Tabby Cats: Coat Pattern, Not Gender

Tabby is a coat pattern, not a breed or gender. Both male and female cats can be tabbies.

Tabby Patterns

• Classic (Blotched): Broad swirls, "bullseye" on sides.
• Mackerel: Narrow parallel stripes ("tiger cat").
• Spotted: Broken stripes → spots.
• Ticked (Agouti): Banded hairs, minimal body stripes (Abyssinian-type).
• Patched: Tabby + tortoiseshell (torbie).

Genetics

• Agouti gene (A/a): A (agouti) allows tabby pattern; a (non-agouti) = solid color.
• Tabby pattern locus (Ta^M, Ta^b, ta): Mackerel dominant to classic; ticked is separate.
• X-linked orange (O) interacts: females can be tortoiseshell/calico + tabby.

Fun Fact

All domestic cats carry the tabby gene; solid colors suppress it. The "M" on the forehead is a tabby hallmark.