Do you have a ginger kitty? If so, you may want to get Fluffy a special treat or a new toy. Today, September 1st, is Ginger Cat Appreciation Day! A Georgetown, IN vet discusses ginger cats in this article.

“In my head, the sky is blue, the grass is green, and cats are orange.” ― Jim Davis, creator of Garfield

About Ginger Breeds

Ginger cats—also known as orange tabbies or sometimes marmalade kitties—are not associated with any specific breed. In fact, ginger coloring is acceptable in almost all breeds. There are four different variations of coat patterns, including the classic, mackerel, striped, and ticked patterns. As you may have noticed, our redheaded feline pals can display quite a few different hues. Some are dark red, some are more cream-colored, and others look quite orange. This is because of a specific pigment, which is called pheomelanin. And, in case you were wondering, yes, this is the same pigment that is responsible for red hair in humans.

Famous Ginger Cats

There quite a few celebrity ginger cats. Morris, the famous cat food ‘spokescat,’ is one of the first ones that comes to mind. (Note: three different kitties have played Morris, and they were all adorable. They were also all rescued from shelters!) You may also have heard of the Youtube celebrikitty, Marmalade, half of the lovable Cole and Marmalade duo. Last but certainly not least, we have Garfield, the lasagna-loving, eternally unimpressed furball that has been charming readers since 1978. Beloved worldwide, this famous cartoon kitty is known for being lazy, hating Mondays, drinking coffee, and scheming against his canine roommate, Odie. What’s not to love?

Fun Facts

Kitties all have their own adorable quirks, and ginger furballs are certainly no exception. It may interest you to know that most orange kitties—about 80 purrcent, in fact—are male. Why? No one knows! It’s just one of many of Fluffy’s adorable and mysterious quirks. Another cute thing about ginger cats? They often get freckles. Ginger cats also seem to share some purrsonality traits. While all cats are unique, with their own characters, people with ginger cats often report that their furballs are lazy, affectionate, and love to eat… just like Garfield!

Do you have questions about your ginger cat’s health or care? As your Georgetown, IN vet clinic, we’re here to help. Call us today!