Orange Cat Behavior: Fact or Phenomenon?

If you’re a cat lover — and you’re here, reading this article, so it feels pretty safe to assume that you are — you may have recently noticed your algorithm going extra hard on a specific type of cat content, i.e., orange cat content. Even more specifically, orange cat behavior. 

Although exactly what this is can be hard to pin down, based on the videos racking up millions of views on TikTok these days, orange cat behavior is generally endearing, often derpy, occasionally spicy, and, at times, completely and utterly banal. And, in typical human fashion, everyone posting or engaging with such content seems to have a different definition of exactly what it is and feels very strongly that their definition is the right one.

Having grown up with an orange cat and recently fostered an orange cat, my definition of “orange cat behavior,” were I to have one, would most likely be distant, stoic, independent, and proud — and maybe a little ferocious. My mother’s cat, Sophie, was a lovely orange tabby, and she and I never got along when I was a kid. I resented her aloofness, and she was not above making me bleed if I cornered her.

As for my foster, Mufasa, well, three days into our association, he ripped a six-inch gash in my wrist when I tried to pick him up. Not his fault, of course; he was my first foster and I got cocky. He also broke a vase, knocked a 40-pound mirror off the wall, scratched the surface of my dining table, and ripped my pants. It was a very eventful 10 seconds.

But, given that Sophie and Mufasa were both feral before they came into my life, attributing their behavior to their orange-ness feels like a stretch. After all, causation and correlation are not the same thing. While I might prefer the story that their shared hostility toward me was caused by the color of their fur, as opposed to their time on the streets or my own behavior, that doesn’t make it true. 

Main takeaways

• “Orange cat behavior” is the idea that orange cats are more social and playful than cats of other colors. 

• There is no scientific evidence that orange cats behave differently than other cats.

• Factors such as breed and environment have a larger impact on a cat’s behavior than coat color. 

• Because of genetics, orange cats are more likely to be male than female. 

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What is orange cat behavior?

Orange cat parents often believe their fiery-colored felines have personalities that match their vibrant coats. And there’s been no shortage of orange tabbies in pop culture, from the lazy Garfield to Ridley’s iconic Jonesy in the Alien movies. 

The trend of “orange cat behavior” has taken off on TikTok and other social media platforms in the last few years, especially when these cats do something endearingly goofy, like climb to a place in the house they can’t get down from or awkwardly pose on furniture. Orange cat behavior can be silly, chaotic, friendly, or all of the above, suggesting that these felines are just a little more … everything — truly a horse (or rather, cat) of a different color. 

Orange cat stereotypes

Their bright coats often lead people to ascribe similarly bright personalities to orange cats, whether more affectionate and outgoing or just more prone to adventurous — or, let’s face it, dumb — mistakes. Some people think orange cats are more prone to cases of the zoomies, risky behaviors, and general tomfoolery. And while it’s easy to judge a book by its cover (or, in this case, a cat by their color), it’s rarely accurate. 

“There are several studies using client surveys that suggest that there may be perceived differences in behavior associated with color,” veterinarian Dr. Valli Parthasarathy of Synergy Veterinary Behavior says. “However, there have not been patterns that, in my opinion, are consistent enough to make general statements about color effects on behavior.” 

Myth busted: Does being orange really influence cat behavior?

The fact is, at least according to science, there is no such thing as orange cat behavior. “To date, no studies have shown any impact of coat color on personality in cats,” veterinary behaviorist Dr. Mikel Delgado tells Kinship. “There are survey-based studies that demonstrate that humans might think there are differences in cat behavior or personality based on coat color; however, no studies to date have found a relationship between coat color and behavior by actually testing cats.” The one study she is aware of found no differences in behavior (shyness, activity, friendliness to a new person, etc.) between cats with orange coats and other coat colors.

Of course, numerous studies draw links between cat breeds and certain personality traits. However, analysis of these studies has found their conclusions are often flimsy at best, relying as they do on small data sets or people’s reported observations of their own cats’ behaviors. The problem with this kind of survey-based research is that every human participant will perceive traits like friendliness, aggression, or shyness differently. Those same people are also more likely to note and report the traits that already fit the narrative they have for their cats and disregard or downplay the ones that don’t. 

Here’s what experts have to say about orange cat behavior

“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 tells 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.”

Whether or not orange cat behavior is real, does believing in it do any harm? When you accept as fact that orange cats behave a certain way because they are orange, you are using the same flawed logic as people who insist that black cats are somehow mean or aloof because they are black. Stereotypes cut both ways, and believing in one makes it easier to believe in another.

Orange cat genetics: Coat color relates to the sex of the cat

It is also worth noting that approximately 80 percent of orange cats are male. “This is because the gene for orange fur is sex-linked and only on the X chromosome,” Dr. Delgado explains.  “Females have two X chromosomes (XX), while males only have one (XY).” This means males only need to inherit the orange fur gene from one parent in order to be full orange, while females need to inherit it from both; otherwise, they will be born calico or tortoiseshell. And while orange cats are overwhelmingly male, calico and tortoiseshell cats are overwhelmingly female, according to research. 

This is especially interesting when you look at the difference in the use of the term “tortitude” online versus “orange cat behavior.” While orange cats, who are usually male, are often characterized as silly and lovable, tortoiseshell cats, who are almost always female, are often framed as being sort of standoffish. 

“I think there is a sort of sexism from the jump about the way we perceive these animals,” Wilson says. This is not to say that the people participating in the proliferation of these terms online are being sexist or that calico parents adore their cats any less than orange cat parents do. But it is always worth examining the ways our understanding of the world around us might be influenced by biases, whether we are conscious of them or not. 

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What actually impacts cat behavior?

A variety of factors can impact cat behavior — from their surroundings to their genes to even the food they eat. Behavior is not a result of any single aspect of a cat’s life (and certainly not their coat color), but instead a combination of factors contribute to cat behavior. 

“Genetics and experience both [impact] a cat’s behavior,” Dr. Valli says. “Many of their species-typical behaviors (such as scratching on furniture, crepuscular activity patterns, patterns of play) have strong genetic components. How they react to threats can also have genetic influences. However, they also learn what works for them in a particular living environment and can adjust their behavior accordingly.”

Breed

A cat’s breed may be a better indicator of personality than coat color, according to some studies. Just like humans, genetics can play a role in a cat’s temperament and personality. However, it’s important to keep in mind that while a cat’s breed can give you a general idea of their traits, it’s not a guarantee of any specific characteristics.

Environment

The circumstances in which a cat lives can impact their day-to-day behavior. For example, an outside cat will certainly act differently than a cat who lives indoors, just based on their environment. 

Health

If a cat has health issues, they may behave differently. Even emotions such as fear and anxiety can change a cat’s behavior. In addition, whether a cat is spayed or neutered can also impact their behavior. While spaying or neutering a cat won’t eliminate unwanted behaviors, it can reduce some behaviors thanks to changes in hormones. 

Nutrition

Similarly to health, a cat’s nutrition — or lack thereof — can play a role in their behavior. Cats who don’t receive the proper nutrients in their diet will likely behave differently than those who do. 

Orange cat health and wellbeing

Certain cat breeds are more prone to some health issues, but orange cats are not a breed. Instead of considering your cat’s color when looking out for illness, determine your cat’s breed to find out if there are any specific health issues they may be at higher risk of developing. 

To sum it up: Orange cats are just like other cats

In the end, every cat has their own personality, regardless of the color of their fur or any other defining physical features. While some traits may be more common in some breeds, this variance doesn’t apply to coat colors. 

All this is to say that the way we perceive our cats (not to mention the rest of the world) often says more about us than it does about them. And the fact is that all cats, under the right circumstances, can be derpy or sly, standoffish or snuggly, no matter their color, sex, or breed.

FAQs

Do orange cats behave differently?

Because orange tabby is not a breed, it’s difficult to make any generalizations about the personalities and temperaments of orange cats. There is no evidence that they behave any differently than cats of other colors. 

Why are orange cats more feisty?

The majority of orange cats are male, so it could just be that male cats have more rambunctious temperaments. Regardless, it’s important to accept your cat as they are and not expect specific behaviors from them. 

Are all orange cats male?

Orange cats are more likely to be male than female, but there are female orange cats as well. 

Do orange cats have health problems?

Some cat breeds are more prone to health issues than others, but coat color has no impact on a cat’s risk level for any health concern.

References

• Delgado, Mikel M., et al. “Human Perceptions of Coat Color as an Indicator of Domestic Cat Personality.” Anthrozoӧs, vol. 25, no. 4, Oct. 2012, pp. 427-40. https://doi.org/10.2752/175303712x13479798785779. 

• Don’t Be so Fast to Judge a Cat by Its Color, Study Warns } Research UC Berkeley. vc.research.berkeley.edu/news/dont-be-so-fast-judge-cat-its-color-study-warns. 

• Kalantry Lab - Calico Cat. kalantry.lab.medicine.umich.edu/research/calico-cat. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

• Mikkola, Salla, et al. “Reliability and Validity of Seven Feline Behavior and Personality Traits.” Animals, vol. 11, no. 7, July 2021, p. 1991. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11071991.

• Morgan, Rebecca Sandford. Personality in Domestic Cats (Felis Catus): Identification and Description of Personality Structure, Predictive Validity, and Associations With Coat Color Characteristics - ProQuest. www.proquest.com/openview/c1e83fc7a4863d977d4da5cc11cd3ef7/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750. 

• Wilhelmy, Jacqueline, et al. “Behavioral Associations with Breed, Coat Type, and Eye Color in Single-Breed Cats.” Journal of Veterinary Behavior, vol. 13, May 2016, pp. 80-87, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2016.03.009.