We have some breaking mews for you to share. There’s a new kitty in town. The Salty Licorice Cat is wearing a stunning coat that is definitely in fashion. These cute kitties look like tuxies, except their fur is usually dark or black at the roots and white at the ends.  Also known as salmiak cats, these lovable little furballs are not the only cats that have ombre, or gradient, colored fur, but they have a very distinct look. Keep reading to discover more about this charming cat from an Easley, SC veterinarian.

Why Is Fluffy Called The Salty Licorice Cat?

The kitties were named after a popular Finnish sweet. As one should expect, it is composed of salmiak salt-coated licorice. Popular in Scandinavia, northern Germany, and the Benelux, the treat—sometimes called salmiak licorice or salmiac licorice—is a local favorite.

What Do Salmiak Cats Look Like?

Fluffy looks a lot like a tuxedo cat, except her dark coat has white fleckings. Although Salmiak cats usually have black fur under that distinctive pattern, they may have blue, brown, or tortoiseshell base coats. (We think the brown ones should be known as Salted Caramel kittens, but that has not happened yet.) The kitties’ tails are typically either wholly or partially white. Usually, Fluffy has gorgeous green or yellow eyes.

When Did The First Salted Licorice Cat Come Into The World?

Nobody knows who originally discovered or embraced the Salty Licorice Cat. Fluffy became well-known in 2007 when it was discovered that several of Petajavesi’s kitties had an avant-garde sense of fashion.

Since all stray Salmiak cats had been fixed, at first nobody knew initially whether they could breed. The riddle was solved when one of the chic felines produced some quite lovely kittens.

Is This A New Cat Breed?

Fluffy has not been recognized as a new breed. The name simply applies to the color of her coat. This is likewise true with many other cats, including tuxedos and tabbies.

Where Is Fluffy From?

Fluffy resides in Petäjävesi, Finland. The town is well-known for its lakes, farms, and magnificent 18th-century wood-log church. At least, that is what it was known for. The Salty Licorice cat has to now be included on the list of noteworthy people, must-see sites, and intriguing locals of the town.

Can I Give My Cat Licorice?

Licorice is safe for cats, apart from the chance of a kitty choking on a bigger piece. In fact, research indicates that it has anti-inflammatory properties and might even be beneficial for pets with respiratory problems. That said, more study is required. It’s best to err on the side of caution, and stick with vet-approved treats. Do not feed your cat any herbs or drugs unless your Easley, SC veterinarian specifically tells you to.

Apart from that, some of our feline buddies seem to truly enjoy licorice’s taste. Most likely, Fluffy is drawn to the texture or scent. Cats have a genetic defect that prevents them from tasting sweetness. Some kitties do seem to have missed that memo, though. Fluffy has been known to eat things like cake, cookies, and donuts. Although it would be adorable to have a donut with your cat, you should keep sweet foods away from her. Not only are they high in fat and sugar, but several also contain xylitol—often referred to as birch sugar—which is toxic to cats.

See your Easley, SC veterinarian for further guidance on giving your cat treats.

Why Does The Salty Licorice Cat Have Such Unique Fur?

Genetics is the answer to that one. A study has been done. Leading the official research were animal rights activists and geneticists from the University of Helsinki, with Hannes Lohi acting as the main investigator.

Lohi and his colleagues examined five Salty Licorice cats. They found that none of the cats have the exact genetic composition that makes fur white. (Note: Those genetic alterations are also linked to deafness, which is why so many white dogs have hearing loss.) After looking over the complete genomes of the cats, they found a distinct mutation in a gene called KIT, which is additionally linked to piebald patterns in horses and other animals.

Apart from the five Salmiak animals, the study involved 178 other cats with normal fur. The team also found that every Salmiak kitten carried two copies of the pertinent gene variant, sometimes referred to as w-sal or salmiak. A handful of the other kitties had one copy. However, since the gene is recessive, none of those cats got to wear the pretty Salmiak colors.

The findings were written up in May in the journal Animal Genetics.

The Background Of Salted Licorice

Originally developed and popularized by Danish candymakers Galle and Jessen, these small black sweets first became well-known in the 1800s as part of a gourmet trend that purrsists to this day. You have to admit: cuddling up on a snowy Scandinavian night with a purring Salmiak cat and a bowl of treats seems very nice!

There are many salted licorice recipes accessible. These are pretty much all small deviations on the same basic idea.

Here’s a typical recipe:

Bring eight tablespoons of unsalted butter, one cup of sugar, half a cup of sweetened condensed milk, 1/4 cup of blackstrap molasses, and one-eighth teaspoon of kosher salt boiling in a pot. Remove from the fire then add half a cup of dark corn syrup, three-quarters of a cup of whole wheat flour, 1.5 teaspoons of anise essence, and one-half teaspoon of black food dye. Replace heavy cream with condensed milk and brown rice syrup with dark corn syrup for a healthier take on things. Chill for 30 to 45 minutes after pouring into a pan covered with parchment paper; then remove and shape. Season it with salt, please! You will have to let it chill once more.

If you truly want to, you can go above and get a mold to help your creations take on cat form. (Fun fact: Finland’s katjes are another name for these delicacies.)

Are Salted Licorice Cats Expensive?

Right now, there isn’t really a baseline, as these charming kitties are still quite rare. Fluffy also has not yet left Finland, at least, as far as we know. Although we can all agree that the Salted Licorice kittens are super cute, as animal lovers, we have an unofficial responsibility to spread awareness of the bad sides of the designer breed mania. Regretfully, the demand for new and rare breeds—officially recognized or not—fuels long-standing issues, including mistreatment, hoarding, and pet overpopulation. The motto of “Adopt, don’t shop” is definitely relevant in this case. Whichever their hue, our feline friends are wonderful pets! Many beautiful, friendly cats housed in shelters are seeking a new residence!

The Salted Licorice cat is a new coat color, not a new breed overall. Though their deeper coat tones are “frosted,” or salted, with white, the cats resemble tuxedo cats. Named after a common local food, salted licorice, these stylish, fashion-forward cats are peculiar to Finland’s Petäjävesi area.

Plan A Visit To Your Easley, SC  Pet Clinic.

Does your cat friend require vaccines, a check-up, or parasite control? Has your cat not lately come inside? Please contact us at your neighborhood Easley, SC pet clinicfor all of your cat’s veterinarian needs.