Cat Coat Patterns: A Visual Guide

Abstract patterns of cat coats are living creations of artistic brushstrokes created by the genetic makeup of cats. These naturally occurring designer patterns exhibit an incredible diversity of traits, which is evident in the different breeds of these animals. Core patterns will be explored herein. You will learn some science about colors, and we will debunk some false premises about the coloration of fur that produces different personality traits.

Five fundamental categories shape the base of feline markings. Tabby is characterized by conspicuous markings, such as the M mark on the forehead. Bichrome, with white and other colors. Tortoiseshell presents an individual blending of black and orange. Calico gives an additional mark by introducing white for the powers of three. Specialized patterns such as colorpoint are affected by variations in temperature.

Two types of melanin provide the colors. Eumelanin is responsible for the black and brown colors. Pheomelanin produces the orange and cream colors. Laws of inheritance determine the distribution of the pigments. The combination of the genes received from the parents determines how this color will appear on the cat's fur.

Two pigments provide the color of the cat's coat: eumelanin produces black and brown pigments, and pheomelanin produces red and yellow pigments. It is the reaction of these various pigments that cause every pattern that you notice in cats. The various pigments are like the paint ingredients. The genes determine the mixture and spread of these ingredients.

Kittens receive their pigmentation genes from both parents. Think of it this way, they received two recipe cards. One from dad and one from mom. It is the combination of these cards that gives rise to several new patterns. Some of these are dominant while others are recessive.

Temperature-sensitive albinism results in colorpoint patterns. Colder areas of the body (ears, paws, etc.) develop darker color shades while warmer areas remain lighter. This genetic condition is what causes Siamese cats to exhibit unique point coloring.

The KIT gene is responsible for white markings. It acts like an eraser on pigment. Where it is active, it produces white markings in the form of spots or large splotches. This gene accounts for bicolor and tuxedo patterns. It is also important in the formation of calico.

Each tabby cat wears a signature mark from nature. That distinct M shape which is on their forehead is the mark of recognition. This primeval sign is found in all breeds from the Maine Coon to the alley cat. It is the universal badge of tabby lineage.

Four fundamental tabby patterns are recognized. Classic tabbies have the swirling marks of a bullseye, as in the American Shorthair. Mackerel tabbies have stripes like tigers, characteristic of the Bengals. Spotted tabbies have broken spots like the Ocicats. Ticked tabbies have the pepper-and-salt coats, as in Abyssinians.

Seek out the gorgeous torbie variation. This pattern is a blend of tabby stripes within tortoiseshell colors. Scottish Folds can frequently showcase this combination. The stripes appear only on the colored patches, creating a mosaic-like appearance.

Each pattern has unique genetic roots. Classic swirls come from recessive genes. Mackerel stripes follow dominant inheritance. Spotted patterns develop from modified mackerel genes. Ticking results from agouti banding.

Source: commons.wikimedia.org

Classic Tabby

• Appearance: Bold marbled swirls create distinctive bullseye patterns on each side accompanied by butterfly-shaped shoulder markings
• Genetic Basis: Requires expression of the agouti gene combined with recessive non-agouti alleles forming solid backgrounds
• Breed Examples: American Shorthair displays large whorls while Maine Coons show dramatic swirling patterns
• Pattern Detail: Darker ground colors sharply contrast with lighter backgrounds producing striking marbled effects
• Unique Trait: Dorsal stripes typically extend continuously from the neck region down to the tail base
• Characteristic Feature: Circular target-like patterns consistently appear on both flanks of these felines

Source: commons.wikimedia.org

Mackerel Tabby

• Appearance: Narrow vertical stripes resembling fishbones run parallel along the sides with continuous spinal stripes
• Genetic Basis: Dominant tabby gene expression produces unbroken tiger-like stripe formations across the body
• Breed Examples: European wildcats exhibit this pattern while domestic tabbies maintain the fishbone structure
• Pattern Detail: Stripes maintain consistent spacing extending vertically from spine to belly without interruption
• Unique Trait: Delicate bracelet-like markings encircle the legs just above the paw areas forming distinct bands
• Characteristic Feature: Distinct necklace stripes typically encircle the chest region in symmetrical formation

Source: commons.wikimedia.org

Spotted Tabby

• Appearance: Randomly distributed oval spots cover the body with variations from small dots to large markings
• Genetic Basis: Modified mackerel genes cause stripe fragmentation resulting in spot formations across the torso
• Breed Examples: Ocicats feature uniform spots while Egyptian Maus show smaller concentrated dot patterns
• Pattern Detail: Spot sizes range significantly with some breeds developing contrast-edged rosette formations
• Bengal Variation: These cats specifically display complex two-toned rosettes with dark outlines resembling wild jaguars
• Characteristic Feature: Spot alignment frequently follows invisible horizontal lines across the torso consistently

Source: commons.wikimedia.org

Ticked Tabby

• Appearance: Salt-and-pepper effect dominates with banded hairs creating subtle color variations throughout the coat
• Genetic Basis: Agouti gene produces alternating light and dark bands along individual hair shafts uniformly
• Breed Examples: Abyssinians demonstrate uniform ticking while Somalis show longer-haired versions of this pattern
• Pattern Detail: Visible markings appear primarily on facial areas legs and tail sections with minimal body contrast
• Unique Trait: Sunlight interaction creates distinctive shimmering effects across the coat during movement
• Characteristic Feature: Fur parting reveals multiple colored bands on single hairs confirming the pattern identity

Source: commons.wikimedia.org

Torbie Pattern

• Appearance: Tabby stripes integrate with tortoiseshell patches creating mosaic-like patterns across the body surface
• Genetic Basis: Combines tabby genes with tortoiseshell genetics influenced by X-chromosomes determining color distribution
• Breed Examples: Cornish Rex displays tight curls while Scottish Folds show folded-ear variations of this pattern
• Pattern Detail: Stripes manifest exclusively within colored patches avoiding white fur areas completely
• Unique Trait: Orange patches consistently display tabby markings due to pheomelanin expression properties
• Characteristic Feature: Striped patterns remain contained within tortoiseshell color blocks exclusively without crossover

Source: commons.wikimedia.org

Rosetted Tabby

• Appearance: Complex two-toned spots feature dark outlines surrounding lighter centers consistently across the body
• Genetic Basis: Selective breeding enhances natural spotted tabby contrast genetics significantly for visual impact
• Breed Examples: Bengals exclusively develop pawprint doughnut or arrowhead-shaped rosettes with high definition
• Pattern Detail: Rosettes maintain darker perimeters contrasting sharply with interior coloring creating dimensional effects
• Unique Trait: Patterns form interconnected horizontal chains along dorsal and flank regions systematically
• Characteristic Feature: Rosette arrangements typically align horizontally rather than vertically oriented on the body

Source: commons.wikimedia.org

Marbled Tabby

• Appearance: Swirling horizontal patterns flow across the coat resembling marble stone formations
• Genetic Basis: Modified classic tabby genetics produce elongated swirling pattern variations
• Breed Examples: Bengals demonstrate dramatic flowing patterns with minimal spotting interference
• Pattern Detail: Interconnected horizontal streaks create continuous water-like movement illusions
• Unique Trait: Walking motion generates optical illusions of pattern movement across the coat
• Characteristic: Asymmetrical designs typically appear distinctly different on opposing sides

Source: commons.wikimedia.org

Patched Tabby

• Appearance: Defined color blocks separated by sharp boundaries contain internal tabby markings within colored sections
• Genetic Basis: Tabby genes combine with white spotting genetics creating distinct sections divided by pigment absence
• Breed Examples: Maine Coons display large patches while Norwegian Forest Cats show medium-sized divisions
• Pattern Detail: Tabby patterns appear exclusively within colored areas avoiding white sections completely
• Unique Trait: Facial markings align precisely with natural color division boundaries consistently across individuals
• Characteristic Feature: Stripes terminate abruptly exactly at patch borders without continuation into adjacent areas

Source: commons.wikimedia.org

Ticked Tabby Variations

• Appearance: Color spectrum ranges from cool blue-grey tones through warm cinnamon shades across different breeds
• Genetic Basis: Agouti gene interacts with color dilution genes producing diverse palettes and saturation levels
• Breed Examples: Singapuras display sepia tones while Abyssinians exhibit ruddy colorations in their ticking patterns
• Pattern Detail: Band density determines overall saturation intensity across the entire coat uniformly
• Unique Trait: Juvenile markings present during kittenhood completely disappear during maturation processes
• Characteristic Feature: Ticking creates iridescent visual effects particularly noticeable during feline movement sequences

Source: commons.wikimedia.org

Silver Tabby

• Appearance: Black markings stand dramatically against pure silver-white background fur creating maximum contrast
• Genetic Basis: Inhibitor genes prevent pigment development at hair bases producing distinctive metallic sheen
• Breed Examples: Persians show this metallic effect while British Shorthairs exhibit cool-toned silver variations
• Pattern Detail: Maximum contrast occurs between dark patterns and light ground coloring throughout the coat
• Unique Trait: Paw pads commonly display distinctive two-tone pink and black coloring combinations
• Characteristic Feature: Silver fur presents nearly white appearance maintaining cool undertones consistently across breeds

Bicolor coats are made up of at least 33 percent white and another color, providing a striking contrast in the coat of the cat. The white color is caused by a mutation in the KIT gene. This gene mutation restricts pigment production to certain areas.

The tuxedo pattern produces stately feline elegance. Imagine a cat wearing a black jacket over a white shirt. American Shorthairs often have this exquisite symmetry. The white chest and paws stand out against the dark backs.

Other variations are the *van pattern*, which displays color only on the head and tail. This is the more simplistic design used by Turkish Vans. *Harlequin patterns* have color patches irregularly placed over the body, the same as those used by Maine Coons. *Mask-and-mantle* cats have colored capes over white bodies.

I previously fostered a cap-and-saddle type of Persian. She had a white coat with distinct gray markings. The saddle followed her spine just right. This pattern is sporadic and shows expression of the extreme white spotting gene.

Tortoiseshells have a lovely combination of black and orange fur. The two colors blend like melted chocolate and caramel. There is very little white in true torties. This pattern causes a delightful marble effect. No two tortoiseshells look alike.

The coloration of the Calico is characterized by the introduction of white, which makes the variety tricolored in appearance. Distinct patches of black, orange, and white break up the coloring with clear lines. Japanese Bobtails frequently exhibit this brilliant coloring. The white of the calico is due to the spotting genes. Calicos are visually different from tortoise shells in that their colors are separate and distinct.

These patterns are related to X-chromosome genetics. Female cats possess two X chromosomes, which enable them to express colors associated with both orange and black pigments. Male cats hardly exhibit these patterns, but they can occur in exceptional situations under rare conditions, such as the presence of rare genetic conditions with XXY chromosomes.

Dilute colors soften standard colors. British Shorthairs are blue-gray, not black. Cream replaces intense orange colors. Dilution genes weaken the pigments. This allows for beautiful pastel tortoiseshell and calico patterns.

Colorpoint patterns respond to temperature like mood rings. Siamese cats demonstrate this phenomenon distinctly. Their ears, paws, and tails develop dark coloration, while body parts that retain warmth remain light in color. The distribution of color occurs because heat inhibits the enzymes that produce pigment.

Smoke and shaded patterns create magical effects in fur. The smoke cat has hair that is dark at the tip, but light at the base. By parting the hair, these differences become visible. Gradual color changes characterize the shaded patterns. This elegant shadiness of coloring is very characteristic of the Persian cat.

Chinchilla coats appear to have been dusted with glitter. Each hair has a dark tip extending over a white base. The frosty effect is produced by restricting pigment in some hair. British Shorthairs demonstrate this effect well, as their green eyes appear to glow against their glittering fur.

The salmiak pattern is a reversal of typical smoke coloring. Discovered in Finnish cats more recently, the darkness at the roots fades to light tips. This uncommon trait results in a salt-and-pepper appearance. There are fewer than fifty cats in the world that exhibit this unique pattern.

Cat fur designs are an exhibition of the genetic creativity of nature. Over twenty genes interact, resulting in a magnificent variety. This complex system produces the tabby twirls, the calico patches, and the colorpoint contrasts. Each fur design reflects a different genetic code. These variations of form and color show the march of feline evolution.

Bear in mind, though, that patterns in no way can predict temperament or health, and black cats do not contribute any more aggressiveness than do the oranges. There is no good reason to believe that calicos need any special medical care or attention. Temperament depends on environment and individual history. All cats are entitled to the same good care and understanding.

Recognizing patterns aids in understanding the awesome phenomena of felinity. You see how temperature contributes to producing Siamese points. You know why tortoiseshells are nearly exclusively female. This understanding acknowledges and reveals nature's prowess. It reminds us that we are linked to biological wonders through our everyday animals.

Treat all cats with the same kindness and respect. Patterns are lovely but shallow. The focus should be on love and basic care. Cats offer companionship regardless of whether they are striped or spotted. We appreciate their uniqueness, but we also satisfy their needs as common animals.