And Meow! A Word About The Salty Licorice Cat

There’s a new kit in town! The Salty Licorice Cat is dressed in a gorgeous coat that is right on trend. These beautiful kitties, also known as salmiak cats (salted licorice cats), have ombre, or gradient, colored fur that is primarily black at the roots and white at the ends. Continue reading to learn more about this lovely cat from a Yorkville, IL veterinarian.

Is This A New Kitty Breed?

Fluffy is not yet recognized as a new breed. The name is a reference to the hue of her coat. This is also true with many other cats, including tabbies and tuxedos.

Salty Licorice Cat Origin: Where Did It Come From?

Fluffy is from Petäjävesi, Finland. The community is situated in a beautiful setting and is well-known for its lakes, farms, and exquisite 18th-century wood-log church. Or at least that’s what it was known for. The Salty Licorice cat must now be added to the town’s roster of notable individuals, must-see landmarks, and fascinating residents.

Why Is Fluffy Known As The Salty Licorice Cat?

The cats were called after a well-known Finnish dish. It is, as one might think, formed 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 Does A Salty Licorice Kitten Look Like?

Fluffy resembles a tuxedo cat, except that her dark coat is flecked with white. While Salmiak cats’ deeper fur is typically black, they can also have blue, brown, or tortoiseshell coats beneath that unique pattern. (We think the brown ones should be called Salted Caramel kittens, but so far that hasn’t occurred). Their tails are usually either completely or partially white. Fluffy’s eyes are typically a lovely green or yellow tint.

When Was the First Salty Licorice Kitten Born?

We have no idea who first found or adopted the Salty Licorice Cat. Fluffy sprang to prominence in 2007 when it was revealed that many of Petajavesi’s cats have avant-garde kitty fashion sense. 

Originally, Nobody knew if the cats could breed because all feral felines of that color had been fixed. The mystery was solved when one of the stylish felines gave birth to some adorable kittens.

Is It Acceptable To Feed Licorice To Cats?

Licorice poses minimal harm to our feline pals, except for the possibility of a kitty choking on a larger portion. Indeed, research suggests that it has anti-inflammatory qualities and may even help cats with respiratory disorders. More research is needed, though. In any case, we do not recommend offering Fluffy licorice as a reward. In fact, do not feed your feline companion any herbs or medications unless your Yorkville, IL veterinarian specifically directs you to.

Leaving that aside, a few of our feline friends seem to really like the taste of licorice. Fluffy is most likely enticed by the texture or smell. Our feline friends have a genetic anomaly that stops them from tasting sweetness. Of course, some cats appear to have missed that memo, as they have been known to consume cake, cookies, and donuts.  Enjoying a donut with your cat might be cute, but you should avoid giving her any sweet foods. Not only are they heavy in sugar, but many include xylitol, often known as birch sugar, which is poisonous to cats.

Consult your Yorkville, IL veterinarian for more advice on how to provide treats to your cat.

Why Does the Salty Licorice Cat Have Such Distinctive Fur?

Genetics is the key. Geneticists and animal rights activists spearheaded the formal study, with Hannes Lohi, a geneticist at the University of Helsinki, serving as the principal investigator.

Lohi and his crew studied five Salty Licorice cats. They determined that none of the cats carried the precise gene alterations that cause white fur. (Note: These changes are also associated with deafness, which is why so many white dogs have hearing loss.) They then examined the full genomes of the cats and discovered a unique mutation in a gene known as KIT. This gene has also been linked to piebald patterns in horses and other animals.

The study included 178 additional cats with normal fur in addition to the five Salmiak animals. All Salmiak kittens possessed two copies of the relevant gene variation, known as w-sal or salmiak. A few more kittens shared one copy. Because the gene is recessive, none of the hairy carriers were able to wear Salmiak colors and patterns.

The results were published in the journal Animal Genetics in May.

What Is The History Of Salted Licorice?

These miniature black candies initially gained popularity in the 1800s. Galle and Jessen, Danish candymakers, originated and popularized the long-lasting gourmet fad. We must admit that curling up on a cold night with a purring cat and a dish of treats sounds pretty good!

There are various recipes available on the internet. These are minor variants on the same fundamental concept.

Here’s a common recipe:

In a saucepan, bring to a boil eight tablespoons of unsalted butter, one cup of sugar, half a cup of sweetened condensed milk, 1/4 cup of blackstrap molasses, and 1/8 teaspoon of kosher salt. Then take it off 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 healthier variation, replace heavy cream with condensed milk and brown rice syrup with dark corn syrup. Pour onto a pan lined with parchment paper, then chill for 30-45 minutes before removing and shaping. Make sure to season it with salt! You will need to let it cool again.

You can go above and beyond and buy a mold to shape your goodies into cats if you really want to. (Fun fact: these treats are also known as katjes in Finland.)

Do Salty Licorice Cats Cost A Lot?

It is difficult to say at the moment. These lovely cats are rare. As far as we know, they have not yet left Finland. While we have to agree that the Salted Licorice kittens are beautiful, we have an unofficial obligation as animal lovers to raise awareness about the negative aspects of the designer breed obsession. Unfortunately, this contributes to long-term problems, including pet overpopulation, hoarding, and mistreatment. The motto ‘Adopt, don’t shop’ is definitely relevant here. Regardless of color, our feline companions make excellent pets! Many attractive, friendly cats in shelters are looking for a new home!

In conclusion, the Salted Licorice cat is not a new breed, but a new coat color. The cats resemble tuxedo cats, but the darker areas of their coats are ‘frosted’ or salted’ with white. These charming, fashion-forward felines are unique to Finland’s Petäjävesi region and are named after a popular local snack: salted licorice.

Schedule An Appointment at Your Yorkville, IL Pet Clinic

Is your feline companion in need of a checkup, immunizations, or parasite control? Has your cat not come inside in a while? For all of your cat’s veterinarian requirements, please feel free to contact us at your local Yorkville, IL pet clinic. We are always happy to assist.