Most people feel that a tabby cat is an altogether different breed of cat, but this is not true. Actually the fact is tabby cats are regular domestic cats with a striped pattern on their coat. Tabby is the most common feline pattern. Most cats have tabby genes in them no matter what color or markings you notice on your cat. It is the color and markings that hide the tabby pattern on a cats coat. A tabby cat will have a distinctive coat that features dots, patterns, or stripes along with an “M” marking on their forehead.
The tabby pattern is found in many different cat breeds as well as in various mixed breed cat population. The feature that is very unique to the tabby cat, which is the distinctive stripes on their coat, is a natural occurrence that may have a relation to their ancestor the African wildcat, which also possesses the same pattern. The tabby pattern is extremely popular in today’s times with many pedigreed cats having this pattern.
It has also been accepted by the numerous cat registries. The tabby patterns are caused due to some specific genes and brown tabbies with green eyes are very common, and the other color variants of tabby cats are orange, brown, and grey. The stripes on these cats look very similar to the stripes found on tigers. The tabby pattern makes these types of cats look very attractive and is much sought after by cat lovers.
Personality of Tabby Cat
The one thing to remember about tabby cats is that they are not a breed of cats, but just a type of cat with patterns on their coat. Most cat breeds have tabby cats in them. Since they are found in most cat breeds tabby cats do not have any specific personality trait that is unique because of their tabby marks. The personality of these cats depends on the breed of that cat, which means each cat will have a unique personality without being stereotyped.
A lot of cat owners have noticed some personality traits that are separate from the other cats. The personality between two diverse tabby cat breed are different, which is just like two humans from two different countries. Following are some of the most commonly found personality traits in tabby cats:
• They are very playful and friendly by nature, which is quite different from the general nature of cats.
• They are intelligent and sharp and like to spend time having fun. They are quite laid-back as well.
• Tabbies love to spend time with their family members, especially the member who spends time taking care of their daily routines.
• These types of cats are gentle and love all the care and attention you shower on them. They will also share your bed if you allow them.
• Usually cats are lazy and do not love playing a lot, but surprisingly tabby cats are extremely playful, affectionate, and cheerful. They are always ready to play with you. They love sitting on your lap, enjoy being cuddled and love rubbing themselves against your leg. All of these actions are just to show their affection towards their loved ones, which is very similar to dogs.
• Tabby cats are also known to display stubborn behavior sometimes.
Pattern of Tabby Cats
Apart from the above personality traits that are unique to tabbies, these cats also have other general feline characteristics. Tabbies come in a range of sizes and colors. The color of their eyes depends on the breed of the cat and the one common thing among tabby cats is the distinct “M” mark on their forehead, which makes them unique. The Tabbies come in four different patterns. They are mackerel, classic, spotted and ticked.
Mackerel:
The mackerel tabby has vertical and gentle curved stripes on their coat. They are named after the famous fish “mackerel”. The stripes may be continuous or broken at times that resembles like spots.
Classic:
The classic has swirling patterns on the sides of their body and these patterns are bold looking much alike a marble cake. In some places this type of tabby cat is also called as blotched tabby.
Spotted:
The spotted tabby has spots on their coat on all sides. The spots on the spotted tabby may be large or small and have round or oval shapes. The spots look like broken mackerel stripes.
Ticked:
They do not have any spot or stripes like the traditional tabby and may not even look like a tabby. These cats have hairs that have stripes that are visible only if you look closer. Each hair is striped with one light and other dark stripe, known as the agouti hair. It is prominent in the Abyssinian breed of cat.
Patched:
Tabby cats are very popular among cat lovers and more and more people want to own them due to their friendly and attractive characteristics.
The tabby cat is a type of cat with a distinctive coat of fur that features stripes, dots, lines, and swirls. It is thought that the tabby cat has been around since the beginning of recorded history, with the earliest known example dating back to the 1500s. Tabby cats are most commonly found in households all over the world, as they make great pets due to their affectionate and loyal nature.
Tabby cats typically have short to medium length fur that can be grey, brown, orange, black, or a combination of these colors. The markings on the fur are a combination of stripes, spots, swirls, and the classic “M” shape on the forehead. The tabby cat is also known for its large eyes and pointed ears.
Tabby cats have been known to be very friendly and loyal pets. They are quite affectionate, often seeking out their owners for attention and cuddles. Tabby cats are also playful and curious, often exploring their environment and getting into a bit of mischief.
Given their affectionate nature, tabby cats are often found in households with children. They are very gentle and tolerant, even with young children, making them a popular choice for families with kids. Tabby cats also get along well with other animals if properly introduced.
Overall, the tabby cat is a great choice for anyone looking for a loving and loyal pet. They are affectionate, playful, and very loyal to their owners. Tabby cats can make great companions for people of all ages and will bring joy and happiness to any household.
