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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Naughty torties?

49 replies

NinaHeart · 08/05/2013 09:37

Do tortoiseshell cats deserve their reputation for naughtiness? Are they indeed moody or mardy, prone to biting and acts of wickedness, or it is all an ugly rumour?

I ask becasue we have been offered a torty kitten and I'm a little nervous of their reputation!

OP posts:

LifeOfPee · 08/05/2013 09:49

We have a white point torty. She is a lovely cat, about the friendliest you could ever find, loves strokes and cuddles and has a deafening purr. She has a lovely character. However, if you do something she isn't keen on (e.g a tummy stroke when she doesn't fancy it) then she will let you know you've done it wrong by giving a quick nip and a growl.

We have another cat too, much younger than the torty and she is very playful. She tries to get the torty to play with her but the torty reacts with hissing, screeching and growling, a bit OTT really.

In short, the rumours are true to a certain extent but I wouldn't change my cat, she's awesome but too hairy.

gindrinker · 08/05/2013 13:27

I've got one too, she's the noisiest cat I have ever met.
She's also a bit of a hooligan but luckily cute and curls up on my lap.

Fluffycloudland77 · 08/05/2013 13:42

Ours was cheeky.

MumnGran · 08/05/2013 13:49

They can be the most loving cats in the world and the more they are loved the more loving they will be .... BUT there is definite truth in the "tortie gene" and "naughty tortie" reputation.
Calico torties don't seem to demonstrate it as much as brindled ......but one of the sweetest cats I have ever owned was a rescued brindle tortie, so its all swings and roundabouts

If the kitten seems affectionate and sweet, then that's probably the way it will be as an adult
(best to avoid tummy ruffling or hand fighting games, though......it does encourage attack behaviour, and then people moan when they get a scratched hand!)

BrianCoxandTheTempleofDOOM · 08/05/2013 13:51

I can only comment on neighbour's tortie, my Ginger Moron's BFF! They are the same age (almost 2) and walk around the street together, sunbathe and terrorise the local bird population!

Tortie is so lovely and friendly BUT I can't let my cat-friendly dog in the garden if.she's there, Tortie attacks my dog and dog is petrified of her.

Tortie HAS to climb everything, trees, lamp posts (have seen her perched on top of the one outside my house many times!) cars, vans!

I watched her yesterday trying to get into a van, she stood on the wing mirror and repeatedly tapped at the window trying to get in!

Basically, she's a swine!

Lonecatwithkitten · 08/05/2013 14:14

Having been a vet for quite a while now I have been scratched and bitten by more torties than any other colour of cat. However, in my hands my nicest ever cat was a tortie my nastiest is a colour point British short hair.

WhereBeThatBlackbirdTo · 08/05/2013 14:24

My pale tortie was the nastiest cat we have ever had (and we've had quite a few!).

She was very loving for seconds, just to lull you, then slash and run with no warning whatsoever. My eldest son was too scared to pass her on the stairs well into his early teens. Her vet notes had 'VICIOUS CAT' across the top after she shredded the vet's hand and left him dripping blood on the table.

However, she mellowed with age. She could speak - say 'milk' and 'meal' so we knew what she wanted as she lurked by the fridge!

She was about 16 when she died peacefully in her sleep. I still miss her.

MumnGran · 08/05/2013 15:25

Lonecatwithkitten ... I think the "in my hands" comment is very telling - as I said, my brindle tortie was the sweetest cat I ever owned.

I had umpteen come into rescue over the years, and think they just don't like to be messed with, teased, or over-stimulated by things like tummy tickling.... and they are inclined to be very bright!
Given calm gentle parenting ...they can be angels :-)

Lovethesea · 08/05/2013 17:17

Our newly rescued tortie is very feisty and very affectionate. I hadn't heard the stereotype but she won't be picked up at all, however sit or lay down and she's curling up on you like a hot water bottle.

She loves to play and explore, kills toys and leaves but no actual wildlife yet.

She will scratch or bite when she gets overstroked, but I'm reading her better now and she has calmed down and just does a play nip.

Our tabby tried a play pounce and she let rip with a mouthful of swearing that could be heard from miles away. However she'll chase him and jump out on him when she wants.

She jumps and climbs trees, stalks fences and chases other cats out of the house. She seems sharp and intelligent, tolerates the kids wonderfully and is very bold.

We love her. Small, fierce, feisty and utterly affectionate (on her terms).

Wilding · 08/05/2013 17:23

I've always had torties, definitely prefer them over any other colour! If you understand cat behaviour (i.e. when they want cuddles and when they want to be left alone) then they make fantastic pets.

Lonecatwithkitten · 08/05/2013 17:48

Mumn why oh why then is my BSH so horrible.

MumnGran · 08/05/2013 19:21

awwww Lonecatwithkitten ...... I suppose I should say take credit for the nice bits and disclaim the others

To be serious though, what is his/her issue?
I have only owned one BSH - a rescue who had had hot oil poured over him and remained badly scarred throughout his life. His traits were fairly typical of the breed ....quite independent, not one for lap sitting though he would come to sit next to you on the arm of the chair, and happy to be stroked but disliked being picked up.
He was an absolute b*** with my other cats, very dominant and would stalk them through the house. Speaking with some BSH devotees at the time, they all said this was also something of a breed trait.

Does this sound anything like your baby?

MumnGran · 08/05/2013 19:38

Have just read back over your earlier post and see that your BSH is a Colourpoint. Hmmm.

On touchy ground here, but when breeders decide to start mixing breeds to create new colours/patterns, they do also mess with other genetic traits such as temperament.
Colourpoints were a result of outcrossing to exotics and persians..... so close examination of the pedigree by someone with a sound knowledge of Persian lines might show you a distinct link to some known "iffy" behaviour traits in a particular line.

Essexgirlupnorth · 08/05/2013 19:40

Mine is a little madam. She is very affectionate when she wants to be but does nip and scratch sometimes.
She recently spend 3 hrs in our loft and refused to come down!
Out tabby is far less naughty but our torte is still a lovely cat.

Slambang · 08/05/2013 19:58

Our tortie definitely conforms to stereotype. She bites and kicks and has caused deep scars on all of us with absolutely no warning at all . (Sitting peacefully on a lap she'll suddenly attack visciously because I've slightly shifted or breathed a bit too heavily). I would never have a tortie again. But we chose her because MIL's tortie was the nicest gentlest cat we've ever met.

So, inconclusive...

cozietoesie · 08/05/2013 20:03

My only ever tortie (many years ago) was actually called Cheeky. She was such an ...... individualist..... that even other cats couldn't stand her. Apart from next door's ginger tom that is.

And all that was actually her salvation. One late winter's night when the wine is flowing, remind me to tell you the story.

MumnGran · 08/05/2013 20:47

well that is just too much of a tempter, cozie!
I've poured my wine .......

cozietoesie · 08/05/2013 20:49

Christmas Eve when wrapping is done. You can hold me to that.

MumnGran · 08/05/2013 20:51

sadly I shall have to drink the wine anyway x

DiscoDonkey · 08/05/2013 20:52

Our torty is very loving but also a tad unhinged. She will nip if you stroke her in the wrong place. If you move her off the sofa she will walk up to sleeping tabby cat and give her a kicking just because she can. She is also VERY vocal.

MaggieMaggieMaggieMcGill · 08/05/2013 21:05

I have a kind of tortie, as in she is a mainly silver tabby but with little bits of orange tabby patches and a white belly. She is an utter softie, she likes to be cuddled like a baby and will sing to you if you sing to her.
Her sister on the other hand, a grey and white tabbie, considers being touched an invasion of her body space and while she doesnt react violently to being picked up, is very vocal in her objection to it.
I was at a farm today and met an incredibly friendly white/tortie. But maybe these are exceptions that prove the rule?

DiscoDonkey · 08/05/2013 21:12

Ours is black and orange, ones that are more white seem less evil.

Original poster

NinaHeart · 09/05/2013 12:59

Gosh - what a lot of personaltiies cats have! I'm no nearer deciding whether a possibly-bonkers tortie is right for us or whether we need a quiter sort of cat.
(Two adult household with no kids and a garden)
Thank you all for your valuable input. Doubtless I'll be back!

OP posts:

ZebraOwl · 10/05/2013 00:29

Wonder if my cats (one blond, one black) might have got their sense of mischief from their tortie mummy then...

RedwingWinter · 10/05/2013 21:14

I have a black tortie and she is very talkative and mischievous. At three years old she still takes a flying leap at the top of the curtains and hangs there by her claws. She is into everything. She is also very affectionate. She is a lot of fun and completely adorable.

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