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Owning a single cat can be quite the endeavour, but having four is a whole different ball game, demanding ample time, dedication, and a good dose of patience. Despite the challenges, I wouldn’t change my situation for the world, yet curiosity led me to delve into whether there’s a link between their coat colours and their temperaments — and the findings were quite enlightening. In my feline quartet, I have a pair of ginger cats, one male and one female. It’s common knowledge among cat aficionados that female gingers are a rarity.
Additionally, I’m the proud owner of two calico cats, each with their own unique set of traits and quirks. But it’s the ginger or orange cats that really piqued my interest and prompted further investigation into their behaviours because they’re simply off-the-wall.
And by off-the-wall, I’m not referring to the occasional burst of energy known as “zoomies” that cats exhibit; I’m talking about a level of stubbornness, vocalisation, and mischief that’s off the charts.
Chester, my male ginger, exhibits an extreme level of attachment, protesting loudly whenever he’s separated from me by a closed door. The intense staring contests between him and his fellow ginger only serve to underscore their obstinate nature.
Then there’s Lily, my female ginger, who roams the house with a plaintive meow, engaging in what can only be described as acrobatic feats as she scales any climbable surface. Her demanding demeanour stands in stark contrast to her sister, who exudes tranquillity and composure.
My initial search into Google revealed a shared curiosity among other ginger cat owners: Is there a madness to orange cats that correlates with their fiery fur?
While definitive evidence is lacking, some research hints at a possible connection between feline behaviour and their coat colour.
Falls Village Vets note that approximately 80% of orange cats are male, potentially accounting for their bolder and more vocal nature with strangers.
Yet, from personal experience, it’s my orange cats that show the most love and affection.
In contrast to my two calicos, my ginger cats are always eager for cuddles, purr instantly, and prefer sleeping on the bed.
Nicky Trevorrow, Petplan expert and behaviour manager at Cats Protection, commented: “While there is some emerging research in this area, there is still a great deal that is not understood, so further research is certainly needed.”
She questions whether specific genes linked to coat colour might also influence temperament, saying, “In particular, looking at causation rather than simply correlation, for example, do particular genes for a coat colour also affect the temperament?”
It’s also crucial not to choose a cat solely based on coat colour, as black and tuxedo cats often face lower adoption rates, as highlighted by the RSPCA.
