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The litter tray

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Original poster

Is it true tortoiseshell cats can be mean

90 replies

Sunflower6 · 27/07/2016 19:25

I am considering taking on a second cat and have seen a young tortoiseshell cat that needs a new home, someone told me that tortoiseshell cats have a reputation for being mean is this true? I had never heard this myself before.

OP posts:

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Madbengalmum · 27/07/2016 19:28

I had a rescue cat from our local rescue years ago, she was deaf and blind. Nobody was good enough for her to be rehomed to! The staff were very taken with her and loved her to bits. However, the manageress knew us from our previous rescues and when i asked if we would take her,she said we could. She was the most loving and sweet creature,gentle too. So no meaness here.

mypropertea · 27/07/2016 19:40

In the same way chestnut horses are and don't get me started on humans with xxxx colour hair. Don't be silly!

Fluffycloudland77 · 27/07/2016 20:18

Feisty is more apt

Allergictoironing · 27/07/2016 20:28

Meanest cat I ever knew was black (my aunts), had a reputation for miles around. The dog was a real softy, but the cat was EVIL.

But the ginger & white tom that prowls round near my house is pretty nasty too & has sent nearly all the local cats to the vets.

Vinorosso74 · 27/07/2016 20:45

Ignore them. They are being cat racist. Never had a tortoiseshell myself but think they are very pretty cats.

NaffOffMartha · 27/07/2016 20:47

No, it's not true.

villainousbroodmare · 27/07/2016 20:49

I have a tortoiseshell who is the nicest cat I've ever met. She has become friends with neighbours' cats and several dogs also. She runs to the car to greet you when you come home.
Any colour of cat can have any personality. Judge her when you meet her. But remember that many adult cats don't especially love each other, certainly at first, so take introductions slowly if you decide to take her.

pinkrosexxoxxx · 27/07/2016 20:55

I have a tortoiseshell and she is lovely ... I mean she is very feisty but she's not mean. And she's very playful also

SpareHead3 · 27/07/2016 20:59

I can't see how cat fur markings can denote personality any more than human hair colour can. All just old wives tales

Good advice from villain regarding introducing cats to each other. That can take time.

ifcatscouldtalk · 27/07/2016 20:59

I haven't heard the term mean but I use to help at a cat rescue and the manager called 2 torties there "the naughty torties" said affectionately as they were mischief. My most tempremental cat was a pure white beauty. She was deaf and only liked my husband. Still remembered fondly. I love all cats.

Equiem89 · 27/07/2016 21:04

My tortoiseshell is 15 years old, she's never once scratched, bitten, hissed etc. She is the most affectionate cat I've ever met.

Wolfiefan · 27/07/2016 21:06

We have two one year old tortie sisters. They are definitely characters and really entertaining but certainly not "mean".

Is it true tortoiseshell cats can be mean

Wolfiefan · 27/07/2016 21:07

I put pictures. Where did they go?!
One cat

Wolfiefan · 27/07/2016 21:07

Cat two. Um mean?!?!

Wolfiefan · 27/07/2016 21:08

Unless you are a scratching post. Then you're done for!

nennyrainbow · 27/07/2016 21:09

We have a tortoiseshell that just turned up one night last year and never left! She's lovely and affectionate to people. Mean to mice though.

ifcatscouldtalk · 27/07/2016 21:10

wolfie they are gorgeous!!!

Hassled · 27/07/2016 21:10

Not mean as such, in the way some cats can be bastards, just aloof. The tortie I used to have was the cliche "treat the house like a hotel" cat. Didn't give a flying fuck about anyone - I quite admired her for it.

hugoagogo · 27/07/2016 21:11

I grew up with a gorgeous if slightly proud tortoiseshell kitty and then went on to have the softest, cuddliest, fluffiest torbie puss who I miss every day.

I never really met a cat who is 'mean' feisty yes people do talk a lot of rubbish.

CMOTDibbler · 27/07/2016 21:13

My dad had a bit of a thing for torties, so they had a few (and in fact their sole remaining, vvv elderly cat is tortie). Some were lovely, but one was the most horrid cat they ever had. She was absolutely stunning though - long haired, white tortie.

Of my three current cats, its the tabby that is spiteful

Wolfiefan · 27/07/2016 21:13

I may be biased but they really are aren't they?! Rescues turned down by someone else because they weren't young enough! They were just kittens when we got them. Very naughty attacking moving feet and climbing into the sofa and shredding it from the inside! But they were kittens. A year on and they're much calmer. Still daren't move in bed though!

flumpybear · 27/07/2016 21:13

No way - I've had two both skitty and playful (for a girl cat) - my toughest was two make black and whites

fastdaytears · 27/07/2016 21:13

Mine's a little cow but I don't think it's because she's a tortoiseshell. It's just her personality!
I luffs her millions though

TroysMammy · 27/07/2016 21:24

I knew one that would terrorise a neighbour's dog. It would jump on it's back and dig it's claws in and enjoyed hearing the dog scream.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 27/07/2016 21:34

My Holly is a tortie and white - don't know if that counts? - but she's genuinely the gentlest cat I've ever had; affectionate doesn't begin to cover it

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