Yellow Cats Are Really Just Orange Tabbies

The orange tabby is not a breed but a coat color and pattern seen across many domestic cats. These cats usually feature a mackerel tabby pattern or classic tabby swirls, and often have the telltale "M" marking on their foreheads.

Their coat can range from pale cream to deep orange, and many orange tabbies even exhibit very faint "ghost" stripes that are only noticeable under certain light (for example, on the legs or tail in bright sunlight).

Roughly 80 percent of orange tabby cats are male cats. This is due to the orange gene being carried on the X chromosome. Since male cats have only one X, it takes just one copy to express the color.

Female cats need two copies, making orange females less common.

Certain cat breeds are more likely to carry the yellow-orange gene. These include:

Tortoiseshell cats with orange and black patches actually have one copy of the orange gene and one copy of the non-orange gene (one on each X chromosome).

You might see some yellowish hues in these cats, especially under warm lighting. These cats tend to be female due to the genetic makeup of calicos and torties.

Though color doesn’t dictate personality, many cat lovers claim orange tabbies are extra affectionate and playful. They're often described as sweet, social, and even a bit goofy.

The orange gene, or O gene, overrides other coat colors, which is why you won’t see a white cat with orange patches unless it's due to piebald spotting.

Female cats need two X chromosomes with the orange gene to be solid orange, which is why only about 20 percent of orange cats are female.

Like all cats, yellow or orange ones need a healthy diet, regular vet checkups, and mental stimulation. Their coat colors can lighten with old age, and their fur should be brushed weekly to prevent mats, especially in long-haired breeds like the Maine Coon.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.