Orange cats are known for their vibrant fur and cheerful personalities, but some may be surprised to learn that these cats can also have a reputation for being aggressive. This “bad reputation” is not unfounded, as both genetic traits and their living environment influence the personalities of these cats.
In recent years, prejudices against orange cats have started to spread on the Reddit platform, suggesting that they are more aggressive and mischievous than cats of other colors.
Notably, in late 2021, a user @throwawayorangecats on Reddit shared a story about two cats in his workplace: an orange cat named Jorts and a calico cat named Jeans. While Jorts was described as a rather “arrogant” cat who refused to enter a room because the door was only slightly ajar rather than fully open, Jeans was quite adept at opening doors. This led the user to be playfully teased by colleagues for being “racist” against cats.
An orange cat. (Photo: Cat World).
One of the biggest reasons why orange cats may exhibit more aggressive behavior than their counterparts with different fur colors is due to their genetic makeup. The gene responsible for the orange color is linked to gender and is located on the X chromosome. Thus, male cats (XY) only need one X chromosome carrying this gene from either parent, while female cats (XX) require two X chromosomes with this gene from both parents to have orange fur. Statistics from BBC Science indicate that 80% of orange cats are male, and male cats typically display more aggressive traits than females due to hormonal influences on their behavior.
Some genes responsible for behavior or other physical traits, such as body size, may be inherited along with the genes responsible for fur color. This contributes to orange cats appearing larger than their differently colored counterparts, and this size is believed to give them more “confidence” when vying for a “leadership” position within a group or interacting with humans.
In addition to genetic factors, environmental factors can also influence the behavior of orange cats. Animal behavior experts from Cat World explain, “Orange cats that are not properly socialized or have experienced trauma in the past are more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviors. It is crucial for the owners of these cats to provide a safe living environment to prevent such behaviors.”
