Tabby cat

Cat November 2010-1a

Felis silvestris silvestris Luc Viatour

PSM V37 D105 English tabby cat

Katzepasstauf (2009 photo; cropped 2022) (cropped)

Sunlit Cat

Cat December 2009-1 (cropped 2023)

Tabby cat refers to a cat with a distinctive coat that features stripes, dots, lines, or swirling patterns, always together with a mark resembling an 'M' on its forehead. Tabby is not a breed of cat but rather a description of the cat's coat pattern. These patterns are found in many breeds and are a result of the cat's genetic makeup. The tabby pattern is the most common of all the feline coat patterns.

Types of Tabby Patterns

There are four basic types of tabby patterns:

• Mackerel Tabby: This pattern is characterized by narrow stripes that run in parallel down the sides of the body, resembling the fish skeleton. It is the most common tabby pattern.
• Classic Tabby: Also known as "blotched" or "marbled," this pattern features wider stripes that form a whorl or spiral pattern on the cat's sides.
• Spotted Tabby: As the name suggests, this pattern consists of spots all over the body. The spots can vary in size and shape.
• Ticked Tabby: In this pattern, the majority of the hair shaft is one color, with only the tips showing the tabby pattern. This gives a more solid appearance to the coat with a subtle pattern.

Genetics

The tabby pattern is governed by the Agouti gene, which controls the distribution of black pigment within the hair shaft. The presence of the Agouti gene allows for the expression of the tabby pattern, while its absence results in a solid-colored coat. Another gene, the Tabby gene, determines the type of tabby pattern a cat will have.

History and Mythology

Tabby cats have been around for thousands of years. Their patterns are believed to have evolved as a form of camouflage in the wild. There are also numerous myths and legends surrounding tabby cats, especially regarding the origin of the 'M' mark on their forehead. One popular legend suggests that the Virgin Mary bestowed the mark upon a tabby cat that had soothed the baby Jesus.

Personality and Behavior

While personality can vary widely among individual cats, tabby cats are often described as friendly, playful, and outgoing. However, these traits are more closely related to breed and individual temperament rather than coat pattern.

Care and Health

Tabby cats do not require any special care beyond what is typical for any cat. This includes a balanced diet, regular veterinary check-ups, vaccinations, and adequate exercise. As with all cats, tabby cats can be prone to certain health issues, but these are more closely related to breed rather than coat pattern.

Popular Tabby Cats

Tabby cats are popular in culture and have been featured in many books, movies, and television shows. Some famous tabby cats include Garfield, the lasagna-loving cat from the comic strip, and Tiger, the iconic tabby cat from the Brady Bunch television series.