Ginger Cats: The Truth Behind the Colour | Purina (2024)

FAQs

What makes ginger cats so special? ›

Gingers are generally known for their super-chill and loving purr-sonalities – yep, you read that right – and are often described as 'velcro' cats. You know, because they like to closely attach themselves to humans…the Bengal and Siamese breeds are good examples.

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'!

Most likely the kittens will be grey or ginger. Both colors seem pretty dominant but don't be surprised if you get a black or white or calico kitten. Cat genetics can sometimes be pretty random.

A huge 80% of all ginger cats are male, as there are far less variables involved. Also, ginger males can come from red, calico and tortoiseshell mothers, whereas females need to have one fully red father and the mother will have to be red, calico or tortoiseshell.

Some of the most common ginger cat breeds are the Abyssinian, Bengal, Egyptian Mau, Munchkin, and Persian. The lifespan of an orange kitten is not specific to their coloring. They have the same average lifespan as does the particular breed of felines they belong to.

Being on the X chromosome, the orange gene is sex-linked, meaning that a cat's sex chromosomes can actually affect their color. Cats with one X chromosome can either be orange or non-orange, only needing one mutation to become a lovely pumpkin hue.

Ginger males can come from red, calico and tortoiseshell mothers with any father, whereas ginger females need to have one fully red father and the mother will also have to be red, calico or tortoiseshell.

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."

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.

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.

Do ginger kittens keep their blue eyes? ›

A majority of kittens are born with blue eyes. As sight develops, cat's eyes often begin to change, and take on a range of different colors, from browns and yellows to greens, oranges and ambers. This change will likely begin somewhere between three to eight weeks of age.

Females have two X chromosomes and so need two copies of this gene to become ginger, whereas males need only one. This means there are roughly three males to one female ginger cat. Ginger tom cats father tortoiseshell or ginger females. If both parents are ginger, then they will have all ginger kittens as well.

Cats tend to stop growing once they become 1 year old. A 12-month-old cat is approximately the same age as a 15-year-old human, says PetMD. However, some cats do continue to grow past the 12 month mark.

Roughly 20% of ginger cats are female but only 1 in 3000 calico cats will be male. So the male calico is by far the most rare of the two. Why are there very few female ginger cats?

Because, much like their near-polar opposite, the black cat, orange cats have made an indelible mark on popular culture. Proud, fiery, or, in Garfield's case, extraordinarily lazy, they are a unique force of nature in the feline world.

Ginger cats have a sassy and spunky personality that we can't help but love! They are always ready to chat and be heard! They will strongly share their opinions with their owners through purrs and trills. With goofy antics and a loving snuggle, they're always going to brighten up your day!

Bi-colored and orange cats were found to be friendly. Tri-colored, white and black cats were found to be more antisocial. White cats were the most lazy, shy and calm. Tortoiseshells were intolerant.

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.