Tiger Cat: Facts, History & Origin (With Pictures)

Tiger cats, also known as tabby cats, are one of the most recognizable kitties in the feline world. However, they’re also very misunderstood. Contrary to popular belief, tabbies aren’t a cat breed at all but rather a pattern variation. Read on to learn more about cats with this amazing coat pattern.

Breed Overview

Tiger cats come in many different colors and patterns. Though most people know them by the distinct M-shaped marking on their foreheads, there are actually several other pattern styles commonly seen in cats with tabby coats.

Tiger Cat Breed Characteristics

The Earliest Records of Tiger Cats in History

The tiger cat pattern dates back to domestic cats in the Middle Ages.

The genetic mutation responsible for producing the blotched tabby pattern emerged during the Ottoman Empire. This empire, also known as the Turkish Empire, spanned most of Southeast Europe, West Asia, and North Africa between the 14th and early 20th centuries. The tiger cat pattern, which is seen in nearly 80% of modern-day cats, slowly became more common throughout Southwest Asia, Africa, and Europe. However, the tabby pattern didn’t become commonplace until around the 18th century.

How Tiger Cats Gained Popularity

In ancient Egypt, cats were held in very high esteem. These early tiger cats are likely ancestors of the modern tabbies we adore today and were loved and celebrated for their excellent hunting skills. They kept granaries, ships, and households free from disease-carrying vermin.

As mentioned, the tabby cat pattern didn’t become commonplace worldwide until the 18th century. Towards the end of the 19th century, more North Americans began to keep cats not only for their utility (rat hunting) but also for their company. By the end of World War I, cats had rightfully earned their place as household pets in the U.S. and Canada.

Formal Recognition of Tiger Cats

Since tiger cats are not a separate breed but instead a pattern seen in many different cat breeds, there’s no formal recognition available for it. However, many cat breed standards set by The International Cat Association (TICA) and Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) do contain “tabby” as a pattern.

For example, the TICA standard for Bengals includes brown tabby, silver tabby, seal sepia tabby, and seal mink tabby. The CFA breed standard for Maine Coons includes many tabby colors and patterns, including (but not limited to) classic, mackerel, and ticked tabby patterns and brown, silver, red, and blue-silver colors.

Top 3 Unique Facts About Tiger Cats

1. There are many distinct tiger cat patterns.

When most people think about tabby cats, they think of the distinct “M” marking on the forehead. While this is absolutely one of the tabby patterns, there are actually several others.

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2. The word “tabby” has a fascinating history.

The “tabby” pattern title is believed to have originated in the “Attabiy” district of Baghdad, where fine silk and striped cloths were produced. Over time, the Middle French term “tabis,” became “tabis,” before giving rise to our modern English word, “tabby.”

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3. People believed the distinct “M” marking had a meaning.

There are many stories as to how and why tiger cats developed their trademark “M” on their foreheads.

Some believe the “M” stands for “Mau”, the Egyptian word for “cat.”

According to Christian folklore, after Jesus’s birth, a tabby cat showed up to comfort and keep him warm. Mary, ever-grateful for the cat’s presence, stroked the cat’s head, leaving the “M” mark on the forehead.

An Islamic legend suggests that a tabby named Muezza saved his master, Prophet Mohammed, from a snake. To express his gratitude toward the cat, Mohammed gifted them the ability to land on their feet. When Mohammed petted the kitty to thank him for saving his life, the “M” marking appeared and remained.

Do Tiger Cats Make a Good Pet?

Tabbies absolutely can make fantastic pets simply because they’re cats, and we believe all cats can be good pets. It’s important to remember that tiger cats aren’t a specific breed, but instead, a pattern that naturally occurs in many different cat breeds, so we can’t say for sure what you should expect personality-wise as we don’t know your kitty’s DNA. For example, a Siamese tabby can have an entirely different personality than a Maine Coon with tabby patterning.

To get a better idea of what your cat’s personality will be like, try searching their breed (not their patterning) using the search function on our site. We have hundreds of blogs about countless different cat breeds, which should shed some light on what to expect personality-wise and the care requirements necessary for your pet’s specific breed.

Conclusion

Tiger cats aren’t a separate breed but a coat pattern commonly seen in several cat breeds. While the tabby pattern is available in many different colors and five distinct styles, there’s certainly no denying how beautiful this patterning can be.

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Featured Image Credit: Esin Deniz, Shutterstock