Before we proceed, let’s get a brief explanation
So yes, tabby is not a breed of cats; neither is it a color of cats. The tabby pattern occurs in many breeds and comes in different colors. The tabby may include stripes, swirls, spots, and whorls.
There are four patterns of tabby cats: the mackerel, the classic, the spotted, and the
If you are interested in learning more about these awesome creatures, check out the following 11 fun facts about tabby cats.
Tabby Cats Are Affectionate And Intelligent
If you are lucky enough to live with one of these unique creatures, you already know that tabby cats are affectionate and very intelligent.
Generally, they are easy to be around with, they like lots of cuddles, and can also get angry if they don’t get their way. However, due to their smartness, they are good at getting what they want.
Tabby Cats Were Named After The Silk Made In Baghdad.
Did you know that Tabby Cats were compared to silk, and that’s the main reason why they got the name “tabby”? Even though the origin of the word may differ but there is one possible theory.
The silk came from the region of Attabiy in Baghdad. And in the 14th century the silk was called by the Middle French term, “atabis”, which soon became “tabis” and translated into the English word, “tabby.”
Tabby Cats Can Come In Many Coat Colors
The most familiar coats are brown/ black, but the variation in the pigment can give us black tabbies, orange tabbies, and gray tabbies.
Orange tabby cats most of the time are usually males. This is a very interesting thing, it explains the fact that the sex and coat color genetics are in some way related, at least in orange cats. About 80 percent of orange cats are males and no one knows why.
Tabby Is Not a Cat Breed
By now you should understand that the term “tabby” refers to a fur pattern, not to a particular breed of cats. Due to this, any cat that has the unique tabby colorations and patterns can be referred to as a tabby cat, in addition to belonging to a certain cat breed.
For instance, an Abyssinian tabby cat, where “Abyssinian” is the cat breed and “tabby” is the color of the coat.
Tabby Cats Are Considered As The Most Extrovert And Social Cats of All Breeds
According to some biologists, this is linked to their fur color, making it one of the most unique tabby cat traits.
The character of orange tabby cat is closely related to the “friendly” tabby DNA“. All tabby cats have earned a reputation for being adorable and socially oriented. You’ll never see a grumpy tabby cat.
The First Domestic Tabbies
Another interesting tabby cat fact you should know is that according to the history only one of the five original genetic strains of the wild cat was successfully tamed. And the first tamed pet cats were tabby cats.
These first household cats were probably the pets of Mediterranean farmers. The farmers used to have huge problems with rodents, and tabbies helped them to deal with this problem. Tabby cats are not just friendly, and cute, they great hunters as well!
From there, domestic tabby cats spread all through Europe, often transported by vessels to reach other countries as well.
Tabby Cats Have Excellent Personality
They are awesome pets for young owners due to their social traits, cuddly and friendly personalities. Even though all domestic cats can make a good family pets, tabby cats are well known as the “first pet” cats for children.
This is due to their well documented loving and friendly character. Some researchers suggest that this may be a myth, although there are no doubts that a lot of people are convinced that this is true.
The Heaviest Tabby Cat!
The worlds heaviest tabby cat weighted 46 pounds and 15.2 ounces. The name of this Aussie tabby cat was Himmy, and he was owned by Thomas Vyse (though you can never own a cat).
When Himmy died in 1986, the cat was 10 years old and had a waist of 33 inches.
After his death, the award was discontinued because of the fear of cat owners intentionally fatten up their cats so they could topple Himmy’s record.
There Are Five Different Tabby Coat Patterns.
As mentioned earlier, this includes the patched, spotted, classic, and the mackerel.
The classic tabby fur color looks like swirled marble, with circular patterns that alternate between the dark colors throughout the body of a cat.
Hey, while you’re here learn some interesting facts about other cat breeds. 8 Fascinating Facts about British Shorthair Cats, 8 Interesting Facts About Asian Cats, 8 Interesting Himalayan Cat Facts, 9 The Most Interesting Facts About Persian Cats, 9 Awesome Things About Calico Cats, 11 Interesting Facts About The Munchkin Cats, 9 Fascinating Facts About Savannah Cats, 9 Interesting Facts About Tuxedo Cats, 11 Fascinating Facts About Bengal Cats, 9 Fun Facts About Siamese Cats
Tabby Cats indeed have a distinctive history and should be cherished for their unique coat patterns and personalities. Just like all cats, every tabby is different and has its own unique mental and physical characteristics.
If you are not familiar with tabby cats, we suggest you to go meet one, and find out yourself how friendly they are.
Kittens With Tabby Fur
There are more kittens with tabby furs than there are any other fur color in the world today. This is partly because tabby is the color of the first household cat.
It is also a great color for staying disguised in the wild while hiding from predators or while hunting.
Also, here’s another interesting tabby cat fact you should know know; the orange tabby cat coat color is produced due to the presence of the pigment pheomelanin.
Today’s tabby cats have developed other notable ways to separate them from their feral cat ancestors. This Include their tendency to enjoy napping, eating and resting. Like various news sources often report, this combination can be the reason for rapid weight gain in modern days tabbies.
Though not all tabby cats are at risk of weight gain, their lovable and affectionate character and sedentary personality can prompt family members to give them extra treats than is nutritionally wise. Maybe this is also the root of the “tubby tabby” syndrome!
I have a six year old Tabby and he is the best of the best.a fine boy.
We would love to see your tabby boy!
You hit the hammer on the nail with this description of tabbys. Personality, direct eye contact, communication verbally with human, smart, loving, affectionate, cute, cute, cute!
Yes, they are so friendly and adorable sometimes it’s even hard to believe.
I had two tabby brothers….Most amazing cats living to 16 & 19 years. While they had regular names, we also called them Striple & Spottle….Their coats were just different enough as well as texture– one was sleek the other plush. WhIle both had the basic tabby personality as described here, one was the most lo ing, gentle & patient cat I have ever had….
A brown mackerel tabby shorthair cat once strolled into our backyard and announced that she was staying. We’ve never used normal names for our cats (Kiwi, Weaver, Sniffles, Aunt Jane, etc). Since this one was among the most common cat color and pattern, she became JustaCat. Justi became best pals with our red tabby named Crusty – for the pizza crusts I fed him when he came to the patio and wouldn’t go away.
I have a 13 year old Tabby. He is absolutely adorable and a God send. Very Smart, Lovable, Social, Talkative, Silly and the most Demanding cat. That I have ever been owned by.
Your credit according to ”Photograph by rihaij|Pixabay” is false. The photographer is Sandra Lind ^_^
Oh, we are sorry about that. After replacing the photo we forgot to update credits. Thanks Sandra for letting us know. 🙂 We just fixed that.
nutelees
She came to our back steps Sunday morning when we were going out. We thought she would be gone when we got back. However, later that afternoon she showed by when it was getting really cold. So she stayed the night. She played in the backyard with our daughter, then followed her back upstairs.
My, then 6yr old daughter named our orange tabby kitten Simba because she reasoned that he resembled baby Simba from the Lion King.
Also, I once had acquired a FEMALE orange tabby in N.B. Canada & she was very temperamental and not as friendly. She was named Alfadore by a friend of mine. Simba is WAY friendlier than Alfie was, by far. BUT apparently she was SUPER rare though.
My grey, striped cat is perfect. He is affectionate, he plays tag, and he gets along with his two fellow cats. My two black and white cats are affectionate, but they can be pesty.
I’m just happy to read about cats! I have 2 cats and I spoil them even though they are not cuddly like my first cat who was my baby for 20 years, Nitty, I love you and miss you so much.
My cat we got as a kitten and he would not stay in the box rode on back all the way from Charleston Mo to North county St. Louis Missouri he never used a litter box he used the toilet and he used to walk me to the bus stop every day and would watch the b
I have a tabby cat that isn’t even a year old yet.
Her name is Stormy. She is kind of a mix of a mackerel and spotted tabby.
I have a female orange tabby. She’s very sociable and affectionate. Loves to cuddle and too smart for her own good at times! But she’s my baby
Lost my mail Tabby in June. I had him 18/19 years and he was a rescue already at least one or two when we got him. Best cat ever, always loved tabbies, still do just not ready for another yet. Thanks for the article.