Fun Facts About Tabby Cats!

Every year we celebrate National Tabby Day, a day dedicated to one of the most beloved and common cat coat patterns in the world! Whether they’re curled up on your lap or playfully pouncing on their toys, tabby cats are full of personality, charm, and fascinating history. 

At Encore, we love all cats, but today, it’s all about the fabulous tabbies! Here are some fun facts to celebrate these magnificent moggies. 

“Tabby” Isn’t a Breed, It’s a Coat Pattern! 

Many people think tabby cats are a specific breed, but tabby is actually a coat pattern found in a variety of cat breeds. The tabby gene is one of the oldest feline coat patterns, dating back thousands of years!

The Famous “M” Marking on Their Forehead Has a Legend Behind It! 

If you look closely, most tabby cats have a distinctive ‘M’ shape on their forehead. But where did it come from? 

• Ancient Egyptian Myth: Tabbies were believed to be blessed by the gods. The “M” was a sign of their divine status. 

• Islamic Legend: The Prophet Muhammad reportedly loved cats, and legend has it that he gently touched a tabby’s forehead, leaving the “M” mark. 

• Christian Folklore: A tabby is said to have comforted baby Jesus in the manger, and Mary rewarded the cat with the “M” mark. 

No matter which story you believe, one thing’s for sure, tabbies are truly special!

There Are 4 Main Types of Tabby Patterns 

Not all tabbies look the same! There are four distinct coat patterns: 

• Classic Tabby – Bold swirls and a marbled effect on their fur. 

• Mackerel Tabby – Narrow, vertical stripes like a tiger. 

• Spotted Tabby – Leopard-like spots instead of stripes. 

• Ticked Tabby – A subtle “salt and pepper” appearance, often seen in Abyssinians. 

Which type is your tabby? 

Tabbies Have Been Feline Royalty for Centuries! 

Tabby cats have a long history of being adored, even by royalty! 

• Winston Churchill had a tabby cat named Jock, who was so beloved that it became a tradition for a tabby cat to always live at Chartwell House. 

• Freya, the UK’s “Chief Mouser”, was a famous tabby belonging to former Chancellor George Osborne. 

• The First Cat of the White House—Abraham Lincoln’s cat, Tabby, was (you guessed it!) a tabby. 

It’s clear, tabbies have a VIP (Very Important Paws) status! 

Most Orange Cats Are Tabbies! 

Ever noticed that nearly all ginger cats have a tabby pattern? That’s because the gene that creates orange fur is always linked to the tabby pattern. 

• 80% of orange tabbies are male due to their genetics. 

• Some orange tabbies have freckles on their noses and gums! 

• Famous orange tabbies include Garfield, Puss in Boots, and Heathcliff.

Tabby Cats Are Known for Their Playful & Affectionate Personalities! 

Every cat is unique, but tabbies are often known for being: 

• Friendly & affectionate – Many tabbies are incredibly social and love human company. 

• Clever & playful – They often have a mischievous side and love interactive toys. 

• Great hunters – Thanks to their wild ancestors, tabbies have strong hunting instincts. 

Have a tabby cat? We’d love to see them! Share a picture or video and tag Encore on Instagram, TikTok or Facebook!