Mary Allen
People-related, crazy, greedy, fiery-red cats are said to have a lot. We take a look at the secret of our red house cats and what makes them so special.
Every cat owner who shares their life with a red cat knows about their peculiarities and little quirks. Red cats are considered to be a bundle of energy, very intelligent and cuddly. And since genius and madness often go hand in hand, red cats are also said to have a certain madness and aggressiveness.
10 Fun Facts About Red Cats
These are the things you need to know if you live with a red cat.
Red Cats are 80% Male
The gene for the red coat color is inherited dominantly via the X chromosome, of which the female cat carries two (XX) and the tomcat one (XY).
Red tomcats always develop when the mother cat has the red base color. The coat color of the father does not play a role here.
Red queens only emerge when the mother cat and father both have the red base color. Since this is much less common than the first case, about 80 percent of red cats are male and 20 percent are female.
Red Cats are Never Really Monochromatic
Every red cat has a “Tabby” brand mark or ghost mark – there are no truly uniform red cats. The tabby pattern comes in four different variations:
- mackerel
- brindle (classic tabby)
- spotted
- ticked
Red Cats and Red-Haired People Have One Thing in Common
The pigment pheomelanin is responsible for the red fur color, which can occur in all shades. It is dominant in both red cats and human redheads and is responsible for the red fur or hair.
Red Cats Have Freckles
Red cats often have small, black spots on their nose, paws, or mucous membranes. These pigment spots develop when a particularly large amount of melanin is stored. They are quite common in red cats, but the reason for this is still unclear.
The black spots are harmless in themselves and can increase over the course of a cat’s life. However, if they feel raised, you should consult a veterinarian, because cats can also develop skin cancer.
Red Cats are Particularly Sociable
Gary Weitzmann, veterinarian and chairman of the San Diego Humane Society, emphasized the sociability of red cats in an interview with National Geographic. He bases this impression on the numerous red cats and the anecdotes about them that he witnessed in the course of his professional life.
Red Cats Find a New Home Faster
A study by the University of California, Berkeley, on the topic of coat color and character of cats, offers more than anecdotal value. Here, however, the focus was on the human gaze: the 189 participants were asked to assess the personality of cats with different coat colors. Red cats got off particularly well – they were perceived as friendly and people-oriented.
The chance that a red cat will be adopted from the animal shelter is much higher due to this subjective assessment.
Red Cats are Legendary
All sorts of myths and legends surround red cats. According to Christian belief, the characteristic “M” that red cats wear on their foreheads due to their tabby pattern is said to have been created by a blessing from Mary, the mother of Jesus: A red cat warmed and calmed the baby Jesus in the manger and gave thanks Mary blessed the cat by writing her own initial on its forehead.
A similar story can also be found in Islam: During prayer, the Prophet Mohammed was so engrossed that he did not notice a poisonous snake creeping upon him. A red cat drew his attention to the snake and in gratitude, the Prophet blessed his rescuer with his initial.
Red Cats are Film and Television Stars
Red cats are real screen heroes and who could blame them? Her charm simply enchants everyone. Here is a small selection of red, purring media stars:
- Garfield
- Crookshanks (Harry Potter)
- Orangey (Breakfast at Tiffany’s)
- Jones (Alien)
- Spot (Star Trek – The Next Generation)
- Thomas O’Malley (Aristocats)
- Buttercup (The Hunger Games)
- Bob (Bob the Stray)
Red Cats are Greedy
Red cats appear to have particularly keen appetites, judging by numerous reports from cat owners. It is said that red cats like to overeat and find food in the most unlikely places – sometimes even things that are not suitable for cats at all or are even poisonous.
This goes hand in hand with the assumption that red cats tend to be overweight. However, there is no scientific evidence for this prejudice.
Red Cats are Simply Unique
Every cat has an individual personality, which is formed according to genetic influences and external environmental influences. The coat color of red cats is not directly related to their personality – at least this has not been scientifically proven.
When we attribute specific traits to red cats, it’s because the coat color influences us, not the cat. Every cat has its own individual character.