Cream colored cats are a sight to behold with their soft, pale coats. While cream is one of several dilution colors found in cats, it is nonetheless quite rare compared to more common coat colors like black, orange, and grey. So just how rare are these creamy felines? Let’s take a look at some key facts and statistics on cream colored cat genetics, breed prevalence, and population percentages to understand their relative rarity.
Genetics of Cream Colored Cats
To understand how rare cream colored cats are, we first need to understand what causes this dilution of the normal orange and black coat pigments. The dilution is caused by a recessive allele known as the “D” or dilute gene. This gene codes for a protein that interferes with the normal distribution and concentration of color pigments in the hair shaft during development, leading to a lighter, dilute shade.
For a cat to have a cream coat, it must inherit two recessive dilute alleles (dd). This is in contrast to the more common non-diluted orange and black cats which have at least one dominant allele (Dd or DD) that allows for normal, rich pigment production. Since the dilute allele is recessive, a cat must inherit it from both parents to exhibit cream coloring. If a cat inherits just one dilute allele and one dominant (Dd), it will not appear dilute but can still pass the dilute allele on to offspring.
Prevalence Among Cat Breeds
Certain cat breeds are more likely than others to have cream coat colors due to selective breeding. Breeds that come in cream routinely include:
- Siamese – Common in both traditional and modern Siamese lines.
- Persian – Particularly in colorpoint Persians where cream appears in place of white.
- British Shorthair – Seen alongside other dilute colors like blue and lilac.
- Cornish Rex – Cream is one of the breed’s many allowed coat colors.
- Devon Rex – Often born cream and darken with age.
- Sphynx – Lack of coat makes dilute colors like cream more visible.
- Burmese – dilution gene was introduced through Siamese crosses.
- Tonkinese – Naturally occurring in this Siamese hybrid breed.
Other breeds that occasionally produce cream cats include Turkish Vans, American Shorthairs, and Manx. But out of all pedigreed cats, Siamese and related breeds are most strongly associated with the cream coat color.
Percentage in the General Cat Population
While seen more frequently in certain breeds, cream colored cats are still quite rare in the overall feline population. Exact statistics are lacking, but most experts estimate that cream coats occur in only about 1-5% of random bred cats. This is far lower than the estimated frequencies for more common colors:
| Coat Color | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Black | 25-40% |
| Orange | 20-30% |
| Grey | 15-20% |
| Cream | 1-5% |
The dilute gene responsible for producing cream cats is simply not that common in domestic feline gene pools. Additionally, the recessive nature of dilute means two dilute parents must mate to produce cream kittens. Such matings are unlikely to occur frequently by chance, further limiting numbers.
Why Cream Cats Are Uncommon
So why is the dilute allele not more prevalent given that cream cats have existed for centuries? There are a few possible reasons:
- Breeding choices – Cream may not have been selected for in early cat breeding the way other colors were.
- Camouflage disadvantage – Pale cream coats may make cats more visible to prey compared to wild tabby patterns.
- Masking by other genes – Interactions with other coat genes like white spotting can hide the cream color.
- Recessive disadvantage – Simple genetic dominance makes the non-dilute form more common.
The cream coat clearly arose naturally in felines long ago. But it seems breeding decisions, camouflage needs, complex feline genetics, and the vagaries of inheritance have all conspired to make sure cream cats remain one of the rarer coat color varieties.
Special Rarity of Male Cream Cats
Along with their general rarity, male cream colored cats are especially uncommon. This is because the gene responsible for cream coat color is carried on the X chromosome. Females have two X chromosomes while males have just one X and one Y chromosome.
This means that for a male cat to inherit two dilute genes and exhibit cream coloring, his mother must be both dilute and homozygous dilute – meaning she carries two dilute alleles. Otherwise, he will inherit one dominant allele from his non-dilute father that masks expression of cream. A heterozygous dilute mother may birth cream colored daughters, but her sons will be non-dilute, often orange or black.
This genetic quirk makes male cream cats even more infrequently produced than females. While already rare, the chances of two dilute recessive alleles combining in a male is the feline genetic equivalent of drawing to a straight flush! For this reason, cream male cats are extra special.
Difficulty Identifying Cream Cats
The rarity of cream cats is likely underestimated due to the difficulty in visually identifying them. Unlike a black cat where the coat color is obvious, cream coats can blend more subtly into the background. Kittens in particular are often born with faint cream markings that darken with maturity.
Without genetic testing, vaguely cream kittens are often assumed to be pale orange or light brown tabbies. Their dilute status only becomes apparent if bred, when they produce unexpected cream kittens from seemingly non-dilute parents. This “hidden dilute” effect makes cream colored cats harder to accurately count in the general population.
Geographic Differences in Cream Cat Rarity
While rare overall, cream colored cats do seem to occur at higher frequencies in certain geographic regions. Areas like the Midwest and Northeast United States, Finland, and parts of Russia have produced noticeably larger numbers of cream cats over time.
Some possible reasons for this regional variation:
- Founder effect – Isolated gene pools with higher dilute allele frequency
- Selective breeding – Preference for cream cats as mousers on farms
- Climate adaptation – Dilute colors more visible in snowy environments
So while still considered rare, aspirational cream cat lovers may have slightly better luck locating their dream cat in northern climes.
Rarity of Pure Cream Cats
Most cream colored cats actually exhibit a form of tabby patterning if you look closely at their coats. Classic, mackerel, spotted, and ticked tabby patterns can be faintly visible in the coat markings. Truly non-patterned, pure cream coats are exceptionally rare.
Why is this? The gene responsible for barring and stripes in tabby patterns (agouti) is actually dominant over non-agouti solid colors. For a cream cat to lack any tabby markings, it must also inherit two recessive non-agouti alleles (aa) to turn off all patterning. Given how uncommon it already is for a cat to inherit double dilute, the chances of them also inheriting double non-agouti makes pure cream ultra rare.
So while cream cats seem uncommon enough, a completely solid cream with no tabby stripes whatsoever is essentially the holy grail for enthusiasts of dilute felines.
Possible Health Issues in Cream Cats
The genetic mutations that cause diluted coat colors like cream can sometimes be associated with health problems in cats. Issues like skin conditions, alopecia (hair loss), reproductive problems, and neurological defects occur at higher frequency in dilute colored cats.
For example, a life-threatening neurological disorder called Color Dilution Alopecia has been documented in cats that inherit two recessive dilute genes. While not fully understood, the same genetic change that causes the diluted coat seems to impair proper development of the cat’s neurons and skin.
Luckily, not all creams cats are afflicted. But the link between their unusual color and higher risk of certain medical conditions is another aspect contributing to their rarity.
Breeding for Cream Cats
For those enamored with the unique cream coat color, purposefully breeding cream cats is one way to see more of these uncommon felines. But it requires careful planning due to the intricate genetics involved.
To reliably produce cream kittens, both parents must carry the recessive dilute gene. Even then, only 25% of offspring on average will inherit double dilute genetics and exhibit the cream coat. Breeding two cream cats together increases the chances to 50-75% cream kittens per litter.
Here are the possible breeding outcomes when crossing a dilute and non-dilute cat:
| Parent Genotypes | Possible Kitten Genotypes | Kitten Colors |
|---|---|---|
| dd x DD or Dd | Dd, DD, dd | Non-dilute colors like black, orange, brown tabby |
| 25% chance dd | Cream |
And breeding two cream dilute cats together:
| Parent Genotypes | Possible Kitten Genotypes | Kitten Colors |
|---|---|---|
| dd x dd | dd, dd, dd, dd | Cream |
| 50-75% chance dd | Cream |
For the best odds, at least one parent should be confirmed through genetic testing to be dd. Otherwise, seemingly dilute parents may actually be hidden dilutes that do not carry two recessive alleles. Proper selective breeding can improve cream cat numbers, but it’s a delicate balancing act with the health risks.
Finding Cream Cats from Breeders
Probably the easiest way to find a cream colored cat is through a specialized breeder, particularly of Siamese and similar breeds. Reputable breeders sometimes intentionally produce creams by carefully mating dilute parents.
Searching for breeders that specialize in “lilac” or “platinum” Siamese can be a good place to start. These marketing terms are often used interchangeably for cream colored cats. Boutique breeds like Tonkinese and Ragdolls may also offer cream cats on occasion.
Well-bred cream cats from ethical breeders will not only increase the chances of a healthy kitten but also help preserve and expand the cream coat genetics in cats responsibly. A breeder is the best resource for learning about the background genetics of parent cats to gauge the likelihood of producing more rare creams in the future.
Adopting Cream Cats
Looking to adopt? Cream colored cats do sometimes wind up in shelters and rescues. But they are far less common than cats with more standard black, tabby, and grey coats. Periodically checking the websites of local rescues is one way to try to find an adoptable cream cat.
Some tips for locating a cream cat for adoption:
- Search for cats listed as lilac, fawn, champagne, or platinum
- Look for pointed pattern cats that may be colorpoint creams
- Consider young kittens whose cream color is not yet evident
- Try rescues that take in cats from shelters in northern regions
While it may take persistence and luck, adopting a cream kitten or cat is extremely rewarding. Not only do you get to enjoy their unique look, you are also doing a good deed by providing an uncommon cat a loving forever home.
Cost of Cream Colored Cats
The rarity and demand for cream colored cats means they often come with a higher price tag compared to more common coat colors. On average, buyers can expect to pay:
- From a breeder – $800 to $1,500+ for a cream purebred kitten
- From a shelter/rescue – $50 to $200 adoption fee
Of course, factors like breed, pedigree, purity of color, breeder reputation, and kitten versus adult will impact costs. But creams tend to sit at the higher end of the spectrum.
For some, their unusual beauty and mystique offsets the added expense. For others, the desire for an affordable pet may outweigh finding the rarest coat color. It comes down to personal preference and budget.
Conclusion
With their captivating pale coats, cream cats appeal to many feline fanciers. But the intricate genetics behind their distinctive coloration means few cats inherit the right combination of dilute genes to produce cream fur.
Overall, cream colored cats likely make up just 1-5% of the general cat population. Certain breeds like Siamese and regionally isolated gene pools boast slightly higher numbers, but creams remain one of the rarer coat colors. Their relative scarcity and often higher price point simply adds to theirspecial status among cat lovers.
So for those smitten with the idea of a cat the color of cream, be prepared to carefully search breeders and shelters. But the hunt can pay off, resulting in a beloved furry friend with a truly unique look and story behind their mesmerizing milky coat.