A Strange New Cat Coat Color? Meet the “Salty Licorice” Cats of Finland

Every once in a while, the cat world throws us something completely unexpected — a new pattern, a new mutation, or a new reason to stare at your pet and think, “What else are you hiding from me?”

 

That’s precisely what happened with a newly identified coat pattern known as salmiak, or the “salty licorice” cat. The discovery, made in Finland, is unusual enough that researchers dug deep into feline genetics to figure out what was going on. And the findings are just as fascinating as the cats themselves.

 

What Does a “Salty Licorice” Cat Look Like?

 

Think smoky, silvery fur — but not in the way we typically see in shaded or smoke-pattern cats. Salmiak cats often appear black-and-white at first glance, but a closer look reveals that many of their hairs are black at the base and fade to white at the tips.

 

This produces a frosted, dipped-in-snow look that becomes more noticeable toward the back and tail. It’s subtle, elegant, and rare enough that researchers immediately took notice.

 

The nickname “salmiak,” referring to Finland’s beloved salty licorice candy, makes perfect sense once you see these cats’ distinctive color gradients.

 

The Genetics Behind the Look

 

Researchers initially tested these cats using MyCatDNA’s panel. Surprisingly, the results didn’t match any known white-spotting or dilution variants. These cats weren’t piebald, they weren’t smoke, and they weren’t carrying mutations we already understand.

 

So scientists dug deeper — all the way to whole-genome sequencing.

 

They identified a large deletion downstream of the KIT gene, which is well-known for controlling white spotting in many animals.

 

But here’s the twist:

 

• The KIT protein coding sequence wasn’t changed.
• The deletion appears to disrupt regulatory elements, altering the gene's expression.
• The result? A brand new phenotype showing white-tipped hairs across the coat.

 

Even cooler: the trait is recessive, meaning both parents must carry the mutation for a kitten to express the salmiak pattern. In a sample of 183 Finnish domestic cats, only five were salmiak, and a few others were carriers — emphasizing just how rare this is.

 

Why This Discovery Matters

 

1. It Expands Our Understanding of Cat Coat Genetics

We already have complex models explaining dilution, agouti, tabby patterns, white spotting, colorpoints, and more. The salmiak mutation shows that undiscovered genetic mechanisms still shape how cats look.

 

2. It Highlights the Value of Mixed-Breed Cats

This mutation wasn’t discovered in pedigreed show cats — it appeared in ordinary Finnish domestic cats, proving yet again that genetic diversity thrives outside the showroom.

 

3. It May Influence Future DNA Testing

MyCatDNA and Wisdom Panel researchers suggest that, as awareness grows, this variant could eventually be added to commercial genetic tests. That would allow breeders and pet owners to identify carriers and better understand their cats’ lineage.

 

4. It Raises Questions About Health (In a Good Way)

Some white‑spotting variations can be associated with hearing issues in animals, but so far, there’s no evidence that salmiak cats experience hearing loss. Still, researchers recommend thorough BAER testing.

 

What We Still Don’t Know

 

Is this mutation found outside Finland? So far, no confirmed cases elsewhere.

 

Will this become a recognized pattern? Possibly, but slowly — researchers emphasize caution with breeding rare traits.

 

Does this mutation interact with other coat genes? More data is needed.

 

Final Thoughts

 

The salmiak “salty licorice” coat pattern is a beautiful example of how much mystery still exists in the genes of our everyday house cats. One unexpected mutation — one tiny change in the massive feline genome — can reveal entirely new traits we’ve never documented before.

 

If anything, it’s a reminder that your ordinary, adoptable, neighborhood cat might be genetically extraordinary.

 

Credit & Original Research Source

 

Read the original article from MyCatDNA here:

https://mycatdna.com/blogs/news/genetic-mutation-gives-cats-a-salty-liquorice-coat-colour