What kind of kittens do blue cats have? - briefly
Blue cats, also known as dilute calico or dilute tortoiseshell cats, typically have kittens that are not all blue. The color of the kittens can vary depending on the genetic makeup of the male cat and the presence of the orange gene in the female cat.
What kind of kittens do blue cats have? - in detail
The color of a cat's fur is determined by its genetics, and in the case of "blue" cats, it's specifically related to a gene known as dilution (d/d). This gene modifies the melanin production in the cat's fur, giving it a grayish-blue or slate color. When two blue cats mate, their kittens can inherit various combinations of these genes.
The offspring of two blue cats will likely exhibit one of three primary coat colors: blue, black, or some shade of brown. The most common outcome is that the kittens will also be blue due to the dilution gene being dominant in both parents. However, the specific shade can vary depending on the intensity of the dilution gene and other modifying genes.
In addition to coat color, other factors such as eye color are influenced by these genetic combinations. Blue cats typically have yellow or green eyes, but their kittens may also inherit blue eyes, especially if both parents carry the recessive blue-eyed gene (o/o).
It's important to note that while the dilution gene is dominant, it can be masked by other genes in the cat's genetic makeup. For example, if a kitten inherits a non-dilute allele from one parent and a dilute allele from the other, the resulting coat color will be influenced by which gene is more expressed.
In summary, while blue cats predominantly have blue kittens, the specific shades of their fur and eye colors can vary based on the complex interplay of multiple genes. This genetic diversity adds to the fascinating array of possible appearances in feline offspring.