calico vs. brindle

A few days ago, my daughter and I found someone's lost cat. I'm running ads in the local paper, town Penny Savers, Petfinder, and hanging signs up at the local vet offices.

I went to a vet's office today, and they wanted to record information in a notebook that they keep. When they asked what the cat looked like, I told them that she is a brindle color. The girl told me that cat's can't be brindle, only dogs can, so she must be calico.

Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of her, but I always thought that calicos were the traditional white, tan and black. This cat is all black with strands of orange and tan mixed in; not the typical "patchwork" of a calico.

Can anyone tell me if she is considered to be a calico, or what she may be? It's kind of hard to describe her when I don't know what she is.

Thanks!

[Jade]

I doubt she's calico, she's more likely tabby patterned.

Even though she doesn't have any white on her? I always thought tabby's were like a tiger pattern with a white chest/paws.

So much to learn!! I wish I had a digital camera!

[Jade]

I think tabby refers to the striped pattern regardless ... there are many different colors. (at least that's my understanding)

She doesn't have any stripes though, the other colors are mixed in, like a brindle color, but I guess cats can't be that! lol!

Thanks for your help!

[PokeyPokey]

My cat was a tabby and she had no stripes. She had spots of what i'd too call brindle. mixed brown and tan/orange spots on a white background

Interesting...thank you!

[Dena]

Probably a toirtise shell. They are usually dark patterned with no white.

[SharonM]

I believe in cats, what you're describing is referred to as "tortoiseshell". My mother called it "Hodge-podge".

[SharonM]

GMTA, Dena !

[Becki]

I was going to say the same thing, toirtose shell is the word for brindle colored kitties (calico colors but all mixed up, no big patches).

[Pigsterz]

Yup, it sounds like a tortie.

Tortie it is, then! Good news...I think I may know who the owner is! There is a lady that lives on the other side of the park and my daughter found out today that she's been in the hospital for about a week, and her son told my daughter that he let one of her cats out because he didn't like it (he's mentally challenged). His mom is suppose to be home tomorrow and we'll find out for sure. I'm hoping...it all adds up!

[Crittercall]

There are also muted calicos and torties. Their colors are not quite as bright and they are usually very pretty cats.

I always read that a "tabby" always has an "M" going from the outside of one eye, down at the nose, and ending at the far side of the other eye. (Does that make any sense at all?)

Hope that the person you've found is the cat's owner. If she has been hospitalized it won't be too good for her to come home and find her cat missing.

[capnsweets]

I was going to say tortie but everyone beat me to it!