Ginger Tabbies: Michelle’s Weekly Pet Share

Ginger tabby is a coat pattern and not a breed, but any human who lives with one of these cats will tell you her baby has a distinct personality. Evidence is mostly anecdotal, but color and some aspects of temperament are genetic, so it’s certainly possible these traits are linked.

If you think your orange baby is easy-going, you’re not alone. In the early 20th century, George Ware, the owner of a cat boarding center, formed his own theory of color and temperament and described ginger tabbies as “big softies and laid back to the point of laziness. Like being stroked, but dislike being picked up and cuddled.” A 1973 book published by Pedigree Foods described ginger tabbies as “quiet, docile and affectionate.” In a recent study at the University of California, cat owners were asked to attribute personality traits to their cats. Orange cats were most often characterized as friendly. –[The Nest]

In 2010 we ended up with three little male tabby kittens in our garage who soon migrated into our home — two ginger, Charlie and Freckles, and one black, Moxie.  Here is a bit of their story.

Freckles is our biggest cat.
You can see a short little video of Freckles here.

This is Charlie, Freckles’ brother. He had a bit of a rougher time when he was younger. He suffered from urinary blockage as a young kitten and spent two weeks in the hospital. It was touch and go. Even the vet wasn’t sure he could clear him up. But he’s a little fighter. That was in 2011 and he recovered nicely. We keep him on a special diet and he’s doing great. He always wants to be close but he doesn’t like to be picked up.
You can see some more shots of Charlie here.

They love sleeping together.

I mentioned a third brother, Moxie, pictured below with Charlie. He, too, developed a urinary blockage shortly after Charlie. I’m sad to say we weren’t so lucky with him. We were not able to save him.