Demystifying the Gender/Color Connection in Cats

Why Does Color Affect the Sex of a Cat? Or Vice-Versa?

You always knew your cat was special, unusual, and certainly unique. But there are even more fascinating facts about the cat that have stumped people for some time. I am referring to what most cat lovers already know: cats of a certain color will be predominantly one gender or another. This has been common knowledge but back in the “dark ages” no one actually knew why. Happily, advances in the field of genetics have uncovered this feline mystery.

It all begins with a very unique genetic twist embedded into the chromosome code of the feline. This is an oversimplification but for the sake of this explanation lets just state that certain chromosomes determine gender (male or female). For example, females have two X chromosomes (XX) and males have only one X chromosome and one Y (XY). Now here comes the twist: a cat’s X chromosome coding is directly linked to the color of its coat! This unique coding is called a sex-linked gene.

Again this is an oversimplification, the coat color in all cats is an X-linked gene for black and orange-brown colors. So the color-coding would be Xb (for black) and/or Xo (for orange-brown). A female cat has two X chromosomes so she is able to “display” two colors at the same time: black AND brown-orange—and all the variations in between (the white color is a separate gene). A female cat with two Xb Xb chromosomes would be black. A female cat with two XoXo chromosomes would be orange-brown.

A male cat on the other hand will only receive his color designation from the one X chromosome and this chromosome would render a monochromatic coat. (The Y chromosome is a “blank.”) For a male to display BOTH red and black he would have to have two of the X chromosomes described above PLUS one Y (for him to be male). This could happen but it would be a mutation (abnormality) that would render him sterile.

The explanation gets a little more complicated when it comes to multi-patterned calicos and tortoiseshell cats (multi-colors of orange, brown, black, gray, cream, or white without patches). These coat colors and patterns are the result of a mutation that occurs during the forming of the embryo. For this to transpire the female will need start off with the Xb Xo combination. During embryonic development some cells randomly—through the process of mitosis (cell division)—will turn off the Xb or Xo gene. This in turn will produce patchy coat pigmentation that results in either a tortoiseshell or patterned calico cat.

As for the orange tabby cat being predominantly male that is true. However female cats can also be orange. It’s mostly a matter of probability. As explained above a male cat has only one color gene and that is located in his X chromosome. So, whatever color that X chromosome has attached to it is what he will be. The X chromosome inherited by the male will either be Xo (brown-orange) or Xb (black)—keep in mind that the white color is an entirely different gene. Therefore the odds are that male cats will be either orange/white; solid orange; brown/dark-brown; brown/dark-brown/white; black/white; solid black; or a dilution of black resulting in gray/white; or solid gray.

The female orange tabby has received two Xo chromosomes. And this does happen, producing females with varying degrees of ginger colors that can be accompanied by white markings. However, she is more likely to receive two different types of X chromosomes such as the XoXb combination. And because of the double X sex-linked color chromosome it is safe to say that female cats will display more color combinations than males.

Four Paws Pimple Ball with Bell Recall

Four Paws Inc. has voluntarily halted all shipments of its Pimple Ball with Bell toys and requested that retailers remove the products from their shelves immediately. Consumers can visit the Four Paws Inc. site to see a complete listing of product item numbers and UPC codes. All consumers who purchased the toys identified in this listing are requested to immediately remove the toy from their pet. The company’s web site also offers contact information. Read more here:

Prince Chunk Finds His Forever Home

Fat Cat from New Jersey becomes Instant Celebrity!

In the wake of our nation’s economic downturn and rising tide of foreclosures thousands of pets are without a home. Well-intentioned people leave their furry family members behind, some in the hopes of retrieving them later, others with no hope at all. Already filled shelters are stretched to the seams as the intake cases far excede adoptions. Sad to say, most of these pets end up being euthanized but one fat cat’s story has a happy ending

The 10-year old cat’s owner, a senior citizen, was hit by hard times and lost her home to foreclosure. Donna Oklatner told reporters that, “It broke my heart to give him up. I could not take care of him. I wanted him to have a good home.” Oklatner was under the impression that friends had taken the cat to a local shelter. Instead Animal Control found him wandering around outdoors without a collar in Voorhees, New Jersey.

This is one HUGE cat, weighing in at 44 pounds! (The heaviest cat on record is 46 pound, 15 ounce tabby cat from Australia.) Aptly dubbed Prince Chunk by the shelter, he immediately found a foster home with Debbie Wright.

Chunk rocketed into stardom when he made his debut appearance on a local television channel. Then his big break came with an appearance on the “Live with Regis & Kelly” talk show. The nation was riveted and adoring fans from all over flooded the shelter with adoption requests. In the end Chunk received almost 500 adoption applications.

On August 8, 2008, the Camden County Animal Shelter announced that Prince Chunk (who received a clean bill of health from the vet) has been adopted. The New Jersey family’s identity will not be disclosed but it sounds like his forever home is eager to give him the best life possible: they are building a castle to go over Prince Chunk’s litter box. What more could a fat cat from New Jersey ask for? Except perhaps a good belly rub?

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