# Guide to Housecat Coat Colors and Patterns **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 18, 2011, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guide-to-housecat-coat-colors-and-patterns/568091 "2011-01-18T18:10:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2011, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guide-to-housecat-coat-colors-and-patterns/568091/21 "2011-01-18T23:37:43Z")
I’m having a hard time figuring my black and orange tortoiseshell and blue, cream and white calico out. I think my dilute calico is actually a caliby - calico tabby. She has actual rings on her tail and most of a tabby “M” on her forehead. Her pads are awfully cute - they’re all pink and grey, in spite of all four of her paws having white “mittens.” ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2011, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guide-to-housecat-coat-colors-and-patterns/568091/22 "2011-01-18T23:48:33Z")
[Albert](http://www.juliecarter.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/albert-posing-172x300.jpg) is white. [Cuthbert](http://www.juliecarter.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/100_0087-300x225.jpg) is also white. Both with green eyes. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guide-to-housecat-coat-colors-and-patterns/568091/23 "2011-01-19T00:46:40Z")
Let’s see…according to the chart, Pixel is a Piebald #3, Havoc is a Piebald #6, Caelan is a Ginger Tabby, and Brindle is a Silver Tabby Tortie. We are a veritable melting pot o’kitties. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guide-to-housecat-coat-colors-and-patterns/568091/24 "2011-01-19T00:59:22Z")
Hm [my](http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy176/aruvqan/littlemissgreeneyes.jpg) [fuzzy](http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy176/aruvqan/Miscellaneous/jezzi.jpg) [overlord](http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy176/aruvqan/furryoverlordsideview.jpg) isn’t actually any of them on there… She has a black cap that is a clover with 2 lobes on her ears, and one on the back of her head, and her tail. She also has green eyes. No black anywhere else on her fat lazy body. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guide-to-housecat-coat-colors-and-patterns/568091/25 "2011-01-19T01:02:58Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > Hm [my](http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy176/aruvqan/littlemissgreeneyes.jpg) [fuzzy](http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy176/aruvqan/Miscellaneous/jezzi.jpg) [overlord](http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy176/aruvqan/furryoverlordsideview.jpg) isn’t actually any of them on there… > > She has a black cap that is a clover with 2 lobes on her ears, and one on the back of her head, and her tail. She also has green eyes. No black anywhere else on her fat lazy body. That’s always what I’ve heard referred to as a “van.” ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guide-to-housecat-coat-colors-and-patterns/568091/26 "2011-01-19T01:25:30Z")
[Lucy](http://www.flickr.com/photos/10086811@N06/1165301421/in/set-72157601539062007/) is a brown tabby and white. This is one of the most common of all Maine Coon cat colors and patterns and probably my favorite. She’s giving me the evil eye right now because she knows I’m going to give her her monthly bath tomorrow morning. First she gets gooped then we pull out the dishwashing liquid then I follow with cat shampoo and blow drying. Either that or I let her get all knotty and hairballed. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guide-to-housecat-coat-colors-and-patterns/568091/27 "2011-01-19T02:00:56Z")
My cats are pretty ordinary, except that my black one looks less like a cat and more like a miniature panther. But I’m catsitting a British Blue Shorthair this week that is absolutely stunning, and looks just like [this](http://www.lovemypet.com.au/images/0010head.gif). She really is blueish, and has amber-coppery eyes. And she’s fat. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guide-to-housecat-coat-colors-and-patterns/568091/28 "2011-01-19T02:18:04Z")
> [@phouka](#): > > [This](http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/catstut6.jpeg) showed up about a week ago on I Can Has Cheezburger, the premier lolcat site, and I find I keep returning to it to read more and see if I can figure my own cat, [Squeak](http://s1142.photobucket.com/albums/n603/Robin_Rhoads/The%20critters/?action=view¤t=20110118-1.jpg), out. > > So, according to the chart, Squeak is a golden shell patched chocolate torbie with white chin, locket, and button, green eyes, pink nose, and pink/black leathers. > > How about your kitty? And remember, per SDMB rules, you are required to link to pic of said kitty. Now I know why [Eponine](http://www.flickr.com/photos/thejtrain/2636914113/in/set-72157605704415920/) is so chubby–she’s been living and eating at your house, too. Though she apparently puts in green contacts and retires the pissy expression at your house. ---
**Author:** ![ecseas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ecseas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ecseas)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guide-to-housecat-coat-colors-and-patterns/568091/29 "2011-01-19T02:25:17Z")
[i](http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs39/i/2008/326/4/9/Go_away__by_princess_vampy.jpg) [don’t](http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs39/i/2008/326/5/4/Cat_nap__by_princess_vampy.jpg)[know](http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs40/i/2009/019/c/4/Lickitung_by_princess_vampy.jpg) really. They aren’t true to life. She’s actually white, with very pale markings, pink nose and paws the spots on her nose have developed over the years. her eyes are actually light blue. I’d say the closest is cream lynx point, but she’s white. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guide-to-housecat-coat-colors-and-patterns/568091/30 "2011-01-19T02:51:28Z")
[Here’s my fat little Caliby, Feather.](http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s142/featherlou/Family/?action=view¤t=HPIM5631.jpg) [Here’s my skinny little tortie, Max.](http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s142/featherlou/Family/?action=view¤t=HPIM5524.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guide-to-housecat-coat-colors-and-patterns/568091/31 "2011-01-19T03:34:32Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > That’s always what I’ve heard referred to as a “van.” Except the chart calls for blue or orange eyes, and blortches elsewhere on the body, or just the tail and a tiny bloop on the head, as you can see by the picture it is pretty much a helmet, and she has green eyes 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guide-to-housecat-coat-colors-and-patterns/568091/32 "2011-01-19T04:07:25Z")
Huh. I’ve never heard the term “caliby” before. I thought it was called a torbie. (My [Tikva](http://www.flickr.com/photos/9624983@N05/2437087215/in/set-72157623434119688/) is a torbie. [Mystery](http://www.flickr.com/photos/9624983@N05/3670035032/in/set-72157623434119688/) is black, and at the moment is attempting to sit on my keyboard. She says “677777777777777777765 uijjjjjjj=65y======IUuuqx,kmjqw” to you all). ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guide-to-housecat-coat-colors-and-patterns/568091/33 "2011-01-19T04:50:08Z")
Heh - I love that sitting on things that cats do. If there’s one sock on the entire floor, there’ll be a cat sitting on it. ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guide-to-housecat-coat-colors-and-patterns/568091/34 "2011-01-19T05:56:20Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > My cats are pretty ordinary, except that my black one looks less like a cat and more like a miniature panther. But I’m catsitting a British Blue Shorthair this week that is absolutely stunning, and looks just like [this](http://www.lovemypet.com.au/images/0010head.gif). She really is blueish, and has amber-coppery eyes. And she’s fat. Reminds me of a [Chartreux](http://best-cat-wallpapers.blogspot.com/2009/09/chartreux-cat.html). ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guide-to-housecat-coat-colors-and-patterns/568091/35 "2011-01-19T07:39:13Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Heh - I love that sitting on things that cats do. If there’s one sock on the entire floor, there’ll be a cat sitting on it. I have beige microfiber plushie sheets. I have a red microfiber blanket and a blue microfiber blanket. My monster will deliberately sit only on the red one. She will go to the corner it normally is tossed on and whine if it is in the wash or being used by someone. It is HER woobie. Honestly she is worse than a 2 year old.:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![ecseas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ecseas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ecseas)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guide-to-housecat-coat-colors-and-patterns/568091/36 "2011-01-19T07:49:12Z")
> [@ecseas](#): > > [i](http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs39/i/2008/326/4/9/Go_away__by_princess_vampy.jpg) [don’t](http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs39/i/2008/326/5/4/Cat_nap__by_princess_vampy.jpg)[know](http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs40/i/2009/019/c/4/Lickitung_by_princess_vampy.jpg) really. > > They aren’t true to life. She’s actually white, with very pale markings, pink nose and paws the spots on her nose have developed over the years. her eyes are actually light blue. > > I’d say the closest is cream lynx point, but she’s white. Also, her eyes are too light, and according to this, her leathers are the wrong colour. I then thought that her body, excluding face, ears, tail feet and tail was covered in a white spot, but her feet when it’s very cold do show markings, so her leathers shouldn’t be pink. _is confused_ ---
**Author:** ![PandaBear77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@PandaBear77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PandaBear77)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guide-to-housecat-coat-colors-and-patterns/568091/37 "2011-01-19T11:06:17Z")
Thanks for posting this! I have no cats but a lot of cat-owning friends that will dig this a lot 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![MissTake](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misstake/32/3189_2.png) [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guide-to-housecat-coat-colors-and-patterns/568091/38 "2011-01-19T13:29:43Z")
[Lucy](http://picasaweb.google.com/KajeKlinger/Pictures#5524325894673471714) would be a dilute blue/grey. The only off thing I would say, and it not very clear in her pic, is that her eyes are lime green. [Dot and Mayme](http://picasaweb.google.com/KajeKlinger/Pictures#5524325880081186226) are sisters (this is a kitten pic, they’re now 5 months old). Both have hazel eyes. The sitting kitten, Dot, is a blue piebald patched tortie, with hazel eyes. The piebalding is a white locket, and a white dot on the top of her head. She has one pink pad, the rest are grey. She has very faint tabby markings on her tail. [Dot Derp pic](http://picasaweb.google.com/KajeKlinger/Pictures#5559293485246283250) just for fun. Mayme is a blue mackerel tabby, however her pads are grey also. She has peach colors in patches, too. [Zen Mayme](http://picasaweb.google.com/KajeKlinger/Pictures#5524325877797055026) (They have three siblings - two brown tabbies (copper/black) and one cow print) ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guide-to-housecat-coat-colors-and-patterns/568091/39 "2011-01-19T17:27:40Z")
There’s a crazy Lolcat today… not sure the chart covers [this fur/eye combo](http://icanhascheezburger.com/2011/01/19/funny-pictures-bein-one-wif-nature/). ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guide-to-housecat-coat-colors-and-patterns/568091/40 "2011-01-19T19:36:31Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > There’s a crazy Lolcat today… not sure the chart covers [this fur/eye combo](http://icanhascheezburger.com/2011/01/19/funny-pictures-bein-one-wif-nature/). Wow - that is one striking kitteh! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guide-to-housecat-coat-colors-and-patterns/568091.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guide-to-housecat-coat-colors-and-patterns/568091.md?page=3)