Prospective cat owners have been warned against adding a "manic" feline to the home following advice from a vet, backed up by data from a study. While it would be reasonable to assume the problem lies with specific breeds, it's actually the colour of the cat you should be wary of.
Orange cats have a reputation for being feisty, but in fact it's their tortoiseshell counterparts that can be the biggest troublemakers. Veterinary doctor Amir Anwary claims the "craziest and most aggressive" moggies he sees are almost always those with tortoiseshell fur, with females becoming difficult pets when they reach two years of age.
Why are tortoiseshell cats more aggressive?
"The females that have just turned two-years-old... are manic!" he wrote in a caption on TikTok. "I don't know why!" Almost all tortoiseshell cats are female, while just one in 3,000 are male.
"This is because two X chromosomes are needed to produce the trademark tortoiseshell colouring of black, orange, and yellow/gold, while male cats only have one X and one Y chromosome," explains Cat Town. "Male torties have an extra X chromosome, making them a very rare XXY."
In his video, Amir joked that he was even too frightened to face the type of cat in question, as he hid behind a door in his surgery. Amir's view is supported by recent research from veterinarians at UC Davis, who identified a potential link between feline behaviour and coat colour.
Research backs the 'tortitude' claim
"In the research from experts in the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the researchers discovered that cats with calico and tortoiseshell coat patterns tend to be the most challenging and aggressive cats compared to those with less flashy, single-color coats," cat website the California Aggie reported.
The study drew on data from a survey of more than 1,200 cat owners, who were questioned about their pets' behaviours, asked to identify their colour, and rate the frequency of problematic behaviours such as hissing and biting on a scale of one to five. "It showed that cats with calico and tortoiseshell coat patterns tended to challenge their human companions more and exhibit more signs of aggression," added California Aggie.
One tortoiseshell owner responded to Dr Anwary's clip: "My tortie got banned from a vet once because they said 'they feared for the safety of their staff'. When I picked her up that day they had her in a two-inch thick plexiglass box meant for ferals because they couldn't get her back in the normal cage."
A second person commented: "I have a white tortie and I can confirm she's an absolutely gremlin." A third remarked: "Tortitude! I was working in retail and my arms were super sliced up and a customer asked, 'Do you have a tortoiseshell cat?'" While a fourth TikTok user suggested: "Orange cats do it out of craziness and silliness. With torties it's intentional."
How can you deal with an aggressive cat?
To help combat any future problems, Uahpet has the following advice when it comes to tortoiseshell ownership: "Socialisation and training are essential for tortoiseshell cats to develop good behaviour and a positive attitude towards their owners and other animals."
Early socialisation can help them become comfortable around people and other pets, reducing their tendency to be aggressive or territorial. Training can also help them learn to follow commands and become more obedient.
Purina says the findings have yet to be "conclusively proven", however. "Many cat owners are already convinced that their feline's tortoiseshell fur colour is somehow linked to all the mischief their pets get up to," they acknowledge.
However, the cat food manufacturer went on to note: "The term 'tortitude' was coined to describe the torties' sassy, strong-willed personality. And indeed, anecdotally, there seems to be a lot of attitude that comes with their beautiful coats."
In reality, the tortoiseshell cat personality has more to do with their particular breed, their environment, and even their gender than the shades adorning their fur. Not all tortoiseshell cats live up to the reputation of a 'naughty tortie', and if you choose one of them as your companion, expect a personality that is as unique as their multicoloured looks.
