![]() ![]() Black cats have the “B” allele which is dominant.īrown (right) and cinnamon (left) British Shorthair kittens. Black catsīlack, also referred to sometimes as ebony, is the darkest pigmentation for cats with an all-black base coat. B is the allele for black coats, b is the recessive gene for brown, and b l is the recessive gene for cinnamon.īoth brown and cinnamon cats have reduced eumelanin production which produces the shades of brown. The order of dominance for the allele for the expression of shades of black as a coat color is is B > b > b l. BlackĮumelan is the pigment responsible for black base coats in cats. However, when the dilute modifier gene is present, it changes these diluted colors even further.īlue coats become caramel (a warm, light brown), and cream coats become apricot (a warm cream color). Normally, when a cat has two copies of the dilution gene “d”, black fur is diluted to blue (a soft gray), and red or orange fur is diluted to cream. The dilute modifier gene, symbolized as “Dm”, is a gene in cats that alters or modifies the color of a diluted coat. Learn about the range of cat fur coat colors, from lightest to darkest. These occur when pigment distribution along the hair shafts is uneven, leading to a lighter, cooler shade that can often bestow a somewhat dusty or hazy quality to the coat. The shades of blue, lilac, fawn, and cream in cat coats are recognized as dilute colors. The “D” allele results in a dense or deep color, whereas the “d” allele results in a diluted or lighter color. The density of color is influenced by the presence of the dense pigment (D) gene. White fur is the absence of pigmentation in the cat’s fur. Every variation of cat color and shade is derived from these base colors. The genetic sub-variations of cinnamon and brown are considered base colors by some cat fanciers although these two colors are recessive variants of black that are the result of reduced eumelanin production. The base colors for a cat are either shades of black or red. ![]() ![]() Eumelanin produces blac, brown, and cinnamon colors, while pheomelanin produces red and yellow colors. Two pigments, eumelanin and pheomelanin, are primarily responsible for fur color in cats. The color of a cat’s fur is determined by its genetics. Male cats that are calico or tortoiseshell are the result of a genetic mutation and are known as unicorn cats. These coat colors are linked to the X chromosome, and almost exclusively found in female cats due to their genetic makeup. Solid colored cats are also known as self colored. Solid colored cats include popular shades such as black, white, blue, cream, and red. This means there are no markings and each strand of fur is one color with no variation. Solid coat colors are characterized by a uniform coloration throughout the cat’s body. Types of cat fur patternsĬats can be one solid color, a combination of two colors (bicolor), have a tapestry of colors like tortoiseshell and calico cats, or have bold markings tabby cats. Two main pigments, eumelanin (black pigment) and pheomelanin (red pigment), are responsible for most of the color variations seen in cats. Genes control the production and distribution of pigments in a cat’s hair, resulting in a wide range of coat colors. The primary determinant of a cat’s coat color is its genetic makeup. Learn about the vast variety of cat coat colors and the genetics behind cat coat colors. Buff, dilute, blue, and lavender are some of the more interesting coat color names. Other cats have much more intriguing coat color descriptions. White cat, black cat - these are easy coat colors to visualize. Image Credit: Debra Anderson, Shutterstock Female Tabby Namesīelow are some of the most popular female cat names for tabbies.Some cat fur coat colors are easy to understand. For example, if you already have a Millie, it might be best to avoid calling your new tabby cat Billy. Generally, cats respond better to names that end with a vowel sound and contain one or two syllables.Īvoid names that are the same or sound very similar to family members’ names or that might be confused with other pets in the house. Tabby markings are distinctive, but that doesn’t mean you have to base your cat’s name on the swirls and colors.Īlternatively, you can pick a suitable name you’re happy calling to get your cat’s attention. With all of this marking variance, there are plenty of naming opportunities. Most tabbies have a distinctive M marking on the head, but it can be difficult to make out in some cats. ![]()
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