Calico Maine Coon: Complete Guide

Maine Coons may be intimidating to look at, with their size and erect and tufted ears, one may think that these cats are aggressive. But, should you really shy away from Maine Coons?

Maine Coon is a large domesticated cat breed, so big that one Maine Coon kitten owner showed off the humongous size of her 9-month-old kitten and many netizens went agog. Her Maine Coon kitty is so large that some thought it was a tiny version of a lion. 

Maine Coons are long-haired cats that come in different shades and coat patterns including a Tortoiseshell Maine Coon. But, today, we will introduce to you the adorable Calico Maine Coon. You’ll want to hold on tight because you might just fall head over heels in love with this gentle giant cat breed. 

Calico Maine Coon: Breed overview 

Other names	Tri color Maine Coon, MainCoon Calico
Size	Large
Weight	10 – 25 pounds
Height	8 – 16 inches
Coat Colors	White, Black, Orange
Child Friendliness	High
Feline Friendliness	High
Training Difficulty	Easy
Grooming Upkeep	High
Exercise Needs	Moderate
Health	Moderate
Lifespan	13 – 14 years
Kitten Cost	$800 – $2,000

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Can Maine Coons be Calico?

Yes, Maine Coons can sport Calico or tri-colored coats. These colors are orange, black, and white. 

DON’T MISS: Black And White Maine Coon (Complete Guide)

Are Calico Maine Coons rare?

Yes, Calico Maine Coons are rare because even if both parents have Calico pattern coats, the chance that they will pass on the genes responsible for producing Calico colors is slim, hence, there is no guarantee that they will produce offspring with similar coat patterns. 

Plus, most Calico Maine Coons are females. Male Calico Maine Coons are very rare and most likely sterile. 

Calico Maine Coon history

No one knows the exact history of Calico Maine Coons but it is believed that they are closely related to the Norwegian Forest Cats that interbred with the local feral cats in Maine, US.

The resulting offspring had thick and long coats to protect them from the cold temperatures in Maine.

The breed was soon recognized during the later part of the 1800s and was allowed to participate in cat shows.

Eventually, though the breed got almost extinct and was later on denied to join in cat shows. It was only in 1975 when the Calico Maine Coon received its recognition as a pedigree cat breed. 

RELATED: Maine Coon Norwegian Forest Cat (Complete Guide)

Calico Maine Coon genetics

According to the University of Miami, Majority of Calico Maine Coons are females and the reason for this is due to genetics. All female cats are carriers of the XX chromosomes while male cats carry the XY chromosomes. 

In cats, the X chromosome is the one that carries the gene for fur color. So, in the case of the female cats that have two X chromosomes, the first (X^B ) chromosome carries the orange color gene which can only be inherited from the female parent while the second (X^b) chromosome carries the black color gene which can be passed on from either parent.

READ ALSO: Black Maine Coon (Complete Guide)

Now that we’ve discussed the genetics of the orange and the black fur, the next question is where does the white fur come from?

The gene responsible for giving out the white fur color in Calico Maine Coon cats is the piebald gene which can also be inherited from either parent. 

For males, the one X chromosome that they have can carry either orange or black coloring. The Y chromosome of males does not carry the orange coloring gene and this is why a male cat with a Calico pattern is extremely rare. 

You may be interested in: Black Smoke Maine Coon (Complete Guide)

Maine Coon Calico physical appearance

A long haired Calico Maine Coon is a large and muscular cat with a broad chest and a bushy and long tail.

The coat is thick and silky that comes in patches of three (3) colors, namely orange, black, and white.

RELATED: White Maine Coon Cat (Complete Guide)

Aside from his uniquely long, rectangular body, a long hair Calico Maine Coon is known for his tufted ears. By this, it means that fur also grows on the tip of his ears which is believed to function as a protectant from the cold weather.

Moreover, some Maine Coon Calico cats are polydactyl, meaning they have extra toes. 

Various Maine Coon cat Calico colors and patterns 

Maine Coon cats Calico come in different unique patterns. Each one of them is dressed differently so you will not see any Calico Maine Coon with exactly the same coat patterns of white, black, and orange. 

As we’ve mentioned, the Calico coat comes in different patterns and these are:

• Dense which is 25% to 75% white plus orange and black patches scattered around the body. 
• Dilute is similar to the dense pattern except the black fur is lighter in shade, almost silver to gray. 
• Tabby Calico is characterized by having patches of white, black, and orange plus tiger-like stripes or swirls of those 3 colors.  

Calico Tortoiseshell Maine Coon

Maine Coon tortoiseshell Calico cat or Calico Tortoiseshell Maine Coon has a multi-colored long coat that comes in a mixture of orange, black, and brown that are spread all over her long body. 

You may also like: Brown Maine Coon (Complete Guide)

Tortoiseshell cat vs Calico

The main difference between Tortoiseshell cat and Calico is that Tortoiseshell cat or tortie has no white fur color at all while Calico is composed of 3 colors (orange, black, and white). 

Calico tabby Maine Coon

Calico tabby Maine Coon kittens inherited the tabby gene from one of their parents. A tabby is a coat pattern that comes in variations including stripes, swirls, or spots of different colors that can range from orange to gray, cream, and brown.

DON’T MISS: Cream Maine Coon (Complete Guide)

Dilute Calico Maine Coon

The Maine Coon dilute Calico is dressed up with a combination of orange, white, and black.

But what makes a dilute Calico Maine Coon kitten stand out is her muted black fur color, thus, a dilute Calico main Coon black fur is lighter, almost looking like gray or silver. 

READ NEXT: Silver Maine Coon (Complete Guide)

Calico Maine Coon size, height, and weight 

A Calico Maine Coon is a massive cat with the male Calico Maine Coon growing slightly bigger than a female Calico Maine Coon.

The Calico Maine Coon male can have a length of 48 inches at adulthood while the female can grow at a length of 40 inches. 

Gender	Height	Weight
Male	10 – 16 inches	15 – 25 pounds
Female	8 – 14 inches	10 – 15 pounds

Full grown Calico Maine Coon

It takes an average of 5 years for a Calico full grown Maine Coon cat to reach his full-grown size as compared to other cat breeds that takes only an average of 12 months to be considered as full-grown. 

Maine Coon Calico personality

The Maine Coon Calico is a mildly tempered and playful big cat. He loves to shower his human family with affection such as rubbing his cheek on the people he loves. 

What is the temperament of a Calico Maine Coon?

The Calico Maine Coon is a gentle soul. He does not have any aggressive bones in his body. He loves to be with his favorite human all the time and may feel slighted if he is left all by himself for long hours. 

Are Calico Maine Coon cats good family cats?

Absolutely yes! A Calico Maine Coon loves playing with children and even with other house pets. He is patient and tolerant of the rough play of smaller children. 

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Are Calico Maine Coons outdoor or indoor cats?

Because of their laid-back personality, they can be kept as indoor cats. However, they are just fine being outdoor pets but the risk of getting stolen is high. 

Do Maine Coon Calico cats love water? 

Let’s just say that they are not afraid of water. They enjoy playing with it but the story is different if you place them in a tub filled water for bath time. 

TO LEARN MORE: Check out Do Maine Coons Like Water?

Calico Maine Coon cat training

The Calico Maine Coon cat is an intelligent breed that can easily learn how to use the litter box, basic commands, and tricks.

Using positive reinforcement such as a pat on the back or cat treats makes it even easier to teach them. 

Calico Main Coon exercise requirement

This is a moderately active breed that is happier if given at least 20 to 30 minutes of physical activity. Chasing a laser pointer or a short walk in the neighborhood is one of many options. 

Maine Coon Calico cat grooming and cleaning 

To keep the overall appearance beautiful, grooming a Maine Coon Calico cat entails the following: 

Brushing 

The long and thick coat can be managed by regular brushing. The tools you need are a wide-tooth comb to loosen out tangles and a de-shedding comb or brush to remove dead skin cells and reduce shedding. 

Bathing 

Washing your cat’s coat is not as often done. Be sure to use a feline-friendly shampoo to clean and soften her coat. 

Teeth Brushing 

For healthy teeth and gums, invest in a good cat toothpaste that contains enzymes to reduce bacteria and tartar buildup. 

Nail Trimming 

Long and sharp nails may curl into your cat’s paw pads which may lead to skin infections. Trim her nails using a cat nail trimmer or if you like it easier, a nail grinder is your second option. 

Ear/Eye Care 

Prevention is the key, so keep his eyes and ears clean all the time by wiping them with moistened cotton balls or feline-friendly ear and eye wipes. 

Grooming Needs	Grooming Frequency
Brushing	4x weekly
Bathing	1x monthly
Teeth Brushing	3x weekly
Nail Trimming	2x monthly
Eye/Ear Care	Check weekly

Maine Coon Calico food and diet

A diet rich in animal protein is the best choice for your Maine Coon Calico cat. Treats are okay but in the right amounts only. 

Calico Maine Coon health issues 

In this section, we’d talk about the possible diseases that your cat can inherit from his parents. Most of these gene-related diseases can be learned early on through an at-home cat DNA test kit.

Here are six (6) health issues to watch out for:

1. Polycystic Kidney Disease 

The affected are born with multiple cysts in the kidneys that continue to get bigger with age. This genetic disease will eventually lead to renal failure. 

2. Hip Dysplasia 

More common among large breeds of cats, this is a genetic disease affecting the growth of the ball and the socket located in the hip joint.

3. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy 

This is caused by the thickening of the muscular walls of the affected cats, thereby resulting in decreased blood and oxygen circulation. 

4. Spinal Muscular Atrophy 

Commonly associated with Maine Coon cats, this is a genetic and neurodegenerative disease caused by the loss of neurons in the spinal cord. 

5. Feline Leukemia Virus 

An infectious disease that causes blood disorders and reduced the capacity of the body to fight off diseases. 

6. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases or FLUTD

These are different kinds of diseases that affect the urethra and bladder of cats. These can be bladder stones, UTIs, and cancer of the urethra and bladder. 

Calico Maine Coon lifespan 

13 to 14 years is the average life expectancy of a Calico Maine Coon cat. 

Calico Maine Coon breeders

There are various ways for you to find ethical and reputable breeders. Most of them advertise their sites online.

You can also go to cat shows where you can talk to the breeders in person.

Regardless of where you find the breeder to get your fur baby, always ask for the health records of the parents and the kittens.

Plus, it’s best if you are provided with a health guarantee for at least 2 years. 

Calico Maine Coon price 

Maine Coon Calico price begins at $800 and can go as high as $2,000 depending on the coat pattern of the Calico Maine Coon.

Next to the initial price of the kitten, the other expenses to prepare for can be seen in the table below. 

Type of Expenses	Average Cost
Food	$50 – $75
Food and Water Bowls	$5 – $10
Kitty Bed	$20 – $30
Carrier	$20 – $40
Collar and ID tag	$10 – $25
Grooming Tools	$25 – $45
Litter Box	$18 – $45
Litter	$10 – $25
Scratch Post and other toys	$20 – $50
Microchipping	$50 – $100
Spay/Neuter	$250 -$550
Veterinary Expenses	$200 – $500
Total	$678 – $1,495

Calico Maine Coon for adoption

Adult cats are less expensive than kittens. If you’d rather adopt than buy an adult Calico Maine Coon, you can go to East Coast Maine Coon Rescue (eastcoastmainecoonrescue.org). They are located in New Jersey and is registered as a 501c3 non-profit organization that started in 2009.

Calico Maine Coon kittens for adoption 

With the increasing number of cats being given up by their owners, you can make a difference by getting your fur baby from an adoption center near you. 

Try Only Maine Coons Rescue (omcrescue.org) located in New Jersey. You can visit their website where they list their email address. They are also a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and they rescue both Maine Coon Cat/Kitten mixes as well as purebred Maine Coon Cat/kittens.

If you’re in Australia and are looking to adopt Calico Maine Coon kittens, try joining the Facebook group of The Official Maine Coon Rehoming Site in Australia. 

Calico Maine Coon kitten 

Maine Coon kittens Calico are like babies that have some special needs that potential owners like you have to provide them with.

First is that Calico Maine Coon kittens will sleep a lot, on average, more than 15 hours per day. So, do provide your Maine Coon Calico kitten with a warm, nice kitty bed which should be placed in a quiet location. 

RELATED: Why Does My Cat Sleep On My Pillow? 13 Reasons Why!

Maine Coon Calico kittens are active little ones that will explore your home.

So, be mindful of your surroundings by removing toxic and harmful things as well as covering electrical wires.

It also pays to close your windows all the time, lest, your Maine Coon Calico kitten might find his way out without your knowledge. 

Moreover, you’ll want to consider investing in cat-proof window blinds to safeguard your adorable new family member.

With cordless designs, these blinds eliminate entanglement hazards while the durable materials resist kitten claws, keeping your home’s charm and your kitten’s curiosity intact.

Their easy-to-operate nature ensures your kitten’s safety and peace of mind for you, making them an essential addition to a kitten-proof home.

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Places to find Calico Maine Coon kittens for sale 

Listed below are places where you can find Calico Maine Coon kitten for sale. 

Giant Maine Coon (gentlegiantcats.com) has Maine Coon Calico kitten for sale for $900. 

You can also give Spirritz Maine Coons (spirritz.co.uk/kittens) in the UK a try for available Maine Coon Calico kittens for sale. They are GCCF, TICA and CFA-registered. Do keep in mind that the kittens they are putting up for sale are indoor cats only.

And, if you’re in Canada, one of the places to go to is Marwood Maine Coons (marwoodmainecoons.com). They are located in Rimbey, a town in central Alberta, Canada. All kittens for sale have received their first 2 sets of vaccinations and have been dewormed multiple times. 

Finding a healthy Calico Maine Coon for sale 

For adult Calico Maine Coon cat for sale, we listed two (2) places where to get an adult Maine Coon Calico for sale. These adults are usually retired from breeding but are still very healthy. 

Check out Big River Coon (bigrivercoon.com/retirees.php) for retired Calico Maine Coon for sale. 

In the same token, you can check out Euro Coons Maine Coons (eurocoonsmainecooncattery.com/available-retired-maine-coon-cats-for-sale) for adult cats for sale. 

Maine Coon Calico mix 

Some may think that Calico is a cat breed but it is not. Calico is a coat pattern and it can be seen in many cat breeds including a Maine Coon. That said, a cat enthusiast can crossbreed a female Calico of any breed with a Maine Coon to produce Maine Coon and Calico mix.

A Calico Maine Coon mix can be any cat breed such as a Persian that is bred with a Maine Coon and the offspring are referred to as Maine Coon mixed with Calico.

If the Calico and Maine Coon mix got more of the genes of the Maine Coon, the Calico Maine Coon cat mix could also be huge and with an elongated body.

To produce Calico mixed with Maine Coon kittens, the mother is the one that wears the Calico coat pattern. This is because a male Calico is very, very rare.

Now, if you’re asking if Maine Coon mix Calico will produce a litter with Calico kittens, the answer is ‘it depends on the inherited genes.’

To be a Calico, the kittens must inherit two (2) copies of the Calico gene from both parents. Thus, a Calico cat mixed with Maine Coon is not a guarantee that all the kittens will have a Calico coat.

If you’re interested to learn more about Maine Coon and Calico, we have examples of three (3) Maine Coon x Calico cats that may fancy you. 

Maine Coon Calico tabby mix

Also called Calibby, this cat can wear the Calico patterns but also has some tabby markings like stripes, spots, or twirls of colors across the body. 

Maine Coon Calico Tortoiseshell Mix 

These mixes are also called tortico and they have a white base coat and markings of orange, black, and brown. 

Maine Coon Calico Persian Mix 

The mother can either be a Calico Persian or a Calico Maine Coon to produce half Maine Coon half Calico kittens. It is possible for some of the kittens to have the Calico coat while some may have other colors such as brown and white. 

You may be interested in: Maine Coon Mixed With Persian (Complete Guide)

Maine Coon Calico: Pros and Cons 

Calico cat Maine Coon is one of the most sophisticated-looking cat breeds. A Main Coon Calico cat  is a good pet but at the same time, may have some qualities that you won’t particularly like as shown in the table below.

Pros	Cons
Mild-mannered	Can be chatty
Friendly and affectionate	Does not appreciate solitude
Patient with children	Sheds all year round
Loves to play	Needs frequent brushing
Learns quickly	Higher food bill
Independent yet affectionate	Requires bigger space

Is the Calico Maine Coon right for me?

A main Coon Calico is a sociable cat that enjoys being around its humans. So, if you don’t mind a kitty that lovingly follows you around, requests belly rubs, gently rubs his head against you, and purrs loudly to catch your attention, then, yes, a Calico Maine Coon is perfect for you. 

Related Questions

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Resources:

https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2021/03/uc-researchers-find-novel-genetic-heart-variant-affects-maine-coon-cats.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5971105/