Tabby Introduction
Tabby Cats are cuddly, cute and intelligent cats. Tabby is not a particular cat breed, but a pattern in which cats of different breeds come. It is a regular domestic cat with a coat that features stripes, line, dots and swirling patterns along with an “M” mark on its forehead. This mark on the forehead gives the cat a unique appearance.
Most people think that tabbies are a cat breed, but it is a pattern found in many cat breeds as well as in a lot of mixed breed cats. It is a natural design that occurs due to the cat’s relation to its ancestors who were African wildcat with similar patterns. Tabby cats are found in many different sizes and colors. The color of their eyes also varies according to the breed the cat belongs to.
Tabby History
Tabby cat has a unique coat that differentiates it from other coat patterns. The coat features dot, stripes and swirling patterns along with an “M” mark on its forehead that is unique to tabby cats. Many people mistake tabby cats as a cat breed, but the reality is tabby pattern can be found on many cat breeds. It is a natural feature that occurs in cats, which may be related to the color of the domestic cat breeds ancestor, the African Wildcat.
Before the dominance of the African wildcat, it was the saber tooth tiger that was the dominant cat species around. They were fearless and large and were members of the cat family that used to roam freely and hunted the preys in the ancient times before going extinct.
When we approached the Stone Age, the wild cats were dominant and were in close contact with humans. The wild cats were very intelligent as they knew, being closer to humans means close access to rodents and different variety of prey. These wild cats were not even closer to the domestic cats that are found today. The tabby patterns is the most commonly found pattern in the wild cats, hence it can be easily assumed that the ancient cats were tabbies. In Cyprus a jawbone belonging to a cat dating to 6000BC was found and cats were not commonly found in these islands. This is a proof that cats arrived on this island with the humans.
As of today domestic cats with tabby patterns are the most favored cats around the world and can be found everywhere at homes, and also on streets of different cities. Some may feel tabby cats are very common while other thick of them as royalties and happily welcome them to their homes. Many are glad of their presence.
Tabby Traits
One important feature about tabby cats is that they are not a cat breed as is believed by many people. A cat with unique pattern on their coat is called as tabbies and can be very commonly found in many cat breeds. Since tabbies are not a cat breed they don’t have a set personality or possess the traits that are specific to tabbies. The traits that tabbies possess is borrowed from the breed that they belong to. Each cat has its own personality and unique features.
Tabby cats come in four different types of coat patterns, which are classic, mackerel, spotted and ticked. The classic tabbies are also called as marbled tabbies and are less striped as compared to the swirled tabbies. Classic tabbies have three stripes running down the back of their bodies along with tail and legs.
Mackerel tabbies are named after the very well-known fish mackerel. They have narrow and vertical stripes that are broken into dashes and spots. These types of tabbies generally have an “M” shape in the centre of the forehead. Mackerel tabbies have a distinct stripes like it has been drawn using an eyeliner on the cheeks. The ticked tabby has less definite markings with light dots, stripes and swirls. The spotted tabbies generally have the color pattern of either mackerel or classic. The stripes are broken into dashes and spots.
Tabby Cat Personality
Although tabby is not a cat breed these distinct pattern cats do have the personalities of the breed they belong to. Different tabby cats have different behavioral traits just like humans have different personalities. Tabbies are usually very playful and friendly cats, which is quite an opposite to the behavior of cats. They are very family oriented and generally stick to one particular member of the house. These cats love being the centre of attention and are very gentle by nature.
Tabbies are intelligent and sharp cats. They are laid back and love spending time with their family. Occasionally they do display stubborn behavior. Tabby cats weigh in the range of 6 to 10 pounds and have a height of 12 to 15 inches. Tabbies have an age expectancy of 15 to 20 years.
Tabby cat Health and Care
The health condition of a tabby cat will depend on the breed that it belongs to. Every breed has health problems that are associated with that particular breed and tabby cats belonging to that breed are also susceptible to the same health problems. Tabby cats having long hair will require brushing at least once a week while the shorthaired tabbies require less grooming because they shed less. Some long haired tabby cat breeds like the Persians and Himalayan need brushing every day as they shed more.
Tabby cat Behavior
Some cat owners have observed these cats and have felt tabbies to be very affectionate, caring, playful and loving. They are very cheerful and always ready to play unlike other lazy cats. Tabbies are referred to as dogs among cats. They are very happy usually and can get fussy if their wishes are not granted. The color of the coat doesn’t decide the behavior of the cat.
Tabby cat with Children and Pets
Shy tabbies will like to spend their time sitting in the corner while the majority of tabbies are playful and enjoy being with children and pets. They will not scratch or bite children and will usually play with them without harming. They are people and family oriented cats and hence they are very happy to share and play with them.
Apart from the above traits tabbies share common characteristics of a domestic cat. There will be exceptional cases and each cat will be different.
The tabby cat is a joyful and playful breed of cat that is sure to bring a smile to your face. Whether you’re looking for a companion to cuddle up with or just a furry friend to play with, the tabby cat is the perfect choice. With its distinctive striped markings and bright eyes, the tabby cat is sure to bring a lot of life and energy into any home.
The tabby cat is an affectionate and loving breed, and they are known for their loyalty and sociability. They love to be around their owners and enjoy playing and exploring. They are great with children, and they make excellent family pets. They are also intelligent cats, and they can be taught a variety of tricks and commands.
The tabby cat is a healthy breed and can live up to 20 years or more with proper care. They are generally low-maintenance cats and don’t require a lot of grooming or medical care. They do need regular exercise and playtime, however, so be sure to provide them with plenty of toys and activities to keep them entertained.
Overall, the tabby cat is a delightful breed of cat that is sure to bring a lot of joy into your life. They are loyal and loving companions that will be a source of comfort and companionship for years to come. If you’re looking for an affectionate and playful cat, the tabby cat is an excellent choice. With its beautiful stripes and bright eyes, the tabby cat is sure to bring a lot of life and energy into your home.
