile, they are of no use to breeders.

Is it worth neutering a male calico cat?

If you want to neuter your cat purely so it can’t reproduce, then you don’t need to bother with neutering a male calico cat. Their syndrome makes it highly unlikely for them to be fertile. However, most pet owners agree that neutering a male calico cat is worth it for other reasons.

Even though male calico cats cannot reproduce, they still exhibit other undesirable male characteristics, such as spraying. Neutering your male calico cat will deter these behaviors, making the procedure worth it!

What food should you feed a male calico cat?

Because of the health risks associated with male calicos, you must be careful to feed them the right diet. Cats are meat-eaters. Generally, you will need both dry and fat food made from meat protein.

It is best to feed your male calico cat commercial wet cat food once a day. Provide dry food for them to nibble on whenever they get hungry. There will be a lot of brands to choose from.

However, an all dry food diet does not provide enough moisture and is high in carbohydrates and sodium.

Since male calico cats have so many health difficulties, you should ask your vet which cat food will be best for your pet. After all, not all symptoms are the same in male calico cats.

More than likely, your vet will prescribe foods that target joint pain, brittle bones, and excess weight. This will allow the food to target the specific issues your cat faces.

Should you groom a male calico cat?

Cats are generally great at grooming themselves. However, male calico cats can struggle to groom themselves properly because of their weight and joint issues. For this reason, you will likely need to help your male calico groom itself, especially as they get older.

Brush their coat

You should brush or comb your cat’s coat (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad) daily. This is especially true for long-haired breeds. Be gentle to remove any tangles or mats. If you see any large tangles or mats, you will likely need to cut them out so is not to hurt your pet.

An occasional bath

On occasion, you may need to bathe your male calico. You should not do this often. Instead, only bathe them if you see certain areas of their body are not properly groomed. Make sure to brush out the hair before getting them wet and only use a shampoo formulated for cats.

Visit a cat groomer if possible

You may also want to take your cat to the groomer on occasion. A long-haired breed with intense mats will benefit from a groomer the most. The groomer will be able to cut out any problem areas without injuring or cutting the skin.