10 Orange Cat Breeds: An Overview (With Pictures)
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If you’re a cat lover, most likely you’ve come into contact with an orange cat. These cats are in high demand and beloved by most pet owners. Sure, we’ve all seen famous orange cats like Garfield, but there’s more to it than simply the color. These cats are often considered some of the most affectionate of all cat breeds.
Let’s take a look at 10 orange cat breeds and see what these amazing cats have to offer, and afterward, we will look at interesting facts about these unique felines.
Top 10 Orange Cat Breeds
1. Abyssinian Cat
| Size: | Medium |
| Personality: | Mischievous, curious, and sociable |
The Abyssinian cat’s origin is widely debated. Some believe they originated in Ethiopia while others believe they began their journey in Egypt. One thing is certain, these orange cats are gorgeous!. While they sport short hair, which is odd in comparison to other orange cat breeds, they still require a lot of attention. This attention may not come from grooming requirements but this cat does need proper socialization due to its curious and mischievous nature. These kitties are also quite active and need to be kept occupied to keep them out of trouble.
2. Munchkin Cat
| Size: | Small to Medium |
| Personality: | Affectionate, playful, intelligent |
Known to the world as the first dwarf breed cat, the Munchkin is easily spotted due to its short legs and small stature. Unfortunately, thanks to the breeding used to create the breed, they are also known for a long list of medical issues that are associated with them. While they may not be recognized by most cat associations, these cats are still a loving orange cat breed. They are intelligent, love to play, and give their owners lots of affection.
3. Persian Cats
| Size: | Medium to large |
| Personality: | Gentle, calm, and affectionate |
While you may expect Persian cats to be white, the orange cats of this breed are quite beautiful. Like all Persians, they are gentle, large-sized cats who love spending time with their families. The traditional Persian look is still prominent. With increased breeding, however, the well-known Persian traits are being replaced by new looks, including flatter faces. You’ll also find that Persians are susceptible to multiple health issues due to the high demand and amount of breeding taking place.
4. Maine Coon Cat
| Size: | Large |
| Personality: | Intelligent, friendly, and affectionate |
The Maine Coon is known for its size, nicknamed gentle giants. While they may hold a place in the Guinness World Record Book for longest cat, that doesn’t mean these gorgeous kitties aren’t cuddly lap cats. Many expect a Maine Coon to show darker, tabby-like colors but the breed actually features several color variations including orange. When you bring these big cats home, be prepared, males can reach up to 35 pounds!
5. Devon Rex Cats
| Size: | Small to average |
| Personality: | Playful, social, and daring |
The Devon Rex is a unique kitty. They have small faces, large eyes, and even bigger ears. This look didn’t evolve due to human interaction. On the contrary, these cats naturally originated in Devonshire, England. The incredible story tells the tale of a stray cat who birthed an odd-looking kitten. This male carried on and became what they consider the father of the entire breed.
6. Bengal Cats
| Size: | Large |
| Personality: | Highly intelligent and playful |
Another unique orange cat breed is the Bengal. This cat is widely known for its wild cat features and its resemblance to a leopard. They are large cats who are very intelligent and love to play. This breed was created by mixing several hybrid breeds and has no true wild cat in their DNA. They make great pets but require a lot of attention to help keep their playfulness in check and avoid issues with boredom.
7. British Shorthair Cat
| Size: | Medium |
| Personality: | Calm, intelligent, lovable |
This cat breed is fluffy and full of fun. The British Shorthair requires quite a bit of grooming due to its thick, luxurious coat. With eyes that are often shades of orange, this kitty is an adorable addition to the home and will offer its owners tons of love and affection without being the rowdiest of family members.
8. American Bobtail Cat
| Size: | Medium |
| Personality: | Intelligent and very playful |
When it comes to orange cat breeds that love to play, the American bobtail cat is at the top of this list. This wild side makes sense considering this kitty breed resembles cats found in the wild. Surprisingly, this breed did not come into existence due to human manipulation. They developed due to natural selection. The bobtail is actually considered a genetic mutation.
9. Somali Cats
| Size: | Medium |
| Personality: | Hyper, bold, and social |
This cat breed is a vibrant orange and features a bold personality. These kitties love to play and get into things around the house. Unlike many cat breeds, the Somali cat can even be taught tricks. With this type of bold personality and looks it should be of no surprise that these cats can be a handful inside the home. Keeping them playing helps with their attention span and avoids issues with boredom. When they are bored, things may get wild at home.
10. Exotic Shorthair Cats
| Size: | Medium |
| Personality: | Affectionate, playful, and loyal |
If you feel a Persian cat is too high maintenance, their cousin the Exotic Shorthair may be right up your alley. This cat requires less grooming than the Persian but can be found in the same amazing orange colors. You’ll find them to be easy-going cats that offer their owners tons of affection. They show loyalty and love to their owners but still find toys and other activities enough when you can’t be at home.
Fun Facts About Orange Cats
While most of us simply love the color which makes us think about Garfield, there’s a lot more to orange cat breeds than meets the eye. Let’s take a look at a few fun facts you may not know about these adorably colored kitties.
Most Are Boys
The X chromosome is what makes an orange cat this unique color. For an orange cat to be female, this gene would need to occur twice. Males only need it to happen once. This is why only one out of five orange cats are girls.
Markings Are Common
While we would love to see a solid orange cat, that’s not going to happen. Every orange cat out there has a marking of some sort. The four categories include spotted, tiger stripes, ticked stripes, and classic stripes.
Marked at Birth
Oddly enough all orange cats, often called yellow cats, are marked with an M on their forehead at birth. While there are several stories as to why this happens, no one truly knows. Perhaps it stands for “marvel” since that’s what these cats are.
Conclusion
Orange cats are unique and breathtaking. While many cat breeds can feature this color and unique markings, the breeds listed above are among the most common. If you want to bring an orange cat home always remember that no two cats are the same. Sure, colors and markings may be shared but every kitty, orange or not, has their own personality for you to fall in love with.
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Featured Image Credit: JoeSang, Pixabay
