Dilution of cat coats (infographic)
This is another infographic which I hope summarises what is going on when a cat coat becomes pale and washed out. A lot of people like the appearance. All the grey cats are a...
Tagged: genes
Agouti tabby (infographic)
This is my infographic on the agouti tabby domestic cat coat which we all know. It is the original cat coat. We all know that the domestic cat tabby pattern is the most common...
Savoury umami taste of tuna is why cats love it
Domestic cats have the required ‘umami’ taste receptors on their tongues to respond well to an enzyme called inosine monophosphate and an amino acid called free L-Histidine which combine to produce a strong umami...
Theory for the reason why grey cats are ‘blue’ (infographic)
You know that in the cat fancy grey cats are called blue cats. The best known is the ‘Blue British Shorthair’. This is a grey-furred cat. Grey fur is caused by the presence of...
Inbreeding depression cause and effect
“Inbreeding depression” is a euphemism for a general lack of health in an individual purebred cat which has been selectively bred (using artificial selection) for appearance, which automatically incorporates inbreeding. Cat breeders often have...
Flat-chested kitten syndrome in Bengal cats
While doing some research on pet health insurance I noted that one insurer increases their insurance premiums because Bengal cats are predisposed to developing an inherited disease (in my opinion) called “Flat-chested Kitten syndrome...
Are all domestic cats tabbies?
When you look at domestic cats today, you see a very wide range of coat types and colours. You would be deceived into believing that all domestic cats are not tabbies but technically they...
Cat personality linked to coat colour? Yes, but work in progress.
Can a cat’s personality be linked to their coat colour and type? Apparently, the answer is yes, although I had always thought that this was not strictly possible despite the fact that, anecdotally, many...
What is the “unicorn of cats”?
The unicorn of cats, so called, is a male tortoiseshell domestic cat. The title has been awarded because they are so rare. My research, years ago, indicated that about one in 3000 tortoiseshell cats...
What does ‘agouti’ mean in cats?
We see the word ‘agouti’ used a lot in the world of cats, particularly the world of cat breeders. This is because it is a word that indirectly refers to a very common type...
When do cats learn to hiss?
The question is interesting because living, newborn kittens don’t learn to hiss. I would say that newborn kittens know how to hiss the moment they are born. They have inherited that vocal ability from...
What causes the range of eye colors in cats?
The total amount of melanin (pigment) in the iris of the eye determines the range of eye colours in cats and in humans. The same principles apply to all animals with a similar eye...
Do Siamese cats become darker as they age?
Yes, Siamese cats become darker as they age. You’ll see this in the flanks and central areas of the cat’s body which are normally lighter and sometimes almost white, normally. Normal situation for the...
What is Bengal cat glitter?
I wrote about Bengal cat glitter in 2008. More is known about this phenomenon nowadays. I thought, therefore, that I would revisit the subject. In simple terms, it refers to a coat which appears...
Why do domestic cats still hunt?
Domestic cats still hunt because it is in their DNA to do so. It is a characteristic which is a genetic inheritance. It is hard wired into their brains and personalities. And it has...
Note: sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified.
