Domestic short hair cats display a wide variety of coat colors and patterns. This is due to the diverse genetic makeup of the breed. Unlike purebred cats that have a limited gene pool, domestic shorthairs can have parents of different breeds, allowing for greater variety in their coloring. Some of the most common coat colors seen in domestic shorthairs include:
Solid Colors
Solid or self colored cats have fur that is entirely one color with no stripes, spots, or other markings. Some of the most popular solid colors for domestic shorthairs include:
- Black – Jet black fur.
- White – Pure white fur.
- Gray – Fur in various shades of gray.
- Red – Light orange to deep red fur.
- Cream – Very pale coat ranging from almost white to light buff.
- Chocolate – Rich brown fur.
- Lilac – Pale gray with pinkish tone.
- Cinnamon – Warm brownish orange.
The exact shade can vary quite a bit within each of these colors based on modifying genes. For example, red domestic shorthairs may range from pale orange to deep reddish hues. Genetics also determine whether the coat has a tabby pattern that is visible only in certain lights.
Tabby Coat Patterns
The tabby pattern is a striped or swirling pattern that can occur in domestic shorthairs of many colors. The tabby pattern is caused by a dominant gene and results from the agouti gene. There are four basic tabby patterns:
- Classic – Bold stripes running vertically down the cat’s sides.
- Mackerel – Narrow stripes running vertically down the body.
- Spotted – Patchy spots instead of stripes.
- Ticked – Banding on each individual hair shaft rather than stripes.
These tabby patterns can occur in any of the solid colors mentioned earlier. For example, a red tabby, gray tabby, or brown tabby. A tabby’s stripes can also range from very dark and vivid to pale and subtle depending on genetics.
In addition to the four main tabby patterns, there are some rarer variations like the Patchwork tabby which has a mixed mackerel and classic pattern. There is also a Spotted tabby which has oval or round spots instead of stripes and a Ticked tabby with banding on each hair instead of stripes.
Tortoiseshell and Calico Coats
Tortoiseshell and calico cats have a patchwork coat of two or more colors. They are almost exclusively female due to genetics. The colors are determined by two X chromosomes.
- Tortoiseshell – Black and red patches.
- Dilute tortoiseshell – Blue and cream patches.
- Calico – White with large black and red patches.
- Dilute calico – White with blue and cream patches.
The amount of white, red, and black can vary considerably in calicos. The size, shape and placement of the patches are random. No two calicos are exactly alike in their coloring. The red in tortoiseshells and calicos can also sometimes appear orange or warm brown.
Bicolor and Tricolor Coats
Bicolor and tricolor cats have coats with two or three distinct colors in defined areas of the body. For example:
- Black and white bicolors – Also called tuxedo cats.
- Red and white bicolors – Also called flame point.
- Blue and white bicolors.
- Chocolate and white bicolors.
- Gray and white bicolors.
- Brown tabby and white bicolors.
- Calico and white.
- Dilute calico and white.
The amount of white versus the second or third color can vary significantly. The dividing line between the colors also differs. Common patterns have a mostly white body with colored face, paws, and tail. The dividing line between colors can be anywhere from clean and crisp to blurred or patchy.
Points and Colorpoint Patterns
Colorpoint or pointed cats have a lighter body with darker “points” of color on the face, ears, paws, and tail. The contrast can be dramatic or more subtle. Two common colorpoint patterns are:
- Siamese points – Seal brown points on a pale fawn body.
- Himalayan points – Black points on a white body.
Other colorpoint combinations like chocolate, lilac, blue, and red also occur in domestic shorthairs. The colored points can also be tabby marked rather than solid.
Rarer Colors and Patterns
Some less common but beautiful coat colors and patterns seen in domestic shorthairs include:
- Chinchilla – Pale silver fur tipped in black.
- Shaded – Darker color along the spine grading to pale on the belly.
- Smoke – White undercoat with black, brown, or blue tips.
- Silver tabby – Gray background with black tabby stripes.
- Brown patch tabby – Brown tabby markings on a lighter background.
Domestic shorthairs can also display unusual fur colors like lavender, cinnamon, fawn, and cream. Some may have subtle markings like lynx tips and tail rings. Multi-colored cats may exhibit calico, tortoiseshell, or point patterns combined with tabby stripes.
Conclusion
Domestic shorthair cats display an amazing diversity of colors and coat patterns. Unlike purebred cats that are limited to certain colors, they can inherit a wide range of genetic traits. Solid colors, tabby stripes, tortoiseshells, bicolors, colorpoints, and many other unique combinations occur. No two domestic shorthair cats are exactly alike due to this genetic variety! Their coat colors are one of the things that makes these lovable mixed breed cats so special.
| Coat Color/Pattern | Description |
|---|---|
| Solid Black | Jet black fur |
| Solid White | Pure white fur |
| Gray Tabby | Gray background with black tabby stripes |
| Torbie | Tortoiseshell tabby pattern |
| Dilute Calico | White, blue and cream patches |
| Colorpoint | Lighter body with darker points of color |
