Buzz
A Tabby cat, also known as a striped cat, is not a distinct breed, so they do not have specific personality traits or behaviors. Rather, any cat with a striped coat pattern is considered a Tabby. The stripes can vary in thickness, be straight or curved, and come in various colors. All Tabby cats have a characteristic 'M' shape on their forehead, along with thin 'pencil' lines on their face. Not all cats have a striped coat, and in fact, there are five different Tabby coat types. Once you learn to identify the basic coat patterns, distinguishing a Tabby cat from others will be much easier.
Steps
Identifying the Classic Tabby Cat
Look for a blotched coat pattern. A classic Tabby cat typically has blotchy fur patterns on its body, which is why they are sometimes referred to as marbled striped cats.
Look for prominent stripes. The fur patterns of a typical Tabby cat are often larger and thicker compared to other Tabby variations. These thick stripes contribute to the marbled coat pattern, a distinctive feature of the classic Tabby cat.
Look for circular patterns. The stripes on a classic Tabby cat often form circular swirls. In some cats, the stripes may create concentric rings, adding to the unique look.
Examine the color. The classic Tabby cat usually has black stripes on a brown coat. There are other color variations, but often the name of these cats will include additional color references, such as ginger Tabby or red Tabby (orange and white), or blue Tabby (gray and white).
Identifying the Mackerel Tabby Cat
Look for thin striped markings. The stripes on the body of a Mackerel Tabby cat will be narrow, unlike the bold and thick patterns seen in the classic Tabby cat.
Look for continuous stripes. The Mackerel Tabby cat typically has straight, continuous stripes that are evenly spaced. These stripes usually run from the back down to the belly along the sides of the cat's body.
Notice the stripe along the spine. A defining feature of this Tabby type is the stripe along the cat's back. The stripes on the cat's sides originate from a single stripe running along the spine. With stripes extending from the back, these cats appear somewhat like a fish skeleton, which is why they're named 'Mackerel' Tabby cats.
Identifying the Ticked Tabby Cat
Examine the individual fur strands. Unlike other Tabby cats, the Ticked Tabby doesn't have striped markings. Instead, each individual hair on the cat is marked with spots or bands of different colors. This is the hallmark feature of the Ticked Tabby cat.
Pay attention to the unique facial pattern. While this type of Tabby may not look like a typical Tabby cat, it still bears the signature facial pattern of a Tabby. Look for the 'M' shape on the forehead and the thin stripes on the sides of the cat's face.
Observe the translucency of the fur. Not all Ticked Tabby cats have translucent fur, but some individuals, such as the Abyssinian breed, will exhibit translucent fur strands.
Identifying the Spotted Tabby Cat
Look for broken stripes. These cats are called Spotted Tabby cats because they have stripes that break up into segments along their fur. The 'broken' pattern can make the stripes appear as spots, though these cats are still Tabby cats.
Notice the variety of spots. The spots on a Spotted Tabby cat's coat come in various shapes and sizes. They can be large or small, round, oval, or even rosette-shaped.
Don't confuse Spotted Tabby cats with Mackerel Tabby cats. While the coat patterns of Spotted Tabby cats can vary, some may be mistaken for Mackerel Tabby cats. Some Spotted Tabby cats have spots originating from the stripe along their back, similar to Mackerel Tabby cats. The difference is that Spotted Tabby cats have a much more marbled and spotty coat.
Identifying the Tortoiseshell Tabby Cat
Look for combined characteristics. The fur of a Tortoiseshell Tabby cat typically has stripes combined with another coat pattern. A Tortoiseshell Tabby can exhibit one of the four main coat types, which shows that it is still a Tabby cat.
Notice the blend of brown or red patches. Your cat is a Tortoiseshell Tabby if its fur contains red hairs mixed with brown spots or stripes.
Examine the cat's legs and head. The most distinctive features of a Tortoiseshell Tabby cat are often most prominent in the legs and head.
