Seasoned cat lovers will know that our furry friends have different personalities depending on their breed, but it turns out their coat color can also play a role.
The most well-known of all is the ginger feline, or as social media users around the world call it, “orange cats”, which have earned a reputation for being one of the most cheeky and mischievous variants.
In fact, the hashtag “orange cat behavior” has 643.1 million views on TikTok and features a host of unruly pets.
Dr Anna Foreman, in-house veterinarian at Everypaw Pet Insurance, told FEMAIL that while the science is vague, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that points to the conclusion that redheads are wilder than their counterparts.
“Studies on how cat owners perceive their cats’ personalities have shown that orange cats are seen as more friendly, affectionate and playful,” she explained.
A TikToker took to social media to share a video of her ginger feline waving at her very loudly. The “orange cat behavior” has racked up millions of views on TikTok, showing the bizarre and wild actions of brown felines
Ginger cats are not only known for their outgoing personalities, but have become famous for their popularity in pop culture and media.
Winston Churchill was famous for owning an orange cat named Tango, and celebrities including Elizabeth Moss and Ian Somerhalder have also shared snaps of their copper-coated felines on social media.
Furthermore, the movie Garfield, which features a friendly but exceptionally lazy ginger cat, has probably also played a role in people’s association with these lively creatures.
In videos posted on social media, the ginger cats can also be seen performing with abundant energy and bravery, with a clip showing a pet jumping from the top of a power pole to the ground, much to the horror of its owner.
In another video, a cat emerges from the bottom hole of an arcade machine, casually slides in, and proceeds to stretch for a long time.
One third of @phineasthecato It shows a noisy ginger cat trying his hardest to produce the loudest meow as he howls at his surprised owner.
Dr Anna suggested that the playful behaviour of orange cats “may have to do with the gender split observed in ginger cats: about 70-80 per cent are male.”
The reason for this is that the gene that determines the reddish coat is much more easily transmitted to male kittens than to females, he said.
An orange feline nonchalantly walked out of a playroom, seemingly unfazed by its strange exit. Dr Anna suggested that the playful behaviour of orange cats: “may have to do with the gender split seen in ginger cats – around 70-80% are male.”
A ginger cat pictured braving the icy snow, despite being known for his aversion to water. Male ginger cats tend to be much wider and taller than other cat colors.
A brave orange cat jumped into the cold snow. Dr. Anna explained that male cats, which make up 70-80 percent of orange felines, tend to be much more adventurous.
A ginger tabby cat photographed with a confused expression as it tries to bat at its owners’ fingers. There is little evidence to say definitively whether ginger cats are genetically more likely to become feral, but anecdotal evidence suggests they are.
Roger explained that science indicates there are differences in temperament between breeds, but there is little evidence that points directly to the color-changing behavior of cats, despite claims made about orange cats.
The vet explained: ‘Male cats are generally more adventurous and friendly, being especially adventurous if they have not been neutered, so the population of ginger cats, mainly males, can be considered as such.’
In fact, unneutered ginger cats, often called tomcats, might get their lively personalities from their “Viking” roots, said feline behavior expert Roger Tabor. BBC.
She said: ‘However, studies of owner perceptions tell a different story: calico and grey cats are seen as “aloof” and the ginger cat is seen as “more friendly and affectionate”.
He also noted that male ginger cats are much more likely to be larger in size than other cats, excluding the notoriously huge Maine Coon cats.
Dr Anna said: ‘There are many breeds of cats that can be ginger – it is the breed that often determines personality, rather than the coat colour.
‘Abyssinians, Maine Coons and British Shorthairs all come in a red variant, and these breeds are widely known for being friendly and outgoing.’
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