6 Fun Facts About Orange Tabby Cats
1. The orange tabby cat is not actually its own separate breed of cat.
Whether you call them orange, red, ginger or marmalade tabbies, orange tabby cats are not a specific breed of cat, rather it is referring to their fur color. Orange tabbies can be many different breeds, from Persian and Maine Coon to your standard Domestic Short Hair!
2. Many orange tabbies will develop little black freckles on their nose and mouth area.
Not only do ginger cats come with perfectly kissable pink noses, they may also develop adorable little freckles! These freckles will normally develop around the gums, lips, or nose area and can continue to appear throughout their life. These freckles are caused by a benign genetic called lentigo which increases the number of pigment-producing cells (epidermal melanocytes) around the lips, nose, and eyes and results in those little black freckles. They're like little sprinkles of joy! These freckles are normally harmless, but any change in size or pigmentation should be checked by a veterinarian.
3. They come in 4 beautiful coat types: Classic (swirled), Mackerel (striped), spotted and ticked (agouti).
- Mackerel: Mackerel tabbies are striped and may be tiger-like in appearance, with a classic ‘M’ shape on their forehead!
- Classic: the classic tabby pattern usually consists of a dark swirl or bullseye around your cat's midsection
- Ticked: Most common in breeds like Abyssinian, ticked tabbies can fool you into thinking that solid ginger cats exist - but they don't! Ticked tabbies have an almost speckled pattern with tabby markings on their heads.
- Spotted: Spotted tabbies appear, well, spotted! Their stripes or swirls are broken up and appear as ovals. This marking is most commonly seen in Bengal cat breeds!
4. Most orange tabby cats are males: 80% male, and 20% female - No wonder they are usually mischievous!
Interestingly enough, most orange tabby cats are indeed male! 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). But a male tabby only needs one O gene, which he gets from his mother.
5. All orange cats are tabby cats, they do not have a solid coat!
Without getting too deep into genetics (it's complicated, folks!), thanks again to their genetic makeup, all orange cats will have tabby markings of some kind. This is because of the agouti gene. The agouti gene determines whether a cat has a tabby pattern or not. However, when the red pigment gene is expressed, the non-agouti gene does not work. So you can't have a non-agouti gene with an orange cat - meaning they will have some type of tabby marking, whether it is classic, mackerel, or ticked.
6. Orange tabby cats get a lot of screen time!
Beyond the famed lasagna-loving Garfield, orange tabby have graced the silver screen - more than you may have realized! There are live-action kitties like Goose (Captain Marvel) Orion (Men in Black) and Jones (Alien), ... wow, there are a lot of orange tabbies in space, aren't there? And don't forget Orangey in Breakfast at Tiffany's. And you can't forget about Puss in Boots, who melted everyone's hearts with iconic big kitty eyes!
Does your orange cat have particular characteristics? Tell us about them! We love to learn more.
My Ed was named after Ed Sheeran. He was a feral cat just under a year old when I got him. I live in the country, and Ed is both an indoor/outdoor cat. He’s got the best of both worlds. Very well socialized with adults, he’s perfect in the house yet he’s incredibly happy outside – especially with Millie, the neighbors’ male feline who spends his life outdoors. They’re both lovely little creatures!
My Ed was named after Ed Sheeran. He was a feral cat just under a year old when I got him. I live in the country, and Ed is both an indoor/outdoor cat. He’s got the best of both worlds. Very well socialized with adults, he’s perfect in the house yet he’s incredibly happy outside – especially with Millie, the neighbors’ male feline who spends his life outdoors. They’re both lovely little creatures!
Christine,
I’m so very very sorry for your loss! All 3 of my rescues are 14, 14 and at least 16 but could be 17 or 18. Have had them all 3 for YEARS! It’s so very hard. I think about it everyday so many times a day! I am a rescuer and work with many rescues and foundations which is a wonderful thing. I’m boots on the ground at 63 years of age. They help with placement in fosters and adoption. And I go get them and foster and keep at times. I have 2 dogs. One is a foster kept and the new one I rescued on 12/21/22 from north Jefferson county dump in north Bham, AL, I kept because I don’t trust anyone to adopt her out. She’s a pittie mix but looks full blooded and could be. The vets think she’s 6 ish just st going by teeth and gums. I love her so much! These 5 are my passion and purpose. I do have 3 adult human kids and 8 grands. But rescue is my passion and purpose in life. I’m really blessed because many people never know what their purpose is this life is; but I’ve always known my purpose. Please foster to adopt. When I put my 15 year old German shepherd mix down, also a rescue at 5 weeks old, I waited almost 7 years before getting another and it was my 4 year old chi, almost 5 and I agreed to foster her for a local rescue. Also went and physically rescued her. She was a tiny 7 or 8 week old puppy and I was balling before I even picked her tiny little self up. Called the rescue through my sobs and told them that I was keep her. She will be 5 years old, well is already but her gotcha day is 9/20. It was the best thing I’ve ever done and I do it in my German shepherd mix that we had to euthanize just before she turned 15. Wish I had done it immediately because it helped me start healing and I saved another life and gave her the most excellent home and life. I know it’s what she would have wanted me to do. Help another pup like I did her. Another one ever replaced but your heart expands and stretches to help you be able to love one more! God Bless You! 🙏🏻❤️
Sebastian is a long haired tabby. I would love to learn more about him. He is my second orange tabby, for many reasons my first was ivory who is currently 15 years old and still kicking. Both are huge cats ! Lovable , cuddling, clingy almost, friendly, great with kids, good hunter & both male. Here’s to my loves Ivory (2008) & Sebastian(2022)
My Birdie likes a routine, especially with cuddling sessions timed throughout the day. He also likes to hold hands at night. He has obvious feelings and emotions unlike any other cat I’ve had. Definitely orange tabbies from here on in.
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