Tabby a Common Feline Coat Pattern, Not a Breed

Tabby cats come in a variety of colors, including black, gray, silver, brown, and orange, sometimes accented with white.

It can be confusing to differentiate a cat's breed based on its fur. Ground Picture/Shutterstock

Q: What’s the difference between a tabby and a tiger cat? Is a tabby a purebred cat?

A: Tabby is not a breed, but a coat pattern common among purebreds as well as mixed-breed cats, usually referred to as domestic short- or long-haired cats.