About the Colour
A mutation in the Dilute gene (Melanophilin, MLPH) causes dilution of coat colours. The wild-type (D) allele is dominant to the dilute (d) allele, meaning that two copies of the dilute (d) allele are required to produce the dilute colouration.
The Dilute coat colour test can be used to detect carriers of, or to confirm, the following diluted coat
colour phenotypes:
- Black, which is diluted Blue
- Chocolate, which is diluted Lilac
- Cinnamon, which is diluted to Fawn
- Red, which is diluted Cream
A mutation in the Dilute gene (Melanophilin, MLPH) causes dilution of coat colours. The wild-type (D) allele is dominant to the dilute (d) allele, meaning that two copies of the dilute (d) allele are required to produce the dilute colouration.
The Dilute coat colour test can be used to detect carriers of, or to confirm, the following diluted coat
colour phenotypes:
- Black, which is diluted Blue
- Chocolate, which is diluted Lilac
- Cinnamon, which is diluted to Fawn
- Red, which is diluted Cream
Certain cat breeds only have the D allele (Bombay, Egyptian Mau and Singapura) or the d allele (Chartreux, Korat and Russian Blue), but most breeds have both alleles.
Interpretation of results
Test Result |
Interpretation |
Dilute (d/d) |
Has two copies of the Dilute allele (d/d) Coat colour is diluted as follows: Black is diluted to Blue |
Carrier of Dilute (D/d) |
Has one copy of the Dilute allele (D/d). No dilution of coat colour. |
Does not carry Dilute (D/D) |
Has no copies of the Dilute allele (D/D). No dilution of coat colour. |
Lilac colouration - Ragdolls
Lilac is the result of the Dilute gene working on the Chocolate gene. The results must be Chocolate (b/b) and Dilute (d/d) for the Ragdoll to be Lilac
Lilac coluration - British Shorthair
Lilac is the result of the Dilute gene working on the Chocolate or Chocolate and Cinnamon
genes.
The results must be Chocolate (b/b) and Dilute (d/d) or Chocolate carrying Cinnamon (b/b|) and Dilute (d/d) for the British Shorthair to be Lilac.
How does Dilute work?
The Dilute gene has two alleles (D and d), with D dominant to d. When D is present (DD or Dd) the coat colour is not diluted. If a cat is dd the coat colour is diluted:
Black is diluted to Blue
Chocolate is diluted to Lilac
Cinnamon is diluted to Fawn
Red is diluted to Cream
Black is diluted to Blue
Chocolate is diluted to Lilac
Cinnamon is diluted to Fawn
Red is diluted to Cream
Chocolate, Cinnamon and Dilute Colours
Chocolate / Cinnamon |
Dilute |
Coat colour |
BB or Bb or Bb| |
DD or Dd |
Black / Brown |
BB or Bb or Bb| |
dd |
Blue |
bb or bb| |
DD or Dd |
Chocolate |
bb or bb| |
dd |
Lilac |
b|b| |
DD or Dd |
Cinnamon |
b|b| |
dd |
Fawn |
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