Males need only inherit the orange color or ginger gene from one of their parents to become orange. Females must inherit the orange color (otherwise known as the ginger gene) from both their parents to become orange themselves. There are only two original colors that a cat’s gene could produce, which are black and orange. As with anything, there are exceptions to every rule of natural law.ĭominant and Recessive or Dilute Color Genes Image Credit: dezy, Shutterstock If both parents pass a recessive gene on to their offspring, the recessive genes may also be displayed along with the dominant genes, which could result in patterns and markings. They may inherit a dominant gene from one parent or the other and turn out the same color. The mother’s or father’s genes may be dominant depending on the situation, so kittens are not always multicolored when they are born from different colored parents. Genes passed down through the parents are what determine the color that a kitten will be when they are born. Since genetics can get quite complicated, we don’t want to overwhelm you with anything more than the basics. You may be wondering about the basics of how cat coat genetics work, in which case you have come to the right place. These determine not only the color and pattern of a cat’s coat but also the length and texture of the fur. So, what gives cats their different colored and patterned coats? It all comes down to genetics. Some are light and solid-colored, while others are dark and marked with swirls, spots, or stripes. Some other breeds have orange tabby patterning too, including the British Shorthair, Maine Coon, and Persian.The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.Ĭats seem to come in a wide variety of different colors and patterns. The International Cat Association (TICA) recognized orange Bengal cats as a subset within the brown category in 1983. Tabbies have an agouti gene that gives them their striped markings. ![]() The orange tabby is not a breed, but a color and pattern variation within many cat breeds, some of which are officially recognized colors. Image Credit: JoeSang, Pixabay Formal Recognition of Orange Tabbies Orange tabbies have a rich history and unique characteristics, making them beloved in the cat community. Their intelligent, adventurous, and friendly nature also won the hearts of animal lovers worldwide. Orange cats gained popularity due to their beautiful appearance. Mary was grateful to the cat and thus marked it with her initial “M” so that anyone who saw it would see what it had done and distinguish it from other cats. The genetic mutation responsible for the tabby pattern emerged during the Ottoman Empire, however, it was not until the 19th century that these physical traits were selected to produce “fancy” tabbies.Īccording to a biblical legend, a tabby visited the manger where Jesus was born and nestled beside the baby. They gained popularity as companion animals and as pet control on merchant ships that moved along trade routes. They also both have the same distinct letter “M” marking on their foreheads. 1 Some historians say they are modern descendants of the Egyptian Mau, which has a similar pattern to tabbies. Experts believe there were orange tabbies in ancient Egypt as they are depicted in some Egyptian art. ![]() Orange tabby cats are not a specific breed-the color and pattern can be seen in many cat breeds. The Earliest Records of the Orange Tabby in History
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