Tabby cats, often called tiger cats, are very common and easy to spot. Many people think they’re a specific breed of cat, but this isn’t true. The tabby pattern is just a type of coat marking that can appear on many different cat breeds. Let’s learn more about these cats with their special stripes and patterns.
Breed Overview
Height:
9–16 inches
Weight:
8–15+ pounds
Lifespan:
12–15 years
Colors:
Brown, gray, orange, black, silver, red, etc.
Suitable for:
Families with or without children, seniors, folks living in apartments
Temperament:
Varies depending on the breed
Tiger cats have many colors and patterns. While most people recognize them by the M shape on their foreheads, tabby cats have several other common patterns in their fur.
The Earliest Records of Tiger-Cats in History
The tiger cat pattern dates back to domestic cats in the Middle Ages.
The blotched pattern seen on tabby cats came from a genetic change during the time of the Ottoman Empire. This Turkish-led empire controlled much of Southeast Europe, West Asia, and North Africa from the 1300s to the early 1900s. The tiger-like stripes, now found on about 80% of today’s cats, gradually spread across Southwest Asia, Africa, and Europe. The tabby pattern didn’t become widespread until the 1700s.
How Tiger-Cats Gained Popularity
Ancient Egyptians deeply respected cats. These early wild cats, which likely led to today’s pet tabbies, were valued for their hunting abilities. They protected food stores, boats, and homes by catching rats and mice that spread disease.
The familiar tabby cat pattern became common around the 1700s. In the late 1800s, people in North America started keeping cats not just as mousers but also as pets. After World War I ended, cats became popular household pets across the United States and Canada.
Formal Recognition of Tiger-Cats
Tiger-like stripes in cats aren’t a specific breed, but rather a pattern found in many cat breeds. While there’s no special recognition for “tiger cats,” both major cat organizations (TICA and CFA) include tabby patterns in their breed standards.
For example, Bengal cats can have brown, silver, and other tabby patterns. Maine Coons can show different tabby patterns like classic stripes, mackerel (narrow stripes), or ticked (spotted), and come in colors like brown, silver, red, and blue-silver.
Top 3 Unique Facts About Tiger-Cats
1. There are many distinct tiger cat patterns.
Most people recognize tabby cats by the “M” shape on their forehead. However, this is just one of several tabby patterns that exist.
- Classic tabby: The cat’s fur has swirls that look like circles on its sides.
- Mackerel tabby: The fur has rings around the tail and legs, with stripes (complete or broken) covering the rest of the body.
- Spotted tabby: Instead of stripes, this pattern has rows of spots in different sizes.
- Patched tabby: The fur has areas of mixed colors (like calico or tortoiseshell) combined with areas of regular tabby stripes.
- Ticked tabby: The fur has an even mix of multi-colored hairs (each hair has two or more colors), creating a speckled look like salt and pepper.
2. The word “tabby” has a fascinating history.
The word “tabby” likely comes from a Baghdad neighborhood called “Attabiy,” where striped silk fabrics were made. The word changed from “tabis” in old French to “tabby” in English.
3. People believed the distinct “M” marking had a meaning.
Many people wonder about the “M” shape on tiger cats’ foreheads.
Some believe the “M” stands for “Mau”, the Egyptian word for “cat.”
One Christian story tells that a striped cat kept baby Jesus warm in his manger. Mary thanked the cat by petting its head, leaving the “M” mark behind.
Another story from Islam says that a cat called Muezza saved Prophet Mohammed from a snake. To thank the cat, Mohammed blessed all cats with the ability to land on their feet. When he petted Muezza’s head, the “M” appeared as a lasting mark.
Do Tiger-Cats Make a Good Pet?
Tabby cats make great pets, just like any other cat. Keep in mind that tabbies aren’t a breed – they just have a specific coat pattern that appears in many different cat breeds. Because of this, their personalities can vary widely. For instance, a tabby Siamese cat might behave very differently from a tabby Maine Coon.
To learn more about your cat’s personality, look up its breed (not its color pattern) on our website. Our many blog posts about different cat breeds will help you understand what to expect from your cat and how to best care for it.
Conclusion
Tiger-striped cats aren’t a specific breed, but rather a common fur pattern found in many types of cats. The tabby pattern comes in different colors and five main styles and is widely considered very beautiful.
