Does colour = personality type?

[tab]

Tilly is really clumsy  She jumps up onto the bath ledge and falls in etc (need to close the door when bathing now) 
She walks across the headboard on the bed and falls on top of you, she'll chase her tail and bang into a chair by accident 
But she's the sweetest wee girl, she loves head rubs and kisses

Tom my black and white boy is clever. He's got excellent agility and loves a fuss when it suits him. He's so loyal.

Charlie my grey and white kitten - he's just a kitten at the moment, but he's verrrry clever, if you play mousey when lying in bed, like move your finger under the cover, he'll pounce on it, then if you don't do it again, he'll run under the covers to find your hand 

I think Tilly and Amber must be related. She is the clumsiest cat Ive ever seen. She falls off the worktop into the sink practically every night whilst trying to walk along a 4inch wide bit, she rolls of the bed, and yes she does fall into the bath. I have showers not baths but will remember the warning just in case. If Im doing something at the sink Amber jumps on the side of the bath, walks along it, well wobbles along it, and gets in the sink to see what Im doing.... it not helpful when Im putting make up on......the hairy look just isnt in 
love
Tab

[Kelly]

I currently have 2 torties in my house and they are very similar in tortietude despite one being semi feral!!!!

Archie - tabby - very playful, lazy at times but complete cuddle monster! And I would def say intelligent!

[carl (billy and baggys dad)]

They can have strong feelings of like and dislike and can let you know what they are.

How true 

[CurlyCatz]

If i were to have been asked for a general opinion on red cats as a whole (before cody came along) I'd have said most have nice temprements, often they can be very loving or quite cheeky.  I'd have also added They can have strong feelings of like and dislike and can let you know what they are.  Sometimes can have a short fuse if and when they have had enough or something doesnt please them.  Can appear to be knarky in older years or less patient.

Now i have cody i have to say i probably woudnt say much different.


Sarah yes it was i and i always tell that one as i feel i owe it to that puss..plus the details very much stick in my mind.

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

When I took Jaffa and Magpie to the vets for their first visit as kittens the first thing they said to me were that Jaffa would probably be a gentle giant as red cats often were, and that he'd likely be dominant as red cats, again, tended to have dominant personalities.  Both have turned out to be true!  But I certainly don't have suffiecient experience of red cats to know how generalised those traits are.

[carl (billy and baggys dad)]

Gingers I think can be quite spiteful and angry, like the one up the road but I have also known a most gorgeous cuddly purry one.

I know lots of ginger cats, and not one of them is spiteful and angry. The ones I can think of that I knew weren't either. I'm not sure I believe that colour makes a difference to temperament if I'm honest.

True enough - Billy and Baggy (both orange flavour) have never, ever been the slightest bit nasty, even after all they've been through.

[Sarah (seldom_use)]

Sarah (and anyone else)

 i spent months treating and dressing a horrific case after a beautiful red 5 mnth boy jumped/fell into a bath which hadnt had any cold water put in.  Personally i'd have pts but never mind around 4+ months later (and after horrendous pain and distress)  the cat had healed but would never grown any hair on his undercarriage, nor would he ever have any nails as all his toes/nail bed were destloyed and he had tight scar tissue in his groin so restricted jumping movement.
Basically to cut out the gore i dealt with at that time,  he lost more or less ALL his skin full depth from between his front legs right to under his tail, this included feet, legs, privates etc etc.#

soooo please run cold water in bath first.  I never used to till i dealt with that cat. 

When ever i hear the words cat and bath mentioned on the same sentance i always have to tell that warning as i'd never ever want another animals to experience it nor someone else in my shoes having to deal with that injuries.

Thats horrific Lynn.

When Tilly jumps/falls in the bath it's empty 
I wouldn't trust her near it with water in it as she's too water friendly. I put basins with water out it for them and they love playing with it, splashing each other etc 

[JackSpratt]

Gingers I think can be quite spiteful and angry, like the one up the road but I have also known a most gorgeous cuddly purry one.

I know lots of ginger cats, and not one of them is spiteful and angry. The ones I can think of that I knew weren't either. I'm not sure I believe that colour makes a difference to temperament if I'm honest.

[CurlyCatz]

Sarah (and anyone else)

 i spent months treating and dressing a horrific case after a beautiful red 5 mnth boy jumped/fell into a bath which hadnt had any cold water put in.  Personally i'd have pts but never mind around 4+ months later (and after horrendous pain and distress)  the cat had healed but would never grown any hair on his undercarriage, nor would he ever have any nails as all his toes/nail bed were destloyed and he had tight scar tissue in his groin so restricted jumping movement.
Basically to cut out the gore i dealt with at that time,  he lost more or less ALL his skin full depth from between his front legs right to under his tail, this included feet, legs, privates etc etc.#

soooo please run cold water in bath first.  I never used to till i dealt with that cat. 

When ever i hear the words cat and bath mentioned on the same sentance i always have to tell that warning as i'd never ever want another animals to experience it nor someone else in my shoes having to deal with that injuries.

[Sarah (seldom_use)]

Well Amber's a tortie and shes a real cuddle kitten, she is a bit cheeky but I wouldnt say she was naughty as such. She does things like stand on the table tapping something she wants to look at until it falls on the floor then she jumps down and plays with it. Almost as though well its on the floor it must be mine    I have to say though she isnt what I would call bright. I cut her claws and she screams then comes straight back.

I agree with Tab on Torties.

Tilly is really clumsy  She jumps up onto the bath ledge and falls in etc (need to close the door when bathing now) 
She walks across the headboard on the bed and falls on top of you, she'll chase her tail and bang into a chair by accident 
But she's the sweetest wee girl, she loves head rubs and kisses

Tom my black and white boy is clever. He's got excellent agility and loves a fuss when it suits him. He's so loyal.

Charlie my grey and white kitten - he's just a kitten at the moment, but he's verrrry clever, if you play mousey when lying in bed, like move your finger under the cover, he'll pounce on it, then if you don't do it again, he'll run under the covers to find your hand 

[tab]

Well Amber's a tortie and shes a real cuddle kitten, she is a bit cheeky but I wouldnt say she was naughty as such. She does things like stand on the table tapping something she wants to look at until it falls on the floor then she jumps down and plays with it. Almost as though well its on the floor it must be mine    I have to say though she isnt what I would call bright. I cut her claws and she screams then comes straight back.
Mogs on the other hand is a real lady. She wouldnt dream of standing or sitting on me. She is gentle and loving and does her own thing regardless of what I what. Mogs is mainly black with a white splodge on her chest. She is very bright. She jumps up to let me give her tablets most days as she seems to know Im doing the best for her.
If cats take after their owners personalitys I guess I have a problem 
love
Tab

[Desley (booktigger)]

I Agree with tortitude - I have fostered 4 torties, and 1 was nice (Jury is still out on Lucy, she is 80% nice, but does have that streak in her, that does normally manifest while grooming!!) - the nice tortie was actually quite dim though!! Gingers are supposed to be similar due to the red gene, but Ginger was the most laid back cat you could have ever met!! Not sure on other colours yet, I have had a few temperamental tabbies though!!

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

I do think there is a bit of a link between colour and purrsonality, but not hard and fast rules.  I do think we sometimes impose our own stereotypes onto cats - eg if we believe in the naughty tortie stereotype we're more likely to look for and comment on those sort of behaviours in torties and ignore the sweet natures ones!  I do think reds are more likely to be dominant and a bit feisty (and I have 2 of them )

Interesting article about colour and temperament at messybeast

http://www.messybeast.com/colour-tempment.htm

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

I have a calico tortie and she definately has tortude 

Gingers I think can be quite spiteful and angry, like the one up the road but I have also known a most gorgeous cuddly purry one.

My blue was a real character and soooooo gentle, wouldnt hurt me ever.

My black and white is just a gentle monster, a kitten in a cats body 

[Catjane]

I wonder if any of you know whether the colour of the cat tends to signify the personality type it may have?  For instance, I am sure that tortoiseshells are supposed to be naughty - naughty torties.  But do other colours represent personalities?  What are ginger cats supposed to be like? Or tabbies?  Or is this a silly question? I would appreciate your thoughts.

Don't think it holds!  My torti is the best-behaved of my three, she is just purrfect!    She even comes downstairs when she's asked, plays fetch and asks politely for things

I have two blacks, and they couldn't be more different in personality!  Shanti's the naughty one, but the most loving, although gets in a fighting mood really quickly, she's a right moody madam!  Never seen a cat get such a cob on for nothing!  Shanti is a home body, and will talk to just anyone!  Sabu, on the other hand, is so laid back he quite frequently IS horizontal!  Not overly affectionate, except in his bouncing exuberant way (but only with me), he's very tolerant but non-committal.  He's one for the outdoors, most definitely!

So far in my experience tho, I've have found torties to be very bright!

[CurlyCatz]

i refuse to comment on that one C 

[Kittybabe (Ruth)]

I was going to remark that we may visit our own characteristics on our puds, but that would seem awfully vain, given what I've just written    Suspect I'm on the right track, though 

you saying I'm a prissy madam Chris? hee hee.

[Christine (Blip)]

I don't have enough experience to answer the original question but Blip is a black and white female and her predominant traits are intelligence and affectionateness (am sure this is not a word, it's been a long day, hope the meaning is clear  ).

I was going to remark that we may visit our own characteristics on our puds, but that would seem awfully vain, given what I've just written    Suspect I'm on the right track, though 

[CurlyCatz]

thanks tigertail. He is a big character thats for sure.
Yes he's also VERY smiley, hes a laperm so they tend to be quite smiley cats anyway but he's one of the more obvious ones    He's also my little baby and very nice natured altho if he's had enough then he has ways and means of letting you know so i can forsee in another 10+ years he could turn into a grumpy old man.

[tigertail]

Cody looks like such a beautiful cat and in your photo he looks like he is smiling.

[CurlyCatz]

Hiya

There are certain behavioural traits linked to colour yes.  The biggest one does tend to be the red colour and this isnt only in cats but dogs aswell.  Basically as with humans they can be short tempered.  THere is some actual fact that are somewhere regarding solid reds esp in cocker spaniels.(if i could think where to find that info i'd post it but cant remember just now)
I know there are many affectionate tortie cats but i would say in general terms they are more often less tolerant and bad (ish) tempered within a vet surgery than other colours(i'm sure they are lovely at home).  I do repeat there are many lovely ones though but if you were to have 20 torties and 20 any other colour ie blk n whte i could nearly bet you'd have more fractious torties.

(raising eyebrow to myself..why was it i always wanted a red  )

[JackSpratt]

She is prissy, a madam, and queen of all she reigns.

My sisters ginger and white tabby boy is gorgeous. Every ginger cat I have known especially boys are so friendly and lovable.

My black and white girl is the same, Ruth. And my ginger and white tabby guy is the most sweet natured cat I've ever met, I think. I also have a pure black tom who is a bruiser in public and likes to be "babied"  in private. (He likes to be held with his back on my arm and rocked!) And a tabby who is a little skitty, but very smart. Parsley was a tabby and she was really smart, too.

No idea if they're the "norm" for personalities, but that's what mine are like. My mum has a torti who is quite aloof, but will let you fuss her if she feels like it!

[Kittybabe (Ruth)]

Royal Cattitude 

I knew I needed a word to describe it now I have it! Ta Ros!!

[Rosella moggy]

My brothers gingers including the ones that moved in with my neighbours all well adjusted superb loving cats so hear hear Ruth.

My black & white Gandolf was king of all he surveyed so with B&Ws sex may not matter for the Royal Cattitude 

[Kittybabe (Ruth)]

Well I have to say I do think that colour does play some part in their personalities. We have always had a Black and White moggies.  And a few others. I can honestly say that each of the three I have had dear to my heart for the last 32 years, the Black and Whites have distinctive personalities, particularly if they are female.

Sasha was a right little madam, would not sleep anywhere unless it was a cushion, bed, sofa or lap. Never the floor or heaven help us... a rug! She lived to a ripe old 20 and til her last day was still a madam.

My sisters bridge baby was the same. Snotty little thing, a real prissy madam who wanted her own way all the time.

Lexy... well my baby is very much a moo!  She is prissy, a madam, and queen of all she reigns.

My sisters ginger and white tabby boy is gorgeous. Every ginger cat I have known especially boys are so friendly and lovable.

[Sam (Fussy_Furball)]

I don't believe colour makes any difference .... I have a Tortie who is the sweetest, most loving little girl ever (she has never been naughty and most certainly doesn't have Tortiettude).  As with everything there are always exceptions to the rules.

[Linda (Bengalbabe)]

No idea Tigertail but from experience I can tell you spotties = high energy 

[tigertail]

I wonder if any of you know whether the colour of the cat tends to signify the personality type it may have?  For instance, I am sure that tortoiseshells are supposed to be naughty - naughty torties.  But do other colours represent personalities?  What are ginger cats supposed to be like? Or tabbies?  Or is this a silly question? I would appreciate your thoughts.