Cat Colours. Main Cat Colours, descriptions and images.There are often differences between different professional cat associations regarding colour terminology. Different breeds can also have different terms for similar cat colors.

Most of these colours can be either solid or in a tabby pattern. They can also be part of a bicolor combination.

White - This is the only colour that is always solid without any underlying tabby markings. There are several genetic varieties of white, some of which create an all-over solid white cat, others bicolor or tricolor cats.

One genetic variety of solid white can sometimes cause deafness; however, not all white cats are deaf (just as not all deaf cats are necessarily white).

Black - Although true solid black is often desired in breeding programs, black cats sometimes have underlying tabby markings.

When exposed to sunshine, some black coats develop a rusty tinge.

In the colorpoint pattern, the black gene is manifested as dark brown and is referred to as seal-point.

Red - Red is the professional term for the coat colour otherwise known as orange or ginger. The gene for red colour is sex-linked, which is why red cats are usually males.

This colour is strongly connected with the tabby pattern, so a true solid red is very hard to achieve.

In the colorpoint pattern, red is often referred to as flame-point.

Cream - The cream colour is a dilute version of the red. In combination with the blue, it can create dilute calicos and tortoiseshells.

Brown - Solid brown cats are not very common. The breed associated with this colour is the Havana Brown. In some breeds, brown variations are also called chocolate.

Lavender/Lilac - Lilac or Lavender are interchangeable names for a shade of light gray-brown with pink overtones. Some associations and breed clubs use one while others use the other. In the colorpoint pattern, lilac is referred to as frost-point.

Cinnamon - A variety of solid light brown with distinct red overtones.