


That’s also part of the reason why cat experts theorize that spotted tabbies might have originated from the mackerel tabby. In some cases, the arms and legs may also have broken lines similar to that of the mackerel tabby. These spots may take different shapes, such as rosettes or ovals, depending on the genetics of the cat. The spots can be easily spotted (pun intended) on the sides of the cat. However, the spots are a bit subtler, especially since it is a grey tabby cat. This gray tabby cat pattern will resemble a cheetah or any spotted jungle cat out there. Mackerel tabbies are more common in Asian countries, especially in mixed breeds. The reason why they are called mackerel tabbies is that the pattern resembles that of a fish skeleton as one stripe forms smaller stripes from the spine. The lines on their body have equal amounts of spacing. In some cases, they are also called “tiger tabbies” due to their resemblance to tigers. Unlike the classic type, they are mostly straight and not swirling at all. It is characterized by much narrower and finer stripes in a vertical pattern. This is perhaps the most common pattern found in both moggies and puspins as mentioned above. Sometimes, their blotched patterns may look like a bulls-eye target or even that of a zebra due to the vividness of the coat pattern. In most areas of the world, the gray classic tabby cat is also known as the “blotched tabby”. That’s because you’ll find distinctive swirls on the sides of the cat that are completely separate and easy to spot from the cat’s lighter color (e.g. This tabby cat coloring will give you the impression of a marble cake. With that said, here are the most prominent ones, which may change based on their genes: Grey classic tabby Grey Tabby Cat Colors (Coat Patterns)ĭid you know that grey tabby cats don’t come in a single pattern alone? Although the shade of gray is almost the same throughout the tabby cat family, you’ll find that there are a plethora of combinations for their coats.Īlthough they are called grey tabby cats, for sure, they aren’t simply colored gray – they are a combination of gray and white, which makes the different patterns. So, do you want to know more about the grey tabby cat? Read on our feline guide to find out about the different colors (or pattern variations, for that matter), their lifespan, personality, and other fun facts. Think of it as being similar to calico cats – you will see this coat pattern in nearly any cat breed around the world. Whether you have a purebred or a mixed breed (such as moggies of the UK or puspins of the Philippines, also known as the Domestic Shorthair), gray tabby cats are only identifiable due to their unique coat pattern. Contrary to popular belief, grey tabby cats aren’t exactly a breed but it’s more of a common coat pattern that you can see in various cat breeds.
