Top 9 Types of Tabby Cats (Tabby Cat Colors and Patterns)

Tabby cats are not a specific breed, but rather a distinctive coat pattern found in many domestic cats. These felines are characterized by their M-shaped marking on the forehead, stripes near the eyes and cheeks, and various patterns on their bodies. There are four main tabby patterns: mackerel, classic, ticked, and spotted. 

A common misconception is that all tabby cats are orange, but they can actually come in a variety of colors, including brown, gray, and black. The tabby pattern is deeply rooted in feline genetics, with the agouti gene and tabby gene playing crucial roles. Interestingly, all domestic cats carry the tabby gene, even if it's not visible in their coat. 

About 80% of modern-day cats have the recessive allele responsible for the classic tabby pattern. These cats are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities, making them popular pets for families with kids and other animals.

Identifying Tabby Cats

Tabby cats are easy to spot once you know what to look for. The most famous feature is the "M" marking on their forehead. This M-shape sits right above their eyes and is a dead giveaway that you're looking at a tabby. Some folks say the "M" stands for Mau, the Ancient Egyptian word for cat. No matter what it means, it's a cool cat trademark! 

Another key feature of tabbies is their agouti hairs. These are special hairs that have bands of light and dark colors. If you look closely at a tabby's fur, you'll see these striped hairs giving the coat a unique look. It's like nature's own highlights! 

Tabbies also have some other neat features. They often have thin stripes around their eyes, making it look like they're wearing eyeliner. Talk about natural beauty! You'll also spot stripes on their cheeks and legs. Their tails usually have rings around them, like a raccoon's tail.

On their bodies, tabbies can have different patterns. Some have swirls that look like a marble cake, while others have stripes that make them look like mini tigers. Some even have spots instead of stripes!

That's a lot of tabbies! And get this - all cats actually have tabby genes, even if you can't see the pattern. Sometimes, you might spot "ghost markings" on solid-colored cats, especially when they're kittens. So next time you see a cat with an "M" on its forehead and cool striped fur, you'll know you've met a tabby!

Types of Tabby Patterns

Tabby cats are like the cool kids of the cat world. They come in all sorts of neat patterns that make them look super stylish. Taking a closer look at the various types of tabby patterns, let's discover what makes them unique.

1. Classic (Blotched) Tabby

The classic tabby is a real showstopper! These cats look like they've been painted with swirly brushstrokes. Their coat has big, bold swirls that often form a bullseye pattern on their sides. It's like they're wearing a fancy target! 

A. Swirling patterns and bullseye markings

Imagine a marble cake but on a cat. That's what a classic tabby looks like! Their fur has thick, curved bands that swirl around their body. The most eye-catching part is the bullseye on their sides. It's a big circle that looks just like a target. 

Some folks call these cats "blotched tabbies" because their pattern looks like big blotches of color. It's pretty cool how nature can create such awesome designs!

B. Genetic explanation

Now, let's get a bit sciency. The classic tabby pattern comes from a special gene. It's called the "tabby gene", and it has different versions. The version that makes the classic pattern is actually a bit shy - it's recessive. That means a cat needs to get this gene from both mom and dad to show off the classic tabby look. That's a lot of potential swirly kitties out there!

2. Mackerel Tabby

Next up is the mackerel tabby. These cats look like they're wearing tiger stripes! They're the most common type of tabby, and they've got a pretty cool nickname: "tiger cats".

A. Vertical striping pattern

Mackerel tabbies have thin stripes that run up and down their body. It's like someone drew lines all over them with a marker! These stripes are usually pretty close together and can be straight or a bit wavy. The stripes on a mackerel tabby aren't just random. They follow a pattern: 

• There's often a stripe running down the cat's back, like a spine.
• The stripes on the sides start at this spine and go down towards the belly.
• You'll see stripes on their legs and tails too.
• And don't forget the "M" shape on their forehead - all tabbies have this!

B. Resemblance to fish skeleton

Now, you might be wondering, "Why are they called mackerel tabbies?" Well, it's because their stripes look a lot like a mackerel fish skeleton! Imagine a fish bone - that's what these cats' stripes remind people of.

C. Dominance in genetic inheritance

Here's where it gets really interesting. The mackerel pattern is like the boss of tabby patterns. In the world of cat genes, it's dominant. This means that if a cat gets the mackerel gene from just one parent, it'll likely show the mackerel pattern. 

Scientists think the mackerel pattern is the original tabby pattern. It's what wild cats used to have way back when. So when you see a mackerel tabby, you're looking at a little piece of cat history!

3. Spotted Tabby

Moving on to the spotted tabby. These cats look like they've been sprinkled with polka dots! It's a super cute and playful-looking pattern. 

A. Oval or round spots

Instead of stripes, spotted tabbies have - you guessed it - spots! These spots can be all sorts of shapes:

• Some are perfectly round, like little cat polka dots.
• Others are more oval-shaped, like cat eggs.
• Sometimes the spots are big, and sometimes they're tiny.

The spots cover the cat's back, sides, and sometimes even their legs. It's like nature decided to play connect-the-dots on these kitties!

B. Relation to mackerel pattern

Here's a cool fact: spotted tabbies are actually related to mackerel tabbies. Scientists think that the spotted pattern is just a broken-up mackerel pattern. It's like the stripes decided to play hide-and-seek and turned into spots! Sometimes, you can even see spots that look a bit stretched out, almost like they're trying to turn back into stripes. Nature is pretty neat, huh? 

C. Breeds commonly exhibiting this pattern

While any tabby cat can be spotted, some cat breeds are famous for their spots. Here are a few:

• Ocicat: These cats look like little leopards!
• Egyptian Mau: They're known for their naturally spotted coats.
• Bengal: While not all Bengals are spotted, many have beautiful rosette-like spots.

Even some mixed-breed cats can have awesome spotted patterns. It's like a surprise package - you never know what pattern you'll get!

4. Ticked Tabby

Now, let's talk about the ticked tabby. These cats are the rebels of the tabby world. At first glance, you might not even realize they're tabbies!

A. Agouti hair characteristics

Ticked tabbies have a super cool feature called agouti hairs. Each hair has bands of different colors. It's like they're wearing tiny striped sweaters on each hair! Here's how it works:

• Each hair has light and dark bands.
• When you look at the whole cat, it gives them a sort of salt-and-pepper look.
• Up close, it almost looks like their fur is shimmering.

This special hair is what gives ticked tabbies their unique look. It's like nature's way of creating a cat with built-in glitter!

B. Lack of distinct stripes or spots

Unlike other tabbies, ticked tabbies don't have obvious stripes or spots on their body. They might have some faint stripes on their legs or tails, but their body looks pretty uniform. But don't be fooled! They're still 100% tabby. 

They've got the classic "M" marking on their forehead, just like all other tabbies. It's like their secret tabby handshake!

C. Examples of ticked tabby breeds

Some cat breeds are famous for their ticked coats:

• Abyssinian: These cats are the poster children for ticked tabbies.
• Somali: They're like long-haired Abyssinians, with gorgeous ticked fur.
• Singapura: These tiny cats have beautiful ticked coats.

Even some mixed-breed cats can have ticked coats. It's like a fun surprise in the genetic lottery!

5. Patched Tabby

Last but not least, we have the patched tabby. These cats are like the patchwork quilts of the cat world. They're a mix of different tabby patterns and colors!

A. Combination with tortoiseshell or calico patterns

Patched tabbies are a mix of two different coat patterns:

• Tabby pattern (any of the ones we talked about earlier)
• Tortoiseshell or calico pattern

It's like these cats couldn't decide which cool pattern to wear, so they chose both!Here's how it works:

• Parts of the cat will have normal tabby markings (stripes, swirls, or spots).
• Other parts will have patches of solid color, like orange or black.

It's like a kitty fashion show where every cat is a winner! 

B. Terms: torbie and caliby

Patched tabbies have some fun nicknames:

• Torbie: This is a mix of tortoiseshell and tabby. These cats have the mottled black and orange of a tortie but with tabby stripes mixed in.
• Caliby: This is a mix of calico and tabby. They have the white, black, and orange patches of calico, but the colored patches have tabby markings.

These cats are like two-for-one deals in the cat world. You get all the coolness of a tabby, plus the fun patchwork of a tortie or calico!

Tabby Cat Colors

Tabby cats come in a rainbow of colors that'll make your eyes pop! Let's dive into the world of these stripy kitties and explore their awesome hues.

1. Brown Tabby

Brown tabbies are the classic cats you probably picture when someone says "tabby." They're like walking chocolate bars with stripes! These kitties have a mix of colors that'll remind you of your favorite candy:

• Dark brown stripes (like chocolate syrup)
• Light brown or cream base coat (like milk chocolate)
• Sometimes a bit of white on their chest or paws (like marshmallows in hot cocoa)

Brown tabbies can range from light tan to deep, rich brown. Some folks even call the darker ones "black tabbies," but that's just a super dark shade of brown.

Brown tabbies are super common, but that doesn't make them boring. Each one has a unique pattern, like a furry fingerprint. Some have swirls that look like bullseyes, while others have stripes that make them look like tiny tigers.

2. Orange (Red) Tabby

Orange tabbies are the movie stars of the cat world. Think Garfield or Puss in Boots - these cats are famous! These ginger kitties come in shades that'll make you think of a sunset:

• Bright orange (like a juicy tangerine)
• Deep red (like a ripe tomato)
• Light cream (like a peach smoothie)

That's right, these ginger cats are mostly dudes! But don't worry, girl orange tabbies exist too, they're just a bit rarer. Orange tabbies have a reputation for being super friendly and loving. Some people call them "velcro cats" because they love to stick close to their humans. 

They're like furry shadows that follow you around the house! These cats get their color from a special pigment called pheomelanin. It's the same stuff that makes some humans have red hair. So if you're a redhead, you've got something in common with these kitties!

3. Silver Tabby

Silver tabbies are like the supermodels of the cat world. They're sleek, they're stylish, and they know how to work those stripes! These cats look like they're wearing fancy jewelry:

• Silver or white base coat (like polished silver)
• Dark gray or black stripes (like charcoal)
• Sometimes a bit of white on their chest or paws (like pearls)

Silver tabbies can have different patterns, just like other tabbies. Some have swirls that look like marble, while others have stripes that make them look like little snow tigers. Here's a cool fact: Silver tabbies often have green or gold eyes. 

This makes for a stunning contrast with their shiny coats. It's like they're always dressed up for a fancy party! These cats aren't as common as brown or orange tabbies, which makes them extra special. If you see a silver tabby, you're looking at a real gem of a kitty!

4. Gray Tabby

Gray tabbies are like the cool, mysterious cats of the tabby world. They're not as flashy as their silver cousins, but they've got a charm all their own. These kitties come in shades that'll remind you of a cloudy day:

• Light gray base coat (like a misty morning)
• Dark gray or black stripes (like storm clouds)
• Sometimes a bit of white on their chest or paws (like a break in the clouds)

Gray tabbies can range from pale, almost silvery gray to deep, smoky charcoal. Some people even call the darker ones "blue tabbies," but don't worry - they're not actually blue! 

These cats often have golden or green eyes, which really pop against their gray fur. It's like seeing the sun peek through on a cloudy day! Gray tabbies are pretty common, but each one is unique. Their stripes can form all sorts of patterns, from swirls to spots to tiger-like stripes.

5. Cream Tabby

Cream tabbies are like the ice cream of the cat world - sweet, soft, and oh-so-pretty! These kitties come in delicious shades that'll make you think of dessert:

• Pale cream base coat (like vanilla ice cream)
• Slightly darker cream stripes (like caramel sauce)
• Sometimes a bit of white on their chest or paws (like whipped cream)

Cream tabbies are actually a lighter version of orange tabbies. They have a special gene that dilutes their color, making them super pale and pretty. Here's something interesting: Cream tabbies are pretty rare, especially female ones. If you see a cream tabby, you're looking at a special kitty! 

 These cats often have blue or green eyes, which look amazing with their pale fur. It's like looking at a cloudy sky on a sunny day. 

Cream tabbies have all the same pattern possibilities as other tabbies. They can have swirls, stripes, or even spots. But because their colors are so light, sometimes their patterns are hard to see. It's like they're wearing secret tabby stripes!

Genetics of Tabby Patterns and Colors

The genetics behind tabby patterns and colors in cats is like a fancy recipe with lots of ingredients. Let's start with the agouti gene, which is like the head chef in this kitchen. This gene, also called ASIP, tells the cat's body when to make dark or light colors in each hair. It's what gives tabby cats their cool striped look. When the agouti gene is working, you get a tabby cat. If it's not working, you get a solid-colored cat.

Next up is the tabby gene, which is like the sous chef. Scientists found this gene on chromosome A1 and named it LVRN (also called Taqpep). It's got two main versions: Ta^M for mackerel tabbies (think tiger stripes) and Ta^b for classic tabbies (think swirly patterns). There's also a ticked tabby pattern, controlled by a gene called DKK4 on chromosome B1.

Now, let's talk about how these genes play together. The agouti gene works with other color genes to create different tabby colors. For example, the orange gene (which is on the X chromosome) can turn a black tabby into an orange one. And get this - all orange cats are tabbies, even if you can't always see the stripes! 

There's also a gene that can make colors lighter, called the dilute gene. It can turn a brown tabby into a gray one, or an orange tabby into a cream one. It's like adding milk to your coffee - it lightens everything up!

Tabby Cats in Different Breeds

Tabby cats are like the cool kids of the cat world - they're everywhere! You'll find these stripy kitties in all sorts of cat breeds, from your everyday house cat to fancy pedigree breeds. Let's start with domestic shorthairs, which are the most common cats you'll see around town. 

These cats are like the mutts of the cat world, and a whopping 80% of them rock the tabby pattern. That's right, 8 out of 10 of these everyday cats are sporting those awesome stripes, swirls, or spots! But tabbies aren't just for the average Joe cat. Plenty of pedigree breeds strut their stuff in tabby patterns too. 

The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) lists a bunch of breeds that can wear the tabby look, including some real fancy felines. You've got the Maine Coon, which is like the gentle giant of cats, often showing off classic tabby swirls. Then there's the Bengal, which looks like a mini leopard with its spotted tabby coat. 

Don't forget the Abyssinian, with its ticked tabby fur that makes it look like it's glowing. Even the squishy-faced Persian can rock tabby patterns! Some breeds, like the Egyptian Mau, are always tabbies - it's their signature look. 

So whether you're hanging out with a regular house cat or a fancy show kitty, chances are you're petting a tabby. These cats are the ultimate fashion icons of the feline world, proving that stripes and spots never go out of style

Conclusion

Tabby cats are the rock stars of the cat world! From the swirly classic tabby to the tiger-like mackerel tabby, and even the polka-dotted spotted tabby, there's a pattern for every taste. And let's not forget their cool colors - brown, orange, silver, gray, and cream. Tabbies aren't just pretty faces, though. 

They're known for being super friendly and smart, which is why so many people love them. You'll find tabbies in all sorts of cat breeds, from the fluffy Maine Coon to the sleek Bengal. With their unique "M" marking on their foreheads and their fun personalities, it's no wonder tabbies have stolen the hearts of cat lovers everywhere. These cats are living proof that stripes never go out of style!