All You Need To Know About These Patterned Cats


The word “tabby cat” describes cats with markings on their fur that are unique and one-of-a-kind. It’s because no two cats have the same markings; they can only look similar but not the same.

Regardless of what coat patterns they have, they have an iconic M marking on their head. Many people associate this mark as a religious icon, like a representation of Mary, Mother of God, or the prophet Muhammad.

Tabby came from the French word tabis, which means “a rich watered silk.” This concept of the word is referring to their striped and spotted patterns.

Here are some facts about Tabby Cats that you might want to know and not miss!

History of Tabby Cats

1. History of Tabby Cats

In ancient Egypt, cats are considered the most sacred animal that played a significant role in the Egyptians’ lives. They firmly believe that cats are descendants of Bast or Bastet, directly translated to “cat” in Greek, the goddess of moonlight and fertility. 

However, ancient Egyptian cats are not just regular cats; they are tabby cats. They were often depicted through paintings, resting on top of their owner’s lap, or through statues and wall carvings, sitting beside their owner’s chair. 

The oldest tabby cat was recorded in prehistoric times around 8000 B.C. Now, this Cat is allegedly lying with its master in its grave somewhere in Cyprus. 

The Cat is presumed to have died at eight months old, and its preserved bones are about 9000 to 9500 years old.

Nevertheless, the tabby coat only evolved and gained recognition by the Middle Ages, when domestic cats hunt mice for convenience—resulting in synchronized harmony between cats and humans, especially in maintaining the food chain.

The earliest documented direct ancestry of modern tabby cats dates back to as early as 4400 B.C. in Europe and Southwest Asia. However, it was only in the Ottoman Empire that humans can identify the gene for tabby cat markings.

Through the years, wild and domestic cats show no sign of modified genetic composition. The only way to identify these felines is through their mannerisms, structure, and tabby coat markings.

The etymology of "Tabby."

2. The etymology of “Tabby.”

Aside from its direct translation specified in the introduction, the word tabby originated from several etymologies. The term is prevalent throughout many Muslim countries, particularly in the Middle East, especially in Baghdad in Iraq and Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

The word may also have come from the Middle French word atabis, which stems from the Arabic word attabiya, which describes a particular piece of silky cloth showcased in striped patterns.

However, the word “tabby” became more popular around the 1970s to describe the cats mentioned above. 

Several pet owners believe that we must only use the phrase tabby to classify female cats. The explanation for this possibility is because tabby is a derivative of Tabitha, an Aramaic word that directly translates to “female.”  

Tabby Cats Aren't A Breed 

3. Tabby Cats Aren’t A Breed 

Contrary to popular belief, tabby cats are not a breed of their own but rather a preexisting pattern of their coats. It’s ubiquitous to see anyone refer to them as a breed of its own, but it isn’t.

Tabby cats, in general, are domesticated cats. They are often referred to as alley cats because of their peculiar but prevalent look. 

They can be of any shape, size, and breed. Tabby cats have a fundamental similarity in their coat pattern, which you may find widely in most cats.

They can be an American Shorthair, a Maine Coon, an Oriental, and many other cat breeds. Their personalities also do not equate to what everyone considers a Tabby but instead still conforming to their actual breeds.

The Many Pattern Formations of a Tabby Cat

4. The Many Pattern Formations of a Tabby Cat

There are four pattern formations within the population of tabby cats, all sharing a similar and solid genetic composition. These patterns are common because of the chromosomes shared by cats and possibly even in crossbreeding.

The four specified and well-known pattern formations are mackerel tabby, classic tabby, ticked tabby, and spotted tabby patterns.

There is also a fifth one called the calico pattern, also known as the turtle shell pattern. 

Classic Tabby Pattern

Classic Tabby Pattern

Also known as the spotted or marbled Tabby cat, classic Tabbies are explicitly known for their distinct “M” marking on their forehead and unique coat patterns called “butterfly” and “bullseye.” 

Their coat pattern is similar to a butterfly and bullseye target, thus its name. Besides, they may also have unique irregular lines, swirls, and stripes on their coat, primarily divided into thick segments on their arms and legs. 

Although these cats fall under the category of “classic,” they are only the second most common among the population of tabby cats because their pattern is simply a recessive variant of their genes; therefore, their small number. 

Nevertheless, classic Tabby cats populate worldwide, especially in the United Kingdom and the Middle East. 

Mackerel Tabby Pattern

Mackerel Tabby Pattern

The mackerel tabby pattern can also be named the “bonefish” tabby pattern. Its principal characteristic is its vertical and sloping stripes that end at the chest, resembling the inner markings of the mackerel meat or fish bones.

Their stripes may be continuous or segmented, depending on which area it forms (e.g., stomach, neck, back, etc.). But they also have rings on their tails, arms, legs, and an M-shaped marking located on their forehead.

Mackerel tabbies also earned themselves the “tiger cat” title because of their coat pattern closely resembling tiger stripes. 

Ticked Tabby Pattern

Ticked Tabby Pattern

Unlike other tabby cats, Ticked Tabby cats do not have any superficially visible patterns. Instead, each of the individual hairs has a color pattern only visible if you ruffle their fur.

What they have is what we call agouti hair. This type of hair has two or more bands of fur pigments, usually darker and light colors, like brown and gray. 

The agouti hair on Ticked tabbies gives them a salt-and-pepper appearance, thus making them unique and rare. You can only find this pattern in certain breeds.

Ticked tabbies also have a distinctive M-mark on their head.

Spotted Tabby Pattern

Spotted Tabby Pattern

Spotted tabby patterns are precisely what its name implies. Instead of stripes, these cats have several spots that vary in size, but they’re usually short and small. 

Experts believe that the genes of Spotted tabbies derive from the Mackerel tabbies because of their resemblance. However, their differences are apparent due to their coat pattern. 

They also have a distinct M figure on the top of their head like the other tabby patterns.

Calico/Tortoiseshell Pattern

Calico/Tortoiseshell Pattern

This fifth pattern exists because of a genetic imprint that includes many tabby patterns within a cat. It is the Calico or Tortoiseshell pattern. 

This pattern varies among tabby cats that can affect crossbreeding of two cats of different patterns. They’d look like a mix of two or possibly even more tabby coat variations.

If you see a tabby cat with Classic and Ticked patterns, they highly have Calico or Tortoiseshell patterns.

Other Tabby Patterns

Cream, lynx, or seal point variations determine the Cat’s appearance, which are factors that make no two cats look alike. You may find these points on their tails, paws, chests, and maybe even their faces.

Cream points revolve around cream, ivory, or caramel color points on their tails, paws, chest, and face.

Lynx points will usually vary; this happens when you mate a ticked or colorpoint tabby to another tabby coat variation.

Seal points are after seal color variations. They usually have a fawn-colored body and dark fur on their face, paws, chest, and tail. 

80% of Orange Tabby Cats are Male

5. 80% of Orange Tabby Cats are Male

The orange tabby is a variant of any coat patterns mentioned above. 

Their coat contains pheomelanin, a reddish-yellow sulfur-containing pigment. This melanin is different from the usual eumelanin, which is dominant and available in many cat types.

As a result, the appearance of their spots or stripes may come off as brown or dark orange. Furthermore, their primary color is usually reddish, but it can be bright or slightly dull orange. 

On the other hand, orange tabby cats, regardless of their coat pattern, are predominantly male. The reason behind this is that the pheomelanin gene is only available on the X chromosome.

And because it is only available in the X chromosome, both parents must give X to form female orange tabbies. When developing males, however, only one X chromosome is required.

The most famous example of this type of Cat is Garfield, the orange Persian tabby cat in comic strips.

There Are Numerous Breeds with Tabby Patterns

6. There Are Numerous Breeds with Tabby Patterns

Tabby cats constitute about 60-70% of the cat population in the world. 

As they are not a breed of their own, various breeds populate this percentage. These cats are still different because their genetic makeup in terms of appearances may still differ.

Some of these cat breeds potentially carrying the Tabby genetics are the following: 

Domestic Shorthaired Cats

Domestic Shorthaired Cats

Domestic Shorthairs come in various sizes, patterns, and colors. They usually come in hues of white, black, charcoal, or orange; and in different patterns, like classic, charcoal, ticked, or spotted. 

Abyssinian Cats

Abyssinian Cats

The Abyssinian breed, a high-maintenance cat, often comes with a ticked Tabby pattern, making their coat seemingly simple yet elegant. Given the nickname Aby, these agile cats come in shades of brown, tan, orange, and even golden patterns. 

Maine Coon Cats

Maine Coon Cats

This breed is the most popular and highly pedigreed tabby cat. They come in grey, silver, brown, and black patterns and have a long fur coat famous for its softness and elegance.

Ragdoll Cats

Ragdoll Cats

On the other hand, Ragdolls come in different shades and patterns—an ideal example of a tabby cat. They come in tan, silver, blue, and white colors, with white mittens on their paws, regardless of the color pattern they may have.

Oriental Cats

Oriental Cats

The prestigious Oriental Cat may come in over a hundred color patterns and combinations; thus, making them identifiable as tabby cats. They can come in cream, white, silver, tan, brown, or a variety of these colors. 

Persian Cats

Persian Cats

Persian cats, well-known for their elegance, come with many patterns and points that may be similar to each other. They may go in classic patterns of cream, gray, brown, and white, as well as lynx, tortoise, or solid points.

Egyptian Mau Cats

Egyptian Mau Cats

With the word “mau” directly translating to “cat,” Egyptian Mau cats come in spotted patterns, usually dark. These cats come in colors of brown, black, and gray.

American Bobtail Cats

American Bobtail Cats

American Bobtails, an uncommon breed of cats, are notable for their stubby “bobbed” tail shorter than a typical cat’s tail length. These cats are usually calico or classic coated; they may come in dark shades of grey, charcoal, tan, or brown.

Siamese Cats

Siamese Cats

This breed is one of the first distinct breeds of Asian cats and comes in either classic or ticked patterns. Their colors are usually cream with brown points on their face, paws, and tail.

Javanese Cats

Javanese Cats

Also known as the Colorpoint Longhair, Javanese cats are under the ticked tabby cat patterns. They come in cream, red, and tan colors.

Tabby Cats' Health

7. Tabby Cats’ Health

The health of Tabby cats will always vary on what their breeds are not on the coat pattern. Their coats do not signify anything related to the potential risks or hazards within their health.

However, there are still potential threats in regards to their health.

Hyperthyroidism in cats is their most common endocrine health issue, with an average number of 10% cats diagnosed with the condition.

They could also be at risk for Feline Leukemia Virus, a retrovirus that only passes to cats through secretions. Cats with FLV suffer from anemia, lethargy, and prolonged secondary respiratory symptoms.

Regardless of the breed, these cats may also suffer from urinary problems, like feline urinary tract disease and kidney stones.

Their average lifespan can be up to 15 years, more or less depending on their breed’s average.

Morris the Cat, Ithaca Kitty, and Garfield

8. Famous Tabby Cats

Some famous cats are Morris the Cat, the plushie Ithaca Kitty, and even Garfield!

Morris the Cat is an orange cat advertising mascot for 9Lives cat food starting in 1969. This feline fellow became an icon in media, especially in television, and even became a “cat-didate” for the U.S. Presidential Elections.

On the other hand, Ithaca Kitty is an iconic plushie during the post-World War I icon. This cat trademark was a delight for young or older people circulated with its seven fingers on its front paws.

Lastly, Garfield himself is an icon. In comic strips, he is a lazy feline with the love of food, particularly lasagnas. 

Conclusion

As mentioned earlier, Tabby cats are not a type of breed but rather a coat pattern that’s dominant among the population of cats.

They’re not rare, but all of them are a piece of gems that have been part of different cultures of history. They’ve coexisted with the people before, and now they’ve coexisted with us. 

READ NEXT: Popular Cat Breeds for Feline Lovers



Source link

29 thoughts on “All You Need To Know About These Patterned Cats

  • November 28, 2023 at 12:02 am
    Permalink

    I would like to voice my respect for your kindness supporting folks who require assistance with this important study. Your personal commitment to passing the solution throughout had been rather informative and have continuously helped employees like me to achieve their targets. Your warm and helpful publication implies a lot to me and somewhat more to my fellow workers. Many thanks; from everyone of us.

  • December 14, 2023 at 9:06 pm
    Permalink

    I definitely wanted to write down a brief comment so as to express gratitude to you for the amazing concepts you are giving out on this site. My incredibly long internet look up has now been paid with reliable facts and techniques to go over with my best friends. I would tell you that many of us website visitors are rather lucky to exist in a fabulous website with many lovely individuals with very beneficial tricks. I feel very privileged to have seen your web page and look forward to so many more amazing minutes reading here. Thanks a lot again for a lot of things.

  • December 25, 2023 at 8:13 pm
    Permalink

    Thank you a lot for giving everyone a very terrific opportunity to read critical reviews from this web site. It’s usually very great and also jam-packed with fun for me and my office mates to visit your blog at the very least 3 times a week to find out the fresh issues you have got. And indeed, I’m just usually amazed concerning the mind-boggling ideas you serve. Some 4 tips in this posting are indeed the most effective we have all ever had.

  • December 27, 2023 at 2:22 pm
    Permalink

    I simply wanted to develop a simple note so as to express gratitude to you for some of the superb tips and hints you are giving on this site. My rather long internet research has at the end been recognized with awesome insight to exchange with my partners. I would admit that we site visitors are unquestionably endowed to dwell in a wonderful community with so many brilliant individuals with great things. I feel pretty blessed to have come across the webpage and look forward to so many more fun moments reading here. Thanks again for everything.

  • December 28, 2023 at 6:33 pm
    Permalink

    I wish to voice my admiration for your kind-heartedness supporting those people who really need assistance with your area. Your personal dedication to passing the message along appears to be wonderfully effective and have without exception allowed workers just like me to get to their objectives. Your amazing invaluable advice denotes much to me and additionally to my colleagues. Thanks a lot; from everyone of us.

  • December 29, 2023 at 1:30 am
    Permalink

    There are some interesting cut-off dates in this article but I don抰 know if I see all of them heart to heart. There is some validity however I will take maintain opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we wish more! Added to FeedBurner as well

  • December 29, 2023 at 8:36 pm
    Permalink

    I would like to point out my appreciation for your generosity for people who must have guidance on in this study. Your very own dedication to passing the message throughout ended up being really informative and have in most cases helped associates much like me to attain their targets. Your new informative instruction implies so much a person like me and substantially more to my mates. Warm regards; from each one of us.

  • December 31, 2023 at 3:37 am
    Permalink

    I really wanted to make a note to say thanks to you for all of the remarkable suggestions you are giving out here. My long internet research has finally been paid with extremely good details to go over with my colleagues. I would declare that many of us readers are extremely lucky to exist in a superb website with so many perfect professionals with interesting opinions. I feel really happy to have come across the web site and look forward to so many more pleasurable times reading here. Thank you once more for all the details.

  • January 2, 2024 at 3:59 am
    Permalink

    I intended to send you the tiny remark to help give many thanks yet again just for the incredible views you have featured in this article. It has been certainly pretty open-handed of you to supply without restraint what exactly a number of people could possibly have sold as an e book to end up making some cash on their own, primarily considering that you might well have tried it in the event you decided. These pointers also served like the fantastic way to understand that most people have similar keenness really like my own to understand more with regard to this condition. I think there are lots of more fun opportunities in the future for many who read through your blog post.

  • January 4, 2024 at 2:00 am
    Permalink

    Aw, this was a really nice post. In thought I want to put in writing like this additionally ?taking time and actual effort to make an excellent article?however what can I say?I procrastinate alot and in no way appear to get one thing done.

  • January 4, 2024 at 9:14 pm
    Permalink

    I am only writing to make you be aware of what a beneficial encounter my girl had visiting your web site. She noticed lots of things, which included what it is like to have an ideal coaching mood to let other people clearly master several advanced matters. You undoubtedly exceeded readers’ expectations. Many thanks for rendering these helpful, trusted, revealing and easy thoughts on the topic to Julie.

  • January 6, 2024 at 3:26 am
    Permalink

    A lot of thanks for all of the efforts on this blog. My niece loves doing research and it’s simple to grasp why. Many of us hear all about the compelling method you give insightful tips and tricks on your web site and as well boost response from people on the matter while my daughter is undoubtedly starting to learn a whole lot. Enjoy the remaining portion of the new year. You’re performing a dazzling job.

  • January 7, 2024 at 10:24 am
    Permalink

    I simply wished to thank you so much again. I do not know what I might have worked on without these advice shared by you directly on that field. It was actually a alarming matter in my view, but encountering a expert approach you solved it forced me to cry with happiness. Now i am happy for your advice and as well , believe you know what a powerful job your are providing educating the others thru a web site. Most probably you have never got to know any of us.

  • January 8, 2024 at 8:03 pm
    Permalink

    I simply desired to thank you very much again. I’m not certain what I would have created without the type of secrets provided by you over such a field. Completely was the difficult dilemma in my view, but taking note of this expert mode you solved it made me to leap with happiness. Now i am happy for this assistance and as well , sincerely hope you comprehend what a great job you were providing educating people today through the use of your blog post. Most probably you haven’t got to know any of us.

  • January 9, 2024 at 11:28 pm
    Permalink

    Thank you a lot for giving everyone remarkably pleasant possiblity to read articles and blog posts from this web site. It’s always so pleasant and as well , jam-packed with fun for me and my office fellow workers to visit your blog more than thrice weekly to learn the fresh things you have got. And definitely, we are at all times happy considering the tremendous hints you serve. Some 2 ideas in this article are undoubtedly the most effective we’ve ever had.

  • January 11, 2024 at 5:40 am
    Permalink

    I wish to express appreciation to this writer just for bailing me out of such a instance. Just after scouting through the the web and coming across tips which are not beneficial, I was thinking my entire life was over. Existing without the strategies to the difficulties you have sorted out as a result of your website is a crucial case, as well as ones that might have adversely damaged my entire career if I had not discovered your site. Your actual competence and kindness in dealing with all the stuff was vital. I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t discovered such a thing like this. I can at this moment relish my future. Thanks so much for your expert and amazing help. I won’t think twice to suggest the sites to any person who needs guidelines on this matter.

  • January 12, 2024 at 12:03 pm
    Permalink

    Thank you a lot for providing individuals with remarkably spectacular opportunity to check tips from this blog. It is often so great and as well , full of fun for me and my office colleagues to visit your site nearly thrice in 7 days to learn the new issues you have. And lastly, I’m also usually astounded with all the fantastic guidelines you serve. Certain 4 facts in this post are undeniably the most suitable we’ve ever had.

  • January 13, 2024 at 6:31 pm
    Permalink

    I’m just commenting to make you understand of the incredible experience our child found reading your site. She realized a lot of issues, most notably what it’s like to possess an incredible teaching mindset to get most people with ease know precisely chosen very confusing topics. You truly exceeded our own expected results. Many thanks for delivering the great, dependable, explanatory not to mention unique thoughts on your topic to Janet.

  • January 14, 2024 at 11:35 pm
    Permalink

    My wife and i felt absolutely relieved when Albert managed to carry out his preliminary research by way of the precious recommendations he made through the site. It’s not at all simplistic just to possibly be handing out concepts that many some others could have been selling. We do know we have you to thank for this. The entire illustrations you have made, the simple website navigation, the friendships you will help create – it’s got many fabulous, and it’s really letting our son in addition to our family reason why that matter is awesome, which is certainly really essential. Thanks for the whole thing!

  • January 16, 2024 at 1:56 am
    Permalink

    I must express some appreciation to the writer just for bailing me out of this type of difficulty. Because of exploring through the world wide web and obtaining solutions which were not powerful, I was thinking my entire life was done. Living minus the approaches to the problems you’ve fixed all through your main site is a critical case, and the ones which might have negatively damaged my career if I hadn’t come across the blog. The ability and kindness in touching all the stuff was helpful. I am not sure what I would have done if I hadn’t come across such a stuff like this. I am able to now look ahead to my future. Thank you so much for your expert and sensible help. I won’t hesitate to recommend your web page to any individual who will need guidelines about this subject matter.

  • January 17, 2024 at 1:50 am
    Permalink

    Thank you a lot for providing individuals with an extremely superb chance to read critical reviews from here. It’s usually so fantastic and also packed with a good time for me personally and my office co-workers to search your site minimum three times per week to read through the fresh guidance you have. And indeed, I am also at all times fascinated considering the powerful points you give. Selected 3 areas in this posting are undoubtedly the finest we’ve had.

  • January 18, 2024 at 2:23 am
    Permalink

    I simply wanted to thank you so much all over again. I’m not certain the things that I might have accomplished without the creative ideas provided by you regarding such a problem. It became a real alarming circumstance in my view, however , looking at a new specialised way you handled the issue took me to weep over happiness. I’m happy for your assistance and even hope you are aware of a great job that you are carrying out educating other individuals all through your site. Probably you haven’t come across any of us.

  • January 19, 2024 at 4:28 am
    Permalink

    I as well as my pals were found to be digesting the best guidelines from your web blog and at once came up with a horrible suspicion I never expressed respect to the web blog owner for those tips. Most of the guys were totally very interested to read them and already have without a doubt been making the most of those things. Appreciation for really being indeed considerate and also for settling on this form of marvelous things millions of individuals are really eager to discover. Our own honest regret for not saying thanks to you sooner.

  • January 21, 2024 at 7:33 am
    Permalink

    I simply needed to thank you so much once more. I am not sure the things I would have gone through without the entire tricks revealed by you about my area of interest. It absolutely was an absolute daunting concern in my position, but considering a new skilled approach you resolved it took me to jump over contentment. I am thankful for the service as well as pray you really know what an amazing job you happen to be getting into teaching many people thru your webblog. Most probably you have never come across any of us.

  • January 23, 2024 at 1:22 pm
    Permalink

    I and my guys happened to be taking note of the nice procedures found on your web page and so quickly came up with an awful suspicion I had not expressed respect to the blog owner for them. All the women happened to be excited to read through them and now have truly been taking pleasure in them. Appreciation for being simply thoughtful as well as for making a decision on this form of notable areas millions of individuals are really wanting to understand about. Our own honest regret for not saying thanks to you sooner.

  • February 18, 2024 at 4:07 pm
    Permalink

    canadian pharmacy without a prescription canadianphrmacy23.com
    canadian pharmacy viagra [url=http://canadianphrmacy23.com/]canadian pharmacies without prescription[/url]

  • February 20, 2024 at 12:13 pm
    Permalink

    online pharmacy viagra canadian pharmacy
    online canadian pharcharmy [url=http://canadianphrmacy23.com/]why not try these out[/url]

  • February 27, 2024 at 1:11 am
    Permalink

    viagra pharmacy Pharmacy
    cialis- canadian pharmacy [url=http://canadianphrmacy23.com/]link[/url]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.