Is coat color significant to behavior?

[nurseangel]

No home has been found for the kitten someone dumped out at DH's brother's business, so we're thinking about taking her in. She's a calico. I was wondering if coat color has anything to do with a cat's behavior characteristics?

[GoldenKitty45]

Not really. There are a lot of exceptions. However, tortoiseshells and calico sometimes have a "tortitude" attitude. Its more fiesty, mouthy and dominate type of attitude. I've owned several torties and calicos and they all tended to be a lot more bossy to other cats.

I love them with their splashy colors but would really rather have a male then a female

[motoko9]

I *have* seen at least one book citing a study that found that coat color can be linked to behavior (if you want more info, let me know, and I'll see if I can find the reference). I'm sure however that, as Goldenkitty suggests, there are always exceptions. For example, the few torties I've known personally definitely had "tortitude," but I'm sure there are numerous members here who would tell you that theirs are the sweetest cats in the world!

[mews2much]

I have 5 cats and here is a pic of the one with a attitude.
I did have 1 calico that did not have a attidue and her name was Butterscotch.
This is Meeko who has is nice but has a attitude at times.
I would still take her though.

[cheylink]

Well for one, the true calico or tortoise shell with black are always female. I personally have always found most females to have a bit more "cattitude" regardless of coloring. Maia is a tabby and completely full of it! In the past I have had a tortie short hair who was the sweetest kitty to all, as well as Sweety who was a long hair tortie and at times the most stubborn but loving kitty ever! More importantly every cat is different and will adapt to their environment, just remember to give lots of love and support!

[Claydust]

Kasey is our tortie.

She has a bit of the tortie attitude with the other cats. I don't know if that is due to coat colour or pre-rescue life.

Even at her age, of 8 to 10 years, she is very playfull.

I told a bit about here here;

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=184623

She is a very affectionate cat and has basically imprinted on me. She does not like it when I leave the house on an eveneing, weekend or vaction day (it seems leaving for work is OK). The odd thing is, I started to make a joke of telling her I was going and my wife says she settles down and doesn't meow when I leave, if I tell her I am going.

[laureen227]

well, neither of my current tri-color cats have the infamous 'tortitude'. Firefox, of course, is 'junior' to everyone else - she does occasionally get into it w/Cable, Java, or Pixel [that latter usually follows some mutual grooming] but she just LOVES big brother Chip! i personally think it's just 'cause she still quite young.

Java, otoh, has no 'tortitude' whatsoever - she's very submissive, for the most part, a very sweet-natured girl.

[Forensic]

My only calico in the past (ingeniously named Cali ) was a very loving, cuddly, sweet cat.

It was our silver tabby who had all the attitude in the house.

So it's not a done deal that a calico has a 'tude.

[laureen227]

Originally Posted by Forensic

My only calico in the past (ingeniously named Cali ) was a very loving, cuddly, sweet cat.

It was our silver tabby who had all the attitude in the house.

So it's not a done deal that a calico has a 'tude.

it's the silver tabby in my house that has 'tude, as well!

[cheylink]

Originally Posted by laureen227

it's the silver tabby in my house that has 'tude, as well!

Same here, and shes an only kitty, but is full of 'tude'!

[white cat lover]

Ophelia would like to de-bunk the idea that color relates to attitude. She's solid white & has attitude a mile high!

[missymotus]

Originally Posted by white cat lover

Ophelia would like to de-bunk the idea that color relates to attitude. She's solid white & has attitude a mile high!

Ah, but white is a masking colour she could be any colour underneath that.

I remember reading that all cats are black or red, other colours are variations on that and white masks all colours.