Cats come in a rainbow of colors, from the classic black and white to the more exotic calicos and tabbies. But, have you ever stopped to think about the rarity of our feline friends in brown coats? The answer may surprise you!
In this fascinating blog article, we’re going to delve into the world of brown cats and uncover the truth about “Are Brown Cats Rare”. From the science behind the brown fur gene to the odds of having a brown kitten, get ready to learn all about these unique and beautiful felines.
So, grab a seat and join us on an adventure into the world of cat color genetics, and find out if brown cats truly are a rare breed.
Where Does a Cat’s Color Come From?
Two types of pigment responsible for a cat’s coloring are eumelanin and phaeomelanin. Cats all contain some eumelanin, but their color determines its amount.
The amount of each pigment in a cat is determined by its genes. So, if a cat has two genes for black fur (BB), it will be black. A cat with one gene for black and one for brown (Bb) will be brown, and another with two genes for brown (BB) will also be brown.
The body parts of cats can have different colors due to the phenomenon known as “color spotting.” This results from one part of the body having a higher or lower pigmentation level than another.
Color spotting is caused by a mutation in a gene called “S.” Two copies of the mutated gene (SS) result in white cats, while one copy of the mutated gene (S) results in some color. In conclusion, brown cats are less common than other colors due to recessive genes and health issues associated with certain color mutations.
All Brown Cats Are Rare
During childhood, we automatically colored all our cats brown. In fact, brown cats are relatively rare, but they were the ancestors of most brown cats with a chocolatey brown coat.
Siamese cats have a chocolatey brown coat, and a lot of cats don’t have brown coats, whether they are dark chocolate, almost black or chocolate brown. If your black cat has a thick undercoat, you may wonder if he or she is chocolate. There are some cats with a lighter undercoat that appears chocolate brown.
The brown cat is a rare breed, though exceptionally lovable, resulting from a genetic mutation that strives to eliminate black pigmentation from the coat and color of our feline friends. It is thus as a result that we commonly refer to brown cats as either Havana Brown or Oriental Short hair cats.
Breeds of Cats With Brown Coats
Brown cats come in many colors, from light tan to deep chocolate brown. Solid brown cats are called sable, chocolate, chestnut, or sepia. Bombay black cats can also be brown, and Burmese black cats come in shades of brown. Other brown cat breeds include the Egyptian Mau, Himalayan, Ocicat, and Russian Blue.
The breed standards of certain cats may use such terms. In addition to solid brown, brown cats are also known as brown tabby, brown spotted tabby, brown ticked, brown spotted, brown pointed, and bi-colored. The Cornish Rex and Devon Rex cats have long hair, short hair, wirehairs, and velvety coats, so many of these colors and patterns are visible.
Cat Coats Of Different Colors And Styles
The patterns seen on brown cats include solid brown, brown spotted tabby, brown ticked, brown spotted, brown pointed (often called chocolate point), and bi-colored (brown with white).
Long haired cats, short haired cats, wire-haired cats, and cats with very short, velvety coats, like the Cornish Rex or Devon Rex, exhibit many of these colors and patterns.
Havana Brown Breed
Originally from the United Kingdom, the Havana Brown breed stands 12-14 inches tall. Havana Brown adults weigh between 6 and 10 pounds. Havana Browns live 12-15 years. As per Hill’s Pet Nutrition ”The Havana brown is a very rare breed. If a list of endangered cat breeds existed, the Havana brown would probably be at the top.”
A rare brown breed compared to black and orange cats, the Havana Brown was developed in the 1950s by American breeder Mrs. Stone. Some cat registries, such as the World Cat Federation, recognize the breed as the Swiss Mountain Cat because it results from breeding a standard black house cat with a Siamese.
If you’re committed to a chocolate brown coat on your cat, then you will have to do your research and find a Havana Brown to adopt or purchase. Never fear, though! The Havana Brown has a wonderful personality and is loyal and committed to its family.
Bombay Cat Breed
The Bombay’s characteristic walk has the appearance of a sway, resembling the Indian black leopard. The Bombay is a black cat created by crossing a Burmese with a black American Shorthair. The breed was developed in the 1950s and was given the name “Bombay” after the city in India.
The breed has a round head, round ears, round eyes, round chin, and even round feet, as well as heavy boning. The Bombay has a short, glossy coat, similar to patent leather, with a deep black luster in good condition. Bombay’s walk is similar to that of Indian black leopards. She seems to sway almost when walking.
Bombay cats are very affectionate and will, at times, demand time with their parents. They are known for jumping on people’s laps and spreading their beautiful bodies across newspapers. As Bombay’s get older, they can sometimes become rather placid, opting to watch instead of participate.
Breeds of Burmese Cats
The Burmese breed can reach a height of ten to eighteen inches. The average Burmese adult weighs between eight and twelve pounds. Burmese cats can live from twelve to sixteen years on average. Two shades of solid brown comprise the Burmese cat’s four colors. A Burmese’s colors were derived from the Siamese cat, which helped create the breed.
Sable is a rich, warm brown, and champagne is a warm honey beige. The Siamese has pointed colors, whereas the Burmese have a glossy, short coat. A Burmese is a medium-sized cat with a short, glossy coat that usually has a gold or greenish tinge. It has large, round eyes that may be green, amber, or copper in color.
York Chocolate
A York Chocolate cat is a breed of American show cat that is exceptionally friendly, even-tempered, and balanced between high energy and devotion. It is an American show cat breed. Having a tapered tail and a long, fluffy coat, this breed was developed by crossing longhair cats with mixed ancestry, namely, black long haired sires and black-and-white long haired mothers, after color selection.
As stated in Wikipedia, “The York Chocolate (or simply York) was an uncommon American breed of show cat with a long, fluffy coat and a tapered tail, and most of them were mostly or entirely chocolate-brown or the dilute form of brown, known as lavender.’’
The York Chocolate sheep is a sheep breed that originated in the USA, developed by Janet Chiefari in 1983 on her goat farm in New York state. It was developed from Chiefari’s black and white crossbreed cats, Blacky and Smokey. York Chocolate cats are friendly, even-tempered, and content lap cats. They are often shy as companions and hunters. With a keen curiosity, these cats follow their owners around happily.
Oriental Short Hair
An overview of the Oriental Short hair breed, originating in the United Kingdom. Oriental Short hairs are approximately eight to ten inches in height. Oriental Short hairs can weigh between six and twelve pounds. Oriental Short hairs can live for twelve to fifteen years on average.
Oriental shorthairs can come in various colors, including chocolate brown, fawn, lavender, cinnamon, and any color. Unlike Oriental Longhairs, Oriental Shorthair and Longhair don’t have standard colors. Oriental Shorthair cats are affectionate and playful. Oriental Shorthairs have long, slender necks and fine bones, giving them a sophisticated appearance.
There are large and pointed ears and almond-shaped green eyes in this breed. It has a flat skull and a long, straight nose. It has eyes set close together on a flat skull. A brown cat or kitten can be hard to find, as they are rare and beautiful. However, no matter which brown cat breed you choose, you’ll have a long-term family member to spoil.
A Brown Cat’s Value
Brown cats are notoriously rare, though profoundly lovable. Our feline friends are only possible due to a genetic mutation that strives to eliminate black pigmentation in the cat’s coat and coloring.
The cost of a brown cat depends greatly on the breed and where you get your cat. For instance, Havana Brown cats purchased from breeders typically cost $1,000-$1,500. However, if you adopt the same cat breed rather than purchase it from a breeder, the cost can be as low as $75-$125.
For information on the Havana Brown, you will need to contact a breeder; you may even have to search for a Havana Brown across the country. Since it is a rare breed, the price of a Havana Brown kitten will vary from $800 to $1,500. A kitten’s price is determined by several factors, including:
- Age
- Gender
- Markings and quality of fur
- Breeder and their location
The Havana Brown is not a cheap breed, but if you are truly committed to a brown cat, the investment may be well worth it.
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FAQs
What is the nicest color cat?
In a study published in the October 2012 issue of Anthrozoos, researchers from the University of California, Berkeley surveyed 189 cat owners about orange cats. According to DHAH.org, orange cats were the friendliest, white cats were considered aloof, and tortoiseshell cats were considered to have an excessive “attitude.”
Are male cats only two colors?
A male cat can have tri-colored fur if he inherits an extra X-chromosome, making his genetic makeup XXY. Klinefelter Syndrome occurs in humans in about 1-2 out of 1000 live male births, making it a fairly common condition. Due to its prevalence, many people who suffer from this condition are unaware of it.
What is the most common cat color?
Grey, black, or white are the most common colors for solid cats
Is brown cat good luck?
When you find a brown cat that has grown a litter, you are blessed with good luck, as you will not encounter evil. Black cats are generally considered bad luck, but if you find a brown cat that has given birth to a litter, this is considered good luck.
What colors can cats see?
Cats have two color-detecting cones that allow them to perceive blue-violet and yellow-green wavelengths of light but not the red-orange spectrum. Accordingly, cats primarily detect yellow, gray, or blue colors, but some researchers believe they may also detect green hues.
Conclusions
The world has a limited supply of brown cats. However, you can look into a few purebred cats with brown coloration recognized by their breed standard, as there are very few stray brown cats around. As a result, it is much less likely that you will see a brown cat wandering around. Brown cats are indeed difficult to locate and extremely rare.
There is no doubt about it; their owners love them for the richness of their coat pigmentation and the beauty and charm of their inner beauty. Whether they are chocolate coated or not, all cats are delightful regardless of how they are covered.
REFERENCE
1. Are Brown Cats Really Rare. (n.d.-b). Catslikesbest.
Charlene Pare is the founder of Cat Likes Best. She manages and strategizes the content published on this website. When she isn’t working, she enjoys exploring the city around with her Ameican Shorthair kitty–Moli. Being a technocrat and an avid cat lover, she also writes on pet tech products and some of the featured articles.
