

The tabby gene is extremely diverse, involved in a wide variety of coat patterns. The Asiatic wildat (Felix lybica oranata).The European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris).The African wildcat (Felis lybica lybica).In fact, the tabby pattern is a hallmark of the direct ancestors of the domestic feline, including: Though tabby cats are not a specific breed, all domestic cats carry the tabby gene because their origins can be traced to wild cats that carry the tabby pattern.


It’s also common knowledge that tabbies are among the smartest cats in the feline world. Some say the M stands for the word Mau, the Egyptian word for cat. This recognizable M-shaped marking is also seen on a number of wild cats, particularly jungle cats like cheetahs, ocelots, and tigers. What makes a tabby really stand out, however, is the distinctive M-shaped marking on the forehead.Īlso Read: Why Do Tabby Cats Have An “M” On Their Foreheads? Most tabbies have stripes across their faces, along their backs, and on their legs and tail. Though every tabby cat is different, there are certain types of markings most cats with this coat pattern tend to exhibit. Tabby cats exhibit a combination of stripes, swirls, and spots which, depending on the breed, may cover the cat’s entire body or be localized to patches. Though it’s difficult to make generalizations about tabbies because they come from so many breeds, many tabby cat owners say their cats are friendly, affectionate, and playful.Īlso Read: Most Popular Names for Tabby Cats Why Are Tabby Cats Special?Įvery cat is unique but what makes tabby cats special is the beautiful patterns that cover their coats. Tabbies often have stripes, swirls, or spots of color on their coats determined by their breed and individual genetics. Rather than referring to a specific breed, the word “tabby” is a reference to a certain coat pattern commonly seen in both domestic and wild cats.

And who wouldn’t want to adopt the trio together?! Although it might seem like more work, adopting bonded duos, or in this case, a trio, can make it easier for people in many ways.Many people refer to their cats as tabbies without really knowing what the term means. The three (confirmed) sisters were ready for homes. You can see more about these ginger kittens and learn about TNR (trap, neuter, return) on Facebook and Instagram. Because “would a rose by any other name smell as sweet?” Yeah. Occasionally leading to name adjustments, or not. Here’s when the much awaited confirmation of the kittens sex is discovered. Generally, the age for pediatric spay or neutering is around six to eight weeks of age, depending on their health and vet’s recommendations. Jane – the live wire who loves to exploreĪfter being spayed or neutered, rescued kittens are ready to find homes.Once the ginger kittens reached eight weeks old, their delightful purrsonalities emerged. “We think they are all females (this may change), so say hi to Susie, Jane and Thumbelina.” Then, they introduced the sister’s names: Photo by Lorna Harvey via Instagram/ Cat Rescue Zim Susie, Jane, and Thumbelina The sacrifice is generally thankless, but the immediate reward is seeing many kittens thrive and become adorable, playful furbabies. Then, it was up to her to ensure the kitten got the bottle every 2-3 hours all day and night. With donations from kind people in the area, the rescuers could line up an experienced foster mom with kitten formula and other supplies. We’re happy to see these rescuers carry out TNR (trap, neuter, return) efforts for feral cats in the area! While focusing on TNR, they don’t usually take in surrendered kittens or cats. So, once the kittens were given treatment, the vets contacted Cat Rescue Zim, based in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare. Busy vets and shelters often can’t accommodate such needs, so they rely on rescuers and fosterers to help. Thankfully, someone found the two-week-old kittens before they perished and brought them to a veterinarian in Zimbabwe, north of South Africa.Īt such a young age, these kittens needed round-the-clock bottle feeding for weeks still. Such cruelty makes us wonder about humankind, but we must remember all the wonderful people versus the few evil seeds. Someone very heartless and lacking all empathy dumped three ginger kittens in a plastic bag on the side of the road.
