7 Fast Facts About Ginger Cats

Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Back to results
Enter Your Information All fields are required

While efforts are made to answer all questions as quickly as possible, if an immediate answer is required or if your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, contact your pet's veterinarian immediately.

*Please note: Questions submitted and the answers will appear on our website as a benefit to all pet owners. Please make sure not to include any personal information in the box where you enter your question.

Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Thank you! Your question has been submitted.

You will receive an answer from Dr. Lindsay and our vet/tech team as soon as possible, usually the same day.

All answers are provided for informational or educational purposes only, and are intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your pet's veterinarian.

It may be necessary to consult your pet's veterinarian regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your pet's symptoms or medical condition.

Close
Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Oops! Your question has not been submitted.

An error has occurred, please reload the page and try again.

Close
Ask the Vet
Got questions? Ask Our Vet Team:

While efforts are made to answer all questions as quickly as possible, if an immediate answer is required or if your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, contact your pet's veterinarian immediately.

Do these answer your question?
Showing of | See All
Have another question, or can’t find your answer?
Submit your question
We're Sorry!

There is no answer related to your question

Can’t find your answer?
Submit your question
Category

7 Fast facts

September 1st is National Ginger Cat Appreciation Day, started by software developer Chris Roy, who founded the holiday to honor his cat Doobert, the namesake of his website that helps shelters find volunteers. Whether you have an orange cat of your own or you’re a fancier of all felines, get to know these fun facts about carrot-topped kitties.

Fun Facts about Ginger Cats:

Most ginger cats are male.
The gene that gives ginger cats their famous fur color is located on the X chromosome, which means female cats need two copies of it, while male cats only need one. So anytime you see a red cat, there’s an 8 in 10 chance that they’re male.

Ginger cats can have freckles.
Just like their human counterparts, ginger cats are more likely than other cats to have freckles, which you can find on their little pink nose, eyelids, tongue, and lips. The little black freckles, known as lentigo, do not seem to be linked with sun exposure, though they can get darker over your cat’s lifetime.

All gingers are tabbies, but not all tabbies are gingers.
“Tabby” cats are those that carry the agouti gene, which creates stripey fur patterns with a distinct “M” on the cat’s forehead. All ginger cats, regardless of whether they belong to the Maine Coon, Abyssinian, or domestic shorthair breeds, are considered tabbies.

Male gingers are bigger than other cats.
Male ginger cats are larger than other males, possibly giving them an advantage when it comes to breeding, as well as the confidence behind their friendly, risk-taking personality. On the other hand, female ginger cats are known to be smaller than females with other fur colors.

Ginger cats are known for “looks, not books.”
Though it’s not understood why, cat parents of ginger cats often report them to be “derpier” than other cats. According to internet lore, all orange cats share one singular brain cell. It’s unclear if this stereotype has any basis in reality, though there’s some evidence that ginger cats are bold and confident, and more likely to engage in risky behavior, which could be the reason behind their clumsy, silly shenanigans.

Ginger tabbies are natural-born stars.
From Garfield, the titular character of the comic strips and movies, to the stripey feline in Pablo Picasso’s painting Cat Eating a Bird, Oliver in the animated film Oliver & Company, to the unnamed tabby in the post-apocalyptic video game Stray, orange cats are a mainstay across all types of media. It comes as no surprise to those who love them that ginger cats are naturally blessed with main character tendencies that keep them in the spotlight.

There’s a ginger cat near you waiting for a home!
If you have room in your heart (and your home) for a new cat, consider checking your local shelter. You can honor Ginger Cat Appreciation Day by bringing home a fiery feline of your own, or by donating or volunteering to help care for cats and kittens in need.