The gene that is responsible for the base color of a cat/kitten is located on the X chromosome. We all know that females are XX and males are XY. When two cats mate each parent gives one chromosome to the kitten (one sperm and one egg). Since mom only has an X to give, she gives EVERY kitten an X chromosome. Dad can give either X or Y to each offspring.

This means that if a male kitten is born it is because the father provided the Y chromosome to make him a boy and the Y chromosome does not contain the base color gene...meaning the male kitten will be the base color of mom.

When a female kitten is born, this means she has received one X chromosome from mom and one X chromosomes from dad. This kitten has two base color genes and will be the color of both parents.

With that said. If mom is multi colored, she will only give one of those colors to the kitten. If mom is black and red and dad is black. The female kitten could get black from mom and black from dad resulting in a black female. She could get red from mom and black from dad resulting in a red patched kitten or calico etc. This is why torties, torbies and calicos are females.

In the rare case that a male kitten is born with these colors, he has inherited an extra chromosome and generally will be XXY resulting in infertility.

Also we are not talking about pattern in this post. Silver, smoke, tabby or solid are a different subject. This is about BASE color. What color is your cat/kitten. Not if they are silver, smoke or tabby or with white.