A (Somewhat) Guide to Cat Genetics

[KingHarry]

So, you're interested in cat genetics? Well, I'm afraid I have some bad news for you. As interested as I am in the subject, I know no way near enough to explain it to you. What I can do, however, is link you to my favourite sites for the subject!

Let's start with perhaps my favourite guide:

Cat Genetics Tutorial

This 12 part tutorial explains with pictures all the possible markings and colours that a cat can have. This is where I started myself and I felt like it gave me a good enough understanding to at least have some idea of what is going on. Even if you don't understand the genetics part of it, it should give you a good idea of what colour combinations are realistically out there.

Moving on from there, we have these two interactive guides:

Create-A-Cat and Feline Color Guide

These two are very similar, but they are slightly different so I do recommend looking at both. They explain the genetics in a clear way while also allowing you to play about with the colours so you can see for yourself what the differences are. They also can provide you with a reference image if you want to use them.

Moving on from there, I think we can look at something a little more text heavy:

Messybeast's Colour and Pattern Charts

This guide has more information that the previous ones, but also more science. Don't worry though, it has pictures and if you want you can just look at them! Again, you should at least get an idea of what colours exist from here. 

Messybeast has more guides that go into ore depth about specific patterns and fur types here.

So, at this point you may be saying "but Harry! What's the point in this?" Well! By understanding genetics, you can realistically predict what your cat's kittens might look like if you enjoy that kind of realism. This guide explains some basic rules to consider when working out what kittens will look like:

Basic Feline Genetics

But hey, some of us are lazy, right? Well, let me introduce you to this wonderful tool!

Cat Coat Generator

This will allow you to put in what the parents of the litter look like and it will tell you what a litter might look like on average. Plus, for the more adventurous of you, there is an advanced version here.

Really, there's no point to this guide. I just wanted to share with you all the possibilities out there and some useful tools when it comes to looking at this kind of thing. Hopefully it can be of help in some way, be it when looking for FCs, predicting litters, or anything else!