Smokey grey cats are universally loved and cherished, and it's not hard to see why. With their silver-blue coats, expressive eyes, and dignified stature, they capture the hearts of many. Grey, also known as blue in the pet world, is not a rare colour among cats. It is simply a diluted form of solid black. In addition to solid grey, this shade can be seen in patterned cats like tabbies, calicos, and tortoiseshells.
If you're looking to welcome a smokey grey cat into your home, there are several breeds to choose from. The British Shorthair, for example, is one of the most popular grey cats, known for its exclusive grey coloration and laid-back personality. The Chartreux, a quiet and calm breed, is perfect for those who want a cuddly cat. The Russian Blue, with its deep grey coat and striking green eyes, is another option.
These are just a few of the many smokey grey cat breeds out there, each with its own unique characteristics and charm.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Breed | Smokey grey cat |
Eye colour | Green, orange, gold, copper, blue |
Coat colour | Grey, blue, silver, lilac, white, black |
Coat pattern | Tabby, calico, tortoiseshell, bi-colour |
Coat length | Short, medium, long |
Coat texture | Dense, plush, curly, wavy, silky, fluffy, double |
Size | Small, medium, large |
Weight | Up to 20 pounds |
Country of origin | France, Germany, Norway, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States |
Temperament | Friendly, affectionate, intelligent, playful, calm, quiet, active, independent, shy, clingy, loyal, sensitive |
What You'll Learn
Smokey grey cats are not rare
While some cat breeds that only come in grey, such as the Russian Blue, are harder to find, this does not mean that all grey cats are rare. In fact, some of the most common cat breeds in the world, such as the British Shorthair, can commonly be found with grey coats. The Devon Rex, another breed that comes in grey, is also common in the US.
Grey cats are often perceived as being more shy, calm, and soft-spoken than other breeds, but individual cats can vary widely. If you are looking for a grey cat, there are many breeds to choose from, and you should make sure the breed's general personality works with your lifestyle.
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They are a diluted form of solid black
Smokey grey cats, often referred to as "blue cats", are a diluted form of solid black. Grey is not a rare colour among cats, and it can be found in both mixed-breed and purebred cats. Grey cats can also have other patterns, such as tabby, calico, and tortoiseshell.
The Russian Blue is one of the most famous grey cat breeds, known for their dense, plush coats and hypoallergenic properties. With deep emerald eyes and a blue/grey coat, they are well-suited for those with allergies. The Russian Blue is a quiet and affectionate breed that prefers a peaceful and quiet lifestyle, bonding strongly with their owners.
The Chartreux is another grey cat breed that comes exclusively in grey. With eyes in hues of gold, copper, or orange, and incredibly soft fur, they are known to be quiet and calm, making them suitable for apartment living.
The Nebelung, meaning "creature of the mist" in German, is a grey long-haired cat breed with a shimmering coat and green eyes. They are known for their gentle and calm natures, sometimes coming across as shy, but they are incredibly playful and affectionate with their owners.
The British Shorthair is a popular grey cat breed, especially in the United Kingdom, where the dark grey coat with copper or gold eyes is most common. They are known for their laid-back personalities and independence, while also enjoying spending time with their family.
The American Shorthair, a common breed in America, also comes in grey and grey tabby patterns. They have a thick, dense coat and are known for being affectionate, playful, and easy-going.
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They can have patterns like tabby, calico, and tortoiseshell
Smokey grey cats can have patterns like tabby, calico, and tortoiseshell.
Tabby
Tabby cats have distinctive stripes, dots, lines, or swirling patterns, always together with a mark resembling an 'M' on their forehead. Some tabby kittens are born without stripes and develop them after a few weeks. While tabby cats can be male or female, ginger tabbies are almost always male due to their genetic coding.
Calico
Calico cats are tricolour cats with a white, black, and orange coat. They can also be called tortie-and-white, tricolor, torbie, or piebald cats. Calico cats can also be "diluted" calicos, which have grey instead of black in their coat colouring.
Tortoiseshell
Tortoiseshell cats, or torties, combine two colours other than white, either closely mixed or in larger patches. The colours are often described as red and black, but the "red" patches can instead be orange, yellow, or cream, and the "black" can instead be chocolate, grey, tabby, or blue. Tortoiseshell cats with the tabby pattern as one of their colours are sometimes referred to as torbies or torbie cats.
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They are perceived as shy, calm, and soft-spoken
Grey cats are often perceived as shy, calm, and soft-spoken. This may be due to the colour grey evoking a sense of quiet mystery, introversion, and stability. While there is no scientific research to back this up, experts at the University of California, Davis, say that it is possible that the level of melanin in a cat's pigment can affect its temperament.
The Chartreux breed, for example, is known for being quiet and calm, making them perfect for those who want a cuddly cat. They are not very active and are suitable for apartment living. The Nebelung breed is also known for being calm and quiet, and they can be shy. They are sensitive kitties and do best in households with adults and older children. The Russian Blue breed is also shy and slow to make friends with strangers, though they are affectionate with their owners.
The Korat breed, while known for being laidback, can be shy with strangers but are also quite affectionate. The Devon Rex breed, while known for being outgoing and active, can also be hairless in some areas, which may contribute to a perception of shyness.
The British Shorthair breed is known for being affectionate and laid-back, though they are a bit clingier than their American cousins. The American Shorthair breed is also known for being calm and easygoing, though they do not like to be handled too much.
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Some popular breeds include the American Shorthair, British Shorthair, and Russian Blue
The American Shorthair is a breed of domestic cat believed to be descended from European cats brought to North America by early settlers to protect their cargo from mice and rats. They are medium to large-sized cats, with males weighing between 11-15 lbs and females weighing between 6-12 lbs. They have a large head, medium-sized ears, and large, wide eyes. The American Shorthair is recognised in various colours and patterns, including grey, and is known for being athletic, hardy, and independent. They are also playful and easygoing but do not like to be handled too much.
The British Shorthair is the pedigreed version of the traditional British domestic cat, with a stocky body, thick coat, and broad face. The "British Blue" is the most familiar colour variant, featuring a solid grey-blue coat, pineapple eyes, and a medium-sized tail. British Shorthairs are calm and quiet and enjoy the company of people but are not overly clingy. They are slow to mature, reaching full physical development at around three years of age. They are also known for their dense and plush coats, which are easy to groom.
The Russian Blue is a breed of cat that is always grey. They have a medium-haired coat that is plush and stands on end due to its thickness. They have striking emerald-green eyes and are known for being quiet, affectionate with people they are comfortable with, and not outgoing with strangers.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many grey cat breeds, including the British Shorthair, American Shorthair, Russian Blue, Chartreux, and Nebelung.
Yes, most grey cat breeds are known for being friendly and affectionate.
Cats with white fur mixed with grey are known as piebald or bicolor cats.
Yes, some long-haired grey cat breeds include the Norwegian Forest Cat, Siberian, Ragdoll, and Persian.
Yes, some short-haired grey cat breeds include the Korat, Chartreux, British Shorthair, and Devon Rex.