When it comes to beautiful cats, the grey tabby certainly makes the list. Cat lovers worldwide appreciate these gorgeous kitties for their stunning patterns and smoky to silver fur.
But did you know?
The grey tabby is not a specific breed of cat but is a common striped coat pattern that is found in purebred and mixed (random bred) cats.
Cats have six basic coat patterns [1]:
- Solid
- tabby
- bi-color
- pointed
- tortoiseshell and
- tricolor.
The tabby pattern is thought to have come from the African wildcat (Felis lybica) and consists of two components.
- Background: Alternating agouti hairs are made up of bands of black and yellow (brown tabbies) or black and off-white (grey tabbies).
- Pattern: Melanistic overlay of bars, spots, swirls and rosettes.
The agouti gene (symbolised by an uppercase A) is dominant over its mutant form non-agouti (lowercase a). The cat carries two sets of genes, inherited from the mother and father. If the cat carries a copy of the A gene, it will be tabby, in order for it to be non-tabby (a solid colour, such as black), it must inherit two copies of the recessive âaâ gene, one from each parent.
- AA â Tabby
- Aa â Tabby
- aa â Non-tabby
The silver/grey background is caused by an inhibitor gene
The silver is caused by the melanin inhibitor gene I/i, which suppresses the development of pheomelanin (yellow pigment) from the agouti areas of the coat. Normally, the background colour has areas of yellow and black banding (ticking) along the hair shaft. The absence of yellow makes the black tabby pattern stand out against the pale background.
Occasionally, the yellow colour can be seen in parts of the coat, known as tarnishing. Breeders have worked hard to eliminate this by selective breeding, and tarnishing is most frequently seen in random-bred cats.
There are four grey tabby patterns
The coat pattern of the grey tabby occurs in three patterns, mackerel, classic, spotted and ticked.
Mackerel tabby: Also known as âtiger catsâ, the mackerel is the original wild-type pattern and consists of a dark stripe along the back and a fishbone pattern down the side of the cat. Mackerel tabby is the most common tabby pattern and is dominant, therefore the cat only needs to inherit one copy of the Tm gene to be mackerel tabby.
Classic tabby: Also known as blotched or marbled, the classic tabby pattern is recessive to mackerel, which means the cat must inherit a copy of the classic tabby gene from each parent to have the pattern. Grey classic tabby coats consist of a silver background with sworls of dark and a circular bullseye on the flanks. The classic tabby pattern first emerged in the middle ages.
Spotted: The spotted grey tabby is a variant of the mackerel tabby however a modifier gene breaks the characteristic mackerel stripes up into spots.
Ticked: Also known as agouti tabby, the ticked tabby cats have a gene that hides the tabby striping, leaving only the underlying agouti colouration. Each hair has bands of colour along the hair shaft. There is little to no striping on the body, but some faint fine barring may be present on the face, legs and tail, this may be more apparent if the cat is heterozygous, meaning its genetic makeup is Ta/Tm or Ta/tb
Grey tabby cat eye colours
All grey tabby cats are born with blue eyes, this gradually changes during the first few weeks of life. Older kittens and adult grey tabbies can have eye colours that range from pale gold to deep green.
Grey tabby personality
The personality of a grey tabby cat can vary depending on the breed as well as early experiences as a kitten. Kittens who have a lot of positive human interaction from an early age are more likely to grow into happy and well-adjusted adults.
Grey tabbies in purebreds and random-bred cats
The default âwild typeâ pattern is the brown tabby, but the grey tabby coat colour is present in both random-bred as well as different breeds of cat. Although all coat colours and patterns are permitted, the American Shorthair is most well known for its grey classic tabby coat, the Ocicat for its spotted coat and Bengal for its marbled or spotted/rosette pattern. Other breeds which can have the grey tabby pattern include the Munchkin, Scottish Fold, Devon Rex, Cornish Rex, Norwegian Forest cat and Maine Coon. The Siamese or Colourpoint Shorthair may also have the grey tabby pattern as points on the face, legs and tail.
Heath problems in grey tabby cats
Of course, we all want happy and healthy cats.
People often wonder, âAre there specific health problems associated with grey tabby cats that I should be aware of?â
Surprisingly, yes. Although grey tabby cats are not an individual breed, they do come with an array of health conditions and predisposition to diseases that pet owners need to know about. The good news is, when diagnosed early, these health problems are largely treatable.
First, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, tabby cats of all colours and coat patterns (including grey) are prone to hyperthyroidism, vomiting, urinary trouble, upset stomach, and weight issues. The most pressing of these ailments is obesity. Tabby cats love to eat!
How to care for a tabby cat and avoid these unpleasant conditions?
Easy.
Simply take good care of your cat. This means regular veterinarian checkups and bloodwork, high-quality food, adequate exercise, and proper grooming. Itâs also recommended that kitty parents limit mealtimes and feed high calorie treats sparingly to stop your grey tabby cat from getting a little too chubby!
Likewise, always offer a grey tabby fresh water 24/7 to minimize the risk of urinary troubles.
Grey tabby cats in history
Harrison Weir, the father of the cat fancy and president of the National Cat Club, talks about the silver (grey) tabby in his book Our Cats and All About Them, dated 1889. He writes:
The ordinary dark tabby the same way as the brown, and so also the blue or silver, only the ground colour should be of a pale, soft, blue colour â not the slightest tint of brown in it. The clearer, the lighter, and brighter the blue the better, bearing in mind always that the bands should be of a jet black, sharply and very clearly defined. [2]
Where does the word tabby come from?
The name tabby comes originates from the seventeenth-century French word tabis, which itself originated from atabi (or attÄbiyy), a type of silk that was manufactured in Al-ÊżAttÄbiyya, a quarter of Baghdad district which was named after Ummayad Governor of Mecca, Attab ibn Asid. This silk was exported to England and on one occasion its patterns were compared to the markings on what was then known as the striped cat or tiger cat. As a result, these cats soon became known as tabby cats, which was then shortened to tabby.
Harrison Weir goes on to say:
The word tabby is derived from a kind of taffeta, or ribbed silk, which when calendered or what is now termed âwateredâ is by that process covered with wavy lines. This stuff, in bygone times, was often called âtabbyâ hence the cat with lines or markings on its fur was called a âtabbyâ cat. But it might also, one would suppose, with as much justice, be called a taffety cat, unless the calendering of âtaffetyâ caused it to become âtabbyâ. Certain it is that the word tabby only referred to the markings or stripes, not the absolute colour, for in âWit and Drolleryâ (1682), P. 343, is the following:
âHer petticoat of satin,
Her gown of crimson tabbyâ
The tabby was also known as the brinded cat, the brindled cat, or the tiger cat. [3]
National tabby day
The United States of America celebrates National Tabby Day on 30th April every year.
Frequently asked questions
Are grey tabby cats rare?
The grey tabby cat isnât as common as the default brown tabby cat, but they are not rare.
What breed are grey (silver) tabby cats?
Grey tabby is a coat colour and pattern, not a breed. Most grey tabby cats are domestic shorthairs or domestic longhairs (which means they are not purebred), but grey tabby is also common in many purebred cats.
The American Shorthair is recognised for its stunning grey tabby coat.
How long do grey tabby cats live?
Most cats, including the grey tabby cat, live for between 12-15 years. Feeding a well-balanced quality cat food as well as regular veterinary visits may contribute to a longer lifespan.
Grey tabbies can have long hair or short hair
The grey tabby cat is most common in shorthaired cats, but can also occur in cats with long coats, especially purebreds.
Meaning behind the M on the tabbyâs forehead
All tabbies have an M on their forehead and there are several theories as to how this happened.
- The baby Jesus began to shiver on the night he was born, the virgin Mary wrapped Jesus in blankets, but he continued to cry. She laid him in his manger and he continued to cry. A tabby cat came along, and jumped into the manger and lay beside Jesus, purring loudly and the baby stopped crying. As a sign of gratitude, Mary drew an M on the catâs forehead. There are different versions of this story, but a common theme is that the cat comforted the baby, after Mary and several farm animals had failed to stop Jesus crying. Interestingly, there is no mention of cats in the bible, so Iâm not sure how this story has been shared.
- A snake crawled into the sleeve of Prophet Muhammadâs robe, and a cat quickly killed it. The Prophet affectionately stroked the back of the cat three times giving cats the ability to land on their feet, and placed his hand on the forehead, leaving his initial M as a sign of love for cats.
- Muezza was said to be Prophet Muhammadâs favourite cat, and one day, while preparing for prayer, he found a cat sleeping on the sleeve of his robe. Instead of waking the cat, he used a pair of scissors to cut off the sleeve.
Are grey tabby cats always female?
The grey tabby coat pattern isnât sex-linked like the orange colour, and a cat only has to inherit one copy of the I (inhibitor) gene and one copy of the A (agouti) from either parent to be a grey tabby.
Are grey tabby cats friendly/good family pets?
Yes! Grey tabby kittens and cats make wonderful feline friends to share your home with. As previously mentioned, their personalities will vary depending upon their upbringing. Early socialization is key to having a well-adjusted cat. But overwhelmingly, these cats are friendly and affectionate with children and adults.
Looking for a cuddler? A grey tabby cat could be the purrrfect fit.
Are tabby cats chatty?
Next, consider your noise tolerance before adopting a grey tabby cat. While they arenât nearly as vocal as a Siamese, they are more talkative than the average feline breed. These cats meow to communicate. And since grey tabby cats are sociable, they wonât be shy about letting you know when they want attention, petting, and food.
Do tabby cats shed?
They sure do. But how much is the questionâŠ
One of the most interesting things about tabby cats is their fur. They can have either long or short hair (with short being more common). Naturally, their shedding volume depends on which type they inherit. The thicker the coat, the more frequently owners should brush them.
Generally speaking, grey tabby cats are moderate shedders.
Are tabby cats hypoallergenic?
No.
Truly hypoallergenic cats produce less of a special protein, called the âFel d 1 Protein.â Unlike the Sphynx or Russian Blue, grey tabby cats are not a breed of their own. Therefore, they cannot be categorized as hypoallergenic.
Do tabby cats get along with other cats?
Thinking about adding a grey tabby cat to your fur family?
You wonât go wrong with a tabby. Assuming no behaviour issues are present, they make delightful kitty siblings. This is thanks to their cheerful nature, playfulness, and independent streak which allows them to be present, but not insecure or âclingy.â
The only time to be extra careful is if you are adopting a stray. Many shelters will have grey tabby cats. If born on the street, they could lack socialization skills, be fearful, or struggle with aggression. Always be mindful of this when introducing a new animal.
Overall, grey tabby cats make lovely and unique looking pets!
References
[1] Vella, C. M. (1999). Robinsonâs genetics for cat breeders and veterinarians. Butterworth-Heinemann.
[2] Weir, H. (1889). Our cats and all about them. Houghton, Mifflin and Company.
[3]Weir, H. (1889). Our cats and all about them. Houghton, Mifflin and Company.
[4] Morris, D. (1997). Cat World. Penguin Group.
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Julia Wilson, 'Cat World' Founder
Julia Wilson is the founder of Cat-World, and has researched and written over 1,000 articles about cats. She is a cat expert with over 20 years of experience writing about a wide range of cat topics, with a special interest in cat health, welfare and preventative care. Julia lives in Sydney with her family, four cats and two dogs.Full author bio
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FAQs
What are grey tabby cats known for? âș
This feline sports the familiar tabby pattern as well as the âM-shapedâ marking on the forehead; that's why they are also called tiger cats. Grey tabbies are known for their lovely temperament and adorable appearance. They are also praised for their intelligence and trainability.
Are grey tabby cats smart? âșTabbies Are Affectionate and Intelligent
These unique creatures are incredibly affectionate and intelligent. They love cuddles and a whole lot of attention. However, tabbies can get pretty cranky if they don't get their way; since as a rule they are very bright, they usually end up getting what they want.
Tabby cat, also known as grey tiger, or simply tabby is the name for domestic cats with fur coats of stripes, dots, lines or swirling patterns. These cats often have a mark that looks like the letter "M" on their foreheads. Tabbies are not a cat breed.
Are grey tabbies rare? âșA grey tabby kitten shouldn't be too hard to come by, however, since the tabby pattern and grey color is not uncommon.
Are gray cats boys or girls? âșUnlike orange tabby cats, gray tabbies can be found in both sexes equally.
How long do grey tabbies live? âșOn average, tabby cats live between 12-18 years. This is relatively long when compared to outdoor cats. Cats that live out on the streets have been known to survive for 2-5 years at best. This is due to the numerous hazards that a cat may face when living outside.
How big do grey tabbies get? âșAppearance of a Tabby Cat
No matter what the particular breed, an adult cat will usually not grow to be more than 18 pounds. Their coats, as mentioned above, will be a blend of swirls, whorls and stripes.
Black/White Cats or Gray/White Cats
They are very active and are great mousers. However, they are usually less affectionate than other colored cats. Black and White Cats and Gray and White Cats make lots of friends with humans and other cats, although these friendships are usually short-lived.
The gray cat symbolizes "very positive characteristics such as independence, liberty, spiritual enlightenment, intuition, balance, and hope."
Are grey tabby cats friendly? âșTabbies often have stripes, swirls, or spots of color on their coats determined by their breed and individual genetics. Though it's difficult to make generalizations about tabbies because they come from so many breeds, many tabby cat owners say their cats are friendly, affectionate, and playful.
Are all grey cats rare? âș
Grey Cats Are Not Rare
Grey, also called "blue," is not a rare color among cats and in fact it's a dilute version of black. In addition to solid grey cats, grey can be seen often with patterned cats such as tabbies, particolors, torties, calicos and more.
American Shorthair
Though American shorthairs can be a vast array of colors and patterns, gray tabby cats are one of the most popular. This all-American breed can be traced back to the Mayflower and other working cats who came to the New World with European settlers.
A ghost tabby is a genetically solid (aka not tabby) smoke cat who still shows faint tabby markings. Ghost tabby may also apply to young kittens, who often show ghost markings when they're younger even though they aren't smoke.
What is the rarest thing in tabby cat? âșTicked Tabby
Ticked tabby cats do not have stripes. Instead, these cats often have a sandy appearance and may also have bands of colors. Ticked tabbies are the rarest among the common tabby cats, and it can be challenging to find one.
The albino cat is the rarest color pattern of all. To get an albino cat, you need parent cats with two recessive genes and the offspring must receive both.
How do grey tabby cats act? âșWhen it comes to personality traits, tabbies are considered friendly, happy-go-lucky cats, intelligent, sassy, very affectionate and wonderful companions.
What kind of cat is Garfield? âșThe fictional comic strip cat named Garfield is an orange Persian Tabby. Although the comic doesn't portray any fine details such as fur texture and volume, it is obvious that Garfield is a Persian Tabby, just judging by his personality, facial features, and of course his fur pattern.
How long until a tabby cat is fully grown? âșTabby, Siamese or common Domestic Shorthair: 13-16 inches long, 11 inches tall, weighing 10-22 lbs. Growth stops at 12 â 19 months.
Are tabby cats talkative? âșTabby cats are often regarded to be more loving and talkative than other cats. Because this is the most common domestic cat breed, it's critical to learn what cats' meow signifies and how to deal with the problems. If you have a tabby cat, their meowing might indicate a variety of things.
How long do tabby cats sleep? âșCats are crepuscular
Therefore, it's not unusual for adult cats to have between 15 and 20 hours of sleep time per day. While cats may be crepuscular, that doesn't mean that a tiger â or house cat â can't change their cat sleeping ways. Felines are also quite sociable animals and their behavior is malleable.
Are all tabby cats female? âș
Did you know orange tabby cats are typically male? In fact, up to 80 percent of orange tabbies are male, making orange female cats a bit of a rarity.
Are tabby cats worth money? âșâRandomlyâ bred tabby cats can cost as little as $100 or less. Purebred tabbies can set you back with $700-$1500. Designer tabbies like the Bengal cost around $2k and more.
Are grey tabby cats hypoallergenic? âșNo, tabby cats are not hypoallergenic because being tabby does not determine the amount of Fel d1 levels in a cat's saliva, which some humans are allergic to. Being tabby is a fur pattern among cats and not a breed and as such does have any correlation to the likelihood of allergic reaction to the cat.
What do tabby cats eat? âșCanned and raw foods, as well as kibbles with a low grain content, are all good options for your cat's diet. Use interactive cat toys to encourage your cat to play. If your cat is always sleeping, cuddling, or gazing out the window, they likely aren't burning the amount of calories they are eating each day.
Is grey cat good luck? âșGrey Cats are lucky.
What color cat is the sweetest? âșOrange cats were regarded as the friendliest by respondents, while white cats were labeled aloof, and tortoiseshell cats were thought to have too much "attitude." The subject was revisited in a University of California Davis study a few years later.
What cat has the highest IQ? âșRegardless of where they come from, Abyssinian cats are known as the smartest cat breed due to their inquisitive nature and top-notch detective skills.
What color of cat is lucky? âșBlack cats draw wealth and prosperity
Those little cat figurines with the raised paws are meant to draw good luck, wealth and prosperity to their owners. Often they are white, but Lucky Cats also come in black. A black Lucky Cat not only brings luck but also frightens away demons, evil energy, and stalkers.
A lot of people don't realize that black cats have also considered good luck through the ages. Examples of vintage postcards from the early 1900's make it readily apparent that black cats were well-loved and considered good luck in America.
Are cats good luck? âșAnd a white cat was thought to bring good fortune and luck to their pet parents. - Good fortune: Long ago, in China, the image of a cat was believed to mean fortune and long life. Mao, the Chinese name for cat, means '80 years'. - Good for wealth: Another feeling about black cats was that they brought good fortune.
How big can tabby cats get? âș
Tabby cats may reach a height of 8-16 inches, depending on the breed. It's tough to say how big a tabby can grow up to be because the tabby is only a coat pattern present on a number of cat breeds. What is this? To be at its healthiest, an adult tabby cat should weigh roughly 10 pounds.
Why tabby cats have M on forehead? âșCats with 'M' on forehead: the mark of a true tabby cat
One story has it that the 'M' is related to the word 'mau' which in Ancient Egypt meant 'cat'. In Christian folklore, a tabby cat dutifully showed up to comfort baby Jesus. In gratitude, his mother Mary stroked the cat's head and left an 'M' mark on its forehead.
So, these kittens are typically born with cream, frosted silver-grey, or reddish coats. These coats will eventually change to their actual pigmentation after they are born. You can expect the coat to change within a few months to a year after the kitten's birth.
What breed is a grey cat with blue eyes? âșBlue cats are breeds, like Russian Blue, that have a bluish-gray hue to their fur. What cat breeds have blue eyes? Cat breeds with blue eyes include Siamese, Tonkinese, Balinese, Himalayan, Persian, Javanese, Birman, Ojos Azules, most Ragdolls, Snowshoe, Turkish Angora, and colorpoint shorthairs.
Why are grey cats so soft? âșReason 1: They Have A Double Coat
The main reason your kitty's fur is soft to the touch has to do with the fact that there's more than one layer to it. Most cats have an undercoat, also known as down hair, which is much shorter, fluffier, and help keep felines warm during the cold months.
- Classic Tabby. ...
- Mackerel Tabby. ...
- Spotted Tabby. ...
- Patched Tabby. ...
- Ticked Tabby. ...
- Abyssinian. ...
- American Shorthair. ...
- Maine Coon.
The Chartreux has very striking yellow eyes, with colours ranging from very dark yellow to copper. Their blue-grey fur is short and very thick â a thicker undercoat helps to give the coat a 'woolly' appearance.
What kind of cat is gray with green eyes? âșKnown for their mesmerising dark grey coats with a shimmering silver hue and captivating green eyes, the Russian Blue is one of the most famous grey cat breeds.
What is a Smoked tabby? âșA smoke cat, instead of having fully-colored hairs, only has the tips of its hairs which are colored, while the roots are white. When you part the fur of your cat, if the roots are bright white your cat is very probably smoke. The term smoke applies only to cats that are solid (not tabby).
Is a smoke tabby rare? âșAccording to multiple sources, black smoke or black-tabby is a rare color found within the cat population.
Where are grey tabby cats from? âș
The Grey Tabby pattern is thought to come from wild cats
This is a naturally occurring pattern and can be seen in the European Wildcat, African Wildcat, and Asiatic Wildcat, which all have similar coats in terms of patterns and colors.
Tuxedo cats (black/white, gray/white) topped the rankings, scoring in the top percentile of all categories.
Are chocolate cats rare? âșThe chocolate color appears only with a rare mutation of the black color gene. It's a beautifully rich color that is anything but drab. The Havana Brown is the only cat breed that is a âtrue chocolate.â With fewer than 1,000 Havana Browns in the world, finding a true chocolate cat is certainly a special occasion.
What percentage of tabby cats are female? âșIs every orange tabby cat male? While it's true that a higher percentage of orange tabbies are male, the ratio is actually about 80 percent male to 20 percent female. And it's not some sort of magic â it's genetics. The X chromosome is responsible for the orange coloring.
Do pink cats exist? âșA pink cat is not a color found in nature. But several pink cats have been reported about in the news media. Sometimes the cat colour has changed to pink with chemicals or dyes. There are also several fictional pink cats in popular culture.
Is there a purple cat? âșMany breeds recognize the lilac color, including Thai Lilac, Burmese, Siamese, American Bobtail, American Curl, Balinese, Bengal, Japanese Bobtail, Lykoi, Oriental, Persian, Himalyan, and Ragdoll.
Can cats eat chocolate? âșAny amount of chocolate is too much for your cat. All forms of chocolate are hazardous to your furry friend, such as dry cocoa powder and baking chocolate (most toxic due to their high level of theobromine), dark, semi-sweet, and milk chocolate, and even white chocolate, with its low percentage of cocoa.
Are gray tabby cats common? âșAmerican Shorthair
Though American shorthairs can be a vast array of colors and patterns, gray tabby cats are one of the most popular. This all-American breed can be traced back to the Mayflower and other working cats who came to the New World with European settlers.
Black/White Cats or Gray/White Cats
They are very active and are great mousers. However, they are usually less affectionate than other colored cats. Black and White Cats and Gray and White Cats make lots of friends with humans and other cats, although these friendships are usually short-lived.
Appearance of a Tabby Cat
No matter what the particular breed, an adult cat will usually not grow to be more than 18 pounds. Their coats, as mentioned above, will be a blend of swirls, whorls and stripes.
Are silver tabbies rare? âș
Tabbies are the most common domestic cats in the world.
Are grey tabby cats friendly? âșTabbies often have stripes, swirls, or spots of color on their coats determined by their breed and individual genetics. Though it's difficult to make generalizations about tabbies because they come from so many breeds, many tabby cat owners say their cats are friendly, affectionate, and playful.
What do grey cats represent? âșThe gray cat symbolizes "very positive characteristics such as independence, liberty, spiritual enlightenment, intuition, balance, and hope."
How do grey tabby cats act? âșWhen it comes to personality traits, tabbies are considered friendly, happy-go-lucky cats, intelligent, sassy, very affectionate and wonderful companions.
Is grey cat good luck? âșGrey Cats are lucky.
What color cat is the sweetest? âșOrange cats were regarded as the friendliest by respondents, while white cats were labeled aloof, and tortoiseshell cats were thought to have too much "attitude." The subject was revisited in a University of California Davis study a few years later.
What cat has the highest IQ? âșRegardless of where they come from, Abyssinian cats are known as the smartest cat breed due to their inquisitive nature and top-notch detective skills.
Are tabby cats talkative? âșTabby cats are often regarded to be more loving and talkative than other cats. Because this is the most common domestic cat breed, it's critical to learn what cats' meow signifies and how to deal with the problems. If you have a tabby cat, their meowing might indicate a variety of things.
What kind of cat is Garfield? âșThe fictional comic strip cat named Garfield is an orange Persian Tabby. Although the comic doesn't portray any fine details such as fur texture and volume, it is obvious that Garfield is a Persian Tabby, just judging by his personality, facial features, and of course his fur pattern.
Are all grey cats rare? âșGrey Cats Are Not Rare
Grey, also called "blue," is not a rare color among cats and in fact it's a dilute version of black. In addition to solid grey cats, grey can be seen often with patterned cats such as tabbies, particolors, torties, calicos and more.
What is a ghost tabby? âș
A ghost tabby is a genetically solid (aka not tabby) smoke cat who still shows faint tabby markings. Ghost tabby may also apply to young kittens, who often show ghost markings when they're younger even though they aren't smoke.
What is the rarest thing in tabby cat? âșTicked Tabby
Ticked tabby cats do not have stripes. Instead, these cats often have a sandy appearance and may also have bands of colors. Ticked tabbies are the rarest among the common tabby cats, and it can be challenging to find one.
The albino cat is the rarest color pattern of all. To get an albino cat, you need parent cats with two recessive genes and the offspring must receive both.