This is because the gene for those coat colors also makes tabby markings visible.Īlso Read: All About The Majestic Orange Tabby Cats For example, you’ll never find an orange or cream-colored cat that is not a tabby. Without pulling out the punnet squares we learned in high school biology, there are other ways to determine if a cat is a tabby without taking a close look at the coat patterns. Besides the classic “M” marking, tabbies also have thin stripes on their faces and markings around their eyes. Legend says this letter stands for Mau, the ancient Egyptian word for “cat.” Others claim the “M” stands for Mohammed or the Virgin Mary. All tabbies have a distinctive “M” on their forehead. You can start identifying a tabby by looking at the cat’s face. You can’t call every cat a tabby cat, but it is the most common coat pattern among domestic cat breeds (including mixed breeds).

Some cats have other genes that mask the tabby characteristics. This doesn’t, however, make every cat a tabby cat.

If you want to get technical, all cats possess the gene for tabby markings. Identifying a tabby starts with understanding what a tabby actually is and knowing the different ways those genes affect coat patterns. The term “tabby,” however, refers to a cat’s coat pattern and has nothing to do with breed. You can also breed cats to have traditional tabby characteristics.

It’s true that many tabby cats can look alike. It’s a common mistake, however, to use this word to identify a specific cat breed or cats in general. We are proud to offer a wide range of services for our four-legged patients.When someone says the word “tabby,” it’s clear they’re talking about cats. If you are considering adopting a tabby, All About Cats Veterinary Hospital in Kirkland, WA is here to help. Pet parents all agree that tabbies make wonderful, loyal companions. Your Friendly Neighborhood Veterinary Hospital They just can't resist the thrill of chasing down and hunting rodents. If you are in search of a 'mouse exterminator,' a tabby may be your best friend. They are known for being friendly, affectionate, and playful, so their human families are in for quite the treat. Tabbies are very good at expressing their feelings and will let you know if they are sad, angry, happy, or playful. They love participating in family activities and thrive on being around their human families and other cats or dogs in your home. Tabbies are fantastic pets, especially for children, because of how social and friendly they are. However, tabbies can get pretty cranky if they don't get their way since as a rule they are very bright, they usually end up getting what they want. They love cuddles and a whole lot of attention. These unique creatures are incredibly affectionate and intelligent. Tigers and leopards both have tabby patterns.ħ. Tabby patterns assist in camouflage when cats are hiding in tall grass or brush hunting for prey. Patched tabbies can show any one of the previous patterns, with the markings usually more apparent on the legs and head.Ħ. Ticked tabbies don't have stripes or spots, but instead, have tabby markings on the face and agouti hairs (hairs with more than one band of color) on the body. Interestingly, orange tabby cats are usually male (about 20-25% of orange tabby cats are female).Ĭlassic tabbies have bold, swirling patterns, mackerel tabbies have narrow stripes, and spotted tabbies have large or small spots. The most familiar tabby coats are black, but there are variations in the pigment, resulting in black, orange, and gray tabbies. Essentially, the tabby pattern comes in the cat's DNA, and the 'M' marking is a part of the pattern. However, the explanation lies within the genes. Tabbies Have a Characteristic 'M' on Their ForeheadsĬountless legends surround the characteristic 'M' that tabby cats have on their foreheads. So 'tabby cat' refers to a category of cats, not a recognized breed.ģ. Tabbies are not an actual breed, but rather, the name is a way to describe the unique markings on their coats that set them apart. Tabby cats got their name by being compared to silk from the 'Attabiy' district in Baghdad, and the 14th century Middle French term for it was 'atabis,' which then became 'tabis,' and eventually our English word, 'tabby.' Here are some interesting facts about tabby cats:ġ. If you're willing to love and care for a new feline family member, a tabby cat will make a special friend for life! Shelters are brimming with adult and kitten tabbies waiting for their forever homes. National Tabby Day is April 30 a day set aside to celebrate these unique creatures! Tabby cats are wonderful pets, with so much love to give.

Pictures of orange tabby kittens