10 Fascinating Orange Cat Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

1. If Your Cat is Orange, It’s a Tabby. 

All orange cats are tabbies (though not all tabbies are orange). Many people mistakenly believe that “tabby” is a specific breed when in fact, it is a reference to the unique coat markings all tabby cats have. The word “tabby” originates from a striped silk made in Iraq.

2. Look for the “M.” 

All orange cats sport an “M” on their forehead. Though various legends attribute the “M” to everyone from the Virgin Mary to Mohammed, the real, science-backed explanation is in their DNA. The trademark “M” marking is caused by the same gene that gives orange cats their tabby pattern.

3. Orange Cats Are Almost Always Male. 

Four out of five orange tabby cats are born male—a whopping 80 percent of orange kittens will be boys. Why? The marmalade colour comes from a sex-linked gene, with the X chromosome being responsible for the orange coloured fur.

Because females have two X chromosomes, females need the gene for orange fur to occur twice in both of their X genes. Males, on the other hand, have the XY chromosome, so they only need their one X gene to have the marker for orange colouring.

4. They’re Chatty Cathy’s.

Orange cats are known to be talkers. According to Gary Weitzman, head veterinarian at the San Diego Humane Society, cat personalities are tied to coat colour—and orange cats are far and away the most talkative of the bunch!

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5. Trademark Black Freckles.

Many orange cats have dark freckles around their nose and/or gums. This is caused by a genetic condition caused lentigo, which is common in calico and tortoiseshell cats. Lentigo increases in the number of pigment-producing cells, causing the freckles. Lentigo is not cause for worry in and of itself, though if you notice any changes, speak with your vet.

6. They Have Something in Common with Your Red-Headed Friends. 

A specific pigment called pheomelanin causes the orange coat colour. This is the same pigment that causes red hair in humans.

7. Velcro Cat Reputation.

While there’s no scientific studies to back this, orange cats are thought to be friendlier and more affectionate than other cats. This could be because 80% of orange cats are male, and male cats tend to be more social and affectionate with both humans and other cats.

8. Types of Stripes.

There are no cats with solid-coloured orange coats. All tabby cats, including those that are orange, have a patterned coat caused by the agouti gene. This gene results in one of four possible tabby patterns: mackerel (tiger stripes), ticked (fur with alternating light and dark stripes), spotted, and classic (a swirled pattern).

9. Bigger Than Your Average Cat.

Marmalade cats tend to be slightly larger and taller than other cats. This is likely because most orange cats   are males.

10. Easy-going Snugglers.

Though all ginger cats have individual personalities, consensus says these cats like to relax. Easy-going and laid-back, orange cats are perfect snuggle buddies.

This article originally appeared in the award-winning Modern Cat magazine. Subscribe today!