10 Facts About Orange Cats! (2024)

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by Dr. Rebecca MacMillan

  • by Dr. Rebecca MacMillan

May 22, 2022

|

Updated: Jul 20, 22

Many people are fans of orange cats, there is something captivating about their personalities as well as their good looks. Let’s have a look at some interesting facts about these fabulous felines!

1. Orange cats are not a breed of their own

Orange cats are not their own breed. Orange is just a coat color, a variation that can be seen in many breeds of cats. Shades can vary from pale orange to a very rich almost red color.

2. Orange cats are not a solid color

Orange cats are never solid in color, instead, they are always striped, a pattern that is known as tabby. There are variations in the types of stripes each cat has. There are 4 main patterns seen –

  • Mackerel – tiger-like stripes
  • Ticked – the cat doesn’t at first appear to have stripes, but in the lighter parts of the coat each hair has alternating light and dark bands
  • Spotted – the cat has spots instead of tiger stripes
  • Classic – a swirled pattern

Orange cats are never solid in color, instead, they are always striped, a pattern that is known as tabby.

3. Most orange cats are marked with an ‘M’

Due to their tabby cat stripes, most orange cats will have an M-shaped marking on their forehead. There are many legends surrounding this M. The first is from the ancient Egyptians where cats were called Mau (due to the noise they make). The Islamic world suggests that Mohammed had a tabby called Muezza who saved his master’s life. Every tabby born with an M is a reminder of Mohammed’s love for his cat. Others believe the mark came from Mary stroking a tabby cat that kept baby Jesus warm in his manger.

4. Orange male cats outnumber female cats

Orange males are much more common than orange females. It is thought that 80% of orange cats are male! This is because the gene that controls color is linked to sex, with the code for the orange color found on the X chromosome.
As female cats have two X chromosomes and males have an X and a Y chromosome, this means that a female cat needs to inherit two orange genes in order to be orange in color (one from each parent) whereas a male cat only needs to inherit one. The chance of receiving two orange genes is unlikely, given that other colors are more often more prevalent in the cat population, like black. This explains why male cats are much more likely to be orange than females.

Orange males are much more common than orange females. It is thought that 80% of orange cats are male!

5. The orange color is due to a pigment found in red-haired people too

Though the exact shade of orange can vary considerably between cats, it is all due to a particular pigment calledpheomelanin. This is the same pigment that causes red hair in people too!

6. Orange cats can have short or long hair

A variety of breeds can have orange fur. Long-haired breeds like Persians, Turkish Angora cats, and Maine coons can all carry orange tabby colorations. Equally orange hues are seen in exotic shorthairs, the Devon Rex, and Scottish folds. Outside of pedigree breeds, the orange tabby color can exist in both domestic short-haired and domestic long-haired moggies.

Though the exact shade of orange can vary considerably between cats, it is all due to a particular pigment calledpheomelanin.

7. There are lots of orange celebrity cats!

We seem to be attracted to orange cats, and there are many celebrity ones that are a testament to this! Garfield is a very famous orange cat with a sassy attitude and penchant for lasagne. But Puss in Boots in Shrek is also an orange tabby, as is Heathcliff and also Crookshanks in Harry Potter (Hermione’s pet).

8. They tend to develop black freckles

Black freckles are a common finding in orange cats. These tend to be most obvious around the lips and nose, and areas where the fur is thin. These marks don’t tend to develop until the cat is a year or two of age and are similar to freckles found in red-headed humans.

Black freckles are a common finding in orange cats. These tend to be most obvious around the lips and nose, and areas where the fur is thin.

9. Orange cats can have a variety of eye colors

The eyes of ginger cats can be bright blue, striking green, golden, or even copper in color. Blue eyes are much less common than some of the other shades, however. Most orange cats will have green or gold-colored eyes.

10. Their color inspires a variety of names

The names that people give their orange cats are often inspired by their beautiful fur color. Some of the more common ones include the likes of Rusty, Ginger, Tigger, Marmalade, Cheeto, and Garfield.
If you own an orange cat, then you already know how special they are! If this article has inspired you to get a furry orange friend then speak to your vet first about what to look out for when it comes to choosing a healthy kitten.

FAQ

An orange cat is also called a tabby cat. The term tabby just means stripes of alternating pale and darker colors, it is a coat type rather than a specific breed. Orange tabby cats can vary from pale cream through to rich dark red shades.

Whilst there is no official rating for the friendliest cat, most people would agree that orange cats usually have nice temperaments. They do seem to be friendlier than other coat colors. Of course, there are always exceptions to this though!

Orange cats aren’t rare per se, but orange female cats are. Only 20% of orange cats are female, so chances are if you come across an orange cat then it will probably be male.

The exact reason orange cats are the friendliest is unclear, but it is thought they are quite sociable creatures. People are also more naturally drawn to orange hues, so may interact more with an orange cat than they would with other coat colors. The more affection and attention a cat receives, the more affectionate he is likely to be, especially if he has had lots of positive experiences as a kitten.

10 Facts About Orange Cats! (4)

Dr. Rebecca MacMillan

Rebecca is a companion animal vet who has always had a passion for writing and client communication. Since her graduation from the Royal Veterinary college in 2009, she has gained a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, in both clinical and managerial roles. She currently works in the South West and deals with a variety of routine and emergency appointments, but particularly enjoys medicine cases. Outside of work and writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her bouncy flat-coated retriever George!

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FAQs

10 Facts About Orange Cats!? ›

We can make no promises, of course, but the orange cat personality is one that is notorious for being fun and friendly. There's no universal consensus on this, and you're bound to get some gingers who are grumps, but if you've got a big fluffy orange cat, there's a good chance you've got a charmer.

What is special about orange cats? ›

We can make no promises, of course, but the orange cat personality is one that is notorious for being fun and friendly. There's no universal consensus on this, and you're bound to get some gingers who are grumps, but if you've got a big fluffy orange cat, there's a good chance you've got a charmer.

Do orange cats meow more? ›

“To date, no studies have shown any impact of coat color on personality in cats,” veterinary behaviorist Dr. Mikel Delgado tells The Wildest.

Do orange cats eat more? ›

Ginger cats are prone to obesity.

Speaking of food, orange tabbies love eating so much they go obese. Garfield, a cartoon mascot, is one of the examples of how much this breed enjoys food. Even though the biggest snugglers and cutest lap buddies, tabbies tend to grow lazy over time.

Are orange cats rare? ›

Orange cats aren't rare per se, but orange female cats are. Only 20% of orange cats are female, so chances are if you come across an orange cat then it will probably be male.

What color of cat is the friendliest? ›

Most cats were described by their owners as bold and friendly. When comparing the cats by coat color, gray cats had the highest scores for shyness, aloofness and intolerance, while orange cats had the highest scores for trainability, friendliness and calmness.

How long do orange cats live? ›

How long does an orange tabby cat live? Generally speaking, the average indoor housecat has a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years. Providing your tabby with a healthy diet and routine veterinary care can help maximize his lifespan.

Do orange cats cuddle more? ›

Self-report surveys indeed suggest that orange cats are more affectionate. This finding, however, could be a result of confirmation bias or a self-fulfilling prophecy, with cat owners looking to support their own stereotypes. Yet, there are other plausible reasons why orange cats may be more affectionate.

Do orange cats have tempers? ›

Orange cats are believed to be fun and friendly

Orange cats are often said to be particularly friendly. "There have been studies that have shown these cats tend to be the friendliest, calmest and easiest to train based on owner feedback," says Dr. Dwight Alleyne, veterinarian and expert for JustAnswer.

Are orange cats autistic? ›

Because autism describes human neurology, it simply doesn't apply to cats.

What is an orange cat called? ›

Ginger cats are hard to miss. Also called red, orange, orange tabby, marmalade, tiger-cat and cinnamon, this distinctive feline can certainly strike a charismatic pose. From 9Lives Morris to Garfield to Puss in Boots, ginger cats are some of the most celebrated felines in television and film.

Are orange cats more calm? ›

The Good News: Orange Cats and Their Lovingness

Said to be more loving, orange cats are known for their affection in addition to their chaotic habits. This could also be due to their gender: “male cats have been said to be slightly friendlier than female cats, which could explain the loving nature of orange cats.”

Why does my orange cat bite so much? ›

Cats bite for a variety of reasons – this can be because they are scared, maybe trying to avoid an experience they dislike such as over-handling or being held, or have learnt or have been taught that predatory play is enjoyable.

What is orange cat behavior? ›

According to the Internet meme archive Know Your Meme, "orange cat behavior" became popularized online around 2019 and continued after stories about viral orange cats, such as Jorts the Cat, increased. The stereotype suggests orange cats are "more chaotic, more affectionate and more stupid than other types of cats."

What is the rarest color of a cat? ›

Of all the cat colors, albino is the rarest. Albinism causes a complete lack of pigment, so cats have pink skin, white fur, and pale blue or pink eyes. In order to be albino, a cat must inherit two recessive genes for albinism (A/A), one from each parent.

Do pure orange cats exist? ›

Solid color cats have two recessive genes (aa), hiding the tabby pattern. But the dominant orange color gene (O) suppresses the aa, so there is no such thing as a solid orange cat! There are three alleles for the tabby gene that control the coat pattern -- mackerel, ticked or classic swirl pattern.

What do orange cats symbolize? ›

They represent optimism and strength

The orange cat is also a powerful symbol of optimism and determination. No matter what obstacles you have to overcome, you can be sure of yourself and your abilities. The presence of the red cat in your life gives you the strength of mind to overcome anything.

Why are orange cats so fierce? ›

Many believe that because of their red/orange coats, they tend to have a spirited, feisty nature. Fortunately, this stereotype isn't true – vibrant coat colours tell us little, if anything, about a cat's temperament.

What color eyes do orange cats have? ›

Fun facts about orange cats

Ginger cats, as they're sometimes called, most often have eye coloring that's amber or gold. An orange cat with green or blue eyes is especially rare. Most orange tabby cats — 80% — are male. Orange fur originates from the so-called “ginger” gene — a recessive gene in the X-chromosome.

Why are ginger cats special? ›

Ginger cats are perceived to be friendlier and more affectionate with humans. A study conducted in 2012 revealed that based on cat owner perception, gingers are regarded as the most affectionate with their guardians and have been lovingly dubbed 'Velcro cats'!

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