Information on Cat Coat Colors

Cat coat colors come in a wide variety of shades, many of which have been selected for by breeders. Genetics and the environment of the womb both contribute to the colors and patterns of cats' coats.

  1. Range

    • The main colors in cats' coats are white, black, brown, blue, lavender, cinnamon, fawn, cream and red. Different shades and mixtures of these colors produce the thousands of cat colors seen today.

    Genetics

    • The basic colors of a cat are controlled by genetics and are passed down from parents to offspring. Some colors and patterns have specific genetic links affecting which gender exhibits that color. For example, most red cats are male and calicos are female.

    Embryonic Development

    • Sometimes, the color of specific areas on the cat is affected by conditions in the womb. Calico cats, for example, undergo inactivation of the X chromosome in some areas during development, changing the way pigment is distributed.

    Agouti

    • Some cats have different colors in bands along each individual hair. This is called agouti.

    Patterns

    • Some coat colors in cats come in distinct patterns. Examples include the points of Siamese cats and the multiple colors in a calico's coat.