Are orange cats as 'scandalous' as rumored?

Orange cats are known for their bright coats and playful personalities, but some people may be surprised to learn that these cats can also have a reputation for being aggressive . This "bad" reputation is not without foundation, as genetics and environment both influence these cats' personalities.

In recent years, stereotypes about orange cats have begun to circulate on Reddit, claiming that they are more aggressive and destructive than other cats.

Notably, at the end of 2021, a user @throwawayorangecats on Reddit told the story of two cats at the office where he worked, an orange cat named Jorts and a calico cat named Jeans. While Jorts was described as a rather "arrogant" cat who refused to enter the room because the door was only left ajar instead of wide open, Jeans was able to open the door very skillfully. This person was later teased by his colleagues for being "racist" towards cats.

Picture 1 of Are orange cats as 'scandalous' as rumored?
A cat with orange fur. (Photo: Cat World).

One of the biggest reasons why orange cats tend to be more aggressive than their counterparts with other colors is because of their genetic makeup. The gene responsible for orange is sex-linked and is only found on the X chromosome. So male cats (XY) only need one X chromosome carrying the gene from one parent, while female cats (XX) need two X chromosomes carrying the gene from both parents to have orange fur. According to BBC Science, 80% of orange cats are male, and male cats tend to be more aggressive than female cats due to hormonal factors that influence their behavior.

Some genes responsible for behavior or other physical characteristics such as body size can be inherited along with those responsible for coat color. This makes orange cats appear larger than their non-orange counterparts, and this size is thought to make them more 'confident' when seeking 'leadership' positions in the pack or approaching humans.

In addition to genetics, environmental factors can also influence the personality of orange cats . Animal behavior experts at Cat World explain, 'Orange cats that are not properly socialized or have experienced trauma in the past are more prone to exhibit aggressive behavior. It is important that owners of these cats provide a safe living environment for them to prevent this behavior' .