White Spotting

White spotting (S) is a co-dominant gene, which means that white spotting cannot be carried. When only one copy is present (Ss) the cat will express a low amount of white spotting, commonly referred to as low white. When a cat has two copies of the gene (SS) the cat will express high white. 

Cats will always express some white as well as their pelt under it. 

For all White Markings

• White spotting should always be white or off-white, with a noticeable contrast from their other colors. We should be able to tell where the white spotting is placed on a light-colored cat. 

• White spotting goes over all markings. 

• White spotting should be the lightest marking present in the cat. 

• Even when using the more saturated or darker limits, the white markings should still appear white in comparison to the rest of the pelt. If the white falls under limits, but there isn't enough contrast between it and the pelt, or doesn't come off as a white marking, you may be asked to change it. 

• Blue-hued white markings should NOT lean towards purple. Yellow-hued white markings should NOT lean into green.

For all cats, the limits are:

• SAT 0-10 (CSP/PS/SAI2)

• VAL 90-100 (CSP/PS/SAI2) 

All of the examples shown below are at the very limit (10s / 90v). If you take a color from these, or lighter, it will most likely be acceptable.

Edges and Textures

• White spotting may ONLY be hard-edged or soft-edged.

• White spotting should never be blurred, or textured to the point of blending into the pelt. 

• While irregular edges may create some 'floating speckles', no more than 4 of these may be present as it can be mistaken with vitiligo. 

• White spotting should never create solid, easily recognizable shapes (ie. stars, flowers, hearts, crosses, diamonds, etc). They can form similar shapes, but they must still feel organic. 

• White must not be placed in a way where it appears to be under stripes. 

White Ranges

White spotting can vary greatly in expression. The shapes that it can take are completely up to the designer, as long as the above rules are followed. How much of the pelt is covered, however, is determined by the genes. 

Low White covers anywhere from 5-49% of the cat.

High White covers anywhere from 50-95% of the cat. 

NOTE: Please keep in mind that there's no easy way to determine 50% of a cat exactly, given how much everyone's art style varies. While a particular 50% pattern may look high-white in one style, in another it can appear as low-white. Admins try their best to be as objective as possible when determining if a cat qualifies for high or low white when the 50% limit is being reached. If you'd like to avoid possible corrections, we advise not going for this limit.  

Regardless of how much is being covered, the rest of the genotype must be visible and easily recognizable. For example:

• A tabby cat must always show some stripes, even if the 'exposed' areas could fall under Tabby Blocking. Color areas in the white spotting should be large enough to show stripes, even if the pattern is being hidden. (ie. the exposed area doesn't necessarily need to be in the back to show a mackerel tabby, it could be in the tail as long as stripes are being shown).

• A tortie must always show both black-based and red-based color patches. This means that the exposed area must be large enough to show both red and black patches, or at least two areas must be shown, one for each color. 

The variations in white patterns is completely up to the designer. Here are some examples:

Vitiligo or not? 

We have a strict policy that any out of place spots on the coat should not exceed 4 in order to distinguish from vitiligo. 

Below we will include examples of areas that are 'safe' to put white spotting on without it counting towards vitiligo. This safety net however gets broken when there's a cluster of 4+ spots around the 'safe' spots, and then counts towards one for vitiligo.