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Cats are adorable creatures that, along with their unique personalities, can come in all shapes and sizes—big or small, long fur or short fur, with even different sizes of tails!
Cats also have a variety of colors and patterns, some of which make up the most unique color combinations! But what are the most popular cat colors? Here, we talk about eight of the most popular colors and color patterns in the cat world!
The Science of Cat Colors
We often describe cat coat colors using terms like black, white, ginger, cream, blue, gray, brown, orange, and lilac. However, the vast array of patterns and shades we see actually stem from just a few base colors, all influenced by the KIT gene.
The KIT gene plays a major role in determining how pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) are distributed, resulting in the colors and patterns we see.
Cats have two main pigments: eumelanin (black/brown) and pheomelanin (red/yellow). The way these pigments appear depends on inherited genes:
- Brown gene (B/b/b’): Controls black, chocolate, or cinnamon fur.
- Orange gene (O): Found only on the X chromosome, explaining why tortoiseshell cats are almost always female.
- Dilution gene (D/d): Softens colors, turning black into gray (blue) or orange into cream.
- White genes (WD/Ws): Either completely masks color (WD) or creates white spots (Ws).
Cat patterns like tabby or color point are determined by other genes that control pigment distribution. Each gene has dominant (uppercase) and recessive (lowercase) forms, which combine to create a cat’s unique appearance. While genetics are complex, they explain the stunning variety of feline coats we love. If you want to learn more about cat coat genetics you can read our in depth guide here.
The 8 Most Common Cat Colors
1. Tuxedo
The tuxedo color pattern blends two colors, particularly black and white. The tuxedo color pattern is very popular among cats and can be found in many breeds. Cats with tuxedo colors are also commonly portrayed in the media and pop culture—as portrayed by the famous cartoon characters, Looney Toons’ Sylvester, as well as Felix the Cat.
The tuxedo color pattern also has different variations, such as:
- The locket: a dominantly black coat only has a small bit of white
- The bicolor: equal parts black and white throughout the fur
- The magpie: a white coat with black spots
2. Black
When we see a black cat on the street, most people automatically associate it with bad luck, witchcraft, and Halloween. Despite their spooky reputation, black cats are really no different from other cat breeds and have a certain charm with their mysterious appearance.
A popular cat color, black cats have a rich history dating all the way back to the Middle Ages and are even present in mythology. Black is a dominant gene, making it a very common color for domesticated cats.
- Bombays
- Chantilly-Tiffany Cats
- Persians
- Cornish Rexes
- American Bobtails
- British Shorthairs
3. Calico
Calicos are cats with a coat of three colors. This tri-colored pattern can have a variety of color combinations similar to patches on a quilt. Calico cats commonly have white, orange, and black in their color scheme, but some variations may include cream, blue-black, and brown.
Similar to cats’ unique personalities, the calico patches on a cat’s fur coat are equally unique, which highlight the identity of each cat. Many calico cats may have the same color scheme, but no two calico cats will ever have the same pattern. Calico cats are also dominantly female, with male calico cats being extremely rare.
4. Tabby
Like tigers with their stripes and cheetahs with their spots, tabby is another common cat color pattern. Tabby is another pattern in cats that involves more than one color combination.
Tabbies, or tabby cats, refer to cats with distinct patterns of stripes, swirls, and spots of color in their coat. Common colors involved in this pattern include gray, brown, orange, black, and white. Tabby cats are also known for the signature “M” on their forehead, which is a common characteristic among tabby cats of varying breeds.
- Egyptian Maus
- Russian Blues
- Maine Coons
- Persians
- Oriental Shorthairs
- Abyssinians
5. White
The dominant white is a color in cats and can be found across a variety of breeds. The white colorway is a very popular color for cats, as they only account for approximately 5% of the general population, making them extremely rare and sought after.
With their elegant, all-white appearance, white cats have a clean dazzling look to them that adds to their charm. White fur lacks pigment, which is why they are considered colorless fur as compared to black or orange. Genetically, the colorless white fur is also recessive, which makes them rare.
- Oriental Cats
- Maine Coons
- American Shorthairs
- Scottish Folds
- Sphynxs
- Cornish Rexes
6. Tortoiseshell
The tortoiseshell color pattern is another bicolor pattern that resembles the shell of a tortoise. Tortoiseshell cats, or torties, have dominantly dark colored patches that can include different shades of red, black, brown, and white. The pattern for torties appear woven together, with color forming in large patches all over the body.
Like calico cats, tortoiseshell cats are predominantly female, making male torties extremely rare. Cats with tortoiseshell patterns are also unique, with no two patterns identical. In many cultures, cats with tortoiseshell patterns are even considered good luck!
- Japanese Bobtails
- Maine Coons
- Cornish Rexes
- American Shorthairs
- British Shorthairs
- Ragamuffins
7. Grey
Some cats’ coats may turn grey as they age, but cats can also have grey as the actual color of their fur. With mesmerizing and elegant coats in various shades, cats with grey fur coats are easily one of the most popular and sought-after cat colors among feline enthusiasts.
While there are many grey cats with calico or tabby color patterns, there are a few cat breeds that can sport the solid grey color.
- Russian Blues
- Chartreux Cats
- Domestic Shorthairs
- British Shorthairs
- Korats
- Nebelungs
- Scottish Folds
8. Pointed
Pointed colorways are popular because of their eye-catching appearance. Cats with a pale body and darker extremities, such as the face, ears, feet, and tail, are considered to have point coloration.
Popular torso colors include cream and white colors with dark brown or black points. Cats with a pointed colorway are typically loving, outgoing, and extremely affectionate.
Final Thoughts
Cats can come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. With a wide variety of appearances to choose from, there are many cat colors and patterns that have become popular among cat enthusiasts. Regardless of the color, whether monochromatic or bi- or tri-colored, each cat has their own unique personality, and are all lovable beyond their appearance!
- Might Also Interest You: Why Are Cats More Popular Pets in Japan Than Dogs? (Japanese Cat Lore)
Featured Image Credit: Kasefoto, Shutterstock
