There is a new kitty in town! The Salty Licorice Cat is wearing a stunning coat that is completely on trend. These stunning felines, which are also referred to as Salmiak cats have ombre, or gradient, colored fur that is predominantly black at the roots and white at the tips. Continue reading to find out more about this adorable cat from a Las Vegas, NV veterinarian.
Is The Salted Licorice Kitty Officially A New Cat Breed?
Fluffy is not yet officially recognized as a new breed. The name refers to the color of her coat. This may sound unusual, but it is also the case with many other cats, including tabbies and tuxedos.
Where Did These Cute Cats Come From?
Fluffy hails from Petäjävesi, Finland. The hamlet is located in a picturesque area and is well-known for its lakes, farms, and gorgeous 18th-century wood-log church. Or, that is what it was known for. The Salty Licorice cat must now be added to the town’s list of prominent figures, must-see attractions, and fascinating citizens.
Why Is Fluffy Referred To As The Salty Licorice Cat?
The cats were named after a popular Finnish delicacy. It is, as one would expect, made of salmiak salt-coated licorice. The treat, sometimes known as salmiak liquorice or salmiac licorice, is popular in Scandinavia, northern Germany, and the Benelux.
What Do Salty Licorice Kittens Look Like?
Fluffy looks like a tuxedo cat, except that her dark coat is flecked with white. While Salmiak cats’ deeper fur is usually black, they can also have blue, brown, or tortoiseshell coats underneath their distinctive patterning. (We think the brown ones should be called Salted Caramel kittens, but that hasn’t happened yet). Their tails are typically either totally or partially white. Fluffy’s eyes are usually a beautiful green or yellow color.
When Were The First Salty Licorice Kittens Born?
We don’t know who first found or adopted the Salty Licorice Cat. Fluffy rose to notoriety in 2007 when people started noticing that many of Petajavesi’s cats possess avant-garde kitty fashion sense.
Originally, no one knew whether the cats could breed because all feral felines of that color had been fixed. The mystery was revealed when one of the fashionable felines gave birth to some really cute kittens.
Is It Okay To Feed Licorice To Cats?
We can’t recommend this. Licorice isn’t toxic to our feline companions, though there is the possibility of a kitty choking on a larger piece. It is true that some studies indicate that it has anti-inflammatory properties and may even benefit cats with respiratory issues. More research is required, however. In any event, it’s best to play it safe. Do not give your feline companion any herbs or medicines unless your veterinarian specifically instructs you to do so.
Leaving that aside, some of our feline pals appear to enjoy the flavor of licorice. Fluffy is most likely drawn to the texture or smell. Our feline pals actually are unable to taste sweetness. Of course, some cats must not have gotten that message: kitties have been known to eat donuts, cake, and cookies. The thought of enjoying a donut with your cat may be cute, but you should avoid giving her any sweet foods. Not only are they high in sugar, but many include xylitol, often known as birch sugar, which is harmful to cats.
Consult your Las Vegas, NV veterinarian for further information on how to give your cat treats.
Why Is The Salty Licorice Cat’s Fur So Distinctive?
Genetics is the key. A formal study was spearheaded by geneticists and animal rights activists, with the lead investigator being Hannes Lohi, a geneticist at the University of Helsinki.
Lohi and his colleagues studied five Salty Licorice cats. They discovered that none of the cats had the particular gene changes that produce white fur. (Note: These alterations are also linked to deafness, which explains why so many white dogs suffer hearing loss.) They then studied the cats’ entire genomes and discovered a unique mutation in a gene known as KIT. This particular gene has also been associated with piebald patterns in horses and other animals.
Along with the five Salmiak animals, the study included 178 other cats with normal fur. All Salmiak kittens carried two copies of the relevant gene variant, known as w-sal or salmiak. Several additional kittens shared one copy. Because the gene is recessive, none of the hairy carriers could wear the Salmiak colors and patterns.
The findings were published in the journal Animal Genetics in May.
What Is The History Of Salted Licorice Candy?
Galle and Jessen, Danish candymakers, created and popularized the long-lasting gourmet craze with their little black candies, which first acquired popularity in the 1800s. (You have to admit: cuddling up on a cold night with a purring cat and a dish of treats sounds appealing!)
There are many recipes available on the internet. These are subtle variations on the same underlying notion.
Here is an example of a common recipe:
In a saucepan, heat eight tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk, 1/4 cup blackstrap molasses, and 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt. Then remove from the heat and add half a cup of dark corn syrup, three-quarters of a cup of whole wheat flour, 1.5 tablespoons of anise essence, and 1/2 teaspoon of black food dye. For a healthy alternative, swap the heavy cream for condensed milk and brown rice syrup for dark corn syrup. Pour onto a parchment-lined pan and chill for 30–45 minutes before removing and shaping. Make sure to season it with salt! You’ll need to let it cool again.
If you really want to go the extra mile, you can get a mold to shape your delicacies into little cats. In Finland, these snacks are known as katjes.)
Are Salty Licorice Cats Very Expensive?
It’s tough to say at the moment. These adorable cats are still quite rare. We don’t think they’ve left Finland yet.
While we must admit that the Salted Licorice kittens are stunning, we have an unofficial obligation as animal lovers to raise awareness about the detrimental side of the designer breed mania. Unfortunately, this leads to long-term, ongoing animal welfare issues, including pet overpopulation, hoarding, and cruelty. The mantra ‘Adopt, don’t shop’ is certainly applicable here. Many gorgeous and sociable cats at shelters are looking for new homes, and really want nothing more than for someone to take them home, adopt them, and give them cuddles, love, and lap space.
In Conclusion, The Salted Licorice cat is not a new breed, but a new coat color. The cats resemble tuxedo cats, but the darker portions of their coats are ‘frosted’ or ‘salted’ with white. These adorable, fashion-forward felines are exclusive to Finland’s Petäjävesi region and are named after a popular local snack: salted licorice.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Las Vegas, NV Pet Clinic
Is your feline companion in need of a checkup, vaccines, or parasite treatment? Has your cat not been inside in a while? For all of your cat’s veterinary needs, please contact us at your Las Vegas, NV pet clinic. We are always pleased to assist.
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