Since first observed, cats with this color pattern have remained a rare sight in central Finland. They descend from the same wild population, and only non-pedigreed cats are known to have this coat pattern.
The Name
Due to its Finnish origin and its close resemblance to the local salty licorice treat named Salmiakki, the unusually colored cats were named “Salmiak”.
Coat Characteristics Of The Salmiak
- The colored portion of the coat has a “Salt and Pepper” look, similar to the salty licorice treat for which the pattern is named.
- Distinctive color gradation on the individual hairs.
- While most often seen in black coats, the Salmiak pattern is also seen in brown tabby, tortoiseshell and blue cat coats.
- Often displays the tuxedo pattern of white neck, chest, belly and paws.
- Occasionally there are colored spots on the white areas.
- White tail tips are common.
Discovering The Genetics Of The Salmiak Cat
Discovering The Genetics Of The Salmiak CatIntrigued by the Salmiak’s unique color pattern, researchers at the University of Helsinki reached out to the public through a national newspaper, seeking sightings of cats with a similar pattern. This successful outreach led to the discovery of additional cats with this coat pattern. The pattern was found on solid black; but also on brown tabby and white cats, blue and white and calico cats.
Typically, with white patterns and full white color in both pedigree and non-pedigree cats are the result of two common variants of the KIT gene (also known as White, or W locus). The appearance of breed-defining white paws in the Birman cats is associated with another variant in the KIT gene. Given these known genetic facts, researchers looked at the KIT gene in the Salmiak cat.
Two Salmiak-colored cats were whole-genome sequenced, however no unique variants were discovered within the coding region of the KIT gene. However, visual inspection of the sequence region revealed a large deletion near the KIT gene of both Salmiak cats. Further examination revealed that the Salmiak color pattern is recessively inherited, meaning it requires one copy of the Salmiak variant from both parents in order for the trait to be visible.
The unusual pattern of the Salmiak coat is caused by the color of each hair changing from root to tip – starting out colored near the cats’ skin then fading to white. Rather than having the usual gene which fades colors in feline coats, Salmiak cats literally have a chunk of their DNA missing.
The team confirmed this finding in 181 cats. Of the three that were Salmiak in this group, all were missing the same piece of DNA. Another three cats had the mutation, but only from one parent – so their coats did not resemble the tasty snack. The rest of the cats were not Salmiak and had intact DNA.
Russia & Hungary Salmiaks
In November 2017, a Salmiak-colored cat was discovered in Finland’s neighbor, Russia. This feline is likely related to the Finnish Salmiaks. Another cat similar to to the Finnish cats was found in Hungary, which is far from Finland, so may be a similar but unrelated mutation.
The Future Of The Salmiak Cat As A Breed
Several new cat breeds have been developed upon the discovery of a cat with a single mutation. This includes the Manx, the Scottish Fold, the Munchkin, and the Sphynx. Additionally, the American Wirehair and the LaPerm, curly-coated breeds, are also single-gene mutations. If a dedicated cat breeder or group of breeders decide to develop the Salmiak as a breed, it is a possibility. Only time will tell whether “licorice” cats become accepted as a breed.
