Choosing a cat

Here we explain the numbers, codes and tests you see on the cats' pages, and what to think about before you choose a kitten. If anything is unclear, just ask us.

The general explanations do not replace advice from a vet.

Is the breed right for you?

• Size and coat. [How big does the cat get, and how much grooming does the coat need?]
• Allergy. Test before you buy. Read more about allergies.
• Indoor or outdoor. [The breeder's requirements for keeping the cat.]
• Kitten or adult. Now and then adult cats move from us to new homes. See Rehoming, or ask.

Colours and patterns

On each cat's page the colour is written both in words (for example "brown tabby and white") and as an EMS code (for example SIB n 09 22). The code is the same in every country, and is used in pedigrees and show catalogues.

How to read a code

First three letters for the breed (for example SIB for Siberian or NFO for Norwegian Forest Cat). Then lower-case letters for the coat colour. Then numbers describing white and pattern, in ascending order.

Coat colours (lower-case letters)

a

Blue

n

Black (or brown)

d

Red

e

Cream

f

Black tortoiseshell (or brown tortoiseshell)

g

Blue tortoiseshell

s

Silver or smoke (added to the colour)

y

Golden (added to the colour)

White (two digits)

01

Van: over 75 % white, colour only on the head, tail and possibly one patch

02

Harlequin: 50 to 75 % white

03

Bicolour: slightly under 50 % white, typically a white blaze on the face and white up the legs

09

White, amount not specified: typically white paws, belly and chest, under 25 % white. Small patches such as a locket or a single white toe also belong here

Pattern (two digits)

11

Shaded

12

Tipped

22

Tabby

23

Mackerel

24

Spotted

What is a tabby?

A cat with a pattern in its coat is most often called a tabby. The gene agouti decides whether the cat gets a pattern or is solid. Being solid is inherited recessively: the cat must get the gene from both parents.

Dilution

Dilution "thins out" the colour so that it becomes lighter: black cats become blue (grey), and red ones become cream. It is inherited recessively, so the cat must get the gene from both sides. Blue, cream and blue tortoiseshell (a, e and g in the colour code) are diluted colours.

Health and gene tests

Each cat's page shows health results and genetics. Where it says "Kommer" (coming), the test has not been taken or is not finished yet.

Health examinations

HCM

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a heart disease in which the heart muscle becomes thicker. Examined with a heart ultrasound at the vet. "Neg." means that no disease was found on that day. Because the disease can develop later, the examination is repeated. See the years on the profiles.

PKD

Polycystic kidney disease, in which cysts form in the kidneys. Can be detected with ultrasound or a gene test.

How to read the genetics

Two letters show what the cat has inherited from each parent. A capital letter is the dominant variant, a lower-case letter the recessive one.

A/A, A/a, a/a

Pattern or solid. A/A is patterned (tabby). A/a is patterned, but carries solid. a/a is solid.

D/D, D/d, d/d

Dilution. D/D is not diluted. D/d is not diluted, but carries dilution. d/d is diluted (blue, cream or blue tortoiseshell).

A/A blood, A/b

Blood type. Cats have blood type A or B. "A/b" means blood type A, carrier of B. Blood type is important to know before mating, because kittens of type A can become seriously ill from the milk of a mother with type B.

Before you buy

What comes with a kitten from us

• [Contract and pedigree]
• [Vaccinations and health certificate]
• [ID chip]

Questions you can ask any breeder

• Which health examinations and gene tests have been taken on the parents, and when? Can I see the results?
• Can I see the pedigree, for example on Pawpeds?
• Where and how do the kittens grow up?
• What does the contract say, and what happens if I cannot keep the cat?

We discuss the price and terms when you get in touch.

EnquireAbout kittensAbout the breed