hen a grey tabby (which is typically a diluted form of the black tabby pattern) and an orange cat (often a male with a solid orange or ginger coat) have kittens, the coat colors of their kittens can vary depending on several factors, including the genetics of the parents.
Here are the most likely coat colors that could appear in the kittens:
- Grey/Blue Tabby: If the tabby parent has a diluted or recessive coat color, the kittens may inherit this color. A “grey” or “blue” tabby pattern (a diluted version of the black tabby) is possible.
- Orange/Red (Ginger) Kittens: Since the father is orange, the kittens might inherit this orange color, particularly if the mother carries a recessive orange gene.
- Calico or Tortie (Tortoiseshell): If the mother carries a genetic variation (especially if she has some orange coloring in her coat or is a diluted tabby), there could be kittens with a mix of orange and grey, leading to a calico or tortoiseshell pattern. Female kittens are more likely to have these patterns, as the genes for orange and grey are sex-linked.
- Tabby Patterns: The kittens might inherit tabby patterns (like mackerel, classic, or spotted tabby) along with any of the possible colors (grey or orange).
The possible combinations of color would depend on the specific genetic traits carried by the mother and father, especially regarding the presence of the orange gene and the tabby patterns. So, the kittens could end up with solid colors, tabby patterns, or even a mix of those colors.