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's 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.

Are orange cats talkative? ›

Fun Facts About Orange Tabbies

They tend to be snuggly. Some orange tabbies are so affectionate that they are often cat-egorized as “velcro” kitties. They are also chatty kitties. Orange tabbies are known to be quite talkative.

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.

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.

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.

What color cat is the friendliest? ›

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. Tabby cats had the highest scores for bold and active, tricolor cats for stubborn, and bicolor cats for tolerant.

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.

What is orange cat behavior? ›

Orange cats are believed to be fun and friendly

He also reports that in his own experience, the orange cats he's encountered "tend to have a very strong will and sometimes can be quite stubborn," and notes that some people believe that orange cats are "more likely to engage in risky behaviors."

Are orange cats more male or female? ›

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.

Do orange cats sleep a lot? ›

The chances are pretty high that you've seen an orange tabby cat, and you've probably met a few, too. If you're familiar with them, you know that they're some of the sweetest, lackadaisical felines that love long naps and snuggles.

Why is my orange cat so skinny? ›

Weight loss occurs when too few calories are being consumed. Some of the more common reasons cats will cut back on their food intake include: A painful problem in the mouth such as a growth or dental disease. Competition at the food bowl created by other cats or a sneaky dog.

Are orange cats more fat? ›

Are orange cats prone to obesity? Unfortunately, orange cats tend to have more health issues than other cats. They can develop allergies that lead to skin issues and hair loss, but they're most commonly known for their weight issues. Orange tabbies are prone to obesity because of their love of food.

What is the rarest cat? ›

The Sokoke is arguably the rarest breed in the world. It hails from the coast of Kenya, where it is known for being a feral breed. As a feral breed, the Sokoke needs lots of exercise, and can become bored quickly—if you let it outdoors, it may spend most of its time outside.

Why is my orange cat so big? ›

But I mean, Garfield! It's real. Orange cats show greater sexual dimorphism than other colors. Males are always large and females are always small.

How big do orange cats get? ›

The orange or ginger color does not have anything to do with size. A orange tabby can be a very small cat, a medium size cat, or a very large cat. Mathematicly, most orange tabby cats would fall into the average size.

Why are orange cats so different? ›

It's all thanks to their genetic makeup. According to Spruce Pets, the gene O codes for orange (referred to as Red in genetics) fur and is carried on the X chromosome. Because females have two X chromosomes, this means that a female orange cat must inherit two orange genes (one from each parent).

Why are orange cats so rare? ›

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.

Why do orange cats behave differently? ›

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

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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