Cat coat genetics, explained simply
The handful of genes that decide a cat's colour and pattern — and why two cats can produce a kitten that looks like neither.
Dominant and recessive
Each cat carries two copies of every colour gene. A dominant version shows even with one copy; a recessive one only shows with two — which is how hidden colours pass quietly between generations.
The main genes
A few loci do most of the work: the black series (B), dilution (D), the sex-linked orange gene (O), agouti/tabby (A), silver (I) and coat length (L). Each has its own page with examples.
Explore
Try what you just read on your own pair
Pick the sire's and dam's colours and see the kittens' expected colours — free, no account to start.
Open the mating calculator