The photo below shows phaeomelanin (red pigment) and eumelanin (black or brown pigment) side by side on a caliby cat. All calico cats inherit one copy of the orange gene and therefore will display red or cream if they carry dilution.
The recessive dilute gene, dilutes these primary colours making them appear paler. Black based: Black, brown (chocolate), cinnamon.Coat coats contain two pigments, phaeomelanin (red pigment) and eumelanin (black or brown pigment), these can further be split into colours depending on the shape of the pigment (round or oval) or the number and distribution of pigment granules.