Brown Cats: Rarity and Which Breeds Are Most Common

Picture a solid-colored cat for a moment. The first colors that come to mind are likely black, white, and grey. But have you ever seen an all-brown cat? Although many cats have brown sections of their fur, or even have the color brown as a part of their coat’s pattern, solid brown cats are very seldom seen. But why is this? Let’s discuss why brown cats are so rare and explore the breeds that most commonly display this coat color.

Brown Cats: Why Are They So Rare?

Among brown cats, there are two main types: true brown (chocolate) and light brown (cinnamon). The origin of these beautiful coat colors stems from a genetic mutation that decreases the amount of black pigment in the cat’s fur. Each coloration is produced by a mutation on a different gene altogether, and cinnamon is just slightly rarer. In a study authored by Lyons et al., it was found that “Three alleles are suspected in truly brown-colored cats, normal black pigmentation (B), the brown phenotype (b), and a lighter brown phenotype (b^l). The analysis of an extended pedigree segregating for chocolate confirms that the phenotype is allelic to black. Analyses of Abyssinian pedigrees segregating for light brown (aka cinnamon or red in Abyssinians) suggests that light brown is also allelic to black, supporting and documenting the allelic series B > b > b^l.

It is important to note that chocolate and cinnamon are blanket terms for a wide variety of recognized cat colorations. Under this umbrella, colors like lilac, fawn, chestnut, and champagne are all varieties of brown coat types. Brown cats are not just rare when it comes to the domestic shorthair breed, it’s quite difficult to breed for this coat pattern even in pedigreed cats. Here are a few breeds that have the highest percentage of cats with the brown gene mutation.

1. Havana Brown

When making a list of brown cat breeds, the Havana brown is undeniably number one. Unlike the other breeds we’ll discuss, the Havana brown only comes in one color, which is brown. These cats were developed by breeding black American shorthairs and Siamese cats. Although their name might lead you to believe that this breed originated in Cuba, that’s actually not true. The Havana brown actually hails from England and has been around since the mid-1900s. These cats are exceedingly rare and finding one can be challenging and pricy. According to Hill’s Pet, “If a list of endangered cat breeds existed, the Havana brown would probably top the list.”

2. Ragdoll / Ragamuffin

Although many people picture pointed or bi-color ragdolls when they envision one in their mind, ragdolls also come in solid colorations. Among these, white and black tend to be the most popular. However, solid brown ragdolls are available for purchase as well. These cats are available in both cinnamon and chocolate colorations. These are slightly rarer than other ragdoll or ragamuffin colors, so finding a breeder who offers this color may be a bit more difficult. With enough time, patience, and research, it should be within your capability to find one of your own.

3. Oriental Shorthair

Another breed that is no stranger to solid-brown coloration is the Oriental shorthair. These sleek and elegant cats are widely known for their muscular bodies and sharp intelligence. Much like the Havana brown, this breed is closely related to the Siamese cat. These cats are pricy on their own, and the brown coat color is not one of the most common among this breed. Because of this, finding a solid brown Oriental shorthair may be even more expensive than the average going price.

4. Burmese

Burmese cats are known for their beautiful brown coats, and it’s a hallmark of the breed as a whole. Much like many of the other entries on this list, the Burmese cat was also derived from the Siamese cat which seems to be typical of solid brown cat breeds. The Burmese is perfect for owners who want a very social and somewhat clingy cat. In addition to their striking beauty, these cats are big cuddlers and love to curl up with their humans after a long day of playing.

5. York Chocolate

The York chocolate is another cat that only comes in the color brown. Once a popular breed of show cat, the York chocolate has since disappeared. Although some claim to still have this cat available for purchase, the last known seller who produced the standard stopped breeding them in 2015. Today, the York chocolate is widely considered extinct. The coat color of the York chocolate is darker than some of the other ones we’ve discussed so far. This cat is truly a deep, dark brown which was best enjoyed under direct sunlight. These cats got their name from their coat color and the state they originated from, New York.

Final Thoughts

The list above is not exhaustive, and many additional breeds can have the brown coat gene mutation. British shorthairs, Persians, Maine coons, Scottish folds, and Birmans are just a few of the breeds that can display this unique coloration. Finding an all-brown cat may not be easy, but it is certainly possible. This process may take a long time, and the amount of research involved can feel overwhelming. So, if you’ve set your heart on a beautiful cinnamon or chocolate-colored cat, try your best to be patient. With enough planning, you might just bring home the brown cat of your dreams!