Tabby cats are not a breed but a coat pattern, and American Shorthairs can have this pattern.
While many American Shorthair cats have tabby coats, not all tabby cats are American Shorthairs.
- Tabby is a coat pattern: Not a breed, found in many breeds, including American Shorthairs.
- American Shorthairs can have tabby coats: But they also come in solid, bicolor, tortoiseshell, etc.
- Main tabby patterns: Mackerel (stripes), classic (swirls), spotted, and ticked (individual bands).
- Tabby colors: Black, brown, gray, orange, silver, and more.
- Breeds with tabby coats: Maine Coon, Persian, Abyssinian, and others.
- American Shorthairs: Muscular, friendly, adaptable, and good with families.
- Key difference: Tabby is a pattern; American Shorthair is a breed.
Many people think all tabby cats belong to the American Shorthair breed, but that’s not true.
Tabby is just a coat pattern, not a breed. It shows up as stripes, spots, swirls, and even an “M” on the forehead.
These markings can appear in many cat breeds and mixed-breed cats.
American Shorthair cats are a specific breed known for their muscular build, affectionate nature, and a wide variety of coat colors and patterns.
Their tabby coats are especially common, often seen in brown, grey, silver, black, white, blue, and cream, with streaks or patches in the fur.
So, while a tabby pattern can be found in American Shorthairs, it also exists across many breeds and coat lengths.
That’s why a tabby doesn’t always mean American Shorthair, but an American Shorthair can proudly wear a tabby coat.
What Is a Tabby Cat?
A tabby cat is a domestic cat with a unique coat pattern that features stripes, spots, swirls, or bands.
This pattern is common in many breeds, not just one specific breed. It is often associated with the agouti gene, which influences the coat’s appearance.
The pattern can appear in a range of colors, including brown, gray, orange, and black, and it’s commonly found in domestic shorthair cats.
Tabby cats are known for their distinctive “M” marking on their forehead. This marking, along with their other unique patterns, is a result of their genetics.
The four main types of tabby patterns are mackerel (also known as tiger stripes), classic, spotted, and ticked.
These cats are descendants of wildcats like the African wildcat (Felis lybica lybica), European wildcat (Felis silvestris), and Asiatic wildcat (Felis lybica ornata).
These ancestors passed down the tabby pattern, which is now seen in many non-pedigree cats.
In addition to their beautiful patterns, tabby cats bring a lot of variation in their looks, making each one truly unique.
Many tabby cats are loved for their friendly personalities and colorful coats.
Common Tabby Patterns Explained
The most well-known tabby patterns are Classic, Mackerel, Spotted, and Ticked.
Each pattern is unique and beautiful, with stripes, spots, or special coat effects depending on the cat’s breed and genetics.
When I first brought home a Tabby cat, I was amazed by the beautiful coat patterns.
My kitten had a Classic Blotched pattern with bold swirls, blotches, and a bullseye-like shape on both sides.
The thick lines and dramatic effect made her look like a little marble-like work of art. Many American Shorthair cats exhibit this pattern.
Later, I met a Spotted Tabby with tiny spots in curved bands.
These spots vary in size and shape, looking playful and wild. Breeds like the Ocicat and Bobtail are known for this pattern.
I also admired the Mackerel pattern — slim, narrow, parallel stripes that run along the body.
The stripes wrapped in rings around the tail and legs, and formed a necklace on the chest, just like the bones of a fish.
Now I care for a Ticked Tabby with soft individual hairs.
These hairs have alternating light and dark bands, creating a shimmery, salt-and-pepper appearance.
There are no clear stripes or spots, but the coat shines in the sun.
This look is common in Abyssinian cats. Each tabby is special, and the patterns make them stand out.
Colors of Tabby Cats
Colors of Tabby Cats include a wide range of shades and patterns such as classic, mackerel, spotted, and ticked, found in colors like black, blue, orange, silver, chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, and fawn.
Tabby cats have some of the most unique and eye-catching coats in the cat world.
Their patterns can show up as classic swirls, mackerel stripes, spotted dots, or ticked hairs.
These patterns often come with a special M shape on the forehead, adding to their charm.
Their cat coat can appear in many colors, including black, blue, orange (also called red or ginger), and soft tones like fawn, cinnamon, lilac, and chocolate.
Some have silver coats, which are a diluted form of black, giving a light base color with dark markings.
Others show warm tones like reddish-brown, pale lilac, or cool gray.
Many female tabbies also display tortoiseshell, calico, or bicolor styles—a beautiful mix of black, orange, and white, often shaped by a sex-linked allele.
Whether showing soft patches, bold vertical stripes, or light accents, each tabby’s appearance is truly special.
Breeds That Can Be Tabby
Breeds That Can Be Tabby include both purebred and mixed-breed cats.
Popular breeds with tabby patterns are Maine Coon, Persian, American Shorthair, British Shorthair, and Egyptian Mau.
These cats can have stripes, spots, or swirls on their coats, making tabby a common and beautiful pattern across many feline breeds.
Many cat breeds can have the tabby pattern. It’s not a breed but a special coat design.
You’ll often see stripes, spots, or even whorls. This feature is found in both purebred and mixed cats.
Popular purebred cats that can be tabby include the Maine Coon, Persian, American Shorthair, and British Shorthair.
These breeds come in classic, mackerel, or spotted styles.
Their fur can be short, long, or curly depending on the breed. The Egyptian Mau stands out with its naturally occurring markings.
Other unique cats with tabby markings are the Abyssinian, American Bobtail, Scottish Fold, Cornish Rex, Norwegian Forest Cat, Ocicat, Oriental Shorthair, Bengal, and American Curl.
These breeds have adaptable looks and personalities.
Even domestic shorthairs and domestic longhairs—common mixed-breed cats—can show many coat colors and patterns, making them a great choice for cat lovers.
Are All Tabby Cats American Shorthairs?
No, tabby is a coat pattern, not a specific breed.
While American Shorthairs can have tabby markings, many other breeds also share this pattern, such as Domestic Shorthairs, British Shorthairs, and Persians.
Tabby is a coat pattern that appears in many different breeds of cats, not just American Shorthairs.
Although American Shorthairs are known for their diverse colors and patterns, the tabby pattern is not exclusive to them.
Other popular breeds like Domestic Shorthairs, British Shorthairs, Exotic Shorthairs, and even long-haired breeds like Persians can have tabby coats.
The tabby pattern is characterized by stripes, swirls, or a marbled look.
Maine Coon, Abyssinian, and many non-pedigreed domestic cats also have this beautiful pattern.
Even mixed-breed cats can feature a tabby coat.
Whether a cat is purebred or classified as a Domestic Shorthair, the tabby pattern is common and can be found across various breeds.
Can American Shorthairs Be Non-Tabby?
Yes, American Shorthair cats can be non-tabby. They come in many colors and patterns, including solid, bicolor, tricolor, tortoiseshell, shaded, and pointed coats.
American Shorthair cats are well-known for their classic tabby look, but they also appear in non-tabby patterns.
You’ll find solid coats in shades like black, white, grey, and brown.
Some have bi-colors or tri-colors, meaning they have two distinct or three colors in their coat.
Other beautiful patterns include tortoiseshell and mottled designs, often seen in female cats.
Some have shaded fur, with darker tips over a lighter base.
A few may even have pointed features with markings on their face, paws, and tail.
These unique patterns make each cat’s look truly special.
Whether your American Shorthair has stripes, swirls, dots, or a uniform color, their charm and beauty remain the same.
Other Coat Patterns in ASH Cats
Other Coat Patterns in ASH Cats refer to the variety of unique designs beyond the common tabby, solid, and calico patterns found in American Shorthair (ASH) cats.
These patterns make each cat distinctive, showcasing a mix of colors, markings, and textures.
ASH cats are known for their wide range of coat patterns, which go beyond the typical solid colors, tabby, and calico patterns.
Some of the most notable other patterns include bi-color (such as the tuxedo style), where two colors are often combined with white.
Pointed patterns, characterized by darker colors on the face, paws, tail, and ears, contrast with a lighter body.
Additionally, smoke patterns are another stunning variety, where a silver or white undercoat blends with darker tips for a soft, smoky effect.
The chinchilla pattern is another option, with a silvery or grayish coat that gives a muted appearance.
Dilute versions of colors, like blue, provide a lighter tone of black, which creates a unique visual impact.
These different patterns and variations add to the beauty and diversity of the American Shorthair breed, ensuring that every cat looks different, even within the same family.
How Common Is the Tabby Pattern in ASH Cats?
The tabby pattern is the most common coat pattern in American Shorthair (ASH cats).
It is seen frequently in domestic cat breeds and is even present in solid-colored cats as faint markings.
Ubiquitous Tabby Gene and Variations in ASH Cats
The tabby pattern is widely spread across many cat breeds.
The tabby gene is present in all domestic cats, making it a very common trait.
Even solid-colored cats may display light faint tabby markings due to this gene.
ASH cats are known for having different types of tabby variations.
These include patterns like mackerel, classic, blotched, spotted, and ticked.
These different styles give ASH cats unique and varied looks.
The tabby gene is responsible for these changes in appearance.
Some ASH cats may have a recessive gene that influences the appearance of the tabby pattern.
However, the gene still allows the tabby pattern to show up, giving the coat a beautiful mix of textures and colors.
Silver and shaded ASH cats are also considered to have tabby patterned coats because they are genetically agouti.
Difference between a tabby cat and an American shorthair?
The key difference between a tabby cat and an American Shorthair lies in their classification.
A tabby is a coat pattern, while an American Shorthair is a specific breed of cat.
Tabby cats can come in many colors, such as black, brown, gray, or orange, and feature stripes, swirls, or spots in their fur.
An American Shorthair can have a tabby pattern but is known for its muscular, sturdy build and short coat.
They are typically vocal, affectionate, and enjoy being around children and other pets.
The difference between a tabby cat and an American Shorthair is based on coat patterns and breed classification.
While tabby refers to a pattern of fur seen across different breeds, an American Shorthair is a breed of cat.
Tabbies can have stripes, swirls, or spots, and the famous M marking on their forehead.
These patterns can be found in many breeds, including the American Shorthair.
On the other hand, American Shorthairs are known for their muscular, sturdy build and short, thick coat.
They come in a variety of colors and patterns, including tabby.
Unlike tabby cats, which can have more independent tendencies, American Shorthairs tend to be affectionate, vocal, and enjoy the company of children and other pets.
They are very adaptable, making them great for families.
They also have a lifespan of 15-20 years and are generally healthy, though they can still face specific health issues common to any breed.
Tabby cats are often more independent and can be very active, especially at night, driven by their natural hunting instincts.
Regardless of their differences, both tabby cats and American Shorthairs are wonderful companions, with each offering unique qualities and charm for any cat lover.
Summary Table – Tabby vs. American Shorthair
| Feature | Tabby Cats | American Shorthair Cats |
| Breed | Not a breed, but a coat pattern | Official breed |
| Pattern | Yes, distinctive stripes, spots, or swirls (including the “M” on the forehead) | Often, many can be tabby-patterned |
| Origin | Varies, no specific origin | United States |
| Pedigree | No, unless part of a purebred breed | Yes (if purebred) |
| Coat Type | Any (short or long hair) | Short, dense |
| Temperament | Varies depending on the individual cat | Known for being friendly, adaptable, and good-natured, especially with families |
| Appearance | Varies widely depending on the individual cat’s breed and other factors | Typically muscular, round face, and expressive eyes |
Conclusion
Tabby cats can be American Shorthairs, but not all tabby cats belong to this breed.
The term “tabby” refers to a coat pattern, while “American Shorthair” is a specific cat breed that can display the tabby pattern.
Many people think a tabby is a breed, but it’s actually just a coat pattern.
You’ll find tabby markings in various cat breeds, including the American Shorthair, which is known for its loyal, affectionate, and adaptable nature.
The American Shorthair has a rich history and often comes with plush, spotted, or sleek fur in many coat colors.
It’s a robust and healthy breed with a steady personality. Because the tabby pattern is a genetic trait, it appears in both purebred and mixed-breed cats.
In the feline world, every cat has its own story, and discovering your ideal feline companion is a joyful journey.
Whether it’s a Bengal, a Persian, or an American Shorthair, each brings its own beauty, diversity, and companionship into our lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is American Shorthair the same as tabby?
No, they are different. Tabby refers to a coat pattern, not a breed. American Shorthairs are a specific breed that can have tabby patterns but can also have other patterns.
What kind of cat is a tabby?
A tabby cat is a cat with a coat pattern that includes stripes, spots, swirls, or bands. It is common in many cat breeds and can appear in various colors like brown, gray, orange, and silver.
Are tabby cats shorthaired?
Tabby cats can have either short or long hair. The tabby pattern is a coat design, and it can be found in cats with different coat lengths, including short-haired breeds like the American Shorthair.
Is an American Shorthair a purebred cat?
Yes, an American Shorthair is a purebred cat. It is a specific breed known for its muscular build and friendly nature. It can have various coat colors and patterns, including tabby.
How do I know if my tabby is a purebred?
To determine if a tabby is purebred, you can check for specific breed traits like body shape, size, and coat texture. A purebred tabby, like an American Shorthair, will have distinct breed characteristics and may have documentation from a breeder.
Are silver tabbies always American Shorthairs?
No, silver tabbies are not always American Shorthairs. While American Shorthairs can have a silver tabby coat, other breeds like the Maine Coon and British Shorthair can also have silver tabby patterns.
Can a tabby cat be long-haired?
Yes, tabby cats can be long-haired. The tabby pattern can appear in both short-haired and long-haired breeds, so a long-haired cat can have a tabby coat as well.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only. For specific breed or health questions, consult a vet. Content by Catohouse.com