A Persian is one of the oldest and most interesting cat breeds. Once gracing the lap of royalty, these cats have continued to flourish and become popular throughout the years. Orange is one of the many colors that a Persian cat can possess.

In this article, we aim to explore a little more about the Persian breed itself, as orange is simply a color of the breed.

Breed Overview

Furry and elegant, the Persian is one breathtaking cat. Along with their beautiful appearance, they are also highly easygoing, relaxed cats with a reputation for having extremely sound temperaments. Persians acclimate into almost any lifestyle.

So, if you’re a person who loves the orange Persian, chances are, they will fit right in with you and your family.

The Earliest Records of Orange Persian in History

The Persian cat has a long history with humans, but some of their history is unknown. We do know that these cats originated in Iran (formerly Persia) and it is thought they arrived in Europe via spice caravans during the spice trade in the 1800s, where they grew in popularity. Since orange has always been one of the possible colors of the Persian breed, it is safe to say that this color combo has likely been around for hundreds of years.

How Orange Persians Gained Popularity

Persian cats started to gain popularity because they were favored by Queen Victoria, who owned several of them. These regal, poised cats gained popularity for the same reasons they are still popular today. They are extraordinarily beautiful, touting long, thick coats and penetrating eyes. Their coats look fabulous in a variety of colors.

Many of the oldest Persians were depicted as red in color, and these were likely the orange Persians we know today. Modern Persians seem to have a phylogeographical signature. They are bred with influences from British Shorthair, Chartreux, and American Shorthair cats.

Persians became widely sought after because of their beauty and overall temperament. Angora cats were nearly equally popular at this time. Due to their similar appearance and personalities, the two breeds were often confused.

Formal Recognition of Persians

The Cat Fanciers’ Association was one of the first cat organizations to recognize the Persian cat, doing so in 1906 as a foundation breed. Today, all of the main cat organizations, including the CFA and The International Cat Association (TICA) accept orange Persian cats as just one of the many recognized coat colors.

Top 5 Unique Facts About Persians

1. Orange Cats Are Mostly Boys

What is really interesting is that orange cats as a whole share a common theme, despite their breed. Up to 80% of all orange cats are actually male. That leaves a whopping 20% that are females.

It all comes down to chromosomes. For an orange female cat to come into the world, the parents have to have a matching pair of the chromosomes responsible for the color orange. If they do not, they will be male by default. So, not only are Persians more expensive due to being purebred, but you will also likely pay more for a female because of their rarity.

2. Orange Persians Can Come in a Variety of Patterns

Orange cats are generally considered tabby cats, although there are distinct patterns under the tabby category. First, you have your classic tabby. These cats have slightly swirled coats. Next, you have the mackerel tabby, which resembles a wild tiger.

Spotted tabbies are exactly what they sound like, tabbies with spots! Next, is the ticked tabby which gives the illusion that they are solid color until you take a closer look at their legs and face. Then, you will notice the dark line undertones of the tabby in their coat.

Your orange Persian could be any of these.

3. Garfield Was an Orange Persian Tabby Cat

At one point in time, Garfield was everyone’s favorite cat! It’s very obvious that he is an orange cat, but what you might not know is that he was modeled after a Persian. That’s right! Garfield is an orange-striped Persian cat.

4. Persian Cats are Brachycephalic

One of the most interesting things about a Persian’s appearance is their cute little pug-like nose. This is a structural anomaly that they share with many common dog breeds, including a Boxer, Pug, Bulldog, and more!

This structure gives them a rounded, shortened skull, creating a smashed look and large, circular eyes. However, this was not an original trait of the breed. A modern Persian’s ancestors actually resemble the Angora with a notably normal nasal bridge.

6. Persians Can Be Virtually Any Color

Persians are highly versatile and can realistically be any color in the feline lineup. So, if you see another kitty color in the litter when you’re searching for an orange Persian, you just might find that it strikes your fancy more.

Do Persians Make a Good Pet?

Persians can make excellent pets! They could fit into virtually any lifestyle or situation, from apartment living to mansions! They acclimate well with children, other pets, and strangers just fine. These docile cats love to play and cuddle all the same.

No matter what mood, they’re generally easy going and good-natured. While every cat has a different personality, the Persian tends to be very affectionate toward its owners. They can be very trainable, often easily picking up on basic concepts.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve gotten to know the Persian breed a little better, with a focus on the orange color, how do you feel? Is the breed a match for you? As we mentioned, Persians are incredibly versatile cats that fit into several situations.

So, if an orange Persian sounds like a solid pet and you want to know more, we encourage you to find licensed, reputable Persian breeders in your area.

Featured Image Credit: Marcelino Pozo Ruiz, Shutterstock