Adorable Tabby Cat Kittens: A Purr-Fect Addition To Your Family

Tabby cats are not a specific breed, but rather any cat with tabby markings. These markings can be in any colour and a variety of shapes, from stripes to swirls and spots. The tabby gene is present in every cat, but it does not show in the coat of every cat. Tabby cats are known for their sweet nature and the distinctive 'M' marking on their foreheads. They are usually friendly, intelligent, affectionate, vocal, active, and quiet, and they can be found in a range of colours, including orange, grey, brown, black, and bronze. Tabbies can be either short or long-haired, and they can be found in a variety of breeds, including Maine Coons, Scottish Folds, and American Shorthairs.

Tabby kitten markings

Tabby kittens, like adult tabby cats, are distinguished by the marking patterns on their coats. These patterns are the mackerel, classic or blotched, ticked, and spotted tabby patterns. Tabby is not a breed of cat but a set of distinguishing characteristics that can appear in many breeds and colours.

All tabbies have the same forehead marking, an M-shaped pattern, with stripes by their eyes and across their cheeks, along their backs, around their legs and tails. Tabby kittens can be identified by their sweet nature and this legendary marking.

The mackerel tabby pattern is made up of thin, vertical, gently curving stripes on the sides of the body. These stripes can be continuous or broken into bars and short segments or spots, especially on the flanks and stomach. Mackerel tabbies are also called 'tiger cats' or 'fishbone tabbies'.

The classic tabby, also known as the blotched tabby, has the M-shaped pattern on the forehead but, rather than primarily thin stripes or spots, the body markings are thick, curving bands in whorls or a swirled pattern, with a distinctive mark on each side of the body resembling a bullseye. These markings can create smudged bullseyes or targets.

The ticked tabby pattern is due to even fields of agouti hairs, each with distinct bands of colour, which break up the tabby patterning into a salt-and-pepper appearance that makes them look sand-like. There are few to no stripes or bands. Residual ghost striping can often be seen on the lower legs, face, belly and sometimes at the tail tip, as well as the standard M-shaped marking.

The spotted tabby has the striped face of a classic tabby but has oval or round spots along their bodies.

The patched tabby has a mix of patches of brown tabby and patches of orange tabby. These cats are also called 'torbies' as they are a combination of a tabby and tortoiseshell cat.

The tabby pattern is the most common pattern seen in domestic cats.

Tabby kitten colours

Tabby kittens, like adult tabby cats, can come in a variety of colours and patterns. While tabby cats are not a specific breed, they are defined by their characteristic markings. Tabby kittens can be brown, grey, orange, or even black, and their markings include stripes, spots, whorls, and bands. They typically have an "M"-shaped mark on their foreheads.

The five basic patterns that are considered genetically distinct are: classic, mackerel, spotted, ticked, and patched.

The classic pattern usually has whorls ending in a "target" on the side of the cat. Many American Shorthair cats demonstrate this pattern.

The mackerel pattern, also known as the striped tabby, is the most common pattern. Mackerel tabbies have striped rings around their tail and legs, a "necklace" of stripes on their chests, and bands of solid or broken stripes running down their bodies.

The spotted tabby pattern is characterised by spots instead of stripes. Sometimes the spots look like a series of small circular dots, and other times they will have rosettes. This pattern is most common in the Bengal, Egyptian Mau, and Maine Coon breeds, but they can be found in others.

The ticked tabby pattern is less obvious and is found on cats like the Abyssinian and Somali. Their fur is ticked like a squirrel's, and while this is considered a tabby pattern, some consider it a stretch to include as a tabby type.

The patched tabby pattern is recognised when patches of tabby markings appear on a calico or tortoiseshell cat. They are referred to as caliby and torbie, respectively.

In addition to these five basic patterns, tabby kittens can also have a variety of coat colours. Red tabbies, also called ginger or orange tabbies, can come in many shades ranging from a pale yellowish shade to a vibrant orange or deep rust colour. Grey tabbies have light to medium grey fur with stripes that can be dark grey to black. Silver tabbies are similar to grey tabbies but have a shimmery silver sheen. Cream tabbies have fur that looks like a soft beige or tan colour with darker stripes. Blue tabby cats have cream, buff-coloured, or light grey/bluish fur with stripes that are dark grey or blue-grey. Brown tabbies tend to have lighter-coloured fur that is shaded medium brown or bronze, with stripes and/or spots that are dark brown to black.

Tabby kitten eye colours

The eye colour of a tabby kitten can vary, and it's not necessarily linked to their coat colour. Melanin in the iris determines the eye colour of a cat, and the more melanin in the cat's eyes, the darker they will be.

The most common eye colours for tabby cats are red, copper, orange, yellow, hazel, blue and green. The vertical pupils are usually black.

Kittens are typically born with blue eyes, and their eye colour can change as they age. By the time a kitten is 12 weeks old, their eye colour will be fully developed.

If you notice a sudden change in eye colour in an adult cat, this could be a sign of a health issue.

Tabby kitten breeds

The tabby cat is not a specific breed but rather a description of their characteristic markings. Tabbies can be brown, grey, orange, or even black, and their markings include stripes, spots, whirls, and bands. They typically have an "M"-shaped mark on their foreheads. The tabby pattern occurs naturally and is connected to the coat of the domestic cat's direct ancestor and to those of its close relatives: the African wildcat, the European wildcat, and the Asiatic wildcat.

There are five basic patterns that are considered genetically distinct: classic, mackerel, spotted, ticked, and patched.

Classic Tabby

Classic tabbies, also known as blotched tabbies, have the swirl pattern that may first come to mind when imagining a tabby cat. They have the 'M' pattern on the forehead, thick curving bands in whorls or a swirled pattern, and a distinctive mark on each side of the body that resembles a bullseye. Black tabbies generally have dark browns, olives, and ochres that stand out more against their black colours. Many American Shorthair cats demonstrate this pattern.

Mackerel Tabby

Mackerel tabbies are the tigers of the tabby cat world, rocking a stylish coat of stripes that stand out among other tabby variations. They have one solid dark stripe along their spine, with more stripes branching off. This pattern resembles the skeleton of a fish, hence the name. They are the most common among tabbies.

Spotted Tabby

Spots are similar to stripes but are broken, appearing more like spots. The ocicat and the American bobtail are good examples of spotted tabbies, although some moggies will also demonstrate this colour pattern.

Ticked Tabby

Ticked tabbies may have bands or stripes on their legs and tail, but their body will not have any distinct markings. This is because their hair has multiple colours on each strand, which 'dilutes' the distinct tabby markings. The Abyssinian, or "tabby Aby", is a good example of the ticked trait in action.

Patched Tabby

Cats with both tortoiseshell (aka tortie) and tabby patterns are designated the patched tabby, or "torbie". Since torties are not solid-coloured cats to begin with, "torbies" may have four to five different colourations on their coats.

Tabby kitten care

A tabby cat is not a specific breed but is characterised by its distinctive M-shaped marking on its forehead, stripes by its eyes, and a mix of stripes, dots, lines, flecks, bands, or swirls on its body. The tabby gene is present in all domestic cats, but it does not present in the coat of every cat.

Types of Tabby Markings

There are five types of tabby markings: classic, mackerel, spotted, ticked, and patched. The first four are genetically distinct, while the patched pattern is a combination of calico or tortoiseshell markings with tabby patches.

Choosing a Tabby Kitten

When choosing a tabby kitten, consider whether you want a single kitten or multiple kittens, as two cats can sometimes be easier to live with as they provide each other with companionship and entertainment. It is also important to think about whether you have other pets or children in the home, as some cats get along better with them than others.

Once you have welcomed your tabby kitten into your home, there are several things you need to do to ensure it stays happy and healthy.

Food and Water

Tabby cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they eat other animals and only other animals. It is important to feed your kitten a wholesome cat food that is specifically formulated to provide them with the nutrients they need. Always ensure your kitten has access to plenty of fresh, clean water, as they can get dehydrated if they do not drink enough.

Veterinary Care

Tabby kittens, like all cats, require regular veterinary care. Taking your kitten to the vet at least once a year will help ensure they stay healthy. Vets can also provide advice on specific care requirements, such as grooming and exercise, based on your kitten's breed.

Litter Box

Your tabby kitten will need a clean, well-kept litter box that is big enough for them to use comfortably. Keeping the litter box clean will help prevent your kitten from relieving themselves elsewhere in the home.

Scratching

Tabby cats have a physical need to scratch, so it is important to provide them with plenty of appropriate scratching toys. This will help prevent unwanted scratching of furniture or other household items.

Hazards

There are several hazards that new tabby kitten owners should be aware of. For example, aspirin and certain plants, such as lilies, are toxic to cats. Additionally, electrical wires, stoves, and string or yarn can pose a threat if ingested. It is important to be mindful of these hazards and take steps to protect your kitten from harm.

Frequently asked questions