Whether in the movies, TV commercials, or randomly walking on the street, orange cat breeds are simply everywhere! Aside from being their usual cute and adorable selves, how well do you know these ginger felines? It’s time to learn fascinating fun facts about them, today!
Orange cat breeds have a face made for the silver screen. No wonder there are so many popular orange kitties in the movies such as Garfield, Puss in Boots, and so on! From their charming, freckled noses to their long lifespan, there are so many things to love about these felines.
If you’re a huge fan of ginger kitties or looking to get one yourself, you’ll surely enjoy reading these orange cat breed fun facts that will make you fall in love with them all the more.
27. A Special Pigment Causes The Orange Color
Orange cat breeds are like red-head humans – they share the same hair pigment that gives them such gorgeous coat color. Pheomelanin is what gives orange tabbies various shades of red, orange, and cream to their coats.
The more pigment is present, the darker the color. But no matter how dark or light the orange or red hue may be, these cats are still adorable nonetheless.
26. Orange Tabby Cats Have Multiple Personalities
No two orange cats are alike whether on the outside or the inside. Their personalities are so diverse that you cannot expect all orange kitties to behave in a similar way. It’s simply part of their appeal!
For instance, some ginger cats tend to be mellow and sweet while others can be downright wild and overactive. But overall, training aside from the parents’ personalities largely impact how your kitty will turn out.
25. Orange Cat Breeds Have A Historical Reference
If you look closely at an orange cat’s forehead, you can see what appears to be the letter “M” on it. Legend has it that a purring, sweet orange Tabby comforted the baby Jesus when he could not sleep.
As a way of saying thank you to the feline’s kindness, the mother Mary kissed it on the forehead and drew her initial “M” on the forehead. Of course, it’s just a legend – and a cute one, nonetheless.
24. There Are More Male Orange Tabby Cats Than Female Ones
When you come across an orange cat, there is a high likelihood that it’s a male one. In fact, 80 percent of orange felines are males.
Given the numbers, it means that these male gingers have a few mates to choose from. Thus, new litters come out every year and increase the orange cat population even more.
23. Orange Cats Are Prone To Being Overweight
Garfield is a classic example of an overweight orange cat… And it makes sense. These kitties do love their food! So, it’s only expected that they tend to be on the plump side, in addition to being a little lazy (more on that fun fact in a bit).
So here’s a reminder for orange cat owners – never give your feline a continuous feeder. Otherwise, you’ll have to fill it up a few times a day because of your pet’s ravenous appetite!
22. Orange Cats Tend To Be Lazy
Since orange cats love to eat – and can put on some weight rather quickly – no wonder they are a bit lazy kitties. They enjoy sitting around, napping, and being curled up on your lap. When there is a comfy spot to nap, they are perfectly in their element.
Thankfully, cats don’t necessarily need a lot of exercise. So, this gives them an excuse to be lazy while effortlessly teaching you the art of doing nothing.
21. Some Orange Tabby Cats Look Like Tigers
Depending on the orange pattern, there are some orange cats that are a spitting image of a tiger. With stripes and markings on all the right places, they can certainly look like a miniature tiger sans the fierce personality.
Do take note that this resemblance is only typical with orange cats having the mackerel pattern, a design quite common with ginger kitties.
20. Orange Tabby Is Not A Breed
For those who have not known this yet, the term “Orange Tabby” is not a breed. Although it may be apt to put these orange felines in a classification all their own, there is no such breed as a “Tabby.”
Instead, this terminology refers more to their pattern. Moreover, there are different shades for this orange hue ranging from sun-kissed tangerine to a peachy shade fading into a somewhat cream color.
19. Orange Cats Are Vocal Felines
Ginger cats don’t hold back on their emotions. If they want to say something, they make sure they say, or should we say, “meow” it to you.
These gregarious felines like to meow, purr, and do all sorts of sounds to their favorite person. Shyness is never their nature, which is one of their endearing personalities.
18. Orange Tabby Cats Have Cute Nicknames
Marmalade, Ginger, Carrots, Big Red, Cheeto… These are only some of the many nicknames that orange cats have. And obviously, these monikers all pertain to their gorgeous orange-colored coats.
Interestingly, these felines are only one of the very few with a dozen nicknames. With their distinct coat color, that’s enough to fire up one’s creative juices for a choice of nickname for these cuties!
17. Some Orange Cats May Be Aloof
While it is not very common, there are orange cats that tend to be more aloof than others. These orange cat breeds do not hesitate to show their lack of interest in someone.
But this is not to say that these felines can never be petted. In fact, they may demand one, albeit rarely. Overall, these cats are not the ones that show affection too often, and it simply is their unique nature not to be taken personally.
16. Orange Cats Have A Reputation For Being Aggressive
It could be their genes or their unique personality, but many orange cats are brave and somewhat aggressive. These fearless felines do not get intimidated by children, dogs or other pets in the house.
They may be smaller than their housemates but it’s not an issue for these orange kitties. If they want to assert themselves, they will do so without hesitation.
15. All Orange Cat Breeds Are “Tabbies”
When you think of orange cats, it is always a tabby. Perhaps the stripes are faint but nonetheless, these patterns are still present. No matter what.
But do take note that although all ginger cats are tabbies, it does not always mean that all tabbies are orange. You can find tabbies with other colors such as gray, black, or brown.
14. Orange Cats Have White Markings On Them
Orange cats will always have other colors in them such as white, black or, white and black. There is never a solid orange color-coated cat. Ever.
Many of these ginger cats may have orange as their primarily color. Others tend to have more white in them. While there are those with an equal mixture of orange and white.
13. Their Color Refers To Appetite
In psychology, orange is attributed to the color of appetite. It is also a shade associated with warmth and comfort, which is basically what food gives.
With this in mind, it is not surprising that orange cats are big on munching. Their colors symbolize appetite, and these felines show it in their desire to devour their meals!
12. Many Breeds Come In Different Orange Patterns
As we have mentioned earlier, orange tabby is not a breed but merely a pattern. And interestingly, there are several breeds that have this fascinating color pattern.
Among the breeds with orange patterns for their coats are the American Bobtail, Abyssinian, Munchkin, and Persian Cats. They have their unique tabby designs but they are ginger cats nonetheless.
11. Orange Cats Are Risk-Takers
Ginger felines crave adventure just as much as they love food. This is why owners need to be more protective of their orange cats, considering the tendency to be rather risky.
In urban settings, for instance, fights between male orange cats are common. They compete against other ginger males for the hopes of mating with that one female feline – even if it means risking their lives to make it happen.
10. Male Orange Cats Are Heavier Than Other Cat Breeds
Compared with other colors of felines, orange males typically weigh more. Healthy orange males are heavier than other colors, which may be credited to their huge appetite.
On the other hand, ginger females are lighter and leaner than felines of other colors. Orange females also tend to have more delicate facial features.
9. An Orange Cat Was In Politics
An orange cat’s popularity is unstoppable. In fact, one ginger kitty became mayor of a tiny Alaskan town in 1998!
Stubbs, an orange cat, reigned as the town’s first honorary feline mayor up until his death in 2017. Nagley’s General Store served as his office, where folks could come by and pet him.
8. They Have Five Distinct Patterns
Orange kitties have interesting patterns on their coat and never a solid color. There are five different patterns such as the mackerel, classic, ticked, patched, and spotted orange tabby.
The most common of these patterns are the classic, mackerel and patched, which come with striped designs. Spotted is quite rare, and it gives felines a jaguar look with oval markings. As for ticked tabbies, it is mostly on their faces where the tabby markings are found.
7. Winston Churchill Once Owned An Orange Tabby Cat
Orange tabbies have a place in politics, no matter where in the world they may be in. For instance, former U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill once was a proud owner of an orange cat!
Jock was Churchill’s beloved ginger tabby cat, which was very sweet and affectionate. It also attended many cabinet meetings with the Prime Minister during wartime!
6. An Orange Cat Became Famous In TV Commercials
Rags to riches stories don’t only apply to humans but also to cats. Before Morris the cat became famous in TV commercials, he was merely an unknown orange feline in an animal shelter in Illinois.
But because of his unique charm, he became the face of the cat food brand, 9Lives. From being an unknown cat in the shelter, he appeared in 58 TV commercials and won a couple of PATSY Awards.
5. Orange Cats Have Different Eye Colors
If you look at the eyes of orange cats, you will notice that they come in various colors. Although they were born with blue eyes, the colors begin to change as they get older.
Ginger cats often have bright green or copper tone eyes. Some of them have bronze eyes almost resembling brilliant topaz stones. But the majority of these orange kitties have green or golden eye colors.
4. They Are Super Affectionate
Unless your orange cat has two aloof parents, most ginger cats are actually affectionate creatures. They can cling to you like Velcro and would want to be around you every time.
When you happen to have an affectionate orange cat, you can expect it to enjoy cuddling with you or sitting on your lap. Even if you give them their own bed, these sweet kitties would rather sleep next to you and keep you cozy.
3. Orange Tabby Cats Have Freckles
Freckles are endearing features that orange cats are known to have. These freckles are common on their noses, which come in black color. Some may also have black freckles on other parts of their faces.
It may seem like a strange design to go with a light pink nose. But these freckles are just one of the many charming designs typical of a ginger kitty.
2. Orange Cat Breeds Live For A Very Long Time
They may be reckless and risky but orange cat breeds do live long. No matter what breed, orange tabbies can enjoy living a long and fruitful life. Some can even live up to 20 years just like Morris the cat!
There are certain factors that impact a ginger cat’s life, though. Health and lifestyle affect their mortality rate, but overall, these are hardy kitties.
1. Orange Cats Starred In Hollywood Films
From Garfield to Puss in Boots, and the adorable Heathcliff, orange cats have taken Hollywood by storm. The most interesting part is that these cats did not merely have a small part or cameo role in the movies. They were the star of the show!
They may be overweight, sassy, lazy kitties but ginger felines have their unique charm that caught the eyes of movie producers. And their fame is here to stay.
Related Questions
How Much Does An Orange Cat Cost? Orange cats can cost about $150 to as much as $300 for a short-haired ginger tabby cat. But the price hikes up when it comes to exotic, long-haired cats, which can cost upwards $1,000 in some cases.
Why Does My Orange Cat Have Black Hairs? When your orange cat has black hair, it can be credited to a genetic condition known as lentigo. This means that epidermal melanocytes causing the dark hue are increasing in number.
What Color Eyes Do Orange Cats Have? Orange cat breeds tend to have green or gold eyes. Some have bronze or coppertone color of eyes, although the most typical shade is green.
