Orange Tabby Cats - 7 Interesting Facts You Probably Already Know

Orange tabby cats, also popularly called ginger, marmalade or tiger cats are fairly common across the many cat breeds but did you know that they have specific features that are only unique to them? 

Our dear orange tabby, Bobbi

One of our six cats is an orange tabby one and we named him Bobbi.  He's a stray kitten who somehow, out of nowhere, found his way into our home and into our lives. We love him for his goofiness and that sweet, naive expression he constantly has. 

Now, he was the second cat we adopted into our family and I never knew much about cats back then so when I learned about these facts about orange tabby cats, I was blown away to find that they prove to be true for our Bobbi.

Orange cats are tabbies but not all tabbies are orange.

The term "tabby" refers to the coat pattern which can be stripes, swirls, spots, or splotches and may come in different colours like orange or gray. 

Orange cats are tabbies are most likely to be male.

Females have 2X chromosomes while males have XY chromosomes. Because the gene responsible for creating the orange colour is in the X chromosome, both mum and dad cat must pass on the X chromosomes in order for a female cat to be orange. Because it is a rarity, it is estimated that only about  80% of orange tabbies in the world are males.

Orange tabby cats have a distinct marking.

As with all tabbies, regardless of colour, all orange cats have that marking on their foreheads that look like the capital letter M or two letter V's.

Orange tabbies do not have a solid coat.

While the patterns vary in range, you will not find an orange cat with a solid or 100% orange coat. The four common patterns are swirled or also called the classic tabby, striped or mackerel, ticked,  and spotted. Even if a cat seems to be purely orange, you will find that upon closer look, the coat actually has a pattern.

Orangeness vary from one tabby to another.

The pigment responsible for an orange tabby cat's colour is called pheomelanin, and depending on the level of pigmentation, the degree of orangeness vary from light orange, also called cream, to a darker tangerine shade.

Orange tabby cats have the reputation of being lazy.

I had to laugh when I read about this as it couldn't be any truer in the case of our very own Bobbi. He must have the lowest energy levels out of all our cats. He doesn't care whether he's on a comfy cat bed or not, he can doze off anywhere when he feels like it. And we often find him asleep in the most awkward, funniest of positions. In fact, his two most-favourite things to do are eat and sleep, which brings us to another orange tabby quality.

Orange tabbies love to eat.

As I already mentioned, our dear tabby cat simply loves food. I'm not sure if that's because he happens to be an orange cat. Needless to say, he's the chubbiest within our cat family so we try to keep an eye out on his diet so he doesn't become overweight. 

Now, these last two qualities have to do with behaviour so while I'd say they ring true for our cat, these may not actually be a fact for all orange tabby cats in general. For instance, orange tabby cats are often stereotyped as being derpy and mischievous, which are also behaviours very typical with cats of other colouring. Personally, I think each cat has their own individual qualities and their coat colouring has very little influence, if at all with their behaviour.

Do you have an orange tabby cat, too? Would you say that all of the above qualities of orange tabby cats are true for your cat as well? And if by chance you have a male tabby cat for a companion, please leave a comment, too! We'd love to meet him 😻 

*Photos via Unsplash except first image.

The Day We Brought Home Our Kippy

The past couple of weeks had been so tough for us and this guy. He came to us in July. His former owner was selling him on Facebook because they could no longer take care of him, which is so sad. It is so unfair for this little guy that his family were giving up on him. But when I saw his video posted, we wanted to open our home to him and bought him. We named him Kiefer, but we soon got to call him "Kippy" or "Kip".

The day Kippy got home, he had a slight cough. He was timid and his eyes were sad. I was thinking it's because he must have known that he has been given away, and that we were strangers to him. But even that first few minutes, he let me hold him in my lap and embraced him.

The vet gave him cough syrup and after two weeks, we really thought, we were seeing improvements. He was eating well, he was always wagging his tail, happy to see us, although he wasn't barking too much. Then he began to develop sticky mucus in both eyes. The day after, he started to gallop on his four legs, and he doesn't seem to have control. He was walking wobbly.

When we took Kip to the vet the next morning, the doctor said he was already showing signs of canine distemper. I was crushed and terrified! I have read about the condition and it is terrifying! Our vet said we could give him supportive medications and hope that he will be able to fight it, as there is currently no cure for distemper. We brought him home with a heavy heart and we felt broken, but not completely hopeless. There is a chance of surviving this dreadful disease and we were holding on to that hope no matter how slim the chance seemed to be.

That same afternoon, Kippy started to have involuntary head shakes. From that moment, we could only pray that he makes it. I was praying the virus will not progress to the point that Kip will get extreme seizures, as that would mean his condition was getting from worse to worst.

The following two weeks was even more difficult but we were thankful for each day that passed that he did not show signs of worsening, although he doesn't seem to be improving as well. We had to force feed him as he was no longer able to stand nor eat on his own. He was too weak and was barely moving. We gave him food and vitamins through a syringe. Each day was a tough day, but we had to keep fighting for him. With him. And fight he did! Kippy is a survivor!

Today, seeing Kippy so full of energy and being his playful self gives us so much joy! We have never seen this side of him when he first came home with us. He is so sweet. He loves jumping and oh, does he love running! And he enjoys being cuddled and carried in your arms. He is such a fur ball of sweetness and I love him so much! It is a blessing that he survived after what he went through and we are extremely grateful for each day that we get to spend with him.🐾❤

Keep Your Dog Cozy This Winter With the Right Pet Bed

Dogs are an important member of the family and as responsible dog owners, we want to make sure that our pets are living a comfortable life and the pampering they deserve. With the onset of cold weather, a lot of dog owners need to get cozy beds for discriminating pooches. There are endless options to choose from but which dog bed should you get?

Choosing the Right Bed for Your Dog

The right dog can keep your pet warm and comfy even on cold winter nights. Ensure comfort by choosing a dog bed especially made for your particular dog’s breed and size.

If you are looking to purchase a pet bed for your puppy, you may want to consider getting one that would be big enough for your pooch to sleep in until past its puppy-years.

Apart from the size, carefully consider the material used in creating the dog bed and choose one that’s well-made and durable enough to last for years. Take note that high quality dog beds may cost a bit more than their cheap counterparts but if it’s hard-wearing enough, you won’t be needing to buy a new one again for a long time, saving you money in the long run.

Is the bed easy to clean? This is another important factor to consider. Some pet beds come with easy clean removable covers, and these can save you from the hassle of having to wash the entire bed when it gets soiled.

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Some pet beds are designed with woolen pads. These come in several different sizes and are perfect for providing warmth in a cold room. Dogs will surely feel a lot more comfy on a bed with heated pads.

There are cooling dog pads for warmer weather, too. These handy mats are soft, easy to transport and gives dogs a personal space when visiting friends and family.

When choosing a dog bed, design should only be a secondary factor. There are styles and colors that look great and blend in nicely with different home decors. However, although you may want your dog’s bed to complement your home’s interior design, make sure that your pet’s comfort is not compromised.

Give your dog a bed that it will love will make it easier to train them not to jump on your sofa or lay on your bed. If your dog is happy and comfy in its own pet bed, it will save you from the trouble of having to use your cushions and throws just to make your dog feel warm and cozy come winter time.

Shop for a Dog Bed Online

Whether your dog is big or small, the perfect dog bed is out there. Rather than wasting a lot of hours checking out brick-and-mortar stores in search of a suitable pet bed, you can simply browse through online pet stores.

Spend some time reading customer reviews posted by other buyers, as these can be very helpful in making a decision. Many legitimate retailers will provide this information from their website.

Before buying any thing online, comparison shopping is recommended. Different online shops may offer the same item at different prices. If you are purchasing a pet bed made locally, you might be able to save more, including the cost of delivery as some retailers offer free ground shipping to local customers.

Be sure to check the online seller’s reputation as well to avoid any issues with your purchase. See to it that you are purchasing from a legitimate seller – one that offers customers with purchase protection and guaranteed satisfaction.

It is so much easier to shop for dog beds online and if you do your research well, you can surely find the perfect choice for your dear pet.

Handmade Cat Beds for Cat Owners

Looking for a stylish pet bed for your pampered feline friend? Here's a selection of stylish cat beds by various shops discovered on popular online handmade marketplace, Etsy.

Flower-shaped felted cat bed made from Bergschaf natural white wool from Lithuanian shop, Elevele.

Cat pyramid house handmade from natural linen with polyester filling by another Lithuanian shop Murmur Cats.

Cats love to climb so this Shelf Wave hanging cat bed is an ideal spot for feline relaxation. The shelf comes with metal brackets and screws for invisible wall mounting, pillow and velvet case. This contemporary cat bed is designed and created by Lazy Cat Furniture from Warsaw, Poland.

Cozy, cat cocoon made from 100% natural wool by Melena Studio from Montreal, Canada.

Snugly Merino wool cat cave felted by hand using just water and olive soap by LoveCatCaves from the United Kingdom.

Window watching would be comfy in this cat hammock made from high quality canvas fabric, polyester fiber and nylon. It comes with four giant suctions cups and the frame is made from durable UPVC tube. This window cat bed By Adissara ships all the way from Thailand.

Italian shop Wooly Cat Caves created this cat igloo from 100% Tyrolean Wool, hand-felted with water and olive oil soap.

Hand crafted bed for cats that combined metal and wood for a modern look. Cat bedding is made with artificial leather and fake fur. Designed and handmade by Lord Paw Pets from Colombia.

Have a cat? Which of these cat beds caught your eye?

*Product details are based on seller's descriptions. All images on this post are via each featured shop. This is not a Sponsored or Paid post.

Seven Most Popular Dog-Friendly Hotels in NYC

Traveling to New York City but don’t want to leave your four-legged pooch at home? Although majority of New York City hotels do not allow pets, you will be relieved knowing that there are a number of great hotels in the Big Apple that do love dogs and even other pets, too! Here are some of the most popular dog-friendly hotels in NYC.

High Peaks Resort

At the High Peaks Resort, dogs are considered as family members and are most welcome in the hotel. It is one of the few pet-friendly accommodations in Lake Placid offering dog-friendly rooms with easy outdoor access and special dog treats at check in. A portion of your pet fee is donated to The Joshua Fund, a local organization that helps pups without humans find their fur-ever homes.

Situated in the heart of Lake Placid, surrounded by the Adirondack Mountains – the largest publicly protected wilderness area in the United States, the High Peaks Resort is also an eco-friendly hotel. Guests have the option to decline daily housekeeping to save water and energy, and they get a $5 credit/day without cleanup which can be used in any of the hotel’s on-site bars and restaurants or donated to the Lake Watershed Association. High Peaks Resort is also a member of Clean The World, the largest global recycler of hotel amenities.

Rate: $25 per pet per stay
Address: 2384 Saranac Avenue, Lake Placid NY 12946-1105
Phone: (518) 523-4411 | 1-800-755-5598
Fax: (518) 523-1120
Website: www.highpeaksresort.com

The Benjamin

The Benjamin is named as one of the top three pet-friendly hotels by readers of 10Best.com (a division of USA Today Travel), offering a superior pet program.

goodDOG by The Benjamin was created in partnership with BarkBox, featuring an assortment of welcome treats and amenities especially designed for your four-legged family member. The “welcome package” includes a BarkBox containing vet-approved treats, toys and hygiene products, a BarkBox collapsible water bowl, paw wipes and a roll of plastic bags for walks, Mungo & Maud water bowl and bed for use during their stay, and an in-room pet mini bar with treats from Bocce’s Bakery and non-alcoholic Bowser Beer.

In celebration of National Pet Month, all doggie guests can enjoy complimentary stays in May – normally priced at $50 per pet per stay. The Benjamin also makes a $10 donation per pet stay to Animal League, the largest national no-kill shelter.

Worth mentioning is the fact that The Benjamin strives to minimize its carbon footprint through its Environmentally Friendly program which involves the use of energy-efficient lighting, eco-friendly bath amenity dispensers, remote control thermostats, a recycling program, laundry program, and demand response.

Rate: $50 per pet per stay
Address: 125 East 50th Street New York NY 10022
Phone: 1.866.222.2365
Email: bnconcierge@thebenjamin.com
Website: www.thebenjamin.com

Kimpton Hotels

Kimpton has 65 boutique hotels in 33 cities, including the NYC, and each one welcomes four-legged wagging tails and more. Yes, every Kimpton hotel has a pet-friendly policy so you can bring along your furry, feathery, or even scaly family member, regardless of their size, weight, or breed, at no extra charge! How cool is that!

In New York, there are four boutique hotels: Eventi, Ink48, 70 Park Avenue, and The Muse. As long as your pet fits through the door, they can come into your room with you. And if that isn’t cool enough, a welcome package awaits pet guests which includes plush pet-bed loaners, food, water bowls and mats and courtesy bags for walking your dog.

You’ll be glad to know that you can spend the evenings with your pet at the nightly wine reception. Certain Kimpton hotels have Directors of Pet Relations who are actually smart, canine staff with a loving spirit and are happy to greet guests at the lobbies, test pet amenities for quality, and shake paws with other pets at the wine party.

Upon arrival, pet owners are handed a concierge list of nearby pet-friendly restaurants, parks, groomers and pet boutiques. What more can you ask for!

Rate: No additional charge for pets, no deposit required
Phone: 1-800-KIMPTON (546-7866)
Website: www.kimptonhotels.com

The Mark

Central Park is said to be a dog’s paradise, and being only steps away from The Mark, you can be comforted knowing that your dear furry best friend is most welcome in this five-star hotel.

The Mark’s pet-loving staff is ready to meet and greet you and your pooch at the lobby. Your dog will enjoy its very own comfortable dog bed by Molly Mutt, a signature water bowl and a custom placemat.

Rate: $100 per pet per stay.
Address: Madison Avenue, 77th Street, New York, NY 10075
Phone: 212-606-3129
Email: concierge@themarkhotel.com
Website: www.themarkhotel.com

Loews Regency New York Hotel

Also only a few steps away from the Central Park, The Loews Regency in New York is another pet-lovers’ hotel.

Perks of the Loews Loves Pets program include gourmet room service menus for cats and dogs, prepared by no less than the Executive Chef, specialized bedding, leashes, collars, litter boxes (and litter), litter scoopers, and other pet necessities, special treats like rawhide bones, catnip and scratch poles.

The hotel also boasts pet-friendly amenities such as dog-walking route maps, pet placemats, water bowls, treats, doggie pick-up bags, as well as pet-walking and pet-sitting services.

Rate: One-time fee of $50 per stay. Limited to two (2) pets per room and in the hotel overall.
Address: 540 Park Avenue & 61st Street New York, New York, 10065
Phone: 212-759-4100 | 1-800-233-2356
Website: www.loewshotels.com/regency-hotel

Affinia Hotels

The Affinia Hotel collection has boutique hotels across the NYC – the Dumont, Fifty, Gardens, Manhattan, and Shelburne – each one as dog-friendly (and cat-friendly) as the next.

Affinia’s VIPaws pet program is designed to make your beloved dog feel as welcome and as comfortable as you are at any Affinia hotel.

Your furry, four-legged travelling companion will receive welcome treats, and plenty of pampering including food and water bowls, an oversized pet bed from Jax & Bones, a choice between three Jax & Bones rope toys of various strengths, dog stairs (if you need them), a door hanger to let hotel staff know when your pet is in the room, discounts on neighborhood pet products and services, and supplies for your dog walks (convenient waste bag dispensers for leashes, City Walks walking maps with dog-friendly destinations). The program also includes a $10 donation to the Humane Society.

In celebration of the National Pet Month, Affinia hotels offer 10% off on rooms and suites, plus free pet stays when you book a suite in May.

Rate: $50 per pet per stay.
Phone: 646.424.2600
Fax: 646.424.2601
Website: www.affinia.com/gardens

The James New York

At the James New York hotel, pets are very much welcome. The James has teamed up with Shinola Detroit, Sophie Gamand and local shelters to make your pets feel loved and pampered.

Your four-legged family member will surely feel comfortable sleeping in a Shinola Detroit bed. The guest’s welcome package also includes colorful leash and collar, food and water bowls, and organic treats, maps of local dog parks, in-room pet menus and arrangements for daycare, walkers and sitters provided by Shinola.

The James hotel supports the no kill communities, partnering with Animal Haven in New York and PAWS in Chicago, so that for every pet that stays in the hotel, a donation is sent to these organizations for the animals’ guaranteed life.

Pet images (Macchiato, Tea Pea and Jack) at The James New York’s website is by award-winning photographer, author and animal advocate, Sophie Gamand, all adoptable from Animal Haven.

Rate: One time $75 pet cleaning fee applies.
Address: 27 Grand Street New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212-465-2000
Website: www.jameshotels.com/new-york/

At which hotel did you and your dog stay when you were in New York City? Would you recommend any NYC hotel for dog owners?

*Hotel rates and details may change over time from the date of this post's publication. Please visit the hotel's official website for more information. All images on this post are via each featured hotel. This is not a Sponsored or Paid post. 

Meet the Lovable Beagle

Officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1885, the Beagle is a scent hound primarily used for hunting rabbits and hares back in the 18th century.  Beagles are well-loved among pet owners, and in fact ranks 5th in the top 10 most popular dog breeds based on AKC’s 2015 registration report.

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Appearance

The Beagle is a small sized breed that looks a lot like the miniature Foxhound – although it has a broader head and a shorter muzzle. The Beagle’s ears are long, large, slightly rounded, floppy and drops towards its cheeks.

Beagles can grow an average height of 13 to 16 inches, and weight around 18 to 36 pounds. They have short hair that comes in either tricolor – white with black and brown/tan or brown and tan, or two-color combination – white and tan/lemon/red/orange/brown/black. Despite their short coat, they do shed so regular brushing with a shedding tool or a hound glove is recommended to keep them well-groomed.

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Temperament

When it comes to personality, Beagles are known to be smart, happy, curious, playful, friendly, lovable dogs which makes them great family companions. They do well with children and other dogs, too.

However, Beagles are prone to separation anxiety so it’s important that they are not left all alone for long hours of the day. A bored Beagle may resort to destroying things inside the house, which can become a problem.

Of course, Beagles excel with their keen sense of smell, which is said to be “one of the best developed of any dog, alongside the Bloodhound and the Basset Hound” (wikipedia). These days, Beagles are trained to perform a variety of useful roles in the society including drug and explosive detection, search and rescue, and as therapy dogs.

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Are you thinking about getting a Beagle as pet? If so, please seriously consider if this dog breed is right for you. Don’t support puppy mills or buy from pet stores. Adopt a dog from a shelter or animal rescue center. 

Meet the Adorable Chihuahua

The Chihuahua, known to be the smallest breed of dog in the world is said to have originated from and named after a state in Mexico. The American Kennel Club (AKC) officially recognized the Chihuahua under the Toy group in 1904.

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Appearance 

Chihuahuas have an average height of 15 to 23 centimeters, although some can grow up to 30 to 38 centimeters. They generally weigh anywhere from 3.3 to 6.6 pounds.

There are two varieties of Chihuahua - the smooth coat or short haired and the long coat. Coats can vary from a solid color to a combination of colors, or with markings. The AKC recognizes solid black, chocolate, cream, fawn, red, blue, gold, silver, white, brindled, sabled, merle, and selected combination of colors.

The UK Kennel Club (UKC) considers the short and long haired Chihuahua as two separate dog breeds. Both types can either be "apple head" or "dear head" in reference to the shape of their heads. An "apple head" Chihuahua has a round head, close-set eyes, short ears and legs. On the other hand, a "deer head" Chihuahua has a flat-topped head, eyes set wider apart, larger ears, and longer, slender legs.

 

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Health 

Chihuahuas' lifespan averages between 12 to 20 years. They are generally healthy dogs that live long with their human family.

The Chihuahua is the only dog breed to be born with an incomplete skull. This is called the "molera", which are common in Chihuahua's with apple-shaped head especially during the first six months. In some cases, however, the molera doesn't close completely and thus, they require extra care to avoid injury.

Chihuahuas love food so they have a tendency to overeat and become obese so it is crucial for their owners to be aware of their nutritional need and make sure they are not overfed. It is worth noting that obesity can lead to other health problems including tracheal collapse, chronic bronchitis, joint injuries, and shortened life span.

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Temperament

Despite its smallness, the Chihuahua has a big personality. They are smart, alert, energetic, and very loyal to their person. They also love to cuddle and burrow themselves in their beds. Because of their size, they don't need a large ground for exercise, and thus, are ideal pets for dog lovers who live in small homes or apartments.

It's important for Chihuahuas to be trained and socialised as early as possible as they can be overly protective of their human and like many small dog breeds, are likely to develop the "small dog syndrome".

If you're thinking about getting a Chihuahua, seriously consider if this dog breed is right for you. Don't support puppy mills or buy from pet stores. Adopt a dog from a shelter or animal rescue center. 
references: Wikipedia, AKC