Summer’s Fabulous Cat Life

Cat Model, Therapy Cat, and Cat Lifestyle Expert

  • Home
  • Diary
  • Kitty Wisdom
    • Dear Sparkle
  • Catinees
  • Store
    • Cat Beds
    • Cat Stuff for Humans
      • Cat Calendars
      • Cat Gifts
      • Cat Jewelry for Humans
      • Cat Stationery
      • Cat T-Shirts
    • Cat Trees, Towers and Furniture
    • Designer Cat Collars
    • Interactive Cat Toys
    • Litterbox Furniture, Cabinets and Covers
    • Scratching Posts and Cat Scratchers
    • Special Items for Special Kittys
  • Book Reviews
  • About
  • Contact Summer
    • -Advertise Here!
  • Privacy Policy
  • Fan Club
You are here: Home / Kitty Wisdom / How to Control a Tortie (Sort of)

How to Control a Tortie (Sort of)

May 15, 2018 By: Summer Samba44 Comments

Somali cat explains how to control a tortie

I’ve lived with a tortoiseshell cat for over three and a half years now, and as you know, it is not easy! But I think I’ve learned enough to explain how to control a tortie. Here is the first lesson: the title of this post! It would have sounded better to call it “How to Tame a Tortie,” but we all know that is not possible! It is all you can do to try to control them.

So here we go.

somali cat protecting sun puddle from tortoiseshell cat

Always be the first one in the sun puddle! Otherwise, you will never get to have it.

somali cat with unwanted visitor on the set

Never let them on the set when you are doing a photo shoot. They will never leave and will constantly bother catering.

somali cat and tortoiseshell cat helping with bookkeeping

Tortoiseshell cats must always be carefully supervised. They are not as helpful as they think they are. Even though they think they know everything.

tortoiseshell photo bombing a somali cat

Tortoiseshell cats will photo bomb you every time, so don’t let them. You are only asking for trouble if you are lenient.

As you can see, controlling a tortoiseshell cat can be complicated. But it can be done! I think I’ve gotten pretty successful over the years.

somali cat portrait with tortie ear

Or maybe not.

How to Control a Tortie (Sort of)How to Control a Tortie (Sort of)How to Control a Tortie (Sort of)
Share500
Tweet3
Pin34
Buffer6
Pocket
Email
543 Shares
* * *

Subscribe to my blog posts here!

Summer's 2023 Monthly Wall Calendar My New 2023 Calendar is out! Get it here
Check out the rest of Summer's merch at her her Zazzle Designercat Shop

Comments

  1. Catherine Lingg says

    May 30, 2023 at 7:08 pm

    Yes you did sweetie….sort of mol

    Reply
  2. Denise Dardarian says

    May 7, 2021 at 12:32 am

    I miss Binga. Seeing her in all of her Tortietude is just great. I have a tortie, Granny Anatelli, and she just does whatever she wants. Don’t bother telling her no.

    Reply
  3. LESLEY CASTLE says

    May 6, 2021 at 6:42 am

    Miss Binga photobombing you <3

    Reply
  4. LESLEY CASTLE says

    October 21, 2020 at 1:50 am

    Systems normal all torted up! MOL!

    Reply
  5. Laquetta says

    October 20, 2020 at 6:02 pm

    Summer I love your rules for tortie control.

    Reply
  6. nancy-Davis says

    March 4, 2020 at 7:31 pm

    Torties have such strong personalities, but not nearly as beautiful as you Summer Samba!

    Reply
  7. Lesley Castle says

    March 4, 2020 at 10:07 am

    Aww, sweet baby Binga!

    Reply
  8. Meezer's Mews & Terrieristical Woofs says

    May 24, 2018 at 11:25 pm

    Summer, Binga is quite the character and I love how you try to be her manager…well, after your human. MOL!

    Reply
  9. Gato avocado says

    May 17, 2018 at 12:07 pm

    Maybe life would be boring without Binga showing up in your photo shoots… Embrace the power of the tortie!

    Love
    Gato Avocado

    Reply
  10. Teddy says

    May 17, 2018 at 5:03 am

    I think you do a very good job of being TOLERANT of your resident Tortie – controlling or managing might be tougher than tolerating though. We can usually tell from your expression if Binga is even in the room with you during a photo session much less photo bombing! LOL

    Hugs, Teddy

    Reply
  11. meowmeowmans says

    May 16, 2018 at 7:31 pm

    Well done, Summer. So what you’re saying is that you can just sort of contain a tortie like Binga, right?

    Reply
  12. Valentine says

    May 16, 2018 at 10:32 am

    Hmm… I have two Tortie neighbors, but I’ve given up trying to figure them out. I throw my paws up. I think I need your help, Summer! Tee hee hee!

    Reply
  13. Cathy Keisha says

    May 16, 2018 at 7:50 am

    You think you have it under control! Binga has other ideas.

    Reply
  14. LoneStarCATS says

    May 16, 2018 at 12:58 am

    MOL, from my experience, ya just can’t.

    Reply
  15. Raven says

    May 15, 2018 at 7:21 pm

    I’m not sure how successful you were. Maybe distracting the tortie would work better?

    Reply
  16. Marv says

    May 15, 2018 at 6:33 pm

    Tee! Hee! Binga is just too funny! Mom says Queen Penelope was just like Binga…
    Purrs
    Marv

    Reply
  17. Fraidy Cats! says

    May 15, 2018 at 5:24 pm

    we think Binga will always hold something back just to keep you on your paws, Summer 🙂

    pip, minnie, hollie, sharpie, ditto, TL

    Reply
  18. Ellen Pilch says

    May 15, 2018 at 3:55 pm

    Wonderful advice, I will pass this along to my kitties so they know how to deal with Penny. Is there any advice to keep Penny from peeing in boxes? 🙂

    Reply
  19. mommakatandherbearcat says

    May 15, 2018 at 3:37 pm

    Why would you WANT to control a tortie?!? They’re perfect just the way they are. Not as perfect as you, Summer … but pretty darn close 😉

    Reply
  20. Melissa & Mudpie says

    May 15, 2018 at 3:28 pm

    Mudpie takes offense at this post! She insists torties can’t and shouldn’t be controlled 😉

    Reply
  21. Memories of Eric and Flynn says

    May 15, 2018 at 3:26 pm

    Hmm, I’m not sure our definition of controlling a tortie are the same.

    Reply
  22. The Island Cats says

    May 15, 2018 at 2:54 pm

    There’s no way to control a tortie…or a torbie for that matter. We know. ~Wally & Ernie

    Reply
  23. sue brandes says

    May 15, 2018 at 2:49 pm

    She sure likes to help you.

    Reply
  24. Sherri-Ellen T-D. says

    May 15, 2018 at 1:08 pm

    Mew mew mew mew mew mee-you…..
    LadyMum iss rofwl….
    This iss one of yur funniest postss EFURR!!! Wee finkss Binga iss anyfing butt controllabull…..mee comes frum a Tortie Mumma an shee runss thee barn!! 😉
    Keep on tryin Summer!! You can do this!
    ~~head rubsss~~ Siddhartha Henry~~ an ((hugsss)) LadyMum

    Reply
  25. emma and buster says

    May 15, 2018 at 12:22 pm

    Binga has lived long enough to know she can get her own way 🙂

    Reply
  26. CRAIG S. C. OKAJIMA says

    May 15, 2018 at 12:16 pm

    How does Binga get along with the Little Red Kitty figuerine?

    Binga has very nice fur!

    Reply
  27. Lola says

    May 15, 2018 at 12:13 pm

    MOL MOL Oh, this made all of us giggle.

    Reply
  28. The Swiss Cats says

    May 15, 2018 at 11:55 am

    Control a tortie, MOL ! That was a good one, Summer ! Purrs

    Reply
  29. William's Kith & Kin says

    May 15, 2018 at 9:47 am

    Yeah, we’re thinking no on that, Summer. Sorry.

    Reply
  30. patty says

    May 15, 2018 at 9:21 am

    there is no winning this battle Summer, I know

    Reply
  31. Katie Isabella says

    May 15, 2018 at 9:01 am

    I LOVE that last PICTURE! I just LOVE it. I love them all but that last one…killed me. I love the secret thoughts too. Summer, you are so mature. Binga..you are so Tortie and I love you.

    Reply
  32. Toby and Leia says

    May 15, 2018 at 8:00 am

    Ummm…. Summer, we are huge admirers of yours but we think you should just give up here. She’s a tortie…. Plus she has many years of experience on you.

    Reply
  33. Madi and Mom says

    May 15, 2018 at 7:22 am

    MOL MOL Summer I think my nephew Frisco the Gingerman would 100% agree with you on your tips.
    I think he has given up on controlling Mia the Tortie with a Tude. He is a big ginger close to 14 lbs…she is an itty bitty Tortie maybe 8 lbs but she has the attitude of all the big wildcats rolled up into her 8 lbs.
    Hugs madi your bfff

    Reply
  34. Purrjamm Cats says

    May 15, 2018 at 6:24 am

    Oh Summer, we think Binga is just trying to pull the wool over your eyes. She’s just trying to spread sisterly love. LOL, ok maybe not…She’s a tortie! They are so full of purrsonality it’s crazy. We think you have everything under control at your palace. Except maybe the photo bombing. But you gotta admit, she’s a beauty who’s photogenic too. Thanks for all the tips we will definitely try them. Love the pics! Purrs

    Reply
  35. Brian Frum says

    May 15, 2018 at 5:54 am

    Well, you’re doing darn good pretty Summer, it’s a tough task!

    Reply
  36. random felines says

    May 15, 2018 at 5:54 am

    we hear closed doors might work too 🙂

    Reply
  37. CJ says

    May 15, 2018 at 5:49 am

    Oh Summer, silly girl, you can never control a tortie! Good try though!

    Love,
    Mia, Mosby, Angel Cosmo & Angel CJ

    Reply
  38. Roby Sweet says

    May 15, 2018 at 5:26 am

    MOL! Torties cannot be controlled. Just ask our dog, who gets scared every time our Paisley looks at her! 🙂

    Reply
  39. Ingrid King says

    May 15, 2018 at 4:46 am

    Oh Summer. You should know by now that you can’t control a tortie, no matter what you think! 🙂

    Reply
  40. Catatopia says

    May 15, 2018 at 4:10 am

    Two of my cats have lived with three different torties. Their secret to a somewhat peaceful life: just yield to the tortie.

    Reply
  41. TyBee says

    May 15, 2018 at 2:34 am

    Managing a tortie is hard work. We feel the we are the only kitties on the planet! Sharing is not easy for us.

    Reply
  42. Andrea and the Celestial Kitties says

    May 15, 2018 at 1:09 am

    Well, you have to admit, she’s a very cute photobomber!
    Summer, the way you’re laying in that sun puddle! Oh my gosh, so cute! Look at those adorable back footsies!!!

    Reply
  43. The Poupounette Gang says

    May 15, 2018 at 12:44 am

    Go, BINGA!!!! Sorry, that wasn’t very nice to you, Summer, but we think you might rename the post “How to work around a tortie” because we can’t see much control going on there!!!!!

    Purrs,
    The Chans (yes, we are all Binga fans!)

    Reply
  44. The kitties of PURRING pines says

    May 15, 2018 at 12:28 am

    You have your work cut out for you, Summer!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Follow Me Here!

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Get Summer’s Newsletter!

Stay up to date and get subscriber-only exclusives!

My Zazzle Store!

Buy from Sparkle's Zazzle Store
T-Shirts, cards, mugs and more!

Summer on Video

Copyright © 2023 ·