How Much Is A Male Calico Cat Worth?

All of you will certainly notice a calico cat, since it stands out from the rest of the felines, with its three-color coat. 

This can be any breed of domestic cat with a white coat containing large black and orange patches.

The fact that’s certainly most fascinating about calicos is that most of them are females. 

So, males are quite hard to find. Of course, the next question that comes to everyone’s mind is: How much is a male calico cat worth?

How Much Male Calicos Cost?

The average price for a male calico cat goes from $1,000 to $2,000.

Sometimes, the price can go even higher, even up to $5,000, depending on the breeder and his reputation. Of course, the price also depends on the breed.

You should also know that there are unfortunately many scams nowadays, and people who only want to make a profit.

A responsible breeder will happily explain to you all the details about his calico kitten, his origin, and potential health problems.

Since this male kitten is so rare, it’s no wonder a reputable breeder might value him as much as a couple of thousand dollars.

Of course, this is just the initial price. There are additional expenses you need to think of when choosing a cat to buy, such as his nutritional and grooming needs, his exercise levels, and, of course – his health and chances for different health conditions developing.

How Much It Costs To Adopt A Male Calico?

On the other hand, the average cost of adopting a male calico cat is from $100 to $250. The difference in price in buying and adopting is more than obvious.

Many people will struggle to find a male calico at a professional cattery, and they won’t even remember to check out shelters.

I think that the lower price isn’t even the most important thing here, but the awareness that you’ve helped an abandoned kitten find his forever home!

Still, it’s essential to understand that male calico cats are extremely rare. 

So, if you find one – you should consider yourself very lucky!

Why Are Male Calicos So Rare?

As I have already mentioned, many different breeds can be calicos, such as the Siberian, Maine Coon, Scottish Fold, American Shorthair, etc.

Since this isn’t a specific breed, but rather just the description of a cat’s coat color, it might be hard to answer some general questions about calicos, such as whether they are hypoallergenic.

Still, there is a good explanation for why male calicos are so rare, no matter what breed of cats they belong to.

Dani Suandi and his associates [1] point out how the coat color in cats is normally governed by genes found on the X chromosome. Females have XX chromosomes, while males have XY chromosomes.

The gene for black and orange coat color is located on the X chromosome, as Beyond Pets Animal Hospital explains. Since females have two X chromosomes, they can have both orange and black coats, and this is a calico pattern seen mostly in female cats. 

If a male cat has an excess of the X chromosome, a three-colored cat will be born. This occurrence is similar to the XXY Klinefelter syndrome in humans.

Male calicos are almost always sterile. This happens because they have abnormalities in their chromosomes, which leads to problems with fertility. 

They might also have other health problems besides infertility, such as diabetes and obesity. 

See Also: How Long Do Calico Cats Live, With 5 Important Factors

What Are The Chances To Find A Male Calico Cat?

Male calicos are extremely rare. Only one out of every 3,000 calicos are males, as Dr. Marty Becker from VetStrees suggests.

I’m sure all of you calico cats fanciers would be thrilled to find a male calico. But, as we have seen, chances aren’t high that this will happen so easily.

Until you come across one, you can take a look at the video below that shows a beautiful male calico.

Closing Thoughts

The male calico cat’s price can vary, so you might find different results when searching for it that can even differ by a couple of thousand dollars.

But, the price shouldn’t be the only factor you need to consider here. I understand why many people are crazy about finding a male calico.

This cat is so rare and hard to find, that makes many cat fanciers want it even more.

But, besides having a hard time finding this rare kitten, you should also be aware that a male calico is infertile and prone to some health issues.

So, besides the initial price, you should also take into consideration potential veterinary costs. I just want to give you sincere advice to do your research thoroughly, and to get prepared to live with a male calico cat.

Despite everything, I think we can all agree that this cat is definitely worth the price, and it’s an honor to share a life with this rare gem!

References:

Read Next: Are Male Siamese Cats Rare And Their Differences From Females