Habits of a Tabby Cat

Striped cats are considered tabby or tiger cats. The three tabby patterns include classic, mackerel and ticked, also known as Abyssinian. Classic consists of swirling, bold patterns that very much resemble marble cake. Mackerel tabbies -- commonly known as tiger cats -- have parallel, narrow stripes down their sides. Ticked tabbies have facial tabby markings, as well as light-and-dark banded hairs on their bodies, but no spots or stripes. Tabby refers to the color and design of a cat's coat. It is not a breed.

  1. Behavior

    • Domestic tabby cats are inquisitive and naturally engage in hunting techniques learned from their mother even if they don't need to hunt for their supper. They also like playing at night and enjoy sitting on high perches. They also climb. Cats like to climb -- and even need to climb -- because that's how their ancestors survived in the wild. The ancestors of domestic cats climbed and prowled in high places, on rocks situated high above the ground and in the branches of trees or on the edges of mountains to obtain a good vantage point from which to observe their prey.

    Training Him

    • Tabbies, like any other cat, can be destructive if you don't train them through redirection. When your cat does something of which you don't approve, make a loud noise or squirt it with water. After you do that, redirect the cat's attention by playing with it or ushering it into another room, which should distract it from the naughty business in which it was engaged.

    Stalking

    • Tabby cats are good at stalking, which is one of their natural instincts. The color of their fur helps them blend into the natural landscape. It's sort of a camouflage, which is helpful for cats who live outside. Tabby kittens also blend into the landscape, which affords them protection when they live outside and must avoid predators.

    Friendly Gestures

    • Cats like to head butt. This is a friendly gesture. It's comparable to shaking someone's hand. When a cat head butts you, it is leaving behind scent from the scent glands in its cheeks and head, also known as marking you.

    Energetic

    • Cats can be energetic and need to explore and roam. They need to exercise and hone their hunting skills, even though you serve them food. Play with your cat, give it attention and praise. Positive reinforcement usually works better than punishing your cat for being true to its instinctive nature.