Tabby cats aren’t a breed—they’re a coat pattern that shows up in many cats, from mixed-breed companions to pedigreed favorites. Recognized by their stripes, swirls, spots, or fine “ticked” fur and the iconic “M” on the forehead, tabbies are the most common coat pattern in the cat world. Explore the world of Tabby Cats : characteristics, types, and care tips for your furry friend. If you love cats , you might enjoy installing the free Tabby Cat Chrome extension. This extension replaces tabs on your browser with animated pets. Tabby cat , also known as grey tiger, or simply tabby is the name for domestic cats with fur coats of stripes, dots, lines or swirling patterns. These cats often have a mark that looks like the letter "M" on their foreheads.