Cat colors and genetics of cat colors for dummies

The most popular hybrid spotted cat breeds

Most of these are animals obtained by crossing with wild cats.

Bengal

A hybrid of the Asian Leopard Cat or Lesser Leopard (ALC) and a domestic cat, bred by American breeder Jean Mill. Selection work began in 1961. Today the breed is recognized by all felinological systems of the world. The animal has been a pet since the fourth generation.

The first individuals were exclusively “golden” in color - there were black spots on a red background. With the development of the breed, pets of different colors were obtained:

• silver - the main background is silver;
• snow - in three modifications - linx, mink and sepia;
• marble - the spots merge into a large “cloak” or “sparble” pattern;
• charcoal - on a black background there are marks of the same color, while this is an experimental color.

snow bengal

charcoal bengal
Today, especially popular are individuals whose spots on the skin are located in the form of “rosettes”, reminiscent of the pattern of a jaguar’s fur. The most valuable pattern consists of three colors.

Even Bengals of the Siamese-Himalayan type have been bred. But no matter the color, the coat is the main distinguishing feature of this breed. It must have a “wild” pattern and is of the highest quality - short, without undercoat, tightly adjacent to the muscular body, glittery.

A kitten experiences phasing at two to five months, a process characteristic of wild cats. The bright pattern is hidden under the long secondary hair. The baby “blooms” to the age when his physical development allows him to protect himself from enemies and obtain food, in full accordance with natural canons. Excessive hair loss occurs only during this period of time; in adult life, the Bengal cat does not shed. This charming animal is rightfully called the “domestic leopard” due to its exceptional exotic coat pattern and energetic temperament.

Toyger

This is a “defective” Bengal, in which the standard prohibits the merging of spots into stripes.

The genetic fixation of this deficiency helped the emergence of a new breed. It was created by Judy Sugden, daughter of Jean Mill. Not all felinological systems have yet received recognition.

Toyger

The colors of the Toyger are the same as those of the Bengal cat.

Savannah

The largest modern cat breed. It is a hybrid of Serval and Abyssinian. Registered by breeder Patrick Kelly in 2001 in the American felinological system TICA.

Savannah got the leopard coloring from a wild ancestor. Its color varieties are gold, silver, brown (ed), chocolate, cinnamon.

Savannah

By nature, these cats are very curious and intelligent, easy to train. They do not tolerate loneliness well. Active, jumping and busy pets need a lot of space to play and love water very much.

Serengeti

A hybrid of Bengal and Oriental was created in California in 1994 by breeder Karen Sauzman. Due to its close resemblance to the Bengal cat, the breed is not widespread. Registered only in the American TICA system.

Serengeti

The breed was developed relatively recently, in 1994, by mixing Oriental, Bengal and Abyssinian cats. Externally, the spotted beauty resembles a puma or a cheetah, having an elegant posture, a large elongated body, widely protruding ears and a short thick tail. The average weight of the animal reaches 10-15 kg, and the jump height can be up to 2 meters. This jumping ability is due to certain anatomical features of the animal - a muscular, developed body and powerful paws that perfectly absorb the landing. To date, the breed has not yet been recognized by the world community, although it is officially registered.

The character of cats is friendly, but with clearly expressed leadership notes. They easily enter into battle not only with their meowing relatives, but also with dogs. They are the first to go on the attack and selflessly win their place in the sun. On the contrary, they behave kindly, softly and tenderly with people. They require a lot of attention and if they don’t have it, they will pester in every possible way, rub, purr and purr until they get what they want. They love active games and hunt birds and rodents with pleasure, but more for pleasure and entertainment than for food.

The most popular spotted breeds of domestic cats

The tabby color is also found in breeds bred without crossing with wild cats.

Ocicat

In appearance it resembles the brightest cat in the world, Ocelot, and got its name in honor of him. Although it has no relationship with a wild cat, but was obtained by crossing a Siamese and Siamese-Abyssinian mestizos.

By its temperament, the Ocicat is a cheerful and playful pet, loyal and affectionate, sociable and loving.

The colors vary in color, but always with spots.

Egyptian Mau

Descended from common street cats of Cairo. Exported to America in the fifties of the last century. One of the oldest natural breeds in the world.

The color of the short, dense coat can be different - silver, bronze, smoky, pewter. But always a tabby - and only a dark spot. A distinctive feature of his appearance is the “scarab” mark on his forehead and the black “eyeliner” of his expressive green eyes.

This small, muscular and very active cat has a balanced and independent character. She is attached to people, does not like loneliness, and is friends with all pets. Loves to talk with family members. The sounds that the Mau makes are not always like meowing, but resemble the “mumbling” of a person.

And you can learn more about this cat by reading the article about the Egyptian Mau on our portal.

Pixiebob

The Elf with the Short Tail was developed in the United States in 1985. The exact origin of the breed has not been determined; there is a version that wild cats participated in the selection, but this has not been confirmed by anything.

The pixie bob is characterized by the appearance of a lynx with tufted ears and a short tail. Polydactylism is common. The short or semi-long coat is always tabby in color - with spots or “rosettes”.

In their devotion to humans, these cats resemble dogs. Very calm, attentive and observant pets are friendly and love to play with children. They swim excellently, climb trees, hunt, “talk”, making beautiful curling and chirping sounds. They get along well with other pets, but are always leaders.

British Shorthair and Scottish Fold cats

The British and Scottish Fold are essentially different types of the same breed, although they are registered separately in feline systems. These are some of the most popular and oldest domestic breeds in the world.

By nature, these pets are self-sufficient, almost always phlegmatic. They like to sleep, but are not fans of active pastime. They are attached to people, love and do not offend children. Unpretentious and calm.

The colors of these cats are varied, spotted colors are very common.

American Shorthair (Kurzhaar)

This breed developed from its European relatives, who migrated with humans to America. A group of breeders began working on the approval of the variety at the beginning of the twentieth century.

The most famous color is the silver tabby - bright black, rather large spots on a light gray background.

The character of the American is called the “golden mean”, the cat is calm, does not require constant human attention, is moderately active and very devoted to the owner and all household members.

European Shorthair

The spotted color of this oldest breed is widely popular. The oldest European native variety was registered and presented to the public only in 1982.

A kind, energetic animal is deeply devoted to humans, willingly plays with children and at the same time never loses its hunting instincts.

Siberian

This natural oldest Russian breed most likely descended from Oriental cats brought to Siberia by merchants.

Animals with long hair and a thick undercoat are excellent hunters and have an independent and calm character. They are sincerely devoted to the owner and all household members, but do not like attention and affection imposed on them.

Among the many colors of Siberians, tabby is common.

Maine Coon

The raccoon cat is the pride of Americans. This natural breed has long been in the lead as the largest. The size of an adult cat (length with tail) reaches one and a half meters and weighs sixteen kilograms.

This pet is calm and undemanding, friendly and devoted to humans. But at the same time, like its ancient wild ancestor, it is an excellent hunter.

The colors of the coon are varied, spotted is quite popular.

Pixiebob

This is a powerful, fairly large, muscular cat, with deep-set eyes - which gives the look a “wild” expression, tufts at the tips of the ears, a powerful chin and a short tail. In a word, she looks like the North American red lynx, the appearance that breeders strive for. Interestingly, breed standards allow for the presence of extra toes, which is a disqualifying feature for absolutely all other breeds.

The rarest spotted cats

Leopard-colored cats are also among the new experimental breeds that have not yet found recognition.

Australian Smoke (Mist)

Breeder Labor Street from Sydney carried out enormous selection work, which involved simple and purebred cats - Abyssinian, Siamese, Burmese. Among the many colors, tabby is one of the most common.

Mist inherited excellent health from the barn cats, and extraordinary grace and dignity from the elite. Gets along well with any pet, is devoted to people, loves children, is active and energetic. Approved by a limited number of felinological organizations, it is not widely distributed.

California radiant

Despite its wild appearance, this is not a hybrid breed, but a mixture of many varieties of cats - British Shorthair, Manx, Siamese, Angora, Abyssinian.

Created by American screenwriter Paul Casey as a symbol of wild African cats, mercilessly destroyed by humans. Very smart, friendly, silent and undemanding pets are still very rare and are registered only in the TICA felinological system (USA).

There are eight colors - black, brown, blue, bronze, charkoal (smoky anthracite), red, gold and silver. Always tabby.

Ussuri cat

This natural breed was noticed relatively recently. Most likely, it came from crossing Amur and Siberian cats.

It has been registered as experimental since 1994, but so far its representatives are very rare in the world.

The main color is from golden to fawn, always tabby. A very independent, self-sufficient and proud pet has all the habits of a predator. Temperamentally, he is more like the latter. Doesn't get along well with other animals, is a loner by nature and an excellent hunter.

Soukok or Sokoke (Kenyan Forest Cat)

It is believed that the ancestors of this very rare breed are wild kazonzo and secondarily feral domestic cats.

Through the efforts of the English breeder Jenny Slator, the breed was approved in 1992 in Denmark.

These slender and lithe cats are small in size, but strong and muscular. The dense and short coat can be of different colors, but always tabby, usually merle.

Playful and very intelligent animals are quite willful and independent. At the same time, they get along well with both humans and other pets. Wonderful hunters.

Colors of hairless cats

By the way, for the author of the article, it was a complete surprise at the time that hairless cats have different colors. Before his close acquaintance with the Canadian Sphynxes, this same author sincerely believed that cats, in general, are like people: there are brunettes, brown-haired, blond, red, piebald (as a type of piebald - “patterned”) and bald. All.

But that was not the case: cats turned out to be much more complex creatures in terms of colors.

The color of hairless cats is formed due to skin pigmentation, and the variety of possible options is simply amazing . "Baldheads" may have:

• solid colors (black, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, white);
• bicolor colors;
• color "Harlequin";
• color "Van";
• colorpoint colors (cream point, seal point, chocolate point, linx (tabby) point);
• tortoiseshell colors (black tortoise, blue-cream, lilac tortoise, chocolate tortoise);
• tabby (marbled, spotted, mackerel).

Now imagine that all this is “painted” on the skin of an animal. Such a spectacle without preliminary preparation is much more impressive than the most intricate cat fur coat, I tell you.

Photo gallery: examples of sphinx colors

The mackerel-colored Sphynx (striped tabby) has stripes all over the body. The combination of tortoiseshell and white looks like an intricate colored tattoo on the Sphynx's skin

The skin of a black sphinx is slate gray. In bicolor sphinxes, the colored part has clear boundaries with the white

But in any case, any hairless cat (regardless of color) is always surprisingly elegant, graceful and beautiful. How else? Cats are cats (c).

Wild spotted cats - pets

Wild leopard cats are very beautiful. The fashion for keeping them at home has arisen more than once in the human community. But not all representatives of the cat world can be safely placed in a house.

Today, only three spotted species are most widespread as pets.

Serval

The African bush cat is a medium cat. Body length with a short tail is up to one and a half meters, weight - up to twenty kilograms. A small head, long legs and high-standing large ears make this animal look like a cheetah.

In order for a Serval to grow up tame, it must be taken away from its mother in the first days of life and fed by hand. Therefore, you should only purchase such a pet from experienced breeders.

A properly raised kitten will grow into a friendly cat, but its wild roots must not be forgotten. An adult must have a separate enclosure.

Food: raw meat only. During growing up, great attention should be paid to ensuring that there is enough calcium in the diet. Children have fragile limbs and fractures often occur.

The Serval's coloring is magnificent - dark spots on a reddish background.

Read more photos and interesting information about the serval in a separate article on Mister Cat.

Ocelot

A very bright animal, resembling a leopard in appearance, although smaller in size.

Less accommodating and less trainable than the Serval. An adult should only be kept in an enclosure. Nevertheless, it is often found today in home keeping because of the extraordinary beauty of its amazing colors. Such a pet named Babao lived with the famous artist Salvador Dali.

Geoffroy's cat

This small wild animal is similar in size to its domestic counterpart.

The brightly spotted skin was highly valued in the fur industry. Today this species is on the verge of extinction and is protected by the CITES Convention.

Therefore, it is now rarely found in home keeping, although it is popular. It is well tamed if at an early age the pet was taken from its mother and raised in the hands of a person. There are only a few breeders of this species, and it is difficult to acquire such a cat.

Signs about gray cats

People have long endowed gray cats with mystical properties. It is believed that they protect the house from evil spirits and sense impending danger.

Most signs are associated with situations that cannot be explained:

1. If a gray cat crosses the road, do not rush to change direction - good luck awaits you.
2. The gray tabby cat will help appease the raging brownie. Sometimes it is the pet that conveys the person’s requests to the household spirit.
3. Gray cats do not attract negative energy due to their unremarkable appearance and protect a person’s home from ill-wishers.
4. If you pet a gray cat in the morning, your day will go well.
5. If you are feeling anxious, take the cat in your arms and run it along the scruff of the neck with your left hand.
6. If he hid in the far corner, it means he saw evil spirits in the house. Sweep all the floors in the house with a broom, moving from the windows to the exit. Burn the collected garbage or throw it away at an intersection. Break the broom and throw it away from people.
7. A gray cat will help establish harmonious relationships in the family and bring harmony to the house.
8. A gray cat sitting on a wallet opens a cash flow.

Peculiarities of behavior of spotted cats

Spotted coat coloring is the best camouflage for a predator. Pets with leopard coloring carry the gene of wild ancestors in their blood or are as close to them as possible. This explains their energetic and active character. Such animals need a large space for play, often love water and swim well, and are excellent hunters and fishermen. Like any wild cat, they are independent and self-sufficient. You should not try to forcefully pick them up, sit them on your lap, or play with them. Little “leopards” will come to a person on their own when they see fit.

Spotted cats are very smart, real intellectuals. They easily learn the simplest commands, remember a fairly large set of words perfectly, and quickly get used to wearing a harness.

With proper early education, they socialize well and never show aggression.

They are very attached to their owner and yearn for loneliness. It is better to keep such animals in the house in pairs. Then, in the absence of household members, they will perfectly occupy themselves, quickly make friends with any other pets, but will always remain leaders. Just don’t introduce them to parrots or rodents - most likely, the hunting instinct will be stronger than their liking. For pet “leopards” it is necessary to purchase a large play complex, exercise equipment and interactive toys. Their energy always requires an outlet.

Spots and stripes on a cat's fur are an amazingly beautiful pattern created by nature. Spotted domestic cats of different breeds are distinguished by their grace and love of life.

California radiant

It is considered one of the most expensive and exotic cats in the world, resulting from the selection of the following breeds: Abyssinian, Siamese, Angora, British Shorthair and Manx. It was possible to achieve resemblance to a leopard only after 11 years of painstaking work. The species was officially registered in 1986. The cat got its name because of its unusually soft, velvety and shiny coat that fits tightly to the body.

The radiant “Californian” has well-developed muscles, a strong and toned body, a convex forehead and expressive golden-brown eyes. The front legs are bent at an angle of 90 degrees, which makes the cat's gait creeping, set low to the ground, like a real wild predator. The animal's character is flexible and affectionate, but its temperament is more prone to activity and restlessness than calmness. This is why cats need regular and long walks and cannot tolerate loneliness at all. They quickly get used to the tray, have the ability to train, and are easy to train.

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Spotted cat breeds

Spots on the fur are characteristic of all wild representatives of the cat family. Large animals such as the leopard, ocelot, serval, speckled cat (fishing cat), Geoffroy's cat, European forest cat and many other species can wear a skin with various inclusions.

Bengal Cat running and jumping in Snow

Spotted kittens are very beautiful and playful

Spotted domestic cats inherited the coloring from their wild relatives. A cat with spots can be found in almost every breed. At the same time, you should know that all felines have a pattern on their fur (stripes or spots), but not all of them have it visible.

Interesting fact! Spotted cats, which are also called “sprat” cats, seem to some people to be unattractive and ugly. Absurd delusion! Variegated colors adorn the pet.

Pixie bob

The pixie bob or short-tailed elf is similar in appearance to a lynx. Breeders achieved this unusual look after long experiments in crossing domestic cats with wild short-tailed cats, residents of American and Canadian forests.

The pixie-bob looks like a miniature lynx: the same tufts on the ears, the same eye shape. The thick silvery or brownish coat is covered with small dark spots.

Short-tailed elves are very affectionate and sociable, they love to play and even swim. A short tail and multiple toes are the distinctive features of pixie bobs.

This is interesting! All cats of this breed have additional toes, their maximum number can reach 28 - 7 on each paw.

Savannah

In the 1980s, breeders crossed the domestic cat with the African Serval, resulting in the Savannah breed.

A large, long-legged cat with spots weighs up to 15 kg and grows up to 60 cm at the withers. Outwardly, it looks like a leopard. Savannah's ear can rotate 180°, which allows its wild relatives to perfectly navigate in open space.

Savannahs are distinguished by rounded ears and thick, spotted fur that is chocolate, golden or silver in color with black spots. These animals have a calm, balanced character and developed intelligence.

They are very active, love walks and swimming, and need to exercise a lot. A spotted Savannah cat can make sounds that are unusual for domesticated pets, for example, hiss like a snake. With this hissing, Savannahs not only express their displeasure, but can also warn of danger.

Ocicat

The breed of domestic cats, resembling the color of their wild relative the ocelot, is called Ocicat.

Despite the external similarity and the name of the breed, the Ocicat is not a descendant of the ocelot. This domestic breed was developed in the second half of the twentieth century as a result of crossing Siamese, Abyssinian, American Shorthair and some other spotted cats.

After several experiments, graceful spotted kittens were born. The Ocicat has a long muscular body, graceful thin legs, and a head in the shape of an elongated triangle. The coat color can be blue (silver), ivory or cream.

There are small dark spots all over the body. There are horizontal stripes on the neck that resemble a collar. You can see “rings” on the paws.

This is interesting! The Ocicat is a very affectionate, playful cat. She easily learns new things: a smart cat will quickly learn to bring a fallen object to its owner.

The spotted favorite of the Ocicat breed does not tolerate loneliness well and needs communication with humans and other pets or relatives. This graceful animal loves to run and jump, so it needs toys and space to play. Ocicats are in good health, but may have problems with their teeth and gums, so they need to be cleaned periodically. But short hair is not difficult to care for.

Fold cat

Spotted tabby is one of the colors of the Scottish Fold cat. Dark spots are visible on the legs, body and tail. Black lines are visible around the eyes and nose.

The spotted cat has the floppy ears characteristic of the Scottish breed. Clearly defined small and large spots are located throughout the body. The coat can be silver, cream, or bluish. These are calm and affectionate pets who love to play and communicate with people.

Scottish Fold Spotted Tabby

Ussuri

The Ussuri cat appeared in the Far East as a result of natural crossing of the domestic Siberian cat with the Amur forest cat. In the wild, Siberian cats mate with Amur forest cats, resulting in large spotted kittens. The breed was not specially bred; moreover, the efforts of breeders did not improve it at all.

For reference! Ussuri (leopardette) is a small breed that has not received recognition outside of Russia.

The Ussuri breed has a powerful, muscular body, full cheeks and rounded ears with tufts. The thick, short, shiny coat is golden, fawn or brown, covered with black or bronze spots, stripes and rings. The dense and thick undercoat reliably protects this cat from the cold.

Ussuri are friendly, but they cannot be called affectionate. They have an independent and independent character. It is advisable to keep such pets in a country house so that the animal has its own territory. Ussuri love silence and solitude. They have highly developed hunting qualities. They have good health, so they require simple care: regular vaccinations, washing and combing their hair.

Important! Ussuri is a very rare and small breed.

And others

Representatives of a wide variety of breeds can be spotted. Among them are the most common:

• Asian tabby;
• American Shorthair;
• American Bobtail;
• American Curl;
• Arabian Mau;
• Bengali;
• Bristol;
• Egyptian Mau;
• European Shorthair;
• California radiant;
• Kanaani;
• Cymric;
• Kurilian Bobtail;
• Serengeti;
• chito.

The fur of cats of these breeds has clear, bright spots that form an interesting and beautiful pattern. In other breeds, spotting is also sometimes present, but not so pronounced.

Keeping purebred cats

If a spotted cat has already been purchased, then caring for the chosen animal is important. It is noted that purebred cats require more careful care than purebred cats. Ordinary cats are more hardy and not picky about their diet. They are less susceptible to various diseases.

One of the main factors that should be taken into account when keeping a purebred cat is nutrition. A properly formulated diet is the key to good animal health. You should not feed your cat exclusively prepared foods from supermarkets. From time to time you need to give your pet natural meat, make porridge from various cereals, and give dairy products. These products contain a large amount of vitamins and proteins, thanks to which the animal will have beautiful fur and strong bones.

Already at a young age, a kitten must be shown to a veterinarian. He will be given all the necessary vaccinations, and a specialist will also give advice on proper maintenance and care. A visit to the veterinarian is mandatory for any deterioration in your pet’s health. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate.

Don't forget about your pet's hygiene. They need water treatments periodically. It's no secret that almost all felines, to put it mildly, do not like water. This causes a lot of problems for owners when they try to give their cat a bath. This procedure may require a lot of time and effort, but over time the animal can be accustomed to bathing.

It is worth highlighting the main aspects that need to be taken into account when bathing your pet.

The topic of hygiene also includes the toilet of the animal. A litter tray is the first item that should be present when a cat arrives in the house. Today, there are various variations of trays for cats, including biological trays and trays with automatic cleaning. You need to take care of your cat’s litter box – clean it and change the litter on time. It is necessary to accustom a kitten to a litter tray from an early age. Usually this process does not take much time and effort. Cats themselves find a suitable place to go to the toilet, but in an apartment the only such place is the litter box.

The next aspect is illness. Cats are often susceptible to diseases of the nose, eyes and ears. This may be due to the structural features of these organs, since they may differ in different breeds. Therefore, it is worth periodically wiping and cleaning the ears with cotton swabs and swabs. You need to wipe your nose and eyes with a cotton swab dipped in warm water. This routine hygiene can prevent the development of serious diseases.

Sometimes cats have problems with their teeth. Their teeth can also hurt, so taking care of them is also important. The most common disease is tartar. To prevent its occurrence, it is sometimes worth brushing your cat's teeth. This procedure, like bathing, is not easy, but quite doable. The main thing is to securely secure the animal.

Stomach and heart problems depend entirely on the animal’s diet and physical activity. The diet has already been mentioned above. The main thing is to avoid overeating and prevent your pet from gaining unnecessary weight. Excess weight and low physical activity greatly reduce the level of heart function and lead to a reduction in life expectancy. Many owners do not keep cats in their apartment all the time. Sometimes they take them for walks on special leashes. New experiences, fresh air and space will only benefit the animal.

In general, care depends on the size of the cat, the length and density of its fur. For more accurate recommendations, it is advisable to periodically show the cat to the veterinarian. Above were the main breeds of spotted cats. Knowing their names and understanding what a particular breed should look like, you can not make a mistake when choosing. But the main thing is to choose an animal not because it is rare or beautiful.

You can watch the spotted Bengal cat in the video below.

Origin of spotted color in cats

Many modern scientists are confident that the Libyan spotted cat became the ancestor of the domestic cat. From her, all modern representatives of domestic purrs have inherited the genes responsible for their spotted coloration.

For reference! All cats have a pattern on their fur, but it is not always noticeable. Even a completely black or white cat may have stripes and spots of the same color, but this pattern cannot be seen.

The presence of the dominant gene A (agouti factor) in the cat’s genome determines whether the pattern on its coat will be visible. Spotted cats inherit several genes responsible for their pattern and its location.

Domestic animals of spotted color first appeared in the 18th century in England. Spotted is a type of tabby color. This includes any colors with patterns.

There are 4 types of patterns: spotted, brindle, marbled and ticked. All tabby cats have noticeable M-shaped stripes on their foreheads.

A cat's eyes may be lined with black, brown, red, lavender, blue or pink, depending on the base color of the coat. In the wild, tabby coloring and spotting are needed for cats to camouflage against leaves and grass. The spotted color combines the characteristics of other tabby species. The spots resemble broken tiger stripes or the streaked patterns characteristic of marbled cats.

Signs of spotted color:

• the spots form a clear line along the length of the entire body from the withers to the tail;
• “buttons” are noticeable on the stomach;
• "necklace" on the neck.

Spotted color cannot be determined for sphinxes, as well as for other varieties (acromelanic, harlequin, van).

Spots with clear boundaries can have any shade: cream, red, blue, chocolate, black, lilac, fawn and cinnamon. The spots are evenly distributed throughout the animal's body. The background is much lighter than the spots.

Spotted cats have noticeable M-shaped stripes on their foreheads.

Color options

Other tones that descendants inherit from their ancestors also participate in the formation of coat shades. All attempts by breeders to create a uniform color were unsuccessful. Any red color looks patterned.

1. White and tan is the most popular option. The white gene in this color combination is dominant and suppresses the white spotting of solid colors.
2. Gray-red appears if one of the parents has the D gene, which is responsible for color intensity. The most spectacular combination is red, white and gray. This color is often found among outbred cats.
3. A red tabby or tabby appears as fine lines, a clear outline of the upper and lower eyelids, and an "M" shape on the animal's forehead.
4. The red tabby is a very varied and interesting color that looks like a shaded tabby. Contrast comes in different intensities.
5. Black and red - tortoiseshell. Its carriers are cats. The color is often found in Persians and Maine Coons.

Tortoiseshell color (black and red)

Possible eye colors

In red cats, the iris seems especially bright and contrasts favorably with the coat color. The most attractive combination is a red fur coat and green eyes. However, eye color can be of any color: green, orange, yellow, blue of varying intensity.

Features of caring for domestic cats

A loving owner cares about the health of his pet. Spotted felines are active and curious, so they sometimes get injured. You need to carefully monitor their behavior and, if possible, prevent trouble.

All pets must be vaccinated against infections. This will protect your furry pets from many deadly diseases. In general, spotted cats do not require any specific care. They need to be cared for just like any other furry pet.

Grooming

Almost all spotted cats are short-haired, so brushing them once every 1-2 weeks is sufficient. Cats are very clean animals, so they only need to be washed if the pet gets dirty in something.

Cats keep their fur perfectly clean

Food for spotted cats

These animals are very active and spend a lot of energy, so they need a balanced, nutritious diet, like all other cats. It is advisable to feed them the best premium food that contains all the necessary nutrients.

Your cat's diet should be balanced

The spotted cat is a source of joy in the home. You can admire her endlessly. Motley beauties need care and love.

Cat breeds that look like tigers look very attractive and unusual. These days, such pets are no longer uncommon, but this was not always the case.

The American geneticist P. Casey was involved in crossing wild and domestic animals with a spotted coat. The result is that spotted cats have become suitable for living with humans.

Breeds for which only gray coat color is acceptable

Blue coloring is standard for some cat breeds. They must have a perfectly even, so-called “solid” coat color. Only in kittens are uneven colors allowed, which fade with age.

Breeds of gray cats:

• Russian blue;
• Nibelung;
• korat;
• Chartreuse.

Russian blue

The ancestor of the Russian Blue was the Arkhangelsk cat, which was brought to England in the 18th century. In its current form, the breed was formed at the end of the 19th century.

These are short-haired cats with almond-shaped green eyes, a flat muzzle and a gray coat with a silvery sheen. The paw pads are oval and have a lilac-pink color, and the inner surface of the pointed ears is a soft pink shade.

The Russian Blue cat is characterized by a muscular and slightly elongated body, long legs, a triangular head, and a tail pointed at the tip. Their coat is silky to the touch, erect, double - the length of the hairs of the undercoat coincides with the length of the coat. Because of this, the cat’s skin resembles plush.

The most popular spotted cat breeds

If you want to have a spotted cat that looks like a leopard, future owners are advised to take a closer look at the following breeds:

Bengal

As a result of a genetic experiment, a breed of Bengal cats appeared. The scientist crossed leopards with ordinary outbred domestic cats.

Bengals are animals with a long, slender body and legs. The coat color varies from gray to brown. All individuals have oblong black spots on the body.

Bengals are a breed of spotted cats that are most similar to a leopard. In fact, the Bengal cat is a descendant of the leopard, although it has the character of a pet.

Features of Bengals:

• Sociable;
• Smart;
• Non-aggressive;
• Trainable;
• They love to swim.

The average price of a Bengal kitten is 10 thousand rubles, animals with a pedigree cost up to 50 thousand rubles.

Pixiebob

The breed was bred at the beginning of the 2000s. The selectors were faced with the task of creating spotted cats that looked like a lynx. Pixiebobs are a hybrid breed with a short tail (which is why the cat gets its name).

From the photo, pixiebobs are very similar to miniature lynxes, they:

• Get along well with other animals;
• Not aggressive towards people;
• They are affectionate and strongly attached to people.

Pixie beans were created artificially and relatively recently, so they have not become widespread.

Kittens are quite expensive, the cost of a pixie-bob starts from 40 thousand rubles.

Ocicat

That is the name of the cat breed obtained by crossing Siamese and Abyssinians. The name of the Ocicat breed is consonant with wild ocelots, because... cats look exactly like these animals. The breed was bred by the American V. Dale randomly.

Ocicats:

• Cannot have blue eyes;
• They do not have wild ancestors;
• The color can have many shades, up to smoky blue;
• Character – calm, friendly.

Ocicats are quite large, have high, oblong ears and almond-shaped eyes.

The price of an Ocicat kitten ranges from 35 to 160 thousand rubles.

Serengeti

A young breed, artificially bred in 2001. The ancestor of the Serengeti was Bengal cats, which is reflected in the color with clearly visible spots.

Serengeti cats:

• Curious, love to explore their surroundings;
• Aggressive towards some objects and animals, but not towards people;
• They do not get along well with dogs.

The price of a Serengeti kitten is 35 – 60 thousand rubles.

Australian smoke

The cat breed is like a leopard, but it occurred by crossing the Burmese and Abyssinian breeds. The Australian smoky cat has a bluish color; there are individuals with a marbled coat.

The breed has the following distinctive features:

• The body and head are medium in size;
• The ears are elongated, wide at the base;
• Almond-shaped large eyes;
• Friendly character;
• Not prone to aggression.

California radiant

Leopard cat, obtained in the USA after crossing three breeds. They have short fur of various colors with a brown tint.

Features of the Californian Radiant breed:

• A special gait, like that of wild cats;
• Very long, thin tail;
• The spots are round, square or triangular in shape.

The breed was bred in 1970 and has since been popular in the United States and around the world. California shining middle class kittens cost from 90 thousand rubles.

The offspring of premium individuals with a pedigree can cost up to 150 thousand rubles.

Features of ginger cats

Felinologists call the red coat color red. This color is found in different breeds, but it cannot be called the calling card of any of them.

The color of the coat is determined by the black pigment gene. The red pigment gene is responsible for the red color. It is interesting that among felines, mostly cats have red fur coats. In addition, a mandatory attribute of the red color is the tabby pattern. There are no monochromatic fire coats in nature. Stripes, spots, marble patterns are often combined with white and black colors.

At birth, kittens receive one chromosome each from their mother and father. Females have two sets of colors - on the “X” chromosome (XX), and males - on the “X” and “Y” chromosomes. If the parent pair has the red pigment gene, then the entire litter will be red.

If the father has the black pigment gene, the mother will give birth to tortoiseshell girls and red-haired boys. If both parents have the gene for black pigment, the offspring will turn out black. If the father is a carrier of the red pigment gene, the litter will contain tortoiseshell cats and black seals.

Tortoiseshell cats - a box with a surprise. A mother of this color gives birth to kittens of any color. Black cats can produce tortoiseshell or black girls, red and black boys. From ginger cats, tortoiseshell and ginger cats, black and ginger cats are born.

Reference. Knowing the color of the parent pair, you can calculate the probability of the appearance of red kittens, taking into account gender.

Character

It seems to non-professionals that coat color has nothing to do with the character, habits, mental abilities and temperament of cats. Experts, in turn, note that ginger cats are distinguished by ingenuity, cunning, audacity, independence and a lively mind. It is the sunny fluffies that are better trained than other felines. They are playful, inquisitive and active.

Orange kittens show increased interest in humans and are distinguished by enviable obedience. Animals with sun-colored fur coats are kind and forgiving towards children. Purrs generously forgive pranks and do not harbor resentment in their hearts.

The character of cats also depends on the breed. Persian beauties are affectionate, soft, and compliant. The British are individualists and snobs. Siberian cats have an easy-going character and a gentle disposition. Abyssinians are curious creatures who love to poke their nose into every corner.

Why do cats leave home?

A cat that has found its home brings happiness, so what does it mean if the cat leaves home? Such superstitions always have a negative meaning and it does not matter why this happened. If a cat has left its owners, it needs to be found. If this is not done, then misfortune awaits the whole family.

If a cat leaves the house where a sick person is, he will die.

When an animal jumps out of a window, disaster cannot be avoided.

If the cat has left home, he may be very sick. When he leaves his home, the disease cannot be cured. By leaving home, he frees the owners from suffering from his death. Cats prefer to die alone. If a sick animal tries to leave, it should not be restrained.

The cat comes into the house

If a cat comes into the house, you cannot kick it out. He needs to be sheltered, because he brings happiness. You cannot kick out those kittens that do not come on their own, but are brought by children. Kids feel other people's energy much better than adults. If they brought an animal, it means they know on an intuitive level that it can protect them.

If the cat came into the house on its own, it must also be left. It will bring good luck, attract wealth and protect from troubles.

If a cat has strayed, but there is no way to leave it, then you need to feed and warm the animal. Afterwards you need to take care of her home. If you do all this, then good luck will come soon.

If a cat suddenly comes to your house, you need to pay for it. Three coins of any denomination are thrown onto the road, and gratitude is offered to fate for good luck.

If a strange cat appeared on the threshold, stood for a while and left, this is also considered a sign. Its interpretation depends on the color of the animal. If a red or black kitten arrives, the owners of the house will receive a monetary profit. Happiness and love - this is what a white or gray cat comes to.

If a kitten comes to the house of a married couple, then they will have an addition to the family. If a cat attaches itself to lonely people, it may promise a wedding.

If a neighbor's kitten strays, it cannot be kicked out or taken back to its owners. When the time comes, he will leave on his own. The baby who has settled down needs to be fed. Perhaps he came to scare away misfortune or warn the owners of trouble. The arriving kitten cannot be given away, because then it will not be able to protect it from harm.

A nested kitten is often considered a messenger from the other world. Along with him come the souls of deceased relatives. This is how they convey some kind of message or warn about impending misfortune, so a kitten that has become stuck cannot be kicked out. You need to keep it. If you kick out a nested kitten, this will bring misfortune to people, which will last for 7 days.

When a pregnant cat comes home and starts giving birth, you need to adopt her kittens. This will bring good luck for many years.

A stranded kitten cannot be kept in the house. If he wants to leave, you need to let him out. This will mean that the kitten has completed its mission and its services are no longer needed here.