blue cat fur

Kitty Ingalls was described as having baby fur as blue as tobacco smoke. That would be tobacco smoke coming from the end of Charles Ingalls' pipe, because after the smoke was inhaled and blown out, it would be white. And the reason why it turns white is gross, and yet another reason not to smoke. But I digress...

Genetically speaking, there are only two basic colors of cats, red (sometimes called orange) and black. All the other colors are variations of these two, including the seven "solid" colors: black, chocolate, cinnamon, white, blue, lavendar, and fawn.

Blue cats are actually black cats who carry a recessive gene which "dilutes" the fur color. Both parents must carry this recessive gene in order for the cat to have blue fur. White can appear on a cat of any color. Kitty's white face, breast, paws, and tip of the tail is usually described as "a tuxedo cat."

Now you know. "Ki-yi-yi," says Ollie.
- posted by pioneergirl at 3:18 AM