Cats have been domesticated for thousands of years and have become one of the most popular pets in the world. With a wide range of breeds, colors, and patterns, cats come in all shapes and sizes. But how do these differences come about? The answer lies in cat genetics. Cat genetics is the study of how genes determine the physical and behavioral traits of cats. Just like humans, cats inherit half of their genes from their mother and half from their father. These genes, in turn, determine the characteristics of the cat, such as its coat color, eye color, body shape, and temperament. One of the most significant aspects of cat genetics is coat color. The gene responsible for coat color in cats is called the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene. This gene determines whether a cat will have a black, orange, or cream coat. The black and orange versions of this gene are dominant, meaning that if a cat inherits just one of these versions from either parent, its coat will be black or orange. Howe