Calico
📺 32-second video · Cantonese narration
The Calico story, in one take
From its origins to Hong Kong homes — how did the Calico become one of Hong Kong's most popular cat breeds?
- ✓Origin story: starting in its homeland
- ✓Personality: Gentle and affectionate
PetChill Pet Encyclopedia
Calico everyday food & supplies
Chosen by species (cat) from products PetChill stocks — not a breed-specific formula. Actual suitability depends on age, weight and health.
Special offerNutriplan Cat Food Complete Health Nutritional Formula 5kg (64352)
HK$123HK$128About HK$24.6 per kg
Price checked 2026-10-21; the store page shows the live price, stock and offers.
Bella & Molly's Dutch Berry Royal Selected Cat Food AAFCO Anti-Aging Grain-Free Single Protein Salmon Formula 50g (Limited Time Experience)
HK$10About HK$200 per kg
Price checked 2026-10-21; the store page shows the live price, stock and offers.
Hills Cat Food Life Stage Series Adult Formula Chicken 490g (609885)
HK$55About HK$112.24 per kg
Price checked 2026-10-21; the store page shows the live price, stock and offers.
History & origin
The calico is not actually a breed but a coat pattern — a cat carrying white, black (or brown) and orange at the same time. This three-colour combination appears almost only in female cats, because the genes controlling black and orange sit on the X chromosome and two X chromosomes are needed to express both at once. That makes 99.9% of calicos female.
Calicos hold a special place in cultures around the world. In Japan the calico is the model for the lucky cat, a symbol of luck and fortune, and Japanese lucky cat figurines are based on the calico. In the United States the calico is the state cat of Maryland; in Ireland, folklore holds that a calico can cure warts.
A calico's temperament is as varied as its coat — because it is not a single breed, personality depends on the breeds in its background. Many owners do find calicos have a particular “attitude”: clever, independent and sometimes a little moody, known as “Calico Attitude”. In Hong Kong the calico is one of the common coat patterns on domestic cats — if you meet a calico street cat, it is worth considering adoption. Calicos are said to bring good luck!
Frequently asked questions
The questions people ask most about the Calico
No. Calico is a coat colour combination (white + black + orange) that can appear on cats of any breed; it is not a separate breed.
Because the genes controlling black and orange coat colour sit on the X chromosome, and two X chromosomes are needed to express black and orange at the same time. That is why 99.9% of calicos are female; male calicos are extremely rare (usually with a chromosome abnormality).
Many cultures believe so! The Japanese lucky cat is modelled on the calico, and the US state of Maryland has made the calico its state cat. But this is folklore — the most concrete “good luck” a calico brings is the companionship.
Because the calico is not a single breed, temperament depends on the mix of breeds behind it. Many owners do find calicos have a particular “attitude” — clever, independent and occasionally a little moody.
The calico pattern is common in domestic cats; any breed can be calico, including the Persian, British Shorthair and Maine Coon.
Calico articles
5 articles
Calico Cat Prices: Hong Kong Adoption Routes, Costs and a Verification Checklist
How much does a calico cost? Where can you adopt one? This guide covers calico (tabby, tabby-and-white) adoption routes in Hong Kong — SPCA, IRC, Cat Aid and volunteer groups — the fee structure, the risks of buying a 'pedigree calico' online, plus a pre-adoption verification checklist and a monthly cost estimate, so you can bring a three-colour cat home at a sensible cost.
Read the full article →
Calico Cat Lifespan: Key Factors, Common Diseases and Longevity Tips for Hong Kong Owners
Calico cats typically live 12 to 18 years, and their mixed-breed genetic diversity is an advantage. This article breaks down the factors affecting calico lifespan—neutering, weight, escape risk and common diseases in old age—clarifies the myth that calicos are unhealthy, and includes an age-based check-up schedule and a longevity checklist to help you and your calico share more years together.
Read the full article →
Calico Cat Disadvantages: 7 Real Challenges Every Hong Kong Owner Should Know
Are calico cats easy to keep? This article honestly lists seven common challenges of owning a calico—strong boundaries and dislike of being held, difficulty finding them if lost, misleading multi-colour cat adoption, health myths about certain coat patterns, shedding, medical identification, and the personality lottery of street cats. Each comes with practical solutions and cost directions, so you can think clearly before getting one and have no regrets after.
Read the full article →
Are Calico Cats Really That Feisty? | Hong Kong Calico Traits × Intelligence Explained
Do calico cats really have a fiery temper? This article breaks down the research and myths around calico personality—what 'tortitude' actually means, whether calicos are clingy or independent, how their intelligence shows, male vs female differences, and whether they differ from tabby cats, with a traits × behaviour × response table and interaction tips to help you read your calico's little moods.
Read the full article →
Is a Calico a Breed? Tortoiseshell, Calico Tabby and White-Based Calico Explained (Hong Kong Coat Guide)
A calico is not a breed but a coat pattern of three colour blocks: black, orange and white. The difference between tortoiseshell and calico lies in whether there is a clear white base—no white base is tortoiseshell, while a high proportion of white is a white-based calico. This article uses one table to distinguish calico, tortoiseshell, torbie and tabby-and-white, explains the genetics behind why almost all calicos are female, adoption prices and monthly costs in Hong Kong, and hearing precautions for cats with large white patches.
Read the full article →You may also like
Other cat breeds like the Calico
