The gray color of a cat is considered a sign of its high origin. Pedigree representatives of the cat family have a uniform silver coat with a bluish undertone. These cats are symbols of well-being and harmony. Their color is compared to heavenly and watery shades. Owners of gray cats believe that they bring good luck to the home.
This color can be found in several cat breeds. Gray fur is recognized as one of the characteristics of the breed, and sometimes it is the main difference between one type of cat and another. What cat breeds have this unique and important trait?
Gray cat breeds
Gray color can be found in several breeds. These include:
- Persian cats;
- Angora cats;
- Russian Blues;
- Carthusian breed;
- Nibelung cats;
- Representatives of the Korat breed;
- British blues.
All these beautiful creatures can have a color from dark gray to ashen. Gray hair in a cat is not just an accident. This is the significant genetic pattern for which the original gene is responsible.
Russian blue cat
The long-lived, compact and very quiet Russian Blue cat breed originated in the Arkhangelsk province of Tsarist Russia and is still very popular throughout the world. The coat of the Russian Blue is short, but very dense and has a beautiful gray-blue color without any spots or marks. Large green irises add bonuses to the uniform plush coat.
The basis of exhibition competition for the breed is the quality and structure of the coat. It is this that serves as the main criterion for admission to exhibitions, and only then experts look at the general exterior of the animal.
Many owners note the independent character of the Russian Blue cat breed. Yes, the pet is affectionate, but if she doesn’t want contact, then you won’t be able to pet the cat. He loves to choose his owner and, as a result, the rest of the household may not wait at all for the indulgence of this graceful gray cat.
Genetic properties of gray cats
In gray pets, the dominant black gene B is diluted with a light gene. The ratio of these two genes determines the color of the breed in general, and the animal in particular. In all gray representatives of the cat family, the black gene is not replaced, but is harmoniously supplemented with a light one. Under these circumstances, the location of all pigments changes and the color is distributed unevenly.
Professionals advise distinguishing between smoky specimens and pure gray animals. In smoky cats, the roots of the coat are always white, while in gray cats they are endowed with a strong dark pigment.
Carthusian cat
British shorthair cat
When a British Shorthair cat climbs onto your lap, you immediately feel the weight, the warmth, and the incredibly stuffed plush cat dough that you want to knead and squeeze. Yes, the breed has many shades, for some of them there is a real war among breeders, but the classic color of the breed is uniform gray, without stripes or stains.
The ancestors of the breed were Roman cats, rat catchers from ships, which the warriors of Rome brought with them to the territory of the modern Kingdom. But medieval views on the cat community did their job and until the 19th century no one thought about at least some kind of breeding, nevertheless, the beginnings of the breed were already there and a sufficient population of plush cats with abundant undercoat and a purely English, imperturbable character had formed.
The development of the breed, like many other English breeds, was influenced by the very first professional cat show in 1871. The next morning, the cats woke up not just as functional barn animals, but as interior decorations, popular pets and family friends.
Now the British breed has already split into two branches, gained popularity around the world and has acquired many shades of coat, but the historical color of the breed, gray, is still popular and is often presented at exhibitions.
The nature and character of gray representatives
Males and cats of gray color are real dark cardinals among their kind. They are balanced, calm and dignified. They do not accept familiarity and prolonged active play. These animals forgive humans a lot, but only when they feel the love and care of their owner. If gray cats decide to take revenge, they “plan” it carefully and carry out vengeful actions with a time delay.
Nibelung
Gray breeds are suitable for those who value comfort and a measured life. Gray cats rarely play with children. They like to observe rather than participate. And with their behavior they resemble aristocrats.
Many breeders note the high intelligence of gray cats. Such animals love to be leaders, but they rule softly; if necessary, they prefer to retreat in order to maintain their own calm. Breeds with ash and steel tones will appeal to bachelors, elderly people, and those who lead a measured lifestyle.
Scottish fold cat
The large gray cat breed, originally from Great Britain, is a young breed, but its worldwide fame and popularity can no longer be denied.
The breed was formed in the 1960s and inherited from the British breed a thick coat and a phlegmatic character. The only serious difference is, perhaps, in the shape of the ears; otherwise the breeds are very similar.
The Scottish Fold is friendly and trouble-free. The owner needs to go to work - let him go, the owner is at home all day - that’s also normal. Of course, a cat loves its family, but it is so self-sufficient that the constant presence of a person will not make it happier; it is enough to pay attention to the cat in the evenings and a little in the morning so that the animal does not go wild in conditions of complete loneliness.
INTERESTING: the breed loves to get into a meerkat pose in moments of increased interest. The breed also does not like heights, which is very important if you have a rich interior and many shelves with souvenirs and interior decorations - all this will remain untouched, because this breed only needs to climb onto a soft sofa and is not at all interested in jumping on curtains and cabinets.
The breed's coat can be any color, but gray is the classic color that comes from the British Shorthair breed.
Gray kitten in the house: adaptation period
Have you decided to get a purebred gray kitten? Then you should learn about how to prepare your home for his arrival. After all, a new family for any animal is very stressful. And its manifestations must be minimized. After purchasing, you need to ask the breeders for something with the animal’s native scent. It must be placed in the bed where the kitten will sleep. Familiar vibes will calm the little creature, he will be less afraid of the new environment.
All household chemicals, poisonous flowers, dangerous objects, wires, cosmetics, as well as valuables should be placed higher up. Otherwise, if the inquisitive gray kitten gets to them first, disaster may occur.
For a gray cat you need to prepare various accessories: scratching post, tray, bowls, toys. The sleeping place for the gray breed is chosen in a quiet and closed corner. Because many representatives of the gray color have a strong tendency towards solitude.
British blue
In families with children, these cats occupy a “middle” position in the hierarchy. They will not play excitingly with children for hours. And in case of any attempts to encroach on their borders, they retreat to a place inaccessible to others.
Representatives of gray cat breeds have a special weakness for their owners. They can form a strong empathic bond with their owners. And this union will last for many years. But if a gray cat does not accept someone, then, unfortunately, this is forever. Therefore, raising a gray kitten must be approached consciously. Punishments should be alternated evenly with rewards. And in some cases you will have to give in to your beloved pet.
Breeds of gray cats experience some difficulties when living in the same territory with other animals. These creatures get along well with other cats. But it’s difficult to tolerate dogs in your home.
Adult gray cats become attached to their owners with all their souls and rarely agree to change their owner. Therefore, they should be taken into the family as very young kittens.
Persian cat
Caring for breeds with gray coats
Owners of gray breeds should take care of their pets' diet in such a way that it contains a minimum amount of iodine. From an overabundance of this substance, gray wool begins to cast brown. And this circumstance may serve as a basis for culling the cat. Such an animal will not be allowed to participate in competitions.
The fur of such cats also fades in the sun. The color can also deteriorate due to high humidity in the room. Also, each breed has its own care requirements.
The Russian Blue cat does not require special care. It only needs to be bathed once every six months, but it should be combed more often. But here, once a week is enough. Gray cat hairs do not tolerate rough combs; it is better to choose a soft brush for combing.
Russian blue cat
The gray-haired Angora cat needs a bath every two to three months. Their coat is very long and should be brushed a couple of times a week to prevent clumps. Many representatives of this breed love water, so if you start getting used to water procedures from childhood, then there will be no problems in the future.
Gray Persians differ from other breeds in their more delicate health. You can bathe them every three weeks, but you will also have to carefully monitor the drying of the wool, otherwise the color will deteriorate.
British Blues are low maintenance. Frequent brushing is encouraged when keeping them. The “British” ones are washed twice a year. Otherwise, they are cared for in the same way as other cats.
The Carthusian or Charteuse cat has a thick and water-repellent undercoat. Because of it, the process of drying an animal turns into a real adventure. After bathing, Charteuses should be kept in a warm room for several days. And only then will their hairs dry completely.
The Korat is a breed especially revered in Thailand. These cats should not be bathed at all. If you still have to do this, you will need special shampoos and soft towels. Washing can cause bald spots on an elegant coat. And the wool itself will lose its protective properties.
Nibelung cats know how to keep their fur clean. If you bathe them frequently, the color of their coat will certainly deteriorate. Before bathing, the Nibelungen's ears are stuffed with cotton wool. The process itself is carried out only when obvious contamination occurs. The beauties are combed once a week.
All gray cats are naturally in good health. They rarely get sick and tolerate climate change and various changes in diet well. Their ears and eyes do not become overgrown with dirt and secretions. And gray wool, most often, is endowed with the ability to self-clean.
Chartreuse (Carthusian cat)
Legend has it that the breed arrived in Persia from France along with preachers, and the countries of secondary distribution (Syria, Turkey, Iran) simply fell in love with the breed of cats with a stuffed gray coat and round cheeks for their talent to catch rodents in countless numbers. The breed received a modern standard in 1934, at which time the family tree of the breed was revealed. It is believed that the ancestors of the gray cat breed were the Pallas' cat and the Egyptian Mau, which later came to Siberia and formed the breed of Siberian cats, and later, through medieval selection, the stuffed, fur-bearing gray Chantreuse was bred. Gray cats were considered the only “non-messengers” of the devil and they were bred as fur-bearing edible rat catchers - not a cat, but a “universal soldier” for all occasions.
INTERESTING: the breed is often confused with the British Shorthair, although historically and legally these are two different breeds. You can distinguish a true Chartreuse by the evolution of the color of the iris - kittens have blue eyes, by adolescence they turn gray and in adulthood either a dark orange or a bright yellow tint appears.
The blue color in the color is uniform, deep, and goes very beautifully with the colors of the iris: dark orange or bright yellow. Gray is the only acceptable color, even the pads on the paws and nose are gray-blue, shades are not allowed.
The character of the breed is truly oriental - the cat is wary of strangers, and loves everyone in the family, but is not greedy for tenderness. This is a real cat, which is more on its own than the rest of the family.
Cost of purebred gray cats
The price of purchasing a gray purebred kitten depends on its pedigree. Kittens from titled and eminent parents cost much more than ordinary representatives of the breed.
Let's take a closer look at the price of each breed:
- Persians. Kittens aged 1 to 4 months are estimated at 2000-3000 dollars. Adult representatives are much more expensive;
- Russian pigeon breed. These animals range in price from $1,200 and up;
- Angora cats. The cost of kittens of this breed can reach up to 600-700 dollars;
- Carthusian cats. These cats are valued by the international community at 500-1200 euros. Cats are much more expensive than cats;
- Nibelung. These kittens can be purchased for $1,000;
- British blue cats. The cost of one kitten can be $500 or more;
- Korat cats. The price of a rare breed starts at $500.
Kittens without documents are much cheaper than those whose pedigree is confirmed. Often, transporting an animal of an exclusive breed is estimated at the same cost as the cat itself. Famous and large nurseries charge higher prices than smaller businesses. Some gray kittens can be purchased second-hand through advertisements on the Internet.
Ocicat
The name of the breed is a reference to ocelots, but in fact, a young breed of blue-gray cats was developed from Abyssinian, Siamese and American Shorthair cats. The experiment was successful and the world saw a beautiful cat with a color like a wild ocelot, but gentle habits and a great love for her family.
A big plus of the breed is its great attachment to home and habits similar to those of a dog. If you take up raising and training a kitten, then walking on a harness and playing with a ball can become your constant entertainment with your pet.
The breed's disadvantages are associated with recessive genetic diseases that have accumulated as a result of selection. Most of them are inherited from Siamese blood and are complicated by the fact that the cat may not get sick for some time, but under a number of circumstances, the hereditary disease can “wake up” and the cat will die due to the transience of the disease.
The breed is not picky when it comes to grooming, but its teeth require especially close care – the enamel is prone to destruction and it’s not worth leaving plaque on the furry’s teeth.
The most common colors: brown and chocolate shades, lilac, blue and all pairs with blue from chocolate-silver to blue-silver. The hair is always ticked, and the markings on the body vary in saturation depending on where they are located.
Gray cats and mysticism
Gray purebred cats are luckier than black ones. They are symbols of Lady Luck. Even the most superstitious people are not afraid to start them. After all, if a gray cat crossed your path, then you will certainly be lucky that day. The statement that all cats are gray in the dark arose due to the play of light and shadow at dusk. This saying also has another meaning. And it applies to ladies of Balzac's age.
Each cat color has not only a biological, but also a magical meaning. In the Nordic countries, these cats are considered sacred to the Scandinavian goddess Freya. It is customary to give gray cats to newlyweds as a sign of fidelity, peace and love.
Her character played a significant role in shaping the image of the gray cat. Among all the felines, it is the gray ones that have special pretentious and respectable manners. These cats are also characterized by increased resistance to stress and balance.
Gray cats have always been sung by poets and musicians. Many literary works, poems and poems have been written about them. Gray cats are living talismans that can get along with the Brownie and keep the house from misfortunes. Some owners of gray breeds really consider their pets to be guardian angels, protecting their sleep and warning them of troubles in advance.
The breeds of gray cats are much more diverse than described above. Almost every existing standard has hints of a gray tint. American Curls and Scottish Folds also have it. There are also outbred cats in the world who have unparalleled silver fur. And their character is very similar to the traits of various breeds of gray cats. Probably, the color gray leaves its genetic imprint on all cats without exception.
Gray cats and male cats are great individualists. They belong to that category of cats that are always on their own minds and love independence. But because of their delicate color, purebred cats are rarely allowed out for walks. And they have to adapt to life in city apartments and cottages. The adaptation period for such animals is much easier, because their Nordic temperament helps them.
Korat
Now the breed is alive precisely thanks to its distribution in the USA, because you can easily buy a Korat kitten only in this country.
As for the appearance of the breed, there are a number of features:
- The cat is small, an adult does not exceed 5 kilograms, although most often these are cats 3-3.5 kilograms. Females are always smaller and more graceful than males.
- The cat's muzzle is wedge-shaped and, from the front, looks like a heart.
- The breed's fur has no undercoat, is short, lies close to the body and is very delicate to the touch.
- The most valuable shades of the iris are green, although the shade may change until the cat reaches 4 years of age.
- The main color is gray, but the more silver in the coat, the more valuable the kitten. The ideal show animal's coat color should be solid ticked silver blue.
- All the exterior features of the breed are fully formed by the age of 4.
Signs where a gray cat appears
In fact, the signs associated with gray cats are all good. For example, they say that they bring happiness with them. But which one and in what way? Here are some signs :
- If you meet on the way (even at home), say: “A gray cat is a good path”;
- Picked up, brought into the house, consider prosperity just around the corner;
- Have you wandered off and are sitting at the door? Let him in and leave him, happiness itself has come to you, because it is precisely this that the gray cat brings into the house;
- Wants to sleep with you? Then success awaits you in all personal matters.
What if you dreamed of a smoky gray handsome man?
