The colors and patterns of cats’ fur are just as interesting as their personalities. A lot of people who love cats want to know what the difference is between a tabby and a calico cat. Are they different breeds or just different types of coats? These two words describe different coat patterns, not specific cat breeds. Both are loved for their beauty and charm. We’ll look at how they look, their genes, their personalities, and more in this guide so you can easily tell them apart.
Understanding the Basics
Before we go any further, it’s important to make it clear that tabby and calico are not types of cats. These words don’t mean anything specific about a breed’s coat color patterns.
- Tabby: A coat pattern with spots, stripes, or swirls. It is the most common coat pattern for cats all over the world.
- Calico: A coat color pattern with three different colors: white, black, and orange (or their lighter versions).
What Is A Tabby Cat?
The fur of a tabby cat is unique and can have stripes, spots, and swirls. This pattern is caused by the agouti gene, which controls how pigment is spread in the hair shaft.
Types of Tabby Patterns
- Traditional Tabby: Swirls that look like cake made of marble.
- Mackerel Tabby: Stripes that look like tigers running down the sides.
- Spotted Tabby: Like a leopard, it has spots instead of stripes.
- Ticked Tabby: Each hair has light and dark bands that alternate, and there are very few stripes.
Tabby Color Variations
- Brown tabby
- Tabby with gray or silver
- Orange tabby (usually a boy)
- Tabby cream
Qualities of Personality
Many tabby owners say their cats are loving, smart, and playful, but the coat pattern has a bigger effect on personality than breed.
What Is A Calico Cat?
A calico cat’s coat is made up of three colors: white, black, and orange (or their lighter shades, like gray, cream, and light orange). A mix of genetic factors that affect how pigment is spread out causes the big patches of color.
Different Colors of Calico
- Traditional Calico has big patches of white, black, and orange.
- Dilute Calico is a softer color scheme with colors like cream, gray, and light gold instead of bright ones.
- Patched Tabby Calico (Torbie)—There are tabby stripes in the orange and black patches.
The Genetics of Calico Cats
Because the X chromosome is linked to calico coloration, most calicos are female. Male calicos are very rare and usually have an XXY chromosomal genetic disorder.
Traits of Personality
People often say that calicos are self-sufficient, independent, and even feisty. Of course, personality changes with breed and how each dog acts.
Tabby vs Calico: Key Differences
| Feature | Tabby Cat | Calico Cat |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Pattern (stripes, spots, swirls) | Color pattern (three distinct colors) |
| Colors | Varies widely (brown, gray, orange, etc.) | White, black, and orange (or diluted shades) |
| Commonality | Most common cat pattern worldwide | Less common than tabby |
| Gender Ratio | Equal male and female presence | Mostly female (99.9%) |
| Genetics | Controlled by the agouti gene | Controlled by multiple genes, linked to the X chromosome |
Are Tabby and Calico Cats Breeds?
“Tabby” and “calico” do not refer to specific breeds. These types of coats can show up in more than one breed of cat.
Tabby patterns can be found in these breeds:
- Maine Coon
- Abyssinian
- Bengal
- Shorthaired domestic
- Breeds that can have calico patterns are:
- Shorthaired American
- Persian
- Bobtail from Japan
- British Shorthair
The Genetics Behind the Patterns
Genetics of Tabby
The agouti gene (A) and the tabby gene (T) mostly control the tabby pattern. They decide if the coat will have bands of color or solid patches.
Genetics of Calico
The O gene (orange) on the X chromosome makes the calico pattern. Female cats have two X chromosomes. This lets them show black and orange colors, as well as white, which is caused by a different gene.
What Kind of Cat Is Right for You?
You can choose between a tabby and a calico based on how they look, since their coat pattern doesn’t strictly determine their personality.
If you like unique stripes or spots and want the most coat colors, choose a tabby.
Choose a calico if you love bright, three-colored patches and the fact that most of the cats are female.
Interesting Things to Know About Tabby and Calico Cats
The “M” mark on many tabby cats’ foreheads has led to many stories, from ties to Egyptian mythology to Christian tales.
In the United States, the calico cat is the official state cat of Maryland.
The oldest tabby cat lived for 38 years.
There are only about 1 in 3,000 male calico cats born.
Last Thoughts
The only difference between a tabby and a calico cat is their color and pattern. Calicos have coats with three colors, while tabbies have stripes, spots, or swirls. There are many breeds of both, and each one has its own personality.
Both a playful tabby and a striking calico will make your home more beautiful and charming. The “better” cat is the one that wins your heart in the end.