Orange Cat Energy: Reasons to Adopt an Orange Cat

Orange cats have earned a name for being sweet and friendly but also not-so-bright and rather chaotic. Their hilarious antics are meme-worthy thanks to their so-called “orange cat energy.” But are orange cats as kooky as advertised? Join us, as we take a deep dive into the delightful world of orange cat energy.

The marmalade cat’s appeal is so contagious that they’ve repeatedly made their mark on culture, be it an elegant, red tabby’s scene-stealing turns opposite Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s to Garfield, the sarcastic, lazy, lasagna-eating feline icon.

Exceptional as they may seem, these ginger cats are actually tabbies, or cats with a distinctive “M”-shaped mark on their foreheads. (To be clear, a tabby is not a breed but refers to a cat’s coat pattern.) Due to the pheomelanin pigment that gives orange cats their unique coloring, they also usually come with cool jungled stripes on their fur.

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Is orange cat behavior a myth?

Thanks predominantly to TikTok, the orange tabby has become synonymous with the sheer entertainment value they unintentionally provide, such as having more cases of the zoomies. They’re celebrated for being an excellent mix of everything you’d want in a cat: sweetly friendly, adorably social, and abounding in mindless rushes of energy. This has made their well-documented behavior practically mythic on social media. Can a coat color really impact how a cat behaves? Below are some reality checks on this front.

Common personality traits of orange cats

We hate to break it to you, but science does not back up the assertion that orange cats are less intelligent or more prone to being daredevils. “I’ve definitely seen and worked with hundreds of orange tabby cats and seen a wide variety of personality types,” Zarah Hedge, chief medical officer at the San Diego Humane Society, said to CNET. “A cat’s upbringing and socialization to humans, other animals, and different environments plays a larger role [than fur color] in their overall personality and how they interact with humans.”

“If anything, [the orange cat behavior phenomenon] is a great example of how good people are at finding patterns where they don’t actually exist,” cat behaviorist Kristiina Wilson said to Kinship. “They hear or decide that orange cats act a certain way, and when they do, the person makes note of it. But all the times they don’t act that way, their brains don’t really file the information away.”

One study even surmised that the pop culture obsession with orange cats (Garfield, Winnie-the-Pooh’s Tigger, Toulouse from The Aristocats, Puss in Boots from Shrek, the Harry Potter series’ Crookshanks) has positively influenced our opinion of them. The authors of that study wrote, “One possibility is that the tendency for orange cats to be highly anthropomorphized in advertising and other popular media influences their popularity.”

Orange cats tend to be male

A quick lesson in kitty genetics: The X chromosome carries the gene that produces these cat’s orange coloring. But not all X chromosomes carry this gene. That means a female cat, who has two X chromosomes, would need both to carry the ginger gene. But because males have one X and one Y chromosome, they only need their X chromosome to carry the gene. This results in nearly 80 percent of orange cats being male. 

The positive stereotype that orange cats are friendlier may come from this sex bias. Male cats are thought to be friendlier than their female counterparts, according to some research — although this has yet to be proven. This could also account for what’s anecdotally thought to be their more boisterous personalities.

Palina Liashkovich / Stocksy/

7 reasons why orange cats make great companions

1. Science may not conclusively back this up, but ask any orange-cat pet parent: These kitties are notoriously cuddly, snuggly — and sometimes even velcro-y — love bugs.

2. They are not one breed, so you can find that (perceived) orange cat energy in a number of your favorite cat breeds.

3. If you’re a ginger, you can twin with your cat. The pheomelanin that makes their coat color orange is the same natural pigment found in a human’s red hair. 

4. They are utterly adorable and imminently Instagrammable. In addition to their ginger goodness, they tend to come with little black freckles around their lips and nose.

5. Having a loving orange cat can improve your mental health.

6. They’re unique in ways beyond their color: Male orange cats are bigger than most cats, and the females tend to be smaller than other femme felines.

7. People historically grow very attached to them. In fact, legendary U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill was famously so obsessed with these special cats that he left a clause in his will that whoever inherited his home must make sure there’s always a marmalade cat living there. 

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Adopting an orange cat

Marmalade cats are purported to be famously easy, especially for first-time cat parents. However, among the 3.3 million cats in shelters today, 330,000 will be euthanized. Although orange cat energy has been great PR for the kitty, one study showed that, after black and gray cats, orange cats still have one of the highest rates of euthanasia. 

So, if you’re thinking about meeting an orange cat to adopt, the time is now. You’ll be doing a life-changing favor for both you and your new cat.

Preparing for adoption

Orange felines are everything you’d want in a cat, but they’re still living creatures who come with responsibilities. Before bringing home your new orange rescue, invest a little time planning for their arrival. 

Assess your home environment: After your cat arrives at your home, they may be scared. But before you know it, they’ll be curious — looking around and interacting with any item within their reach. So it’s important to safeguard your home.

• Keep breakable objects, sharp items, cleaning materials, and poisonous plants out of their reach.

• Anchor unsteady furniture and locking cabinets.

• Cover electric cords and cables.

Buy some essential supplies for your new orange cat: It’s best to purchase all these items before your cat arrives so all their needs are immediately met. Any missing necessities could result in a loss of trust and security.

• A litter box and cat litter

• Cat food and food/water dishes

• Toys and a scratching post

• Grooming tools, such as nail clippers and a cat brush

• A cat bed

Think about financial considerations and long-term care: This may feel like a technicality, but it’s an important one. In the first year of pet parenthood, the annual cost for a cat can be as high as $2,675. (Due to vet visits, adopting a kitten will incur more costs than an adult.) That should go down to about $1,149 thereafter. Here are what some of those expenses will entail:

• Adoption fee

• Medical care

• Food/litter/supplies

• Pet insurance

The great thing about adoption is that the fee usually includes spaying/neutering, a microchip, and some vaccinations. And if you need financial help down the road, there are plenty of options, from payment plans to loans to charities. 

Finding and choosing the right orange cat

Orange cats come in an array of breeds, so there are many to choose from. But this also means you should give some serious thought to the type of cat you want based on your personal preferences, lifestyle, and finances. Some factors you should take into consideration include:

• Age and energy levels

• Breed

• Personality type

Once you’ve found a cat who reasonably meets your criteria — and remember, no being, human or otherwise, is absolutely perfect — reach out to shelters and rescues. (See below, “Where to find orange cats for adoption,” for tips on that.) Once you’ve connected with them, ask them questions about the cat’s medical history, personality, and how they are with children or other pets, if relevant. They’ve been nurturing this kitty and should have some valuable insight.

It’s always a great idea to meet your potential adoptee, interact with them, and play with them if they’re in the mood. Also, make sure everyone in your home is on board with caring for this cat. Once you’ve done all of the above, you’ll feel confident about adopting your orange cat.

Where to find orange cats for adoption

You can visit your local shelter or rescue. Or even easier: Start with a search on Adopt a Pet, where you can sort by color — as well as age and sex — for orange cats near you. From there, reach out to verified shelters and rescues to meet potential feline family members in person. Trust us when we say that orange cat vibes are intoxicating, so be prepared to bring one home.

Commonly asked questions

Why are orange cats so weird?​

The concept of weird orange cat energy is more of a social-media phenomenon than a fact. In truth, many cats can seem eccentric or idiosyncratic because, as more solitary animals, they sense and experience the world differently from humans (or dogs, for that matter) — and that’s a big part of their charm.

Are orange female cats rare?

Orange female cats are not rare, but they are somewhat uncommon. It’s estimated that females only account for 20 percent of orange cats because the gene that creates their coloring is only found on some X chromosomes. Male cats only require one X chromosome with this ginger gene, whereas a female cat requires two X chromosomes with the gene to be that color.

Are orange cats friendlier?

No conclusive research proves that orange cats are friendlier than cats of any other hue. However, some people suggest that orange cats, being more male than female, may be friendlier.

Are orange cats smarter?

No, orange cats are not necessarily smarter than other cats. If anything, they have a reputation for being less intelligent than other cats, which is not true, either. In reality, feline intelligence varies by individual cat — coat color does not determine intelligence.

What breed are orange cats​?

Several feline breeds can be orange. Some of the most popular are the Domestic, American, British, Oriental, and Exotic Shorthair cats. Other cat breeds that can be ginger include the Maine Coon, American Bobtail, Siberian, Persian, Cornish, Devin, and Selkirk Rex cats. 

How long do orange cats live?

There is no specific lifespan for orange cats, who can represent several feline breeds. But in general, cats live for 15 to 20 years. 

Are orange cats hypoallergenic?

No cat is technically hypoallergenic. However, certain breeds of orange cats have lower-shedding, shorter hair, which makes them better for people with allergies. The Devon Rex, in particular, is a great option for potential pet parents with allergies.

When is National Orange Cat Day?

National Orange Cat Day (also called Ginger Cat Appreciation Day) takes place on September 1 of each year.

What is orange cat energy?

Orange cat energy refers to the social media trend that has celebrated orange cats as being highly social and resoundingly playful but also rather unintelligent. Studies, meanwhile, show that orange cats are no different in the brain function or energy departments than any other cat, with personalities varying by individual cat.

What is orange cat behavior?

Orange cat behavior is frequently confused with the orange cat energy trend on social media (see above), which is not backed by research. The personality of orange cats, like any other kitties, will differ from cat to cat. These felines can span various breeds and do not share any behavioral traits based on similar coat colors.

References

Carini, Robert M., et al. “Coat Color and Cat Outcomes in an Urban U.S. Shelter.” Animals, vol. 10, no. 10, 23 Sept. 2020, p. 1720, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10101720.

“Cat-Color Myth Busted: Your Orange Tabby Isn’t Dumber than Its Feline Pals.” CNET, 2022, www.cnet.com/science/cat-color-myth-busted-your-orange-tabby-isnt-dumber-than-its-feline-pals/. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

‌Delgado, Mikel M., et al. “Human Perceptions of Coat Color as an Indicator of Domestic Cat Personality.” Anthrozoös, vol. 25, no. 4, Dec. 2012, pp. 427–440, https://doi.org/10.2752/175303712x13479798785779.

‌“Is Orange Cat Behavior Actually a Thing?” IFLScience, 28 Nov. 2023, www.iflscience.com/is-orange-cat-behavior-actually-a-thing-71755.

Lee, Gayoung. “Geneticists Solve the Mystery of Why Some Cats Are Orange—and Why They Tend to Be Males.” Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024, www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/geneticists-solve-the-mystery-of-why-some-cats-are-orange-and-why-they-tend-to-be-males-180985619/. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Wu, Karen. “Why Orange Cats Are so Special, according to Science | Psychology Today.” www.psychologytoday.com, 27 Sept. 2020.