Busting cat-color myths: Your orange tabby is not dumber than its feline friends

The current viral fame of an orange tabby cat named Jorts led to debates about whether or not Jorts was much less clever than different cats just because he has orange fur. Some stated it was unfair and prejudicial to evaluate the feline based mostly on its look. 

However is there actually a medically identified tie between cat fur colour and character or intelligence? Individuals suppose so, however science would not, Zarah Hedge, chief medical officer on the San Diego Humane Society, advised me.

“Whereas there might be some genetic parts related to coat colour that additionally affect character, there’s little scientific proof demonstrating this to be the case in home cats,” stated Hedge, who has 5 cats of varied colours. 

The concept that fur colour dictates character is not as loopy because it sounds. Some research do present associations between coat colour in different mammals and their habits — silver foxes, for one. However that hasn’t been confirmed in home cats. And cat fur colour can differ even throughout the similar breed. The frequent home shorthair cat is available in many fur colours, so actually, the stereotypes are sometimes evaluating apples to apples.

Nonetheless, even when cats do not act a sure method due to their fur colour, we people may suppose they do, and that may trigger issues.

“Regardless of not having stable proof linking coat colour to character, individuals, to a point, seemingly make choices on which cat to convey into their residence based mostly on this,” Hedge says. “It will possibly arrange individuals to have unrealistic expectations for a way the cat will behave within the residence.”

Orange cats: Pleasant however dim?

Let’s take a look at the stereotypes: Orange tabby cats are thought of by many to be probably the most gregarious of felines, although some, as seen with the weird Jorts and Jean saga, suppose orange tabby cats are additionally the least clever. 

“I’ve positively seen and labored with lots of of orange tabby cats and seen all kinds of character sorts,” Hedge says. “I might say {that a} cat’s upbringing and socialization to people, different animals and totally different environments performs a bigger position [than fur color] of their general character and the way they work together with people.”

Orange cats are also popular culture favorites. Morris the Cat, the 9 Lives cat meals mascot and the comic-strip cats Garfield and Heathcliff are orange. Hedges guesses that maybe the creators of those characters had orange cats as pets, however notes that the artists could have been influenced by the stereotype of orange cats as friendlier and extra social.

“From a advertising and marketing standpoint, it form of is smart,” she says.

‘Tortitude’ and playful tuxies

Acquired a tortoiseshell cat? These cats might be from many various breeds, however have a particular tricolor coat. Does your tortie appear particularly sassy and energetic? That matches the stereotype about their colour sample, too.

“There was a long-held perception that tricolored cats have what has been coined ‘Tortitude’ or tortoiseshell perspective,” Hedges says. “Tortoiseshells are identified for being extra spicy and sassy.”

However she notes {that a} 2016 examine from the College of California at Davis discovered little distinction in cat perspective between totally different coat colours.

“I’ve additionally heard that tuxedo cats are typically extra playful” than most cats, Hedges says. “And naturally, there’s been a protracted superstition surrounding black cats. And having lived with many various cats through the years, and dealing with many extra within the shelter, I can say these stereotypes will not be true. Every cat has their very own distinctive character.”