Highlighting The Salty Licorice Kitty 

Allow us to introduce the newest addition to our furry community! The Salty Licorice Cat is wearing a fabulous coat that perfectly aligns with the latest fashion trends. The stunning felines, commonly referred to as salmiak cats (salted licorice cats), boast a captivating ombre fur. The colors transition seamlessly from a deep black at the roots to a pristine white at the tips. Keep reading to discover more about this adorable new kitty fashion trend from a veterinarian in Metairie, LA.

Could The Salty Licorice Cat Be A New Breed Of Cat?

Fluffy has not yet received official recognition as a new breed. The name alludes to her coat’s hue. This also applies to many other felines, including tabbies and tuxedos.

What Is The Reason Behind Fluffy Being Called The Salty Licorice Cat?

The felines were named after a renowned Finnish delicacy. As expected, it is crafted from licorice that has been delicately coated in salmiak salt. This treat is widely enjoyed in Scandinavia, northern Germany, and the Benelux region.

What Do Salty Licorice Kitties Look Like?

Fluffy has the appearance of a tuxedo cat, but with a unique touch – her dark coat is adorned with specks of white. The Salmiak cats’ fur comes in a variety of colors, including black, blue, brown, or tortoiseshell, which adds to their unique and beautiful appearance. (We believe the brown ones should be named Salted Caramel kitties, but unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case.) Typically, their tails have a white or partially white coloration. Fluffy’s eyes typically display a stunning shade of green or yellow.

Where Did The Salty Licorice Cat Come From?

Fluffy hails from the charming village of Petäjävesi in Finland. The community is located in a beautiful environment and is renowned for its lakes, farms, and stunning 18th-century wood-log church. Or, at least it used to be recognized for those qualities. The Salty Licorice cat is an obvious addition to the town’s list of renowned citizens, captivating attractions, and intriguing locals.

What Gives The Salty Licorice Cat Her Unusual Fur?

Genetics holds the key. The formal investigation was led by geneticists and animal rights activists, with Hannes Lohi, a geneticist at the University of Helsinki, leading the way.

The team led by Lohi carefully analyzed five Salty Licorice cats. It was found that none of the cats had the specific gene mutations that cause white fur. (Note: These modifications are also associated with deafness, which is why many white dogs experience hearing impairment.) After thoroughly analyzing the kitties’ entire genomes, they also found a unique mutation in a gene known as KIT. This gene is also linked to piebald patterns in horses and other animals.

Alongside the five Salmiak cats, the researchers included 178 other cats with regular fur in the study. All the Salmiak kittens possessed two copies of the gene variant, now referred to as w-sal or salmiak. Some other cats had one copy. Since the gene is recessive, none of those furry carriers could wear Salmiak colors or designs.

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

When Was The First Salty Licorice Kitten Born?

We’re not sure. We’re also uncertain about the person who discovered or took in the Salty Licorice Cat. Fluffy gained fame in 2007, when it was revealed that many cats in Petajavesi had a unique and stylish sense of fashion. 

At first, there was uncertainty about the cats’ ability to breed, because all feral felines of that specific color had been spayed or neutered. The puzzle was solved when one of the stylish cats was spotted giving birth to a litter of adorable kittens.

Is Licorice Harmful to Cats?

We don’t recommend Fluffy licorice treats. However, it presents no threat to our feline pals, with the exception of a kitty possibly choking on a larger portion. Research suggests that it possesses anti-inflammatory properties and could potentially benefit cats with respiratory problems. However, additional research is necessary. Under no circumstances should you give any herbs or medications to your beloved pet without explicit instructions from your veterinarian.

Setting that aside, it seems that some cats have a taste for licorice. Fluffy is probably attracted to the texture or fragrance. Cats are unable to taste sweetness. Obviously, not all cats got that memo; some of them really like sweets like cake, cookies, and donuts. Sharing a donut with your cat may seem delightful, but it’s important to refrain from giving her any sugary treats. Not only do they contain a significant amount of sugar, but many also contain xylitol, a substance that can be harmful to cats.

If you need more information on giving treats to your cat, it’s best to consult your veterinarian.

What Is The Story Behind Salted Licorice?

These tiny black candies gained popularity during the 1800s. Galle and Jessen, Danish candymakers, are widely recognized for their contribution to a gastronomic trend that has stood the test of time. There’s something undeniably cozy about cozying up on a cold evening with a contented feline companion and a delectable assortment of treats!

There is a wide variety of recipes that can be found online. 

Here is a typical recipe:

• 8 tbsp. unsalted butter, plus more
• 1 cup sugar
• 1⁄2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1⁄2 cup dark corn syrup
• 1⁄4 cup blackstrap molasses
• 1⁄8 tsp. kosher salt
• 3⁄4 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1 1⁄2 tbsp. anise extract
• 1 1⁄2 tsp. black food coloring

Melt the unsalted butter, sugar, sweetened condensed milk, blackstrap molasses, and kosher salt together in a saucepan until it reaches a boiling point. After that, take it off the heat and mix in half a cup of dark corn syrup, three-quarters cup of whole wheat flour, one and a half tablespoons of anise essence, and half a teaspoon of black food dye. If you want to make it healthier, use condensed milk instead of heavy cream and dark corn syrup instead of brown rice syrup. Pour the mixture onto a pan lined with parchment paper, let it cool for 30-45 minutes, and then carefully remove and shape it. Remember to add a pinch of salt! It’s best to allow it to cool once more.

If you’re looking to take these treats to the next level, consider getting a mold to create adorable kitty-shaped versions. They can also be called katjes, which is their Finnish name. Interestingly, a few candy companies have already started incorporating this into their practices!

Does Salty Licorice Cat Cost A Lot?

At this moment, it’s hard to say. These lovely felines are still quite rare. As far as our understanding goes, they have not yet left Finland. 

Although the Salted Licorice kittens are undeniably beautiful, as animal enthusiasts, we feel compelled to shed light on the negative aspects of the designer breed trend. Regrettably, this leads to long-term problems such as pet overpopulation, hoarding, and maltreatment. The slogan ‘Adopt, don’t shop’ is a perfect fit for this situation. Cats are amazing companions, no matter what their color may be! There are numerous adorable, sociable cats in shelters who are eagerly awaiting a loving home!

Book an Appointment at Our Metairie, LA Pet Clinic

Is your cat in need of a check-up, vaccines, or parasite control? Has it been a long time since your cat last came inside? Feel free to reach out to us, your trusted pet clinic in Metairie, LA, for any veterinary care your beloved cat may require. We are more than happy to assist.