Gray Cat BreedsBlue, silver and smoky gray coats

Blue versus silver

Coat color is set by genetics, and gray occurs in many breeds and in plenty of mixed-breed cats. There are two main routes to a gray-looking cat.

• Blue: a dilution gene lightens black pigment to a soft gray. Two copies are needed, so blue can appear in a litter from two black parents that both carry it. The Russian Blue, Chartreux, Korat and Nebelung come only in blue.
• Silver: an inhibitor gene removes color from the base of each hair, leaving a pale silver background with dark markings. Silver Bengals, Savannahs, Egyptian Maus, Serengetis and Cheetohs owe their look to this gene.

Dilution is not sex-linked, so gray cats can be male or female. Only the dilute form of orange, called cream, follows the orange rule of being mostly male.

The all-blue breeds

Four breeds on this list come in blue alone, and each looks different up close. The Russian Blue has a short, dense, silver-tipped double coat and green eyes. The Chartreux from France is stockier, with a woolly coat and copper to orange eyes. The Korat from Thailand has a single coat with silver tipping and a heart-shaped face. The Nebelung is essentially a semi-longhaired relative of the Russian Blue with a silky coat. The British Shorthair, not shown in this list, is also famous in blue.

These breeds tend to be gentle, quiet and loyal, often reserved with strangers, which makes them a good fit for calm homes.

Silver and patterned gray breeds

The Bengal, Savannah, Egyptian Mau, Serengeti and Cheetoh come in silver spotted varieties, while the Snowshoe can be blue point and the Lykoi has a gray roan coat. These breeds are mostly active and playful. The Bengal, Savannah and Chausie are hybrid breeds, and some states, cities and countries restrict certain generations, so check before you buy.

How to choose a gray cat

Start by choosing between a solid gray coat and a pattern. For a calm, solid blue cat, compare the Russian Blue, Chartreux, Korat and Nebelung on coat length and eye color. For a sleek, active cat with silver spots, look at the Egyptian Mau or a silver Bengal.

Gray coats show little dirt and are mostly easy to groom, with a weekly brush for short coats and a little more for the Nebelung. Shelters also have many gray domestic cats, from solid blue to silver tabby, that make wonderful companions.

Think about personality as well as color. The all-blue breeds are mostly quiet and reserved, while the silver spotted breeds tend to be busy and outgoing. Meeting adult cats of the breed is the best way to see which style suits you.