Tabby Cat: Breed Profile, Characteristics & Care

Contrary to popular belief, the tabby cat isn't a specific cat breed but rather a cat coat pattern. Tabby cats are characterized by their unique markings and can come in brown, gray, orange, or black, with markings like stripes, spots, whorls, and bands. They usually feature an 'M'-shaped mark on their foreheads.

Learn more about tabby cat breeds, markings, and the history of the coat pattern.

Tabby Cat Characteristics

It is no surprise the tabby cat is ubiquitous—the gene for the tabby pattern can be found in all domestic cats. If you look at a coal-black cat in the sun, you may see hidden tabby markings on them, too.

These wildly patterned pets vary in size and temperament because they encompass so many different breeds, but tabby enthusiasts agree that friendly, curious, outgoing personalities are common temperaments among tabbies. However, each cat will have their own temperament and personality based on many different factors, including socialization, experiences with humans, and more.

Tabby cats can be large or small, depending on their breed. If your tabby is a Maine coon, they'll be one of the largest cat breeds in the world. And on the other end of the spectrum, your tabby could be the smallest cat breed in the world, the Singapura.

History of the Tabby Cat

Because the tabby cat pattern exists in so many different breeds, each with its own history and place of origin, it's quite difficult to determine the history of the tabby cat.

Some say the tabby cat originated with the Mau, an ancient Egyptian breed developed from the domestication of the African wildcat. Their modern descendant is the Egyptian mau, who bears a tabby pattern.

Perhaps the most distinctive feature seen in the Mau and other tabby cats is the vague marking of the letter "M" on their foreheads. 

Examples of famous tabby kitties include:

• Delilah, who was Freddie Mercury’s cat. He dedicated a song to this special tabby.
• Tabby, who was the first pet cat to reside in the White House with President Abraham Lincoln. 
• Orangey, who was the cat in the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. He was an orange tabby.

Tabby Cat Care

The care of a tabby cat will largely depend on their breed rather than their coat pattern, as different breeds can have slightly different needs. Generally, these cats need the same type of care that all cats require when it comes to grooming and exercise. Talk with your vet to learn more about your specific tabby cat's care needs, including grooming, exercise, and training.

Exercise

Tabbies, like all cats, need to let their energy out every day. Provide them with a variety of fun toys they can play with, but also take some time to play with your cat so they get enough attention and interaction from you.

In addition to toys, give your cat scratching posts, window perches, and cat trees that they can use for climbing, stretching, and lounging in high places. These will help prevent boredom and keep your cat fit, active, and happy.

Bear in mind that a cat’s breed can influence how active they are. When it comes to exercise, an ocicat will need a lot more room to play than a Persian tabby, as one example.

Shedding

Different cat breeds shed differing amounts. Some will shed a lot throughout the year, while others might not shed much at all regardless of the time of year. Generally, though, you can expect increased shedding during the fall and spring seasons.

Grooming

A tabby cat’s grooming needs will depend on their breed, too. For instance, a Maine coon tabby will require more brushing, coat care, and possibly hairball medication than a Manx tabby.

Regardless of breed, it’s best to brush your cat’s coat on a regular basis to help remove loose fur and prevent mats. You should also trim their claws often and brush their teeth at least a few times a week. Some cats might need to have their ears cleaned as well.

Common Health Problems

While a mixed-breed tabby is generally healthy and robust, many purebred cats have health problems that are unique and require individualized care. Talk with your vet if you have any concerns about your cat's health.

Here are some of the conditions that can affect all cats, including tabby cats, especially as they get older:

• Diabetes: This condition causes elevated blood sugar because the body doesn’t use insulin like it should. It can be managed under the direction of a veterinarian.
• Kidney disease: This general term refers to conditions affecting the function of the kidneys. Symptoms include frequent urination, increased thirst, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and decreased appetite, among others.
• Heart disease: There are a few types of heart disease in cats, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, and restrictive cardiomyopathy. Cats don’t always show obvious symptoms that something is wrong, so having your pet examined by a vet on a regular basis can help catch problems.
• Hyperthyroidism: This occurs when the thyroid produces excessive amounts of thyroid hormones. Symptoms include weight loss, hyperactivity, and increased appetite, thirst, and urination.

Appearance

Tabby cats range in size and shape from petite to ponderous. They even have a great deal of variation within their tabby patterns.

There are five basic patterns that are considered genetically distinct, as follows:

• Classic: This pattern usually has whorls ending in a "target" on the side of the cat. Many American shorthair cats demonstrate this pattern.
• Mackerel (striped): This is by far the most common pattern, so much so that some people think it should have received the "classic" designation. Mackerel tabbies have striped rings around their tail and legs, a "necklace" of stripes on the front of their chests, and bands of solid or broken stripes running down the sides of their bodies. They will have a darker color in spots running in two lines across their tummies (called "vest buttons").
• Spotted: The ocicat and the American bobtail are good examples of spotted tabby patterns, although some moggies will also demonstrate this color pattern.
• Ticked: Most tabby cats will have agouti hairs as part of their pattern. If you look closely, you'll see different bands of color down the length of the cat's hair. Cats with an all-ticked pattern almost shimmer in the sunlight because of the color variation.
• Patched: These patterns are recognized when patches of tabby markings appear on a calico or tortoiseshell cat. They are referred to as caliby and torbie, respectively.
  

Diet and Nutrition

A wholesome cat food, dried and/or canned, is generally a great option for feeding tabbies of any breed. However, research your specific cat breed to find out if they have any unique dietary requirements, and ask your vet for recommendations.

Monitor the amount of food your tabby cat eats daily to prevent obesity and other health issues.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Tabby Cat

Since tabbies are so common among the general cat population, finding one can be as simple as visiting your local shelter and adopting a kitten or adult cat.

If you would like to purchase a particular breed with tabby markings, contact breeders in your region and ask about the availability of tabbies.

Here are resources to adopt a tabby cat:

• Rescue Me!
• Petfinder

To find a reputable cat breeder, use resources like:

• The International Cat Association (TICA)
• The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA)

Types of Tabby Cat

According to The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA), these cat breeds can have the tabby pattern:

• Abyssinian
• American Bobtail
• American Curl
• American Shorthair
• American Wirehair
• Birman
• Colorpoint Shorthair
• Egyptian Mau
• Exotic Shorthair
• Javanese
• LaPerm
• Maine Coon
• Manx
• Norwegian Forest Cat
• Ocicat
• Oriental Shorthair
• Persian
• Ragdoll
• Rex (Devon, Selkirk, and Cornish)
• Scottish Fold
• Siberian
• Singapura
• Somali
• Turkish Angora
• Turkish Van

Tabby Cat Overview

Generally speaking, tabby cats are wonderful pets for individuals and families with kids and other pets. When seeking specific breeds, though, it's helpful to know if the breed you fancy has known personality quirks or less agreeable tendencies.

Pros of Tabby Cats

• Generally friendly and outgoing
• Easy to find due to the commonness of the color pattern
• Beautiful and wild-looking cat coloration

Cons of Tabby Cats

• Care requirements may be more extensive in some breeds of tabby
• Health concerns vary among different breeds
• Personality may vary among purebreds

More Cat Breeds and Further Research

If you’re interested in similar breeds, check out:

• Abyssinian
• Norwegian Forest Cat
• Siberian

Otherwise, check out all of our other cat breed profiles.