Whiskers-tabby: domestic tabby cats

Genetics of tabby cat color

The scientific name for tabby cats is mackerel. This is a type of tabby pattern, for which the dominant T gene is responsible. Initially, this color was characteristic of wild animals, but is now found in many breeds bred through selection.

There are four types of colors:

• Tm - tiger or mackerel;
• Tb - classic marble;
• Ta—ticking;
• Spotted Tabby - spotted polygenic.

All representatives of the cat family are carriers of the T gene. However, if the recessive gene in the phenotype blocks ticking, stripes on the coat are not visible.

Cats came from the cat planet

I would like to believe in the unearthly origin of cats. The first images of these creatures appeared in Egypt, and there is a myth that it was in Egypt that the first cat aliens arrived. They were completely bald and could communicate with people with the power of thought.

As the legend says, one of the cats wandered into the forest and met there an ordinary and shaggy steppe cat. They fell in love with each other, and the bald cat refused to leave the Earth, she chose love. The couple was happy throughout their cat life, and they produced furry offspring that became the ancestors of today's domestic cats.

Mongrel tabby cat

Ordinary street cats are the most striking representatives of the tabby color. They are considered the healthiest and most durable. The colors and patterns of the coat are varied - stripes, spots, marble on a light and dark background.

Yard cats are endowed with an independent character, intelligence and delicacy. The animals have excellent hunting skills and deftly climb trees.

Messengers from distant stars

No matter how funny it may seem, there are many great minds who are completely sure that cats literally fell to Earth from the Moon!

Plotinus (Neoplatonist philosopher) was even able to argue his opinion about the origin of cats. He wrote in the Ennead irrefutable evidence specifically in favor of the Moon. In his opinion, cats are creatures of this satellite because they see well in the dark, are active at night, and their behavior depends on the phases of the moon.

According to Augustine the Blessed, who wrote the work “On the City of God,” cats are sent to us from those very distant stars where the human soul resides after death. The Almighty only showed them the way there and back, and they can communicate with spirits. But it’s not for nothing that people are sure that cats get along well with ghosts and see them, which is not given to humans.

Tabby cat breeds

We have collected for you 18 of the most famous cat breeds, which are characterized by tabby color.

Asian tabby

The first Asian tabby litter was born in 1981 from the mating of a Persian chinchilla and a Burmese. From this parent couple, the kittens inherited the refined appearance and manners of aristocrats.

The word “tabby” was added to the name of the breed for a reason. Representatives of this breed are characterized by a wild color. Various color variations are possible: from black to apricot. Characteristic features of cats are eyeliner and a spot on the forehead. In addition, the animals look as if from under their brows and have slanted, almond-shaped eyes.

American Shorthair and Wirehair

A distinctive feature of the breed is its expressive, wide-set eyes. Some individuals have heterochromia: one eye may be blue, the other amber, yellow or green. Ears with round tips are decorated with small tassels. The American Shorthair has a powerful build, a well-developed torso, massive paws, and tightly tucked toes.

American Wirehair

Cats originated from European tribesmen who arrived in North America with settlers. The new harsh living conditions led to the cats becoming stronger and more resilient, their bodies acquiring muscular relief. The coat became hard and dense, and the undercoat became thick and dense.

Various colors - shaded, tabby, solid. The most famous type is classic marble.

American Curl

Two varieties of the breed have received official recognition: shorthair and semi-longhair. A distinctive feature of Curls is their large and wide ears, curved back with a thin, rounded tip. The turning angle should be 90°-180°.

Curls have expressive, obliquely set eyes in the shape of an elongated oval, which visually resembles a “walnut.” The color of the iris is not tied to color, so it can be anything. The exception is color-point cats, whose irises should be bright blue.

Both varieties of the breed have almost no undercoat. The structure of the guard hairs is smooth and elastic.

Various colors - Siamese, solid, tabby, bicolor, tortoiseshell, color point.

Bengal cat merle color

The Bengal cat was created by mating a domestic cat with an Asian wild leopard. The animals have a medium build, muscular and flexible body. Representatives of the breed have a large triangular head, medium-sized ears with rounded tips, a wide nose, expressive almond-shaped eyes, and fleshy paws.

The coat is silky and soft, with internal glitter that literally highlights the Bengal’s luxurious fur coat. Colors - leopard or merle on a gray, red, dark brown and golden background.

Bobtails: American, Kuril, Karelian

All bobtails have a short tail. However, in the Karelian Bobtail the bobtail gene is recessive. This means that for a trait to persist, both parents must be carriers of it. In the Kurilian Bobtail this gene is dominant, so short-tailed kittens are born even if only one parent has this gene.

Kurilian Bobtail

The striped cat of the Karelian Bobtail breed is elegant and light, square in size, but not as massive as its Kurilian counterpart. The weight of the latter reaches 9 kg, the first - does not exceed 4 kg.

The colors of the Karelian and Kuril bobtails are varied - smoky, tabby, bicolor, tricolor.

The American Bobtail is a young breed. The first representative was discovered completely by accident in 1965 in Southern Arizona. It is believed that the bobtail cat appeared as a result of a gene mutation during the breeding of the Ragdoll breed. Another version says that the ancestors of the American Bobtail could have been the Manx and the Japanese Bobtail. One thing is certain: the short tail is the result of a mutation.

In the American Bobtail, the iris of the eyes matches the color, the shape is almond-shaped or oval, and the fit is slanted. The coat is dense, hard with a thick undercoat. The colors are varied - the same as those of the Karelian and Kuril bobtails.

British breed

The British cat can be short-haired or long-haired. A prerequisite is a thick and dense plush undercoat, which causes owners a lot of trouble during seasonal molting and the animals have to be combed daily.

“British” breeds are compact, well-built, with a rounded head with wide cheekbones, a short muzzle, a flattened nose, and ears with rounded tips. The iris of a gray tabby cat of the British cat breed is copper and green.

The striped tabby color has a number of features:

• a dark stripe runs along the back to the tip of the tail;
• on the sides there are vertical stripes;
• there are small rings on the tail and paws;
• dark stripes run from the eyes to the back of the head;
• the forehead is decorated with the letter “M” or “scarab”.
• on the neck there is a necklace of thin stripes;
• on the stomach there are double spots.

Long-haired "British" cats have a semi-long coat. The hairs are dense, elastic, and do not adhere to the body due to the undercoat. The collar area and panties are pubescent. Colors: plain, tortoiseshell, haze, tabby, bicolor.

European Shorthair

The second name of the breed is Celtic cat. In 1982 it was separated from the British Shorthair. In terms of external parameters, the European Shorthair is in many ways similar to European domestic cats, and developed independently without human intervention. A distinctive feature of the breed is its exceptional hunting skills.

Appearance:

• All colors are allowed except lilac, chocolate, color point, sorrel and fawn;
• round eyes are set wide and at an angle, the color of the iris matches the color;
• wide-set ears, rounded at the tips, some individuals have tufts;
• The coat is thick, dense, short, shiny, hard, close to the body.

Cymric

Cymrik is a tailless, long-haired, muscular beauty with a strong build and a long body.

There are three types of taillessness:

1. Rumpy - complete absence of a tail. In its place there is often a hole.
2. Rampy riser - instead of a tail there is a short appendage.
3. Stumpy is a short ponytail with creases or knots.

Double coat with a thick undercoat visually increases the size of the Cymric. The hind legs and neck area are decorated with longer fur. The structure of the guard hairs is silky and soft, changing depending on the time of year. There are a variety of colors, but tabby is the most common. There are often light spots on the main background.

Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is a large-sized native American breed. The ears are decorated with tassels, the neck is decorated with a lush collar.

The coat gradually increases in volume from the shoulders to the belly. The thickest hair is on the hind legs, where it forms a kind of panties. On the back the hairs are hard, on the belly and sides there is a soft, downy undercoat that perfectly warms and has a water-repellent function.

Maine Coons bred in different catteries often differ in size and color. Individuals of any color are allowed to enter the exhibition, including point, lilac and chocolate. Classic colors - agouti, brindle, harlequin.

Manx cat

The Menx breed originated on the Isle of Man, hence the name. These are good-natured, intelligent, obedient, unpretentious animals that can quickly adapt to their environment. Cats strive to be in the thick of things and love attention. A distinctive feature of the breed is the complete or partial absence of a tail. Some individuals have a tail that resembles a stump, while others have a tail of almost normal length.

Colors can be any except chocolate, color point, lilac and combination with white.

The Manx cat has a thick coat with a dense undercoat.

The eyes are expressive, obliquely set, the color of the iris matches the color.

Norwegian forest

The Norwegian Forest Cat is an aristocrat, a hunter, a real beauty with thick fur. She does not tolerate loneliness well, but zealously defends the right to personal space.

The eyes of the Norwegian cat are almond-shaped, expressive, and slanted. The iris is green and golden. Heterochromia occurs in white animals.

The coat is fluffy, smooth, waterproof, with a wavy undercoat. Each hair is coated with an oily grease, which makes the coat look slightly unkempt. The short fur on the shoulders and back gradually lengthens and turns into a lush “collar” and “pants”.

Color: solid, bicolor, shaded, smoky, tabby. There are 64 officially recognized color types. However, the International Federation does not allow yellow and light brown, and shades characteristic of the Burmese. The French Central Society of Cat Fanciers does not recognize chocolate, lilac "Norway" and color-point cats.

Oriental cat

The main advantage of an Oriental cat is its exotic appearance. With their informal appearance, they somewhat resemble alien inhabitants.

Orientals are graceful, agile, strong, playful, highly intelligent creatures. They easily gain trust and are able to charm everyone who takes them in their arms.

Almond-shaped, slightly slanted eyes are set at a distance equal to the length of one of them. The color of the iris is exclusively emerald, regardless of coat color. The exception is white cats with blue eyes. The breed is also characterized by heterochromia.

Orientals are almost devoid of undercoat, due to which the hairs softly envelop the body. The guard hairs are shiny and satiny.

Basic colors:

• lilac;
• cream;
• red;
• black,
• blue;
• cinnamon;
• Havana;
• faun;
• white.

For tabbies, ticked, brindle, marbled, and spotted patterns are preferred.

Pixiebob

Pixiebob is a breed that is similar to its wild relatives. These are surprisingly delicate, sensitive and subtle natures.

The pixie bob's eyes are triangular in shape, deep and wide set. A distinctive feature is the white or cream rim of the eyes. From the outer corners there are lines to the cheeks. The color of the iris is golden, brown, greenish.

The fur coat is soft and fluffy. The spinous hairs are elastic and have water-repellent properties. The undercoat is fluffed and moderately thick.

Color: light brown tabby with warm ticking. The fur on the belly is lighter than on the body. On the main background there is a pattern in the form of small spots.

Serengeti

The Serengeti looks like a serval, but Oriental and Bengal took part in breeding. The animals are strongly built, but at the same time graceful. The spotted color adds an exotic touch. Serengeti are smart and sociable, preferring to immediately take a leadership position.

The color is interesting - small specks on a black or smoky background, as well as spotted tabby.

Siberian cat

The Siberian cat is popular in Russia. These beautiful cats of impressive size seem several times larger due to their long fur. Cats are not afraid of water and quickly adapt to new conditions.

The paws are massive, with tufts of fur sticking out between the toes to protect them from frost in the natural environment. “Siberians” have expressive eyes, tufted ears, and a lush, stiff collar adorns their neck.

Classic colors are black brindle or black mackerel. Color varieties include brown and golden mackerel. Continuous lines are considered the reference pattern.

Soukok or sokoke

The Soukok is a relative of the Kenyan wild cat. The original name of the breed is African Shorthair.

The animals are distinguished by a medium build, long limbs, large ears with tassels, expressive eyes, and a short thick fur coat. The standard color is brown with contrasting stripes (marbled tabby).

Reference. Sokoke are predisposed to nervous diseases that are hereditary in nature.

Toyger

Toyger is a mini tiger with a beautiful striped coat. The color of the animals is close to that of tigers. The breed appeared as a result of mating a Bengal cat with an Indian tabby cat.

The breed is rare and therefore expensive. The toyger has the following breed characteristics:

• elongated squat body;
• short, shiny coat;
• dark stripes and circles on the head;
• the pattern on the body is not repeated;
• large nose;
• small ears.

By nature, toygers are calm and docile. These are highly intelligent cats that are easy to train. They are friends with all family members and do not conflict with dogs or other cats.

Exotic

The Exotic is distinguished by a funny flattened muzzle and a shorter coat compared to its direct relative, the Persian.

Exotics have expressive, close-set eyes; short legs, wide chest. The color can be anything from white to black.

Appearance is in harmony with character. Exotics are soft, flexible, not prone to aggression, rarely show dissatisfaction, but they are more temperamental and active than Persians.

Reference. Exotics prefer to sleep on a cold tiled floor due to impaired thermoregulation.

Wild Middle Ages

I would like to take a little break from thinking about where cats came from and talk about their role in human life. Now these animals are not in danger, but just recently cats were subjected to terrible torture and executions. People believed that purrs were assistants to witches and the devil himself and burned them at the stake.

There was another, no less terrible, killing of cats. During the Middle Ages, once a year a holiday was held in the city of Ipern, it was called “Cat Day”. For the cats themselves, this day did not bode well; they were thrown in huge quantities from the highest towers.

In the 18th century, a bishop from Germany ordered all cats to have their ears and tails cut off, while at the same time the kings of France had fun watching purring cats suffer at the stake.

A nightmare, and that's all. Only in Egypt were cats deified, cared for during their lifetime, and all representatives of the tailed family lived in luxury. After death, cats were mummified and buried next to the pharaohs.

In Russia, from the very beginning, this beast was not considered by people to be either a god or a devil; it was kept for catching mice and rats. By the way, where did cats come from in Russia?

Cost comparison table for tabby cat breeds

The table shows prices for tabby cat breeds in dollars and rubles.

Character

There is a theory that the character of a cat is determined not only by heredity and the owner’s upbringing, but also by its external color. For example, specialists working at animal shelters say that tortoiseshell cats have a complex disposition and temperament, are restless and listen to few people. The presence of white color gives a “calming effect”, and red tabby cats are the most energetic and interesting in their behavior, but sometimes arrogant and hot-tempered.

The peculiar “camouflage” of cats with a tabby pattern is considered the natural color of these animals, since their ancient ancestors - wild cats - this appearance allowed them to hide among trees and grass not only in order to quickly track down and successfully attack prey, but also in order to hide from danger. “Wild” roots have left their mark on the character and behavioral characteristics of our domestic tabby pets: such cats have an excellent hunting gift, have a strong immune system and a first-class level of health, low allergenicity rates, and therefore invariably show dexterity and activity.

In childhood, tabby kittens love to play, they are interested in everything bright and unusual, but when it comes time to grow up, with age comes moderate calmness, as well as equanimity. Independence from the owner's opinion is manifested in the fact that the pet will decide for itself where and when to sleep, even if it has the most beautiful house. The same condition applies to food.

Negative character traits of a tabby include a tendency to “mischief,” stubbornness, capriciousness, and impatience with the owner’s “lectures and reprimands.” That’s why don’t be surprised or nervous if:

• they will scratch furniture, despite the presence of a scratching post in the house;
• when you return home from work, you will see pots of plants fallen from the windowsill or overturned;
• for a while you won’t find your favorite bright pen, pencil or jewelry;
• the cat refuses food for the first time (she can simply show her character and test how pliable you are in relation to her; if she gets hungry, she will come running like a cute little thing).

Breeds of tabby cats are the type of homebody animals; they are not often eager to find out what is happening there, beyond the horizon. And marble tabbies are considered a real symbol of home warmth and comfort. All of the above signs relate to the general behavioral characteristics of purebred tabby cats, and now we will look at what character traits ordinary tabby or spotted mongrel cats have. First of all, these are the following features:

• extreme curiosity, activity, impatience;
• sometimes disobedience, but awareness in inflicting punishment;
• intelligence and cunning;
• low level of resentment;
• cheerful and cheerful disposition.

For the most part, representatives of the “wild” color are the most viable and resistant to diseases among other representatives of the world of domesticated cats. If you decide to get yourself, for example, a gray tabby kitten, be patient and understanding, as they have slight problems with discipline and obedience to their owners. If you do not stop some kind of pampering in time, then soon your pet will simply stop responding to your comments, and will even allow itself to leave in the middle of the procedure for conducting an educational conversation.

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.

Cymric

This is another tabby cat with a short tail. The ancestors of this breed come from Maine. They were obtained by crossing a short-tailed cat with a long-haired breed. She is very rare. By the way, the breed is called the Celtic tribe.

The Cymric has a large, rounded head. They have large cheeks and a large chin. The ears are set wide apart and are rounded at the tips. The compact body is well developed. The back of the body is slightly raised (the hind legs of the animal are longer than the front). The tail is missing; in its place there is a small, inconspicuous cartilage.

Cymriki are friendly and playful. The animal does not play pranks: it does not scratch furniture, does not climb curtains, and does not knock over objects. He gets along well with children and never uses his claws. Like the American Bobtail, the Cymric does not tolerate loneliness.

Appearance

In accordance with the standards, the Whiskas color has received the right to combine the colors of British fur coats that have any pattern. The following characteristic elements must be present:

• there should be a pattern on the cat’s forehead that follows the outline of the letter “M”;
• the back surface of the ear should have a light spot resembling a fingerprint in outline;
• The animal's eyes and nose should be outlined with fur of the primary color.

striped british

In order not to make a mistake with your choice, you need to inspect the animal’s fur coat. The main color is silver (mackerel). Stripes can be of any shade. But the back is always decorated with the three widest stripes that run along its entire length. The remaining stripes are located throughout the fur coat, only thinner.

Related colors are spotted and merle. But a true British tabby cat should have a silver coat, decorated with stripes ranging from dark gray to black.

The animal's chest should be decorated with a necklace of closed stripes. The paws and tail should also be decorated with closed rings. In this case, all stripes should be clear and clearly visible. The coat should have a rich shade.

Pixie bob

Another breed that has a wild disposition. It is the result of crossing a domestic and wild cat. The name of the breed literally translates as “short-tailed elf.”

These cats are quite large - the weight of males reaches 8-10 kg. Interestingly, representatives of the breed have polydactyly - more fingers than necessary.

However, this is not considered a disadvantage. In addition, such individuals are more resilient and have good health. The most common color is black or brown stripes on a light background.

The pixie bob has a massive, pear-shaped head. Due to the growth pattern of the coat, sideburns are observed. The ears are medium in size and have tufts at the tips. The paws are powerful, each paw can have up to 7 toes. The eyes are wide, the brow ridges are well defined.

The length of the tail does not exceed 5 cm. The Pixie Bob is a long-haired breed. The length of the coat can exceed 5 cm.

Like dogs, pixie bobs follow their owners everywhere. They love active games, swimming and walks. They don’t play pranks and don’t impose themselves. They are easy to train. They get sick extremely rarely.

Varieties

The classic version is a gray cat with black stripes. Contrasting with the gray background, the dark pattern encircles the cat’s body both vertically and horizontally. In most cases, the stripes on fur coats are heterogeneous: they take on dark and light gray shades. Dark gray stripes in the ridge area can turn black.

Note! The fur coats of traditional tabby cats often contain pure white, black and gray spots, not intersected by stripes. For example, in the chin area, on the chest and legs. As a rule, there are no stripes on the stomach.

The spotted tabby cat of the Calico breed is incredibly popular in the American states of Maine, Massachusetts and Maryland. Thanks to the wide orange, black and white stripes and spots that decorate its coat, the cat is revered on par with the Baltimore oriole, the feathered symbol of Maryland.

Thanks to the interrupted thin stripes that evoke associations with the back of a mackerel, striped cats got their nickname, whose bodies are dotted with characteristic notches. Most experts call this pattern “mackerel.”

A characteristic feature of the “mackerel” is intermittent stripes on the animal’s body (running perpendicular to the spine), which in the area of ​​the paws and tail are transformed into a surrounding pattern. Cats of this breed are sometimes called brindle cats for their resemblance to the only large tabby cat in the wild.

Cat mackerel

1. Mackerel cat. The stripes on his back are narrow and continuous, they gently curve. There are dark markings on the paws and near the tail. Dark lines run along the animal's cheeks to the corners of the eyes.
2. Spotted tabby cat. In this variety, the stripes are very broken, they are more like spots.
3. Classic striped color. There are circulating spots of dark brown, black or gray on the sides. Three narrow stripes stretch along the spine, the central stripe is painted in a darker shade.

Features of care

Weekly brushing of the coat in animals with short hair and 2-3 times a week in animals with long hair is quite sufficient. During the molting period, perhaps more often. The use of slicker brushes is not recommended; the animal may lose its luxurious undercoat and lose its characteristic appearance. Bathing, like most cats, is allowed, but only if necessary.

Hygiene of the ears is mandatory, which, due to the breed’s shape, can become heavily contaminated with earwax and cause discomfort to the pet. Regular eye hygiene and nail trimming are also necessary.

Health of the Scottish Fold

The gene for lop ears in Scottish Folds is associated with a pathological change in the skeletal system - osteochondrodysplasia, typical manifestations of which are various bone deformations, immobility and pain in the tail. Pathology can manifest itself at any age - in a young animal or an adult.

Osteochondrodysplasia is characterized by the following features:

• lameness;
• stiff gait;
• the animal’s reluctance to jump;
• acute reaction to touching the tail;
• uncharacteristic squatness of the pet.

To prevent this disease, it is recommended to prevent lop-eared pets from mating with lop-eared ones; it is in such cases that mutations of the musculoskeletal system appear. Cardiovascular disease is common in these cats. To prevent them, it is recommended to prevent animals from becoming overweight, to which they are predisposed due to their good appetite.

Quite often there is a problem such as entropion of the eyelids, which is easily solved by surgical intervention. Age-related pathologies include glaucoma and cataracts. Dermatological disorders are manifested by allergies and eczema, as well as all kinds of parasitic problems (demodex, scabies). Ear diseases include infectious otitis media and congenital deafness (complete or partial).

Scottish Straights, unlike Scottish Folds, are more hardy and have virtually no hereditary predisposition to such diseases. To prevent infectious diseases, a mandatory recommendation is to vaccinate pets (rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, calcivirosis, chlamydia, rabies).

Feeding recommendations

When using natural ingredients in feeding an animal, you should ensure that they are of good quality. The diet must be compiled taking into account the physiological and age-related needs of the pet, with the correct ratio of essential nutrients, minerals, trace elements and vitamins. The diet should include: lean types of meat (chicken, turkey, beef). It is recommended to include in the diet: liver, offal, sea fish, cheese, cottage cheese, raw eggs, cereals and vegetables. It is necessary to exclude from consumption: lamb, pork, legumes, potatoes and onions.

If an animal is fed with prepared food, it must be of appropriate quality. It is recommended to use premium and super-premium food.

Cost of a Scottish Fold kitten

The price of a pet directly depends on its breed characteristics, rarity or color features, and pedigree. On average, this is 5,000-30,000 rubles.

Toyger

These brindle cats were only recently recognized in 2007, but they have long since won their place in the hearts of many cat lovers. The name of the breed consists of two parts: “toy” (toy) and “tiger” (tiger). "Toy Tiger" A very appropriate name!

At the end of the 90s. last century, one breeder from the USA set the task of breeding miniature tigers. And she completely succeeded. The toyger is the result of crossing a Bengal with a tiger-colored cat brought from India.

This is a short-haired breed. Their fur is shiny, very soft and elastic. Their body is medium-sized and muscular. The muzzle is slightly elongated. The ears are set wide apart and rounded. The eyes are bright. The limbs are thick and strong. The tail is long and set low. The weight of cats reaches 10 kg, and females - 6 kg.

Despite their “wild” appearance, these cats are very affectionate, intelligent and loyal. They are distinguished by sociability and curiosity. They lead an active lifestyle. They love water procedures. They are not aggressive and get along well with other pets.

Where did the unusual tabby come from?

It must be said that stripes on an animal’s body appear for a reason. A kind of puzzle is formed due to a certain set of genes and their sequence. It is difficult to find the same pattern, exact repetition on wool. Genetics influences the external characteristics of cats:

• framing;
• strip length;
• eyes and nose color;
• changes during molting.

At the same time, the mechanism for the appearance of all the above signs in kittens of the same litter varies. Much will depend on which genes in the cat are recessive and which are dominant. It is the mother’s genetic makeup that is of great importance, but the father is also significant. When crossing different individuals, the appearance of tabby colors increases by up to 65%. For example, there are no pure ginger cats in nature. There are red tabbies with a slight tint.

A kind of puzzle on the fur is formed due to a certain set of genes and their sequence

Melanin

To ensure that the fur color is exactly as the breeder expects, it is not enough to breed one breed of cat. The pigment melanin and its varieties are taken into account:

• the one that is responsible for the predominance of redheads is pheomelanin;
• responsible for the black color is eumpelanin.

At the same time, there should be no deviations from the norm in the family of both parents. There are very few cats of pure color in nature and are not considered a rule. But for most lovers of cute pets, absolutely monochromatic cats are not attractive, but spotted and striped, brindle cats come first.

Interesting fact! The initial color of all feline representatives is striped. Don't forget that all cats are descendants of tigers and lions. This is why there are only two melanin variants in the pet genetic pool.

Genes T and A

Thus, eumelanin contributes to the appearance of all shades of black: from charcoal to lilac. And pheomelanin shows a palette from soft white to amber. Therefore, the tabby color is not a breed and is found in different types without repetition. But that's not all. For the pattern to be beautiful and unique, one of the T group genes must be present in the blood. It is present in all breeds. Why is he special? The T gene will be able to work and color the coat only when combined with another one - A or allele. Moreover, the latter should become dominant. Hence the zonal color of the coat and individual hairs.

The legend of the letter M

If it is impossible to find kittens with the same tabby coloring, then there is one feature inherent in all cats of this color without exception: the presence of the letter “M” on the forehead of each representative of the tabby cat. It manifests itself differently for everyone. The size does not match, however, the intricacy and design are also different.

She appeared for a reason. According to biblical legend, a little kitten came first to the newborn Jesus. He caressed for a long time and lay next to the child. As soon as the Mother of God stroked the little fluffy, Fr. appeared on his forehead. The initial letter of the mother of the Lord. You may not believe in such a legend, but everyone is looking for the letter after they hear the story about it. As a rule, they find it.

Australian mist

Australian Mist These four-legged spotted coats were developed in Australia (the only cat breed developed in that country) by crossing local street animals with Burmese and Abyssinian breeds. Caring for these cats with a calm, flexible, moderately active and easy-going disposition has no specific features. It is based on regular brushing, bathing as needed (note that mysts do not like water), cleaning the ears, eyes and teeth, as well as shortening the nails.

Australian mist

These animals love to spend time in secluded places, so your pet’s bed should be placed in a corner hidden from prying eyes. Australian mysts are taking their lack of access to the outdoors in stride. However, walks will be useful for them, if only because these cats have a tendency to gain weight, and walking is a great way to prevent your four-legged pet from developing obesity.

These animals are picky in terms of food, so you need to make some efforts to please such a pet. Mists are very clean and will not tolerate a dirty litter box.

Acromelanic colors

One of the representatives of this color is the Neva Masquerade. It has different color intensities in different parts of the body. The paws, ears, tail and muzzle are darker. Everything else is ivory or light beige. It received its name from the place of initial breeding, which is St. Petersburg.

Points also belong to acromelanic colors. They differ from the Neva in the shades of darkened areas. Shades can be completely different: from red to brown, and from pastel to black.

Regardless of coat color, the Siberian cat is a wonderful pet that will become a full member of the family and give many pleasant moments to its owner. They live a long time - up to 20 years, do not require excessive care, are highly trainable, so owners usually do not have problems with toilet training. By the way, the wool of “Siberians” is considered hypoallergenic, so the presence of a cat in the house will not have any negative consequences for allergy sufferers.

The variety of colors of modern Siberian beauties and handsome men is the merit of breeders.

About the breeds of Siberian cats, see the following video.

Maine Coon

This breed has probably gained the greatest popularity among all cats around the world. Its homeland is North America, Maine. Only large, hardy animals with thick undercoat and thick fur can survive the cold winters of this area.

The Maine Coon's body is muscular, and the cat itself is large. The head is medium size, square in shape. The ears are large, pointed, wide at the base. Paws of medium length. The tail is long, fluffy, and should reach the level of the shoulder blades. The coat is soft, dense, and there is a collar around the neck (however, not always). The color can be any, including striped.

Their character is soft and affectionate. They become very attached to their owner. They lead an active lifestyle and do not require special attention to themselves. Maine Coons do not like to be held. They prefer to just be next to the owner, watching everything that happens.

American Bobtail

This breed arose by chance. In the 60s last century, a kitten with an unusually short tail was found. It turned out that this is a manifestation of a dominant gene. It was this baby who became the ancestor of the entire breed.

Most American Bobtails are born with short tails, but there are tabby kittens that are born without a tail at all. True, such individuals are not allowed to exhibit.

These cats have long, strong legs. The head resembles a wedge. The muzzle is wide and has well-defined cheeks. The cat's nose is wide, slightly snub. Adults have tassels on their ears. The coat is dense and fluffy.

The length of the tail does not exceed 8 cm.

American Bobtails are distinguished by their poise and calmness. These cats are very playful and sociable. They are very friendly and get along well with other pets. They can't stand loneliness. They love walks and active games, and love to accompany their owner on trips.