05/07/2022
The modern-day domestic cat displays a wide variety of coat colours and patterns. Classification of these can be confusing sometimes. As an example, some cat owners call their cat’s colour “dilute”. This is something that the club would like to clarify since “dilute” does not answer the cat’s colour.
“Dilute” that some call actually means a dilution of coat colour. This happens when the dilute gene (or melanophilin) affects the distribution of melanin granules within the cat’s hair. The dominant or dense (D) form of the gene produces dense pigmentation while the recessive dilute (d) form results in pigment clumping, forming areas in the hair with no granules. This causes the cat’s coat to dilute or lighten. Diluted colouring is also recessive. Both parents must contribute a dilute gene to have it take effect.
In order for us to better understand dilution, please note that there are only 2 base colours: Red-based (Pheomelanin) and Black-based (Eumelanin). Black colour can dilute in 2 ways.
1. The way down is called Dense (D). Black fades into chocolate and cinnamon.
Key:
B-(Black)
b-(Chocolate)
b1-(Cinnamon)
*NOTE* In this key, black is dominant to chocolate, which is dominant to cinnamon.
As mentioned earlier, there are two pigments for a cat's fur, pheomelanin, and eumelanin. Eumelanin is unique in the fact that it actually has recessive variants of black which make the shade appear a chocolate or cinnamon colour. In this case, since chocolate and cinnamon are recessive, they may be hidden for many generations before given a chance to properly express.
2. Going to the side is called Dilute (d). Please refer to the chart for better understanding.
In conclusion, in the black-based colour can dilute up to 5 colours: Chocolate, Cinnamon, Blue, Lilac and Fawn. Red-Based colour can dilute to cream.