Cat coat genetics

Cat Coat Genetics

A mother cat with her kittens, showcasing a variety of coat colors.

Cat coat genetics is the study of the genetic mechanisms that determine the color, pattern, length, and texture of a cat's fur. The diversity in cat coats is a result of complex interactions between multiple genes, each contributing to the final appearance of the cat's fur.

Basic Genetics

The genetics of cat coat color is primarily determined by the interaction of several key genes. These genes are responsible for the production and distribution of pigments in the fur. The two main pigments are eumelanin, which is black or brown, and pheomelanin, which is red or yellow.

The Agouti Gene

The agouti gene controls the distribution of pigment along the hair shaft. When the agouti gene is active, it produces a banded hair pattern, resulting in a ticked or tabby appearance. In the absence of agouti, the coat appears solid.

The Tabby Gene

A tabby cat displaying the classic tabby pattern.

The tabby gene is responsible for the striped, spotted, or blotched patterns seen in tabby cats. There are several types of tabby patterns, including mackerel, classic, spotted, and ticked.

The Orange Gene

The orange gene (O) is sex-linked and located on the X chromosome. It converts eumelanin to pheomelanin, resulting in orange or cream-colored fur. Male cats, having only one X chromosome, are either orange or non-orange, while female cats can be tortoiseshell if they inherit one orange and one non-orange X chromosome.

An orange tabby cat, a result of the orange gene.

Coat Patterns

Tortoiseshell and Calico

Tortoiseshell and calico cats have a mix of orange and black patches. This pattern is due to the random inactivation of one of the X chromosomes in female cats, a phenomenon known as X-inactivation or lyonization.

A tortoiseshell cat, showing the characteristic mix of orange and black.

Dilution

The dilution gene affects the intensity of the coat color. It changes black to blue (gray), chocolate to lilac, and red to cream. This gene is recessive, meaning that a cat must inherit two copies to exhibit the diluted color.

A dilute orange tabby cat, showing a softer cream color.

Coat Length and Texture

The length and texture of a cat's coat are also genetically determined. The long-haired trait is recessive, so a cat must inherit two copies of the long-haired gene to have long fur. Other genes influence the texture, such as the curly coat seen in breeds like the Devon Rex.

Related Pages

• Cat genetics
• Cat coat patterns
• List of cat breeds

Two cats with different coat patterns and colors.

See Also

• Melanin
• X-inactivation
• Genetics