

Most tabby owners find their kitty to be quite affectionate. At least, not less so than cats of other coat patterns. Since the tabby pattern exists across a number of breeds as well as among non-purebred cats, there really isn't a "typical" tabby personality.Īs a group, tabby cats are regarded as friendly, sociable, and great family companions. These tabby colorpoints are sometimes called "lynx" cats.ĭo Tabby Cats Have Different Personalities From Other Cats? These will show only on the darker parts of the cat's body: the face, legs, and tail. Tortoiseshell cats can have a special pattern in which the overall Tortoiseshell pattern is intermingled with tabby markings all over the body-this is sometimes referred to as a "torbie."Ĭolorpoint cats can also have tabby markings. The tabby markings will show on the colored patches. For instance, a cat can be a bi-color with a combination of red tabby, and white.Ĭalico cats can have patches of white, black, and tabby red. The tabby pattern can also be found in combination with other color patterns. Ticked tabbies usually come in red, ruddy, blue, and fawn shades. You can have tabbies in black, red, blue, chocolate, cream, and many other colors. The tabby pattern shows itself in various colors. This pattern is typical in several breeds, such as the Abyssinian and the Singapura, but is otherwise rare. There are no clear markings other than the tabby facemask. It is where there is only ticked agouti hair all over the body. In a show-quality spotted tabby, the spots should be round and evenly spread. It is where the dark color appears in spots all over the agouti body. It is where the two shades create a blotched pattern of rounded stripes and circles. In a show-quality striped tabby, the stripes should be whole and evenly spaced. This is sometimes called a "Mackerel" pattern, because of the resemblance to a fishbone. It is where the cat has vertical stripes along its body. The tabby can exhibit one of four sub-patterns: These marks are visible in all tabby pattern variations and colors. These marks include dark lines that go from the eyes toward the back of the head and special marks on the cat's forehead that resemble the letter "M". The second type is made of darker hairs, creating the unique tabby pattern on the agouti background.Īll tabby cats and kittens share similar marks on their face.

This creates the ticked base color in any tabby pattern. If you look closely at one of the agouti hairs, you will see that it has several bands of different colors along its length. These are called agouti hair and are unique in their coloring. The first type is composed of hairs that make the lighter background color. Two types of hair colors create the tabby pattern: We're about to dive whiskers-first into the captivating world of tabby cats, unraveling their intricate patterns, multicolored coats, diverse personalities, and the best places to find your very own tabby companion. Why are there spots, stripes, and a whole swirl of other patterns at play in a tabby's coat?Īre orange tabbies just more Garfield-like, or is it just a well-perpetuated stereotype? What exactly is the mysterious "M" marking on a tabby's forehead? We're here to answer all of your questions about tabby cats!Īnd there are many questions to be answered! If you've ever looked into the mesmerizing eyes of a tabby cat and felt a tug of curiosity, you've arrived at the perfect place. Is it their bewitching patterns that weave a rich tapestry across their fur? Or their delightful range of personalities that bring warmth and zest into our lives? These wonderfully unique felines have captivated humans for generations. There's a certain charm attached to tabby cats.
