Orange Tabby Cats: Everything You Need to Know

The orange tabby is known for being the most loving and affectionate cat out there. But did you know that orange tabby cats aren’t actually a breed? That’s right, Puss in Boots and Garfield aren’t the same cat breed .

Instead, the term tabby refers to a cat’s specific type of coat pattern. The pattern is recognized by different fur patterns and can be in any color, including orange!

So, you may be wondering what breed is an orange tabby? Keep reading, and you’ll learn exactly what an orange tabby is and where they originated from.

What is an “Orange Tabby” Cat?

First, let’s take a look at what an orange tabby is, or rather a red or ginger tabby. These beautiful ginger cats are signified by their bright orange coat with a unique pattern type. Depending on genetics, the pattern can range anywhere from stripes to swirls. It can also vary slightly in color, including golden yellow, white, and orange.

In general, five different varieties of coat patterns meet the standard of the “Orange Tabby.” They are:

• Mackerel – a pattern that has tiger -like stripes.
• Classic – a pattern type that swirls light and dark together.
• Spotted – a unique pattern where the cat has spots instead of stripes or swirls.
• Ticked – light and dark bands that alternate between each other.
• Patched – random patches of orange, yellow, or white fur.

These five main fur patterns are what breeders aim to breed. However, you can see an orange tabby cat with various patterns depending on the parents’ genetics. The main similarity is that fabulous bright orange fur is a standard of the orange tabby cat.

Aside from that, genetics play a significant role in how the fur type looks. Some genetics make the pattern type very prominent, while others are subtle. So, a lot of variety is packed into the Orange Tabby name.

The Red Fur Pigment

According to a study , orange tabbies have the same genetics that causes red hair in humans. Pheomelanin is a predominant gene that causes that striking orange hue. Essentially, if a cat has the pheomelanin gene, it replaces eumelanin which is responsible for black or brown pigments.

Pheomelanin is not unique to the “orange tabby” cat. Instead, it’s found in various cats bred to be an orange tabby. Hence, knowing about the breeds used to produce an orange tabby cat is essential.

What Breed is an Orange Tabby?

An orange tabby isn’t just one breed of cat . In fact, it’s actually a pattern type that is found in different feline breeds. Each breed still has that signature orange coat, which can vary in hue. However, the patterns often range slightly, which causes variation in features amongst orange tabby cats.

So, what breeds of cats does the orange tabby come from? Here are the different varieties that are commonly used when breeding:

• Persian
• Munchkin
• American Bobtail
• British Shorthair
• Bengal
• Maine Coon
• Abyssinian
• Egyptian Mau

Orange Tabby Characteristics

Aside from their coat and color, an orange tabby also includes some defining characteristics. Below, we’ll discuss a few that are specific to them.

M-Shaped Marking

You’ve likely seen an “M” shaped marking on many orange tabby cats. This is a unique characteristic that breeders want. The marking is entirely natural, with some believing that it refers to the word “Mau,” which is Egyptian for cat.

However, the M-shaped markings are standard for mackerel or classic tabby cats . These have the traditional orange and white fur color, with white spots on the mouth and around the forehead.

White/Dark Lining Around Eyes

If you’ve ever looked closely at an orange tabby, you may have noticed a faint white or dark line around its eyes. This tends to develop early on and is more prominent by age one.

Pigmented Paws & Lips

You may also notice that an orange tabby has a signature pigment on its paws and lips. The color is the same and will generally help define their features.

Pencil Lines

Pencil-like lines appear in a yellow or white color around the cat’s body and face. While not all orange tabby cats have this characteristic, it’s prominent in most.

Pale Coloring on Chin & Belly

Lastly, their chin and belly have pale coloring. The most common color is white. However, depending on their breed, some tabbies have orange, yellow, and other colors!

Orange Tabby Gender Myths

One of the questions we get all the time is, is there a female tabby cat? The answer is yes and no. While the “breed” is essentially male-dominant, there’s a specific reason for this.

Pheomelanin is a recessive gene that is only found on an X chromosome. Females have two XX chromosomes, while males have an XY chromosome. When you breed a female, the mother and father must have the recessive gene. However, the male-only needs the recessive gene from the mother.

This results in most orange tabby cats being born male. At least 80% of orange tabby cats are male due to this. Despite this, people still love the breed and enjoy the company of the male orange tabby.

Where Did the Orange Tabby Cat Originate?

There is a lot of debate on where the orange tabby originated. Experts believe that the orange tabby originated from Egypt or Ethiopia.

This is because the Egyptian mau and Abyssinian cats originated from those areas. These cats had the recessive gene that produced that vibrant red hue and patterned fur.

While this is the orange tabby’s first appearance that was documented, there is little known about their original origins. Civilizations before these could have also had similar cats, but it’s uncertain.

The Bottom Line

While the orange tabby isn’t an actual breed, the cat does have a distinctive appearance. Depending on what breed the cat was bred from, it can have plenty of varying qualities, including temperament, size, and more. Overall, the orange tabby will still be a popular “breed” due to its signature ginger look.

Bonus: Why Do Male Cats Spray?

Because orange cats are typically male you may be hesitant to adopt one because of the possibility of spraying. Male cats begin spraying urine when they are kittens – between 4 and 6 months old. It is a perfectly normal behavior that they share with the big cats – they spray to mark their territories. This may be fine for outdoor cats – but indoor kitties need to use the litter box. Cats tend to back up against walls to spray – or sometimes they may mark a piece of furniture or a rug. The urine of intact male cats is particularly pungent because of the presence of pheromones. Why do cats spray? Here are some of the reasons:

• To attract mates
• To communicate with neighborhood or stray cats
• They are stressed
• To communicate with other cats in the household
• To mark territory

The easiest way to prevent your male kitty from spraying is simply to have him neutered before he even starts. Only 10% of neutered male cats continue to spray. You can reduce the possibility further by making sure that your cat leads a relatively peaceful life and by keeping stressful events to a minimum. It may be a good idea to keep your male kitty out of open-screened windows to keep him from coming in contact with free-roaming male cats.

Male cats tend to be friendly and affectionate – so don’t let the fear of spraying stop you from adopting one. The chances that he will spray will be almost eliminated by having him neutered as a kitten and by providing him with a secure, happy, relaxed life.

Up Next:

• Discover the 10 Different Tabby Cat Colors (Rarest to Most Common)
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• Hungry Cat Makes It Clear That His Meal Is Not a Sharing Plate

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