To celebrate Ginger Cat Appreciation Day, we’ve put together our favourite facts about ginger cats. You may know a few of these already, but let’s see why ginger cats are so special.
1. All ginger cats are tabbies
All orange cats are tabby cats, but not all tabbies are orange. Many believe that a tabby cat is a specific breed, but it actually refers to the unique coat markings that all tabby cats have. Ginger cats exhibit tabby patterns, which include stripes and spotted patterns.
2. Most ginger cats are male
You may be wondering, are ginger cats always male? While not all ginger cats are male, they easily make up the majority. According to studies, 80% of all ginger cats are male. This is because the ‘ginger gene’, which produces the orange colour, is on the X chromosome and females need two of these, whereas males only need one. So, if you have a female ginger cat, then they are quite the rare gem.
3. Orange cats are considered lucky
It’s a well-known myth that black cats are unlucky, but did you know that ginger cats are associated with bringing good luck and fortune? In Ancient Egypt, the orange colour in ginger cats was associated with the sun, which is believed to bring prosperity, happiness and good fortune. So be sure to give your furry friend some extra snuggles for ‘luck’!
4. All ginger cats have a strange marking on their head
You’ll notice that all ginger cats have an ‘M’ marking on their forehead or something similar. Some legends say that Mother Mary kissed an orange cat to bless them for rocking baby Jesus to sleep, while other sources believe that an orange tabby killed a snake for Muhammad, who then put his mark on the cat. However, the scientific reason for the ‘M’ on the forehead is because of their DNA. The mark is caused by the same gene that gives orange cats their tabby pattern.
5. Their tabby fur patterns serve as camouflage
Just like tigers and other big cats in the wild, ginger cats’ orange fur and tabby markings provide camouflage to help them hunt.
If you’re thinking of getting a cat, check out our expert guide covering everything you need to know.