Cat Coloring Genetics. Chart showing the 3 types of pointed pattern and the various colours. Dilution is caused by a mutation in the MLPH gene.
The cat may be genetically black genetically cream etc but the presence of the white gene obscures the colour. When one carries the dominant orange gene and the other has a nondominant orange gene and the other has a nondominant orange expressed as black then the coat is tinted alternately with orange and black. A browning gene codes for eumelanin which produces black and brown fur.
A mutation in the same gene causes a similar coat color in dogs.
Females have two X chromosomes. The European range of colours is used US registries may not recognise the tabby and tortie varieties Article by Allie Webster. A mutation in the same gene causes a similar coat color in dogs. Dilution is caused by a mutation in the MLPH gene.